Movie Review: The Mighty Macs

Coming to theaters October 21st!

I was given an opportunity to view an online screening of The Mighty Macs. This movie is based on a true story. It's rated G.

It's a story about Cathy Rush who in 1971 became a basketball coach at Immaculata College, a small all-women's Catholic college in Philadelphia run by nuns. She was ambitious and determined to give her team the best chance at competition, even though the team/the school had little prospects. She encouraged the girls (players in her team) to be teamplayers and to pursue their dreams. She coached them in somewhat unconventional ways but it worked. Cathy Rush led the team to win the Women's College Basketball National Championship 3 years in a row (1972, 1973, and 1974).

She had been married for about 3 years when she decided by herself (against her husband's approval) that she wanted to become a basketball coach. Her husband, Ed Rush, who was an NBA referee, wanted to start a family, instead. Obviously, this caused friction in their marriage. I understand that she had unfulfilled dreams but she should have discussed them with her husband before they got married. It seems to me that she insisted on putting her career/goals above her husband's wishes...not being a submissive wife according to the Bible (she claimed to be a Baptist in the movie). In the movie, Ed did come around to be supportive of her.

The Mighty Macs is a clean, feel-good, entertaining family movie. If you like basketball and love to cheer for underdogs, you will enjoy this movie. Team spirit. Perseverance. Dreams come true. Nuns as cheerleaders. One woman who impacted the lives of many women. Too bad...the overtones of feminism had to be there, too. Oh..and a few other negative elements included a lie and deception.

The Mighty Macs stars Carla Gugino as Cathy Rush; David Boreanaz as her husband, NBA referee Ed Rush; Marley Shelton as assistant coach Sister Sunday; and award-winning actress Ellen Burstyn as Mother St. John.

By the way, the real Cathy Rush was in the movie playing as a bank teller :). 
 
Website: http://www.themightymacs.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/themightymacs
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MightyMacsMovie
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/MightyMacs1

Review and Giveaway: The Shunning DVD

The Shunning is the Hallmark Channel Original Movie starring Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield. The DVD was released on 9/13/2011.

Beverly Lewis' The Shunning - About the Movie
Before she succumbs to cancer, the dying wish of Laura Mayfield-Bennett is to be reunited with the daughter she never knew. Unfortunately, that daughter, Katie Lapp, is a member of the Amish order. Katie is about to be married, but uneasy about the path ahead. Now she discovers the secret her parents have kept from her: she's adopted.

The film is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series from author Beverly Lewis. Stars Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield.

BEVERLY LEWIS - Author of "The Shunning"
Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is The New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Lewis to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with "The Shunning," which has sold more than one million copies. In 2007, Lewis' "The Brethren" was honored with a Christy Award.

Lewis has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. Lewis lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.

Website: http://hallmarkchannel.com/theshunning
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheShunningMovie
You can watch the trailer and the interviews with the cast and the director/executive producer (Michael Landon, Jr.) here.

My Thoughts and Review:
Raised in an Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Katie Lapp struggles being an Amish. To conform to their beliefs, she has to constantly fight against her passion for music (guitar playing and singing) and confess as if it was sin. She's about to be married to the Bishop, yet she can't shake off the love and fond memories she still has for her deceased boyfriend. One name, Laura Mayfield, changes everything. The long-kept secrets of the past are threatened. The promise is broken. The family love is tested. The true identity is discovered.

I have never read the book but I was totally captivated by the movie :)! I've always been intrigued by the way the Amish live. I love their simple living but I don't agree with some of their beliefs/rules. I've heard of "shunning" before but the movie really made me feel so sad for those who have been shunned. It's a very cruel way of punishment. It's not a way to show the love of Christ for sure. The unconditional love of Christ leads to forgiveness, healing, and restoration. I had sympathy for both birth mother and adoptive mother in the movie. I cried and I did not want the movie to end. I wish it would continue; I wanted to know what happened next :). This is a touching movie of love, forgiveness, and family. It's a story of two worlds (the Amish and the English) colliding in a tangle of adoption, deception, and emotions.

GIVEAWAY: You can win a copy of The Shunning DVD.
To Enter: "Like" The Shunning's Facebook page and then leave a comment here including your Facebook name. Make sure you leave your email address, too. Deadline: Sept. 30th at midnight (Pacific time)

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each one you do):
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Friday's Fave Five #26

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My fave five this week include:
1. Garage Sale.  I usually like shopping at garage sales.  However, I also enjoyed hosting a garage sale last Saturday.  I had fun getting rid of stuff, meeting people, and getting cash for things we didn't need/use. The older I get, the less attached to things I am. We want to live simply with minimal possessions.  We want to be ready.  Lord, here we are...send us!  We're preparing for the "rain" (if you've watched Facing the Giants, you know what I mean :)).

2. Congratulations to my daughter, Alyssa! Her short story, Tunnel Terror, has placed 5th out of 126 entries worldwide. It will be posted at the Surrey International Writers Conference October 22-24, 2010 in Canada.

3. Fresh cinnamon rolls.  On Wednesday, Alyssa made cinnamon rolls for the first time.  They were so delicious.

4. Boardgame marathon day (on Sunday)...Yahtzee, Buzzwords, Monopoly...Fun fun fun!

5. The Butterfly Circus (20 minute film starring Nick Vujicic). To watch this inspiring movie, click here. Nick Vujicic is a true inspiration. You can visit his website at http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/ .