Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9- Movie Review and Giveaway

It is always a pleasure to review family friendly movies, but add in one that is one created by Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales, and well, you got me!  Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9, a fun twist of a tale mimicking Star Wars and Star Trek, that tells of one Buck Denver and his outer space adventures. Buck has one goal in life: to do big things for God.  In fact, he has a poster in his workplace that says just that- "God wants you to do big things!"  

 Buck and his workplace friends set out on a mission to take God's word to a remote place in space, Sector 9, that has lost it's transponder- the way they are able to hear the preaching of a famous pastor.  Buck thinks this will be his way to do something big and make a difference.  Through a series of crazy adventures, what Buck learns in the end is that only half of his poster is true- God wants YOU! Period.  Just you! Buck learns that having a dream is important, but more important are God's dreams.  We must learn to follow God's will, not ours.

God needs leaders who follow God's heart instead of their own

Pretty profound, don't you think?

So what did we think? 
Cute, cute, cute!  I admit to not knowing what to expect with this movie.  When it begins, it is clearly puppetry combined with animation  so I was not sure all the kids in the family would be impressed.   But, let me just say, the giggles started immediately.  And not just from the 8 year old! Our whole family laughed a lot and is STILL quoting lines. Yes. We are weird like that.

Like when Buck introduces himself as Buck, Buck Denver.  And then the other character calls him Buck Buck the rest of the movie.  He does try to correct him, but the guy tells him he likes Buck Buck better.

Movies are always better with pizza, right?

Above all though, are the Biblical truths that Phil Vischer is famous for embedding in his films. Through fun and laughter he conveys Gods's love for us, His plan for us, and how we must trust in Him!  When you watch his movies, Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9, you come away with a positive, Biblical message, Biblical truths, and clean family fun, appropriate for all ages.

Good news- Fly By Productions is providing me a copy of this newly released, 40 minute DVD to give to one of our readers.  Leave me a comment and tell me your favorite Veggie Tales movie and you will be entered!  A random winner will be drawn next Tuesday!

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Linking up with friends!

Blessings,

Old Fashioned- The Movie, the Book and the Devotional Review and giveaway!

Do you ever have times when expectations are exceeded with reality?  When you think you know how something is going to look, and then it surprises you and is completely different?  Or times that your kids just KNOW a movie is going to be bad, and then begrudgingly admit that it was, after all, good?  (That one I like!)

Yep, that is exactly how things turned out with the movie Old Fashioned.

I thought it was a movie about courtship.  It is not.
The kids thought it might be poorly made.  It definitely is not!
The kids thought it would be sappy and boring.  It was neither.

What it is, it turns out, is a story of God's grace.  And love.  Written by and starring Ric Swartzwelder, it is a story about a man named Clay who led a pretty colorful college life, turned his life around, and decided how things were going to look different from then on out.  He came up with some "theories" and built his life and his behavior around them.  Unfortunately, somewhere in the midst of trying to follow the letter of the law, he forgot the spirit of the law.  He held himself up to such drastic standards that even he could not make himself happy.  Clay had some great ideas of how he should treat women, the issue became how he treated himself.

Then he met Amber, a free spirited wanderer who drifts into town and captures his heart.  Through time, she sees her need for God's love and grace and he sees his need for letting go of perfection. And that's when the romance starts.  Well, after a few interviews with a book and lots of personal questions.  Trust me, you will like those parts!

Quite simply, Old Fashioned is a good movie.  Though there are some sweet, romantic moments in it, it is not sappy and isn't too predictable.  There are a few scenes that are for a slightly more mature audience which earned it a PG-13 rating.  I watched with with 4 teens and our 21 year old and it sparked a good conversation afterwards.  Funny how movies can get a conversation started.

The Book- Written by Rene Gutteridge and based off the movie, this 303 page novelization did a good job of sticking to the original story plot pretty closely.  There were a few extras added, but on a whole, you won't see many differences.  It is a fairly quick and easy read- I would say the perfect vacation book.

