Welcome friends! Today is Media Saturday. I bring you three reviews (movie, music, and books). So pull up a chair and join me! Just so you know, all of my opinions will be filtered through my Biblical world view. Moving on….
Review #1: Hugo (the movie)
(Pic removed in case of copyright issues)
IMDb gives this synopsis: “Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. ”
Hugo was breath-taking! I felt like I had seen my first REAL movie. It didn’t have gun fire and silly bodily humor. This movie showed intelligence. My f ive year old actually sat through the whole thing and enjoyed it! We have a saying around our house that too much tv & video games will melt our brains. Well folks, THIS movie gave us an education. We learned some cinematic history and now my son, Michael, knows what an automaton is. Plus, he thinks it’d be really kewl to live in a train station. I’m just glad he still wants Mommy and Daddy to come along too. So if you get a chance I really hope you can see Hugo on the big screen. The colors just pop in this movie. It really is a work of art.
PS: I’ve yet to read the book but I’m definitely interested.
Review #2 Leeland (the band)
(Pic removed in case of copyright issues)
Leeland is a Christian rock band from Baytown, TX. Their lead singer is Leeland Mooring, hence the name. The have four great albums out. I fell in love with this band’s music from the get go. Their first album Sound of Melodies just had a Celtic feel you rarely find in this genre (atleast in my experience). When it comes to their faith this band is honest and I like that. They are a Christian band that’s not afraid to actually say “Jesus” in their music….imagine that.
I was recently blessed by Leeland’s song “Follow You” with Brandon Heath (another awesome artist). The music video shows them on a missions trip. You can just feel the compassion. This band is the real deal. There’s no doubt their love for Christ is genuine.
Here’s a line from “Follow You”
You lived among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.
Their new album “The Great Awakening” has some awesome tunes that’ll make you ponder what’s important in life and will also draw you to worship. My favorites from the album are “I Wonder” and “While We Sing”.
So if you want to hear real talent that glorifies Jesus, give Leeland a try 🙂
Review #3 Francine Rivers (The Author)
(Pic removed in case of copyright issues)
Francine Rivers has been an author since the 80’s. She is most known for her book “Redeeming Love”, a western retelling of the Biblical story of Hosea. My favorite series “The Mark of the Lion”, has sold over half a million copies. Francine’s novel “The Last Sin Eater” is now a movie. Mrs. Rivers has so many amazing books. I could recommend them all. She is by far my favorite author (besides God) and her fiction really teaches lessons we all need to know.
I love how her books are so real. She doesn’t hide from the big issues. Her books deal with things like abortion, prostitution, and homosexuality. Mrs. Rivers takes you to the very heart of her characters. You’d think they really existed. I especially love the rich history The Mark of the Lion series is based upon. This series takes you to Rome, Jerusalem, and Germania. It tells of Jerusalem’s fall, gladiators, and the beginnings of Christianity. It also touches on subjects like slavery and how small sins grow into a big problem.
Mrs. Rivers also has some lovely series on women in the lineage of Jesus. These books make you think of what it would really be like to be Mary or Ruth. Anywho, if you get a chance hop on over to your library and pick up a Francine River’s book. Then leave me a comment with your opinions and also your opinions of Leeland and Hugo if you will 🙂
Well have an inspiring weekend! God bless and remember The High King Lives!
~Amber Dover
amberdover 