Celebrate the season with Pure Flix: “Silver Bells” (review & giveaway, CLOSED)

**Congratulations to Lacey W, the giveaway winner!**

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I’m so excited to share another Pure Flix film with you, which is part of their Christmas lineup of family- and faith-centered films (190 of them to choose from!) for you to enjoy as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. (I will also have a 3-month Pure Flix subscription to give away to one reader!) I was gifted the opportunity to watch the Pure Flix film “Silver Bells,” about a sportscaster dad whose heart is given more to his games coverage and film time—than it is to his family. Until, that is, he becomes “that” dad during his son’s basketball game.

About “Silver Bells”

“I’m Bruce Dalt. Action 8 Sports. For the win!”

Bruce Dalt (played by Bruce Boxleitner) is bigger than life. He’s jovial, fun, and knows everything about sports. But–he’s driven. Can’t bear to lose. Vetoes his wife’s plan for silver Christmas lights because the Dalt family always “goes for the win!” –Which means gold. Little by little, we see the other side of Bruce. He does love his family–but there’s something inside him that can’t give up first place. So, there’s rudeness. Selfishness. Choosing work over family celebration and togetherness. (Painfully unaware of his effects on others.) He’s pretty sure that he knows more than anyone else in the room.

His actions at his son’s basketball game have swift and serious consequences…that finally, eventually, give Bruce an opportunity to become a different man.

“You never know WHAT God has in mind.”

Major Lowell of the Salvation Army, played by Antonio Fargas, in “Silver Bells”

(He also gets this fantastic line: “I didn’t say we were robbing a bank!”)

Because of Bruce’s choices, he’s required to do a couple of things; restitution, to the ref. And many hours of community service, with the Salvation Army. (And if there’s anything we know about Bruce? Service is not his thing.)

My thoughts about “Silver Bells”

Well! Welcome to my new favorite Christmas movie!

Our family loves sports movies, so this one was both an easy viewing choice and one that provided lovely moments of faith, redemption, and family. (Eventually. Because Bruce has a hard road to head down first.) Actor Bruce Boxleitner is fantastic as the dad (and his interactions with Kevin Downes, the referee, are priceless. After their *first* interaction, which is more on the cringey and painful side). Before his costly mistake, you really can see that there’s a diamond in the rough in him. It’s just going to take a lot of sanding to get to that diamond.

It’s very much a sort of modern “A Christmas Carol” film (without the ghosts). But Bruce’s journey isn’t an overnight, immediate character transformation. His is gradual. Painstaking. (And at times, painful.) I loved that, though, because it made the story feel so real. I don’t want to give too much away, because it’s an utter joy to watch without knowing what’s going to happen. I will tell you that the story arc (and the character arc too!) is fantastic. There is humor (yes! I laughed out loud!). And heartwarming faith–love–and change.

It is wonderful! And beautiful. And it’s a film you can watch safely with your entire family. Don’t miss “Silver Bells” on Pure Flix!

“That’s not the way it should be among you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant…That’s the way it is with the Son of Man. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many…”

Matthew 20:26-28, The Bible (ISV)

Watch the “Silver Bells” trailer here!

Check out the Christmas film offerings on Pure Flix!

With 190 Christmas film titles, you won’t run out of wholesome, faith-centered family viewing goodness this season. 45 of these are brand-new on Pure Flix in 2022! In addition, there are 11 Pure Flix Originals (6 of them new in 2022) and 3 new exclusives. You’ll find amazing series and movies like:

• “The Way,” with Kathie Lee Gifford
• “Lifemark,” with Kirk Cameron and a fantastic cast, which celebrates adoption and life
• Original Pure Flix series “Legacy Peak” and “Saved by Grace,” which feature family, answered prayers, and visits from angels
• “Thursday Night Club,” with friends and community helping a young woman who’s suffered enormous loss
• And so much more. And of course, “Silver Bells”!

You can see more of what’s available by clicking on this Pure Flix link.

Subscribe to Pure Flix today!

Pure Flix is providing a great discount for new subscribers now ONLY THROUGH 11/29/22, for Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday. Here are the details:

• Enjoy a free 7-day trial and then pay only 99 cents for the next two months when you sign up today or tomorrow at Pure Flix.
• After this promotion, subscription rates revert to $7.99 per month.
• And, if you’ve been a Pure Flix subscriber and want to rejoin, your rate will be $59.99.

Join now and check out “Silver Bells” — and all the other fantastic films on Pure Flix!

Enter to win a 3-month subscription to Pure Flix here!

Pure Flix is offering a 3-month streaming subscription for one FINCHNWREN reader! (Limited to US entries and those who have not won a Pure Flix subscription in the past 6 months.)