The Devotional- This 40 day, 222 page devo, The Old Fashioned Way, goes along with the movie but can be used without having seen it.  I do like that most days begin with a quote from the movie since some of my favorite lines were quoted!  Each of the 40 days begins with a 1-2 page devotion on various topics and then ends with Bible verses and prayers. Sections titled "things to consider" and "things to journal" make it interactional and cause you to think about how you feel on the many varied topics. Topics include Respect Yourself, Beyond the Dating Life, Chivalry is Not Dead and How Compatible Are You.  Each day, author Ginger Kolbaba walks you through what it looks like to "reclaim the lost art of romance" in an easy going, conversational tone.  The pages are full of Bible verses and examples without being judgmental or talking down to you.  While you may not agree with everything you read, I assure you it will give you some things to consider.  I love how they advertise it-

Contrary to popular opinion, being "old fashioned" doesn't mean you're dull or unromantic.  In fact, a true old fashioned relationship can be more exciting and romantic than anything you've ever experienced!  So what does it mean to do things the old fashioned way?  Sure, it means opening doors, holding out chairs, and taking things slow.  But a true old fashioned romance goes much, much deeper than that.  Inspired by the motion picture Old Fashioned, this book will show you how to reclaim the lost art of romance by introducing you to romantic love as God intended it.  Regardless of your past mistakes, where you've been, what you've done, or where you are now, you can find and create a love that will last a lifetime! 

In a day and time where our theaters are filled with trashy movies and many books boarder on filth, it is refreshing to be able to watch a Christian movie or book that is not only written well, but tells a story worth telling - that chivalry is still alive, that romance is still alive, and that God can redeem our pasts and make our futures beautiful!

Fly By Productions and I would love to give one of our readers a copy of the movie Old Fashioned, the novel, and the devotional!  Just leave me a comment and tell me what your idea of a fun date night with your significant other or group of friends looks like! A random winner will be chosen on Tuesday, 23rd.

Old Fashioned can also be purchased from CDB for $15.95.

You can also find Old Fashioned on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OldFashionedMovie and

Twitter: @OldFashionedVow

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

IndoctriNation- Schoolhouse Crew Review

The reason this blog first began was so that I could review homeschool materials.  Yes, I am a homeschooling mom.  And yes, I love curriculum.  Actually, the truth is I love anything that benefits, blesses, and supports families.  Homeschoolers or not!  Because I try hard to keep my finger on the pulse of families and family related products, I had heard of IndoctriNation (produced by Great Commission Films) a while back, but just had not gotten a chance to see it.  This past month I was blessed with the opportunity to receive and watch the DVD of IndoctriNation.  I am not sure exactly what I expected, but I sure got that and more!


IndoctriNation is the brainchild of film producer and homeshool father, Colin Gunn.  Scottish born Colin boards a "big, yellow bus" along with his wife and children to travel to various parts of the United States in an effort to research "public schools and the decline of Christianity in America."

He interviews big names such as R.C. Sproul, Voddie Baucham, Israel Wayne, and Ken Ham, as well as a public school graduate, principles, teachers, and various leaders in government.  The film is also sprinkled with quotes from authors, historians, and men of the faith.   By examining where the public school concept actually came from, (you might be surprised!) Colin seeks to answer the question, can the system be fixed or do we abandon it altogether?  He covers the areas of sexual sin, violence, abortion, drugs and alcohol, and the governments involvement in the classroom.

This 102 minute DVD is for adults, mainly Christian parents, and again, does talk about sensitive issues such as abortion, homosexual relationships, drugs, violence, and alcohol.  I watched it by myself the first time and then with my older children the second time. This gave me time to gather my thoughts first, and then allow us to discuss what we saw, heard and learned together after they had watched the movie.  Yes, it contains some pretty hefty subjects, but IndoctriNation provides a good starting point for some serious family discussions, that while we may not want to have, we must if we are going to send our kids out equipped and ready to face a secular world that is often anti- Christian!

My thoughts-
Wow.  This DVD rocked my world.  I was surprised by facts and percentages.  I was surprised by the quotes.  I was surprised at my misconceptions.  I was surprised at how saddened I was by what I heard.

This movie truly does not come off as an attack on public schools.  It is not a hate film or some paranoid society propaganda.  It simply is a presentation of the facts and opinions of many people out there - even everyday people like you and me.  It explores the reasons that over 70% of people say that public schools are not good, but think that their child's school is somehow the one that is different.  Or that people argue that Christian kids need to be salt and light in schools and yet if those same kids (or teachers for that matter) mention the name Jesus, they will be kicked out.

And the quotes!  Here's one for you-

"Is there anything more radical in the history of the human race than turning your children over to total strangers who you know nothing about about and having that stranger work on your child's mind out of your sight for a period of 12 years?"

Yep, speaks truth to me!

I will have to say that one of the most compelling parts of the movie for me came near the end with the interview of a father of one of the students who was killed in the Columbine school shooting.  As he recounted the last conversation he had with his son, how he heard about the shootings, and how he learned of his son's death, I was moved to tears.  One of his comments was, "I'm the one who put him there. And I am the one responsible for his death."  Heartbreaking for anyone to hear.  Eye opening as well.

