Midnight Sun Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Trailers

Hey Guys~

As promised, here's my review of Midnight Sun. This movie centers around the life of 16-year-old Katie Price (Bella Thorne) who just happens to suffer from XP. Without going into all the medical lingo, XP is a disease which causes a severe sensitivity to sunlight; as a result, Katie is resigned to life inside her house and only allowed out at night. Now one can imagine what this does to her social life; luckily she has one best friend to confide in. But that all changes on her graduation day when she bumps into Charlie (Patrick Schwarzenegger) while playing her guitar at the train station. Unbeknownst to Charlie, she has a crush on him and has been watching him from her window all her life -  this leads to the most awkward first meeting ever.

Think of Cinderella only 10 times worse.

 Yeah, that bad. Still, her best friend is determined to make a "second chance" meeting happen. After Katie accidentally loses her songbook, she texts her friend to bring it to her; however, she "can't", telling Katie she left it with Fred (the ticket master). When she arrives later at night, she finds it in the hands of Charlie. After a awkward start,  they began to realize they have a lot in common. Unwilling to ruin the connection they have, Katie decides to forego telling him about her XP; she just wants to be a "normal girl" a little longer. As he drives back home, she explains that she is busy during the day but free at night. Over the next few dates, the two begin to fall deeper and deeper love; Katie learns about how Charlie hurt his shoulder ruining his chances at a college scholarship in swimming.

Meanwhile Katie's father is becoming increasingly worried about the budding relationship, considering she hasn't been honest with Charlie about her disease. After Charlie insists on taking her on a real date, she worries her dad will reveal the truth when he meets him. She is right to be concerned when she interrupts the two just in time. "Just a little longer," she pleads with her dad. Realizing she is old enough to make her own decisions, he relents. Freedom finally. She puts her phone on do not disturb for the night.

Charlie whisks her off on a whirlwind date- including her first train ride to the nearest city, an underground concert, debuting a song as a street performer and skinny dipping (her idea). Then they fall asleep in each other's arms under the moonlight. Little do they know sunrise is soon approaching.

Katie awakens with a start. I fell asleep. Oh my goodness. What time is it ? Hurriedly, she scrambles for her cell phone. It's about 5 AM with the sun rising and she's received numerous messages from her dad and best friend telling her to get home. Frantically, she wakes up Charlie and tells him she needs to get home as the sun peaks over the horizon. In a panic, they race home; Katie constantly watching behind her. Are they going to make it ? Charlie, still clueless, wonders what are the fuss is about. As Katie exits the car and rushes through the door, she exhales. She is safe. A minute passes and she hears a car in the driveway. Her dad and friend have been out looking for her. Crushed, Katie crumbles as her best friend tells Charlie the truth. "She didn't tell you.. She is sick.. She has XP."

As a precaution, they go to the hospital for a checkup where the doctor announces "minimal" damage. But they should keep eye out for any neurological signs such as trembling etc. Stuck inside, Katie is determined to focus on the future.. If she couldn't have one, she was dead set on her father finding someone to spend his life with; she even went as far as to create a dating profile for him. Seeing his daughter's distress, he invites Charlie to come over with Chinese.

"This isn't something you can just not tell me."

At first, Katie insists they won't work out. "We're not the couple that doesn't try," With that encouragement, they decide to try again. Most of their activities involve playing games indoors during the day. When Charlie has swimming tryouts, Katie arrives in a heavy jumpsuit to cheer him on; when he has finished, she retreats to her heavily tented car.

I won't spoil the ending for those wishing to see the movie. But I will say I can highly relate to this movie.

I have a simple life.

I admit it.

I don't go to parties or have friends over at all times of the night.

I go to church on Sunday and try to stay out of trouble.

Still, I'm ignoring the elephant in the room.

Yes, I have a disability and that limits my activities a lot. I have to rely on others to get me up and dressed as well as fed and so forth. That being said, I wish people would take the time to get to know me - the person beyond the wheelchair. Thankfully, I have a few friends that have taken the time to get to know me that way. They have gone above and beyond to include me in college activities and events; one good friend has even gone as far as offering to take care me so that we could go on a cruise by ourselves. It was wonderful!

All that is great, however I'm still that girl looking for her happily ever after.

I know what you're thinking, "Such a thing doesn't exist honey." No one said I was looking for perfection; I'm just looking for a man who sees me for me and it doesn't matter to  him that I have a disability. He is willing to take on the responsibility (and I know it will be a lot) because he sees something special in me. I want someone to spend my life with besides my immediate family and friends; Someone who pushes me outside my comfort zone and someone I can push as well.

Until then it's just me and Jesus. I'm learning that's enough.

