Tag Archives: Film

Cheers For “American Wrestler: The Wizard”, A True Underdog to Champion Film

I always laugh when anyone tells me someone is an “overnight success”, because nothing could be further from the truth. What they fail to see is the years of hard work, failures, perseverance and sheer determination that fueled the success they see. The successful person they see did not arrive at that level overnight. That false perception, is what causes so many to give up and quit pursuing their dream when they don’t see immediate results.

If you delve into the life of any successful person, you will find out just how hard they had to work, and all the challenges they had to rise above to reach their goals. As a parent, one of the things I stress the most with my children, is the importance of having a “failure is not an option” attitude if they want to reach their goals, because things will get hard. If a person doesn’t have that type of attitude, it is easy to give up, so it is important to know, failing is not a bad thing.

Failures can be great things even blessings because, they show us what is not working and give us time to readjust our sails and find a better way. A failure is not an indication that we should give up our dream, it is just a detour, a time to regroup and rethink our strategy. We often learn, that are failures are just a catalyst that help us find a better way. The only way to truly fail is to give up an quit.

The story of someone who faces extreme adversity and achieves great success is very empowering and uplifting. How many of us like to root for the underdog? Most of us do, and that is why movies with that type of plot are so popular. This weekend we sat down to watch American Wrestler: The Wizard, a movie based on the life of Ali Afshar.

 

In the film 17-year-old Ali Jahani, escapes certain death in the mine fields of Iran by relocating to a small town in California and living with his uncle.

The film takes place in the late 70’s and Ali faces a great deal of bullying and discrimination in his new school and community. He also finds himself at odds with his uncle one night, causing him to storm off into the night. Walking around town he goes up to the school and watches a wrestling match. Since he was too small for football and too short for basketball, Ali tries out for the wrestling team and makes it.

Making the team ends up being his saving grace in more ways than one. The first way it helps Ali, is that it creates common ground between him and his uncle. Ali’s uncle was going to send him back to Iran until he saw that Ali made the wrestling team. When his uncle hears Ali made the team, he tells him that he was a wrestler and begins to train Ali. Ali is thrilled that he gets to stay in the United States and begins to build a bond with his uncle through training.

Working hard and training hard, Ali becomes a star on the wrestling team and earns himself the admiration and respect of his teammates. All of that is shattered by following a tragic piece of advice his uncle offered. When all seemed to be lost, he found a way to rise above a desperate situation and once again regain his place as a star of the wrestling team. Ali’s uncle also found acceptance as the associate coach and mentor to not only Ali but all the boys on the team.

Things were going so well, until out of nowhere, tragedy strikes. Ali’s world is turned upside down, but he has to stay strong and find a way to not only succeed but to triumph above everything. This movie had us on the edge of our seat at the end rooting for Ali in one of his biggest challenges. This inspirational film drives home the message, that you can’t give up when things get tough.

The actor who plays Ali’s uncle is none other than, Ali Afshar himself.  The movie also stars Jon Voight, William Fichtner and George Kosturos as Ali. You can buy this movie now and learn more on the film’s website. Let me know if you have seen this movie or if you have plans to. I would love to hear what you thought about it.

 

 

 


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Discover “Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus” Film & #Giveaway #PatternsOfEvidence #FlyBy

Have you ever asked yourself if the history found in the Bible is real? Do you ever wonder if it is fact or fiction? Filmmaker Timothy Mahoney did, he faced a crisis of faith and wondered if the Exodus out of Egypt was just a myth. In an effort to answer that questions, he embarks on a 12-year journey around the world in a quest for answers. Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus unlocks the mystery of this ancient saga, combining both scientific investigation with a retelling of the Exodus story to reveal an amazing pattern of evidence matching the biblical account that may challenge our understanding of history.

About the film

  • Won 13 awards on the film festival circuit in 2014, including a Gold Remi Award winner for Best Director at the Worldfest Houston Intl. Film Festival, the Gold Crown Award for Best Picture and Best Documentary at ICVM 2014, and Official Selection at the Soho International Film Festival in New York.
  • Supplemental resources associated with the film include a nearly 400-page hardcover book, small group Bible study, Movie Event kit, youth version (called Young Explorers), homeschool curriculum and others.
  • It includes powerful interviews with some of the top experts in the fields of archaeology and Egyptology as well as people of influence in the Middle East.
  • The film has an objective, fair-minded and balanced approach. It allows viewpoints from all sides to be heard in a respectful way while asking honest questions of the Bible and scholars’ views. It does not preach and lets the evidence speak for itself. This allows the film to be very sharable with those of different viewpoints.

You can purchase this award-winning film HERE. We are happy to help our readers with a discount of $3 off the DVD price when they use the promo code MK1 at checkout. The film’s regular retail price is $19.95, use the code provided to buy it for just $16.95. We are also having a giveaway where you can enter to win the film below.