To enter, just click on the “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes on 12/3/22. Best wishes!

Enter here!

You can also check out these great posts on the Pure Flix blog

15 Christmas Prayers to Share with Your Family

6 Tips to Keep Christ in Christmas

5 Christmas Bible Verses and Stories to Reflect on This Season

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Pure Flix Original Film starring Lucas Black: “Legacy Peak” plus giveaway! (ends 10/4/22)

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Pure Flix has produced another fantastic Original Film: Legacy Peak! You will love this if you want a family adventure film that is beautifully honest about the struggles we face in life and family–and in what we bring to the table in relationships. Keep reading for more about this wonderful film, plus enter to win a 3-month subscription to Pure Flix streaming service!

About Legacy Peak

Jason wants nothing more than to have Noelle’s kids like him. But when a perfectly planned trip to a mountain cabin falls apart, the ensuing adventure could tear them apart or bring them closer than they ever imagined. Together they’ll discover how to trust again and what it means to be a family.

Legacy Peak is a thrilling adventure that the whole family can enjoy.

My impressions of Legacy Peak

I KNEW that I knew Lucas Black from somewhere when I saw the exciting trailer for Legacy Peak and I heard his accent. He had co-starred in a police procedural show that I’d seen a few episodes of. I never forgot his fantastic character OR his authentic Southern accent! He brought a refreshing quality to a show that contained difficult material (crime). And he interacted beautifully with his costars.

Not surprisingly, Lucas is just fantastic in this film. His character is ready to pop the question to his darling girlfriend, single mom of two kids Noelle. He doesn’t really understand much about kids, but he is totally a planner, and he thinks he’s got the perfect plan to win them over before he proposes to their mom. He will fly them (and all the snacks he can carry) to Noelle’s dad’s cabin in the mountains, where they’re all planning to spend Christmas. The only thing is–he can’t plan everything. When the unexpected happens, his plan suddenly doesn’t apply. So THEN what will Jason do?

The actors who play the kids are also wonderful. Sam, the older sister, is NOT INTERESTED in going on this trip–or getting to know Jason. Her character arc is fascinating. She’s very solicitous of her younger brother Ben, who really likes his mom’s boyfriend but is a bit tired of being seen as the kid who can’t do anything. The grandfather is also wonderful. All the actors are more than competent and a pleasure to watch. (Noelle is also great; she just doesn’t get a lot of screen time.) And the mountain landscape; well, it’s almost a character in itself. It’s breathtaking visually–and also, perhaps, figuratively.

I don’t want to give you a lot of spoilers. I will simply say that the movie’s core message is an exceptional one, and its story is beautifully told. Legacy Peak has something to say to everyone; and what it said to me touched my heart, embraced me, and reminded me of something I’ll never forget–something that each and every one of us needs to hear. Don’t miss Legacy Peak, premiering September 22, 2022 on Pure Flix!

My recommendations:

If you:

• love films that your entire family can enjoy together
• want to see a family beat the odds against a wild and unfamiliar setting
• desire to be a parent who reaches out to God for help in your own challenges
• enjoy watching adventure or survival-type tv shows
• want to be encouraged at the ways God can use everything to work together for good for His beloved children

…then you will LOVE Legacy Peak, just as I did! (And if you watched the Pure Flix series Vindication, you might see another familiar face in this movie!)

Watch the trailer here:

More about Pure Flix–and you can even enjoy a free 7-day trial!

Pure Flix is a one-stop shop for faith and family-friendly movies and shows that you can confidently stream in your home with the entire family. With new premium and exclusive original entertainment choices every week, Pure Flix streaming service has the largest variety of high-quality, curated, positive, encouraging, wholesome movies, series and kids’ content in one service. Pure Flix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, alongside AFFIRM Films.

On Pure Flix, you’ll be able to watch incredible shows that I’ve told you about earlier this year, like Going Home, Live+Local, Vindication, the God’s Not Dead movies, Miracles of Heaven (with Jennifer Garner), and so much more.

You can enjoy a free 7-day trial of Pure Flix as well! Just click on Pure Flix for more information and to start your free trial. Paid plans start at $7.99 per month, or as little as $5.84 per month if you choose the yearly plan ($69.99 per year).

And…you can enter to win a Pure Flix subscription!

You can enter to win a 3-month subscription to Pure Flix today!

To enter, simply click on the pink link below that says, “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes on October 4, 2022. One winner will be selected to win. US entrants only, and winner selection is limited to those who have NOT won a Pure Flix subscription in the last 6 months. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Find these inspirational articles on Pure Flix as well!

I love not only all the wonderful faith & family films/shows on Pure Flix. But did you know that they also have some wonderful articles to uplift your faith? Check these out!