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We are all parents who love our kids.  Who want them to be safe.  Who want them to get a good education.  IndoctriNation compels you to look at all of the facts and make an informed decision.  Not by the world's standards, but by God's.  I would encourage you to do the same.

You can purchase IndoctriNation DVD for $19.95.

You can find IndoctriNation on the following social medias-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndoctriNationMovie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indocmovie
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/indoctrination
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/IndoctriNationMovie

What's in the Bible? - Review & Giveaway!

I love when we can find a movie that entertains AND teaches at the same time.  If I can find one that teaches the Bible, even better!

I have heard a lot about the What's in the Bible? series, but only this past week had the opportunity to actually watch one.  I have to admit I was a little skeptical about a show with puppets.

I was pleasantly surprised and I now see why so many rave about this series!  Buck Denver Asks...What's in the Bible, Vol. 10: Jesus is the Good News, is centered around the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  This 66 minute video is broken down into two parts and can be either watched as a whole or in two, 25 minute sittings. This witty yet informative video is narrated by Veggie Tales creator Phil Vischer.

The first section, entitled God's Perfect Timing, focuses on the 400 year span between the Old Testament and the New Testament and how Jesus arrives at just the perfect time. The second part, The Messiah Has Come, discusses the life and ministry of Jesus.

What I loved about this DVD-

• While entertaining, this is not just a cute reenactment of a Bible story.  Instead, with the help of some cute puppets, creator Phil Vischer teaches about the Bible.  Think Sunday School lesson with a twist.  I love the interaction between Phil and the puppets.  It is cute without being cutesy and entertaining without being full of fluff.  
• It is challenging. This first part of the lesson talks about the "fullness of time."  Not a simple concept, but explained very well.  The death of Jesus is also discussed in a serious way, with the puppets acknowledging how sad it was.  Don't get me wrong, humor abounds, but only in appropriate places.
• Music!  Yes, there is some singing involved.  While I know that is not for everyone, my music-loving 7 year old enjoyed the songs.  
• They stay true to the scripture.  No glamorized stories or additions here!

Be sure to check out the What's In the Bible? website for additional activities for kids and current specials!  You can also sign up for church curriculum to go with each episode.


YOU can win a copy of What's in the Bible- Volume 10: Jesus is the Good News!  Just enter the rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

CREW Review- College Common Sense

Have you sent a child away to college yet?  This year was a first for us, the first of four kids leaving the nest to fly on their own.  Letting them go is almost as hard as planning the details of how they are going to get there and who is going to pay for it.  Almost!  It is a difficult road, let me just tell you, especially the how are they, make that WE, going to pay for it part.  I now have a resource to help answer that question and am already putting it into practice with our next child up who is in her freshman year of high school.

 

Introducing....

 

 

 College Common Sense, and the program Going to College and Paying for it Online Video and Workbook  is the brain child of mom and college financial aid consultant Denise Ames.  Her goal with this program is to simply make sense of the financial aid process, help you navigate it efficiently and show you how to get as much "free" money as you can to send your child to college. 

Her program falls into two parts really.  The first is her website and her free monthly newsletters and lessons plans.  By signing up on her website you will receive a monthly newsletter with helpful ideas and goals to work on.  The weekly lesson plans that are sent to you get more specific on certain things you should try to accomplish that week or month.  For example- attend a college fair or fill out the FAFSA.  She also often references free videos to watch that are easily located on her site. 

Here is what is unique to these lesson plans as well as Denise's program- she breaks the assignments into four age groups- Seniors, other highschoolers, Middle school students  and Elementary school students.  Yes, even the younger kids can participate in this program.  So if the assignment is go visit a college campus, the assignment for the younger kids may be to come back and draw what they saw in their notebooks, while the older students will be focused on the details such as what majors the school offered.

The second part of the program is the DVD and workbook that can be purchased through College Common Sense.  The DVD consists of 6 video lessons, each lasting about 20-30 minutes:

The Big Picture

How Financial Aid Works

All About Free Money

The System That Works

You in the Process

Pull it all Together

There are several pages of notes in the workbook that correspond with each video lesson as well as additional worksheets for some.  Denise recommends that just the parent watch the videos in the case of younger students, but having teens watch independently or with you.  Though most of what you read in the workbook she repeats in the videos, I think the auditory learner in all of us will benefit from seeing it presented in two different mediums.

