Heartbreakingly Uplifting….

Anyone that has ever read my blog knows how much I enjoy a good movie. And ones I personally consider to be great, I do a post about. Well this one, the one I’m going to tell you about, blows any other movie I’ve watched in a long time completely out of the water. Out of the atmosphere.

The movie is:

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

The inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe’s beloved, chart topping song that brings ultimate hope to so many is a gripping reminder of the power of true forgiveness.

I’m sure you’re heard the song at least once. After all, it is the #1 Christian song in America. Even of you aren’t particularly fond of Christian music, I have no doubt you have heard it somewhere. It has been played on nearly every radio station in the U.S.

And with 2.5 million copies sold, it is the best-selling Christian single of all time, having been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA. As of 2018, it is the only Christian song to reach that milestone.

Still not sure? Click this link to watch the official video:

Okay, so I’m not writing this about a song or to sing its praises. (No pun intended). I’m here to tell you about a movie. The movie that tells the true story behind such an awe inspiring song.

And believe me, the backstory is even more awe inspiring that the song. In fact, when I watched it in the theater, I was not the only one shedding tears. Sniffles could be heard throughout the darkened room. And more than a few people left the theater red eyed when the lights came back on.

PLOT:
Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur. When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son.

Years later, Bart’s troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him to write the hit song “I Can Only Imagine” as singer of the Christian band MercyMe.

There are a couple of big names starring in this movie but even if there weren’t, I know it would not detract from the movie. I’m not sure anything could.

DENNIS QUAID

American actor who has starred in many movies including:

The Parent Trap

A Dog’s Purpose

The Rookie

The Day After Tomorrow

CLORIS LEACHMAN

An American actress who has had many starring roles and appeared in several shows including:

The Beverly Hillbillies

The Last Picture Show

The Longest Yard

Raising Hope

TRACE ADKINS

An American songwriter, singer, and actor, he has topped many country music charts with his amazing musical ability.

Here’s a few memorable quotes from the movie:

Brickell: Let me ask you something Bart, what are you running from?

Bart: My dad. He, uh, he…

Brickell: …he beat you, didn’t he? Ya ain’t got no poker face kid.

Bart: I carry that. I have to live with that, you know. I always will.

Brickell: Then write about it. Stop running from it. Let that pain become your inspiration.

******

Memaw: Imagine what he is seeing up there, just imagine!

Brickell: What is the name of your band again?

Bart: It is “Mercy Me”. Because when I told my Memaw that we were starting a band, she was like “Mercy me, get a real job!” And I was like: “Oh, Memaw.”

******

Bart: And the guys were like “Did she really say that?” and I was like “Yeah, we have to name the band mercy me”. So we called it.

******

Brickell: [to Bart] You got talent, you got potential, you can sing, but I don’t think you found your song, found your soul.

******

Arthur: Dreams don’t pay the bills. Nothing good comes from them. All it does is keeping you from knowing what is real.

******

Brickell: [to Bart] Son, the sheer volume of words that comes out of your mouth is exhausting. You are not ready. That’s what I think.

Here is the official movie trailer if you would like to get a sneak peek:

This is one movie you do not want to miss. Just be sure to keep a box of tissues handy because you will definitely need them.

ENJOY!!

Looking for a pysicologocal thriller?

Although you may not be familiar with the name M. Night Shyamalan (I’m not sure how that’s possible but i suppose it could happen), you have to know at least one of the movies on his list of hits:

• The Last Airbender
• Signs
• The Sixth Sense
• The Village
• The Happening
• Afterearth
• Unbreakable
• The Visit
• Devil
• Lady in the Water

But not all of his films are included in the horror/suspense genre. Here’s two movies that totally took me by surprise as being his work:

• Stuart Little
• She’s All That

Yeah I know, unbelievable right? 

Well, if you loved any of those movies, here’s another one of his thrillers to check out. 

SPLIT

   

STARRING JAMES MCAVOY AS KEVIN

​Though Kevin (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all of the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey, Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him — as well as everyone around him — as the walls between his compartments shatter.

This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat. As you meet the various personalities, you become more and more drawn into the dark and twisted world and mind of Kevin. 

For me, it enthralls me just because I like the suspense, the unknown, and the strange  behavior of people. I want to know the hows and whys of their unusual actions. What makes them go from being an average child into the person they’ve become. 

So if you enjoy a dark thriller that makes you stop and question the recesses of the human mind, this movie is for you. Enjoy!

I Wasn’t Ready For This…

Hi everybody. Well, today is a big day. It’s my little girl’s birthday. I guess she’s not little anymore though because today at 2:09 p.m., she will turn 13. Even as I type this, I want to cry. Don’t get me wrong. I am so happy that she’s grown into a beautiful young lady. I know how lucky I am that she is healthy because there are so many others that aren’t. And even more that don’t make it to see their teenage years. So I am very grateful. And proud. 

I am so proud of her. She has been through a lot. The divorce of her father and myself, my remarriage, gaining a step father and step sister, switching schools, and coping with dyslexia. But through it all, she has been trying to be strong and move forward. And it has not been easy. But she’s keeping her head held high. 

I worked a lot when she was a baby and as a toddler and even though I was home every night, I feel like I missed out on so many things. Things and times that I can’t get back. But on the other hand, I was there for several wonderful moments that I will carry with me forever. 

Like when I came home from work and she would run to me and give me the biggest hug that her little arms could make. Or when she would wait all day to watch her favorite movie at the time, Peter Pan (the 2003 film), until I came in the door and we watched it at least 3 times a day for like 3 months straight.  And of course, there was story time, hearing her first word, bath time, watching her learn to walk, and teaching her to ride a bike. 

There were a lot of great times and even better memories. But even so, I am not ready for this. I am not ready for her to be, dare I say it, a *gulp* teenager…

She rolls her eyes and simply groans, “Mom…..” every time I get emotional about her continual advance in age. But I can’t help it. She’s my little girl. My first born. My monkey. And I can’t help but get teary eyed every time I think about how much she’s grown, every time I look at her baby pictures, or watch the hours and hours of videos that I have taken of her over the years. 

Maybe I’m just being crazy or silly but I’m sure I’m not the only parent to feel this way right? I’m not the only parent that wonders how in the world their baby got to be in their teens almost over night. How did my little girl go from this  

    
    
 
  to this so fast?  

   
I don’t know how it happened and I am so NOT ready for this but no matter what or how old she gets, she will always be my little girl. Happy birthday. I love you Hailey Grace.