Battle Fear and Worry with these 10 Bible Verses for Anxiety

10 Bible Verses to Build Perseverance of Faith

How to Embrace Our Identity as a Child of God

More about Legacy Peak

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure:

Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Dave Coulier in new Pure Flix mockumentary series: “Live+Local” (plus PF giveaway! ends 7/23/22)

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Are you a fan of “mockumentary” films or television shows? (Think The Office.) Dictionary.com defines a mockumentary as “a movie or television show depicting fictional events but presented as a documentary.” Your family might have a favorite–but now Pure Flix has created a fantastic mockumentary series that is safe for all members of the family. It’s called Live+Local. Let me tell you more, plus I have a subscription to Pure Flix to give away!

About Live+Local

Starring executive producer Dave Coulier (from Full House and Fuller House), Emily Pendergast (Veep), Pat Cashman (Bill Nye The Science Guy), and Kendra Ann Sherrill (writer and director of six shorts), Live+Local shows viewers an inside look at the Christian local radio station K-HUGG. The staff is experiencing some strange transitions and power shifts at work, but the way they handle it with grace and comedy will be sure to leave you laughing and inspired. The show also uses Christian music that viewers might recognize as part of the radio show. And, the characters interview actual Christian personalities, including comedian Leanne Morgan, The Chosen‘s Dallas Jenkins, Anthem Lights, and more.

I was able to watch the first episode of Live+Local, entitled “There’s A New PD in Town”, where nervous intern Lucy has just stepped into her first show as producer. Tommy and Tina, who comprise the “Tommy ‘n Tina in the Morning,” have worked together for years, with Tommy sort of unofficially running things. Tina has some good ideas, but Tommy generally brushes them aside. But then…

A new program director has been hired. He REALLY likes Tina. And due to a social misstep, Tommy has inadvertently gotten on his bad side. Is the long-term cohost of KHUGG’s FM-109 morning show going to be edged out by his new boss?

My thoughts

I LOVED Live+Local!

I have to say that my family LOVES mockumentaries. Their awkward relational moments, weird camera angles, and often-improvised conversations make for fantastic viewing. Live+Local provides a gentler, family-friendly mockumentary than some of the genre’s tv shows and films, with an excellent cast and an interesting storyline. Viewers get to see a long-time radio morning show two-person team (Coulier and Pendergast) attempt to find their new footing with the new program director. I had some interesting thoughts as I watched the show:

• 1. First impressions can make a huge difference. (Just ask Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.)
• 2. Sometimes your voice isn’t really heard. But you can keep speaking anyway. Someone will eventually hear.
• 3. Everybody gets nervous sometimes! Having encouraging people around can really help.
• 4. Listen. And pay attention.

The characters in Live+Local experience all of those in some way or another. They’re not perfect, for sure. But in some cool ways they support each other. And a fresh set of eyes can make all the difference…or it might shake someone in some unexpected ways. I can’t wait to watch the rest of the series (spoiler: I’ve already watched half of Episode 2), which will continue to air on Pure Flix throughout the summer.

I discovered, when I did a bit of research after I watched Episode 1, that an actual operational radio station was built for the Live+Local show. Creator and producer Dan Merchant had the idea for the show as he drove from Seattle to Spokane and listened to radio shows. (Dan is also the creator of another wonderful Pure Flix series, Going Home, which I reviewed last month.) In addition, Dave Coulier has mentioned that much of the show is improvisational, and that his costar Emily Pendergast was a huge help to him.

In fact, the cast members work together beautifully. I’m so looking forward to watching all of season 1 of Live+Local. I can’t wait to see what continues to unfold with all of the characters. They’re wonderful; and the improv element of the show absolutely captivates me.

I really have to applaud Pure Flix, Sony, and Affirm Films for the exceptional original programming they’re creating together. Live+Local is another fantastic original series from this trio of entertainment companies–and I’m really hoping that there will be a season 2!

Watch the Live+Local trailer

Check out the trailer! It will give you a fantastic taste of the fun in store for you with Live+Local!

Start your free trial to Pure Flix, and subscribe today!

You can sign up for a free 1-week trial of Pure Flix, so you can check out Live+Local and all the other fantastic faith and family films and tv series at Pure Flix streaming service! To sign up, just click on the link below, enter your email address, and enjoy watching!

Subscribe to Pure Flix here!

Enter to win a 3-month subscription to Pure Flix

Now! I am so happy to have one 3-month subscription to Pure Flix streaming service to give away to one FINCHNWREN reader! To enter to win, simply click on the link below that says “Enter here!” That will take you to a Giveaway Tools page where you’ll be able to enter in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes 7/23/22. One winner will be selected to win. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are
100% my own.

