Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Unstoppable: Review and Giveaway

Recently, I've had the chance to view a film put out by Provident Films.  They are the folks behind Courageous, October Baby, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants -- all movies my family loved.

Unstoppable features Kirk Cameron, but unlike the movies mentioned above, this one is more of a documentary, exploring the age-old "Why do bad things happen to good people?" question.

This wasn't quite what I expected when I signed on to do this review, but I am used to going with the flow.  I ended up watching this on my own, and I will be sharing it with my kids at some point.

First, here's what the publisher says about the film:
Inspired by the death of Cameron’s close friend who succumbed to cancer at the age of 15, Kirk Cameron takes viewers on an inspiring and hope-filled visual journey to better understand the biggest doubt-raising question in faith: “Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?”
Going back to the beginning—literally—Kirk investigates the origins of good and evil and how they impact our lives … and our eternities. UNSTOPPABLE will prompt audiences to consider the role that pain and suffering has in our lives, as they affirm their personal views on faith, and encourage conversation starters about God, suffering, and hope. 
In theaters for only two weeknights (Sept 24th and Oct 3th, 2013), UNSTOPPABLE: A Live Event with Kirk Cameron sold a staggering 260,000 tickets and reached a theatrical gross of over $3.2 million dollars. In just two nights this independent project sent a loud message – audiences want thought-provoking and meaningful entertainment.   
Kirk Cameron is best known for his memorable role as “Mike Seaver,” a cultural icon of the 80's, with his mullet hairstyle, cool glasses, and wisecracking comebacks. More recently he enjoyed much success with the No. 1 grossing inspirational film of 2008, Fireproof, and his recent documentary, Monumental. Kirk and his wife, Chelsea, were on-screen sweethearts during their Growing Pains years and are the founders of Camp Firefly, where terminally and seriously ill children and their families are provided an all-expense paid retreat (www.CampFirefly.com). Together, Kirk and Chelsea live in California with their six children.
My thoughts:

I wasn't really sure I wanted to be watching this.  I mean, I've enjoyed Cameron's roles in other things I've watched recently, but the topic just sounded so depressing.  Why does a 15-year-old fight cancer for ten years, and then die and leave behind a family who is forever missing a member? 

Then I started thinking about the Grief Class happening at my church right now, and some of the video I've seen from that.  Or I think about life when I was in 9th grade, with a huge house fire and then my mother battling cancer.  I spent a couple of years reading everything I could find -- and I mean everything -- about bad things and good people, about positive thinking, about making sense of all the yuck in the world.

I tried to find answers in my church.  I tried to find answers from my friends.  I tried to find answers from my teachers.  I never really found anything.  At least not back then.  It was nearly a decade before I managed to overcome the nonsense messages I did hear at the time.

Watching Unstoppable and trying to see it through those 15-year-old eyes, I really do think this would have really hit a home run for me.  Cameron lays it out -- bad things happen.  We can't fix them.  

Does this interest you?  I have one to give away!

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.

5 comments:

Brandy said...

I think this film can be used as a wonderful teaching tool in our homeschool. Bad things happen..we all need a course in learning to biblically deal with bad things.

Unknown said...

I think the thoughts brought forth in this movie are great starters for deeper discussions on the topic. Thanks for posting your thoughts!

Dana said...

I like that it is a wonderful addition to a Christian Library...We need more Bible based movies!

Jessica Medina said...

I love his dvds. We have showed some at church and they have been amazing

Julie said...

its Bible based and I love that concept :)
thanks for the giveaway
aunteegem@yahoo.com