About the author/filmmaker/producer

Tim Mahoney founded Mahoney Media Group, Inc. (MMG) in 1989. MMG focused its business on television and video production for regional and national companies. In 2014 Tim founded Thinking Man Films & Media as an international documentary & publishing company with a focus on education and the Bible. Tim produced numerous productions for Christian organizations including the Billy Graham Association, World Wide Pictures, and Compassion International. Tim also served as the President of the board for the International Christian Visual Media Association (ICVM).

Tim’s first full feature documentary film, “PATTERNS OF EVIDENCE: THE EXODUS”, released in January 2015. The film took 12 years to develop and takes a scientific approach to investigate the events of the biblical Exodus. The overall vision for his film company is to explore “patterns of evidence” that support the biblical narrative and engages the world in a conversation. The film takes a balanced approach and leaves the audience to decide for themselves if the Bible is real history or myth.

Giveaway

Patterns Of Evidence: The Exodus DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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 a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Hurry, The Discount Code for the Perfect Hands-On Summer Camp Expires Monday!

Can you believe it is almost May? I am really excited for May but if you were thinking about saving $75 on each summer camp registrations at Digital Media Academy, you will need to hurry because the offer ends May 1st!

Discover your child’s passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and math) through fun and exciting  hands-on project-based courses at a location near you. So, Get ready to #createthenext best-selling app, original video game and much more at Digital Media Academy technology summer camps for kids and teens! Remember you still have a little time to save $25 on each summer camp registration with the code TECHFUN17 but don’t wait long, it ends on May 1st. 

Popular Courses Include:

  • Intro to Java Programming
  • VR and Game Design Academy
  • Music Production
  • Wearable Tech and Fashion Design
  • 3D Modeling + Design
  •  Robotics + Engineering
  • Filmmaking Academy


Online Learning Throughout the Year

With DMA Online courses, you can explore exciting STEM subjects all year-long from anywhere! DMA Online includes over 10 unique courses, each offering up to 10 hours of self-paced projects and lessons.With the DMA Online All-Access subscription, users can get complete access to all 12 courses, too!

DMA Has Summer Camps Just for Girls, Too! Many girls may shy away from subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math because they are often seen as male-dominated fields. DMA’s Made By Girls initiative aims to build tech confidence in young women, and was created exclusively to support early positive experiences with technology.

Made By Girls offers immersive STEM courses taught by role models and mentors dedicated to empowering at Digital Media Academy.
It’s their mission to foster a learning community of diversity and excellence through memorable and innovative educational experiences led by the highest-quality instructors; building skills and confidence to empower lifelong learners, creators, and makers to follow their dreams and make a lasting impact.

 

If you have any questions, you can call DMA at 866-656-3342 or send an email to info@digitalmediaacademy.org to speak with a Camp Advisor.

*$75 off all full-day tuition for our Adventures, Teen, Academy, and Pro Series courses. Jr. Adventures students can save $40 on each registration. Discount may not be combined with any other offer. Some restrictions may apply. Offer valid until Monday, May 1, 2017 at 11:59pm PST.


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Discover “The Light Between Oceans” #Giveaway

In this film based on the acclaimed, best-selling novel, a traumatized and withdrawn World War I hero named Tom wants to live a quiet life. He is hired to be the lightkeeper at Janus Rock, a lighthouse off the coast of Western Australia. He meets a radiant, spirited local girl named Isabel and falls in love. The pair marry in 1921 and start a life filled with marital bliss. Heartache strikes when Isabel has 2 miscarriages and fears she may never carry a child to term.

Not long after losing the second baby, a boat washes up on shore with a baby girl and a dead man. Isabel begs Tom not to report the discovery and to take the baby and pass it off as their own. Tom reluctantly agrees and buries the man. They name the baby girl Lucy.

When Tom and Isabel go to the mainland to have Lucy baptized, Tom witnesses a woman kneeling in front of a grave with the names of a man and infant daughter who were lost at sea the same day Lucy was found. Tom cannot stop thinking that the woman may be Lucy’s mother so he writes an anonymous letter to her. In the letter he lets her know that her husband is dead but that her baby girl is alive, safe and well taken care of.

Tom, Isabel and Lucy spend the next three years living an idyllic life together. Everything is turned upside down when they attend a celebration for the anniversary of the lighthouse.

I will not spoil the movie for you but it takes an abrupt turn at this point and the lives of Isabel, Tom and Lucy will never be the same. Will Isabel be forced to give Lucy up? Will the couple be charged with a crime for not reporting their discovery? The rest of the movie will hold those answers and will draw you deeply in. You can view the trailer Here.