“Going Home” ~ a SONY Affirm Original series now on Pure Flix! (plus giveaway, ends 6/18/22)

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Hello there!

I have such an unusual show to tell you about today–plus a giveaway, courtesy of Momentum Influencer Network and Pure Flix! I was provided with an episode of a truly remarkable new series to watch and tell you about. Keep reading for more. I am sure you will be fascinated, just as I was.

About Going Home

Here’s what the filmmakers have to tell us about Going Home:

“Everyone has a calling from God and Charley’s purpose is to help people transition from this world to their forever home. Watch this heartfelt series that will inspire you to think deeper about your relationships and how you can live well with the time we’re all blessed with. God gives everyone a calling – and for Charley, it’s to help families during one of the most difficult times of their lives.”

Charley Copeland (played by Cynthia Geary) is an award-winning hospice nurse who kindly and lovingly guides both patients and their families during the patients’ last days on earth. Janey (Cozi Zuehlsdorff) is a newly-hired nurse whose joie de vivre is a breath of fresh air on the unit. And Charisma Carpenter (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) suddenly appears as an old friend of Charley’s, who needs the special help only her friend can provide. (Even if Charley is reluctant to do so.)

Charley’s mission, more than getting along with coworkers or standing on her own laurels, is to faithfully serve her patients and hand them off into eternity. Her most loving relationship (perhaps her only really close one?) is with God, with whom she speaks at the end of each episode from her porch, as the sun beautifully sets in the distance.

You can watch this wonderful series on Pure Flix! Just click this link: Going Home

About episode 2 of Going Home, “The Cards You’re Dealt”

In recent years, those of us who enjoy faith-based series or films have been able to enjoy an absolute bounty of them. But I am certain that none of us has watched one that tells the story of nurses who work in hospice care; who are there to help those who are on their final journey to their forever home. Isn’t that a bold choice for a series? And, fortunately for us, it’s one that succeeds on so many levels.

Charley’s patient Betty Baker (Sharva Maynard) is a fiesty, cheerful older woman. Her husband Vance is played by the marvelous Tom Skerritt. They’ve enjoyed a long, deeply-connected marriage that’s been filled with adventurous vacations, road trips, and experiences that have helped knit their special relationship deeply together. They even play cards (although Betty teases Vance about how many rounds he’s lost).

But now, Vance has to say goodbye to his lifelong companion. And he is completely not ready to do so. And Charley has some concerns that she hasn’t shared, yet, with either Betty or Vance.

…and my impressions of it

Charley doesn’t seem to be very warm when we first meet her. Yet her devotion to her patients and to the process of shepherding them from this life to the next is admirable. We get to watch her all the way through the process: taking a breath as she prepares to enter her patients’ rooms; watchfully caring for them and their present needs; helping their families; enabling them to step into eternity; and, her own time with the Lord each day.

I found that, I REALLY like Charley. I love her absolutely steadfast commitment and care for her patients. It is so inspiring. And I adored watching her process her day with the Lord each day as the sun goes down and her shift is over. (I also admire her commitment to exercise, which has got to be necessary in such a taxing job!) I appreciate the honesty of the show as well. While it is faith-based, it doesn’t shy away from the tough questions surrounding death and the dying, the losses of family, and even coworkers’ occasional relational challenges.

I also appreciated the fantastic casting of the show regulars AND Skerritt’s and Maynard’s beautiful portrayal of a long-married couple saying a temporary (though I’m sure to them it feels final) goodbye. And as you can imagine, heaven (and who’s going to be there!) is a recurring conversation topic.

I loved this show. I’d say that it would be appropriate and fantastic for adults, and at the very least for teens. Some children might also appreciate it; parents would just need to assess where their kids are in being able to have and understand questions about death and dying.

I recommend this lovely show. And kudos to Pure Flix and Going Home‘s writers, directors, and producers for tackling such an unlikely subject. I think that it’s both brave–and necessary.

And here’s a Bible verse that speaks beautifully to this episode:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)

Watch the trailer for Going Home here & subscribe to Pure Flix!

You can watch the trailer for Going Home right here! And I’m sure that, like me, you’ll want to see more–and to do so, you can subscribe to the fantastic Pure Flix streaming service! Just click on the subscribe link below–and then watch the trailer!

Subscribe here!

And…enter to win!

Pure Flix is giving away a 3-month streaming service subscription to one FINCHNWREN reader!

Here’s all you have to do to enter to win. Just click on the pink “Enter here!” link below. That will take you to a Giveaway Tools entry form, where you’ll be able to enter to win in a variety of ways. Giveaway closes on June 18, 2022. One winner will be selected to win. Best wishes!

Enter here!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: Many thanks to Pure Flix for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.