For more information about XP or Midnight Sun, please go to:
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/xeroderma-pigmentosum
http://midnightsunmov.com/

The Struggle of Faith: My Review: Paul, Apostle of Christ: Official Trailer

Dear Readers,

This weekend I had the opportunity to go see two movies Paul, Apostle of Christ and Midnight Sun. I intend to review both of them in separate posts. 

Paul, Apostle of Christ chronicles the journey of Luke to visit Paul who is now locked up in prison for his faith. Through his visits, Luke hopes to capture his brother's miraculous transformation to follow Christ ( (considering his complete opposition to the followers of Jesus from the beginning); hearing his testimony Luke believes others will keep God's Word and wait on Jesus. Meanwhile, there is dissension among the group of Christians in Rome. Some wonder if they should stay, or leave, try to overthrow the government. Luke reminds them however that their struggle is like no other,saying "We live in this world but do not wage war as the world does. Love is the only way." This quote in the movie is in reference to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 which says, " "For though we live in this world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 

Paul's example proves that God can reach anyone - even an unbeliever; the Lord is not against using whatever means possible to get your attention. Even temporary blindness.. Although, this does not mean once you believe everything will be a piece of cake. During those days Christians were persecuted for their faith and jailed or even worse for preaching in public.  Hence, Paul's current circumstances in prison. In spite of all of this, Paul is pretty upbeat; he is determined to share his testimony and experience with anyone that crosses his path. These experiences not only give others the opportunity to hear the Gospel, but build character for those that are faithful.

Paul just wants to make sure that he finishes the race in the right way. He not only wants to leave a legacy; but give his Godly family the advice they need to pass on their faith. This theme is obviously highlighted when Paul prayerfully ask Jesus to "help us finish the race." The biblical basis of this quote can be found in Acts as well as 1 Corinthians 9. In these instances, faith is a active and ongoing process working towards a goal of becoming more like Christ and having a deeper relationship with Him. Acts 20:24 says, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." As if a deeper relationship with God isn't reward enough, we also have heaven to look forward to:  I Corinthians 9:24- 25 elaborates, saying, " Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

In general, the movie stayed true to the story as it is written in Acts; it also gives you a realistic look at what the city most likely would have looked like back then. The movie opens audiences eyes as to what lengths Christians took to get the word out about their faith. 

For more information about the film, please go to:

http://www.paulmovie.com/site/

https://www.facebook.com/PaulMovie/

I Can Only Imagine Trailer #1 (2018) - A Movie About The Power of Redemption and Forgiveness

Welcome Back Readers~

I had the pleasure of going to see I Can Only  Imagine as it premiered in theaters worldwide this weekend. For those that are unfamiliar, the song was one of Christian bands' MercyMe first hits. This movie  goes deeper into songwriter Bart Millard's childhood and examines what events led up to the song's concept. From his difficult upbringing to trying to make his dreams happen on his own, every step leads him to depend more and more on God. Despite his growing faith, Bart finds himself unable to let go of the past and forgive his father; this in turn leads to a lack of inspiration in terms of songwriting. That is, until he finds out his father is dying from pancreatic cancer and has found the Lord. In the last few  weeks of his life, Bart and his father repair their relationship and learn to forgive each other.

Along with the power of redemption and forgiveness, this movie has a strong sense of destiny and fulfilling God's plan for your life. Throughout the movie, Bart encounters many obstacles towards his dream of becoming a singer- his father's opinions, the industries'opinion and his own self-esteem etc. But despite this, God accomplishes his goals anyway- bringing him deeper in the faith  and showing Bart (as well as everyone else) who ultimately remains in control. It is in those times of doubt that you grow character and faith. No matter what if it's something God intends for you to do with your life. It will happen. It doesn't always happen immediately though. It's in God's timing, not ours.

J Michael Finley stars as Bart Millard;Dennis Quaid does a marvelous job playing Bart Millard's father. The rest of the cast does a wonderful job as well. This movie shows how one person has the chance to influence the younger generation for a wonderful purpose- if only they are given the chance.

For more information about Bart's story or the movie, please go to:
https://icanonlyimagine.com/
https://www.facebook.com/icanonlyimaginemovie/
https://www.amazon.com/I-Can-Only-Imagine-Memoir/dp/0785216731

David Francisco auditions on American Idol

Welcome Back  Readers~

American Idol has done it again. In its triumphant return on ABC, the series continues to show audiences how music has the capability to influence people's lives when it matters the most. With a new cast of characters including Lionel Richie, Katie Perry, and Luke Bryant, it hopes to continue highlighting inspirational stories and inspire a whole new generation of singers for the music industry. One of these stories is that of David Francisco- a young man recovering from paralysis after a hit and run accident; for his audition, he played and sang Stevie Wonders "Isn't She Lovely?"