BLU-RAY & DIGITAL HD Bonus features include:

• Bringing The Light to Life – For weeks, the cast and crew of “The Light Between Oceans” lived in trailers on Cape Campbell, an isolated region of New Zealand, to film the movie adaptation of the best-selling novel. This documentary chronicles the unique approach and shooting style of director Derek Cianfrance and the production journey that inspired Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Weisz to fully embody their characters and explore the power and depths of love.
• Audio Commentary – View the film accompanied by an in-depth and thoughtful conversation between director Derek Cianfrance and his film studies professor Phil Solomon.
• Lighthouse Keeper – The filmmakers, cast and Cape Campbell Lighthouse inspector/maintainer Rob Sword share the history of the lighthouse and explain the typical duties a lighthouse keeper like Tom Sherbourne would have during an assignment on Janus Island.

Would you like to win The Light Between Oceans on Blu-ray and Digital? If so enter our giveaway below.

Giveaway

The Light Between Oceans on Blu-ray and Digital HD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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“The Gruffalo’s Child” Re-Released on DVD #Giveaway

Yesterday, I told you about the re-release of, The Gruffalo and today, I am here to tell you all about the re-release of, The Gruffalo’s Child. This film is based on the beloved children’s picture book by Julia Donaldson. I can’t tell you how much my kids love these films. I have to admit, I do as well. They are so beautifully done that they captivate our attention from beginning to end. In The Gruffalo’s Child, The Gruffalo tells his child about a Big Bad Mouse that he ran into many years before.

The curious little Gruffalo cannot contain her curiosity and sets out to see if this creature really exists. She encounters the same fox, owl and snake from The Gruffalo who each tell her where she can find the Big Bad Mouse. Feeling that she had been tricked and there is no Big Bad Mouse, she finally runs into the little mouse from The Gruffalo. The little mouse is just as clever, and invites The Gruffalo’s Child to meet the Big Bad Mouse using the moonlight to cast a shadow that scares the Gruffalo’s Child and sends her fleeing.

These films show children that brains can prevail over brawn. Check out the trailer HERE!  Helena Bonham Carter narrates as she did in The Gruffalo. Special features include a Behind the Scenes Documentary and Artwork Gallery. You can purchase this film on Amazon. If you would like a chance to win this DVD, enter the giveaway below.

Giveaway

The Gruffalo’s Child DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Award-Winning Children’s Book, “The Gruffalo” re-released on DVD #Giveaway

I am excited to share an enchanting film based on the award-winning children’s picture book by Julia Donaldson. The Gruffalo  has just been re-released on DVD and tells the story of a mouse who walks through the woods in search of a nut. Along his route he runs across several other creatures who think he looks like a tasty treat.

This tiny mouse shows that smart thinking can outwit a hungry fox, owl and snake. Mouse invents an imaginary monster with frightening features to scare them away.

He tells them all he is having lunch with this scary creature and that his favorite food is them which sends them running for cover. Mouse is feeling pretty smug thinking about how easy it was to trick them.

That smug mouse was very surprised to happen upon the very creature he made up, the frightening Gruffalo. The Gruffalo wanted to eat the mouse on a slice of bread but that mouse thought quickly and told the Gruffalo everyone in this forest is afraid of him.

The Gruffalo laughed and said he would walk behind the mouse to see just how frightened everyone was. It worked like a charm and sent the snake, owl and fox running. The mouse then told the Gruffalo that his favorite food was Gruffalo Crumble at which the Gruffalo turned and fled. The mouse found his nut and all was well!

This delightful story brought to life is narrated by Helena Bonham Carter shows that one does not have to be big to be mighty and is wonderful to share with your children. You can watch the trailer HERE!

Would you like a chance to win this tale on DVD. If so enter the giveaway below.

 

Giveaway:

The Gruffalo DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown Review And Giveaway! #FlintstonesWWE

Flintstones Smackdown

The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown is coming to Blu-Ray on March 10th!

 

Get ready for some raw-kin’ action in this all-new, original movie that brings some of WWE’s toughest, wildest superstars to Bedrock!

When Fred loses his family’s vacation money, he hatches one of his hair brained plans to get it back. It’s a sports entertainment spectacle that involves throwing his best bud, Barney into the wrestling ring with the likes of John Cenastone (John Cena), Marble Henry (Mark Henry) and even The Undertaker, with Fred himself as event promoter!

The crowds roar, the “clams” are pouring in from ticket sales and even Mr. McMagma (Vince McMahon) is taking notice of all the hoopla. Can Fred keep serving up bigger and badder matches or is he in for the rocky ride of his life? Including all-star appearances from The Boulder Twins (Brie and Nikki Bella) and Daniel Bry-Rock (Daniel Bryan), it’s time to get the whole family together for a collection of hard-hitting, side-splitting laughs from the most epic event in all of prehistory!

 

• Take the quiz to find out which Flintstones & WWE Stone Age Smackdown Star YOU are?
• Download the fun activities – and do them together as a family while you watch the film at home.
• Watch the official trailer & click the box art to bring the film home today!

The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown Blu-Ray Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Each household is only eligible to win The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown Blu-Ray via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck.  Open to US and Canadian residents.

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