So how did we work through this-
My 9th grader and I watched the videos, sometimes together and sometimes separately to get the idea for the week.  We then picked one or two of the activities that Denise recommended to work on for a few days.  I found that one of the things we learned about that was an AHA! moment for us was the scholarship binder.  While we did apply to scholarships with my oldest, I felt we were rather willy nilly with the process and definitely could have stood to be more organized.  By creating a binder with 12 tabs, Denise gives you the organizational tool and many tips on how to aim for completing one "good" scholarship a month.  Just think, if you start as a freshman or sophomore, that is a lot of scholarships you can apply for with minimal stress to your child and no last minute scrambling.  Denise even says that there are scholarships out there for kids to earn as early as elementary school.  Who would have thought!

What did we think-
We had a slow start with this program at first, but I will have to say that by the time we got to the third video  I was sold.  Yes, some of this information you might know, but I would be willing to bet that a lot of it you would have to deliberately set out to find.  Why reinvent the wheel?  Why drive yourself crazy, and believe me you can, when someone else with years of experience can guide you through the often confusing system?   Instead of searching for random scholarships that may or may not be a good fit for your child, Denise gives you several websites to start with, but more importantly helpful hints on not only where to look but how to look for what is the best fit for your child.  Another area that I was especially impressed with was Denise's breakdown of how to write an essay for scholarships.  She gives a simple outline to use that makes the set up a breeze for highschoolers.  Trust me on this, any little hints and techniques you learn can and will make a difference in how cooperative your child will be when it comes time to put in the effort.

Scholarship Binder

What did my child think-
Quite honestly, it overwhelmed her a bit, but it did get her thinking outside the box a little with her likes and dislikes and where she would like to head.  There is a lot of information out there to take in and with a military family there are still a lot of moving parts to consider. I think that by starting this program at an early age and approaching it as an adventure, you could take some of that scariness away.

If college is something you are considering for your child, I would recommend taking some of the work out of the process and allow a veteran in the field of Financial Aid guide you through the process!

Details-
Denise's website, College Common Sense, has free access to lots of information!  Start there!
The Going to College and Paying For It online DVD and workbook that we reviewed can be downloaded for $25.00 for a year's access.  The physical products cost $50.00.



  Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

CREW Review- Lewis and Clark

Marshall Publishing is a gem of a place for great materials, homeschool or otherwise.  Their website is packed full of DVDs ,CDs and books that I encourage you to take some time to peruse.  In this day and age when it is hard to find acceptable entertainment for our children, it is nice to find so many great resources under one roof.

For this review we were thrilled to receive the DVD The Historic Expedition of Lewis and Clark. Now, I admit we already knew a great deal about these two explorers having lived out west for most of our military career, but we found this DVD entertaining, none the less.

 

The photography is beautiful, the information accurate and plentiful, the maps educational and the commentary entertaining.  With re-enactments, maps and most importantly for my boys- stories of Indians, this DVD tells the story of the 1804-1806 journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to the Pacific Ocean.  Even our five year old stayed with it the entire 35 minutes!  I look forward to getting a few more of these videos!  (Make sure you read a few of the reviews of the Lots and Lots of Penguins DVD - sounds fun!)

What does one do with a DVD such as this once watched?  Here's my plan.

This video created a lot of talk in our house...how did they feel, were they scared, do you think that really happened, what did they see, what did they eat?  It got us thinking and talking, a good thing in a homeschooling house. So I have since found a unit study on Lewis and Clark that we are going to work our way through using the DVD to help us find answers and reiterate what we learned in the study.  The glory of home schooling is that we can take it at our own pace, re-watch sections we really like (the animals!) and really dig deep into the material.

The other great thing about combining the DVDs with your study, whether unit study or otherwise, is that you are able to present materials through several different mediums.  One of my sons is an auditory learner, BIG TIME! So anything he hears he retains at a much faster rate than say, just reading.  For that reason, DVDs and audiotapes are huge resources in our home these days and I am thrilled with the plentiful supply offered at Marshall Publishing!

You can purchase  The Historic Expedition of Lewis and Clark DVD for the sale price of $19.95,  Use the code TOS27 and get fee shipping on any order you place.  These would be a great addition to your family library, as well as great gifts.  Don't forget, Christmas is just around the corner!


To see what fellow CREW members had to say about this DVD and several others reviewed, click on the banner below!

  Disclaimer- I received a copy of the Lewis and Clark DVD in return for my honest review.  Opinions expressed are mine and were not influenced by the company in any way.