Movies Worth Seeing

Tonight, we determined to attempt another date-night/movie-night. Somehow, small children really throw a wrench in those kinds of plans. It is actually easier now, to get the little boys ready for bed and leave them with their older brother while we head off for dinner (usually a fabulous Mexican restaurant nearby, where we order the same meals every time: he gets the veggie fajitas and I order the quesadilla verde with one spinach quesadilla on the side - their spinach quesadilla is INCREDIBLE!). We are only five minutes drive away and can be reached by cell phone if necessary. But, still our minds are concerned about their safety, while we are gone.

So, anyway, back to the movie attempt. We have come to expect wrinkles and interruptions. Tonight, we experienced a few. ES had a friend over and the dad came to the door to pick the friend up. The dog was terribly excited by this extra commotion and piddled all over the front hallway. Moments later, MS called to say he was finished doing his business (why my little boys always take care of this at bedtime is a mystery - maybe I should insist on two bowls of bran cereal for breakfast each morning). Hubby went to in to discover that he had peed all over the outside of the toilet and on the floor and his clothes. Any other night, these things are easier to take in stride, but hubby has a short fuse when we're attempting a movie night.

By 8:20, the boys were in their rooms, and we started our movie (they did come out a few times, but two or three interruptions is considered a successful venture for us). It was my choice and I had picked "Fireproof," because I had heard so many good things about it. Actually, when the movie was first released, several churches in this area offered free viewings. I had tried to drag hubby to see those. Now, I am so grateful that I didn't see it first in a church surrounded by strangers. My tears flowed freely as we watched.

The movie tells the story of a firefighter, Michael Holt, who spends his days saving people and yet his marriage is a shambles. His wife wants out and he feels the same. He feels that she doesn't show him respect: she feels unloved and invisible. Michael's father asks him to promise not to pursue divorce until he works through a journal called "The Love Dare," for 40 days. As Michael goes through the motions, initially without very much motivation, he begins to see that he has pushed God away the same way his wife is rejecting his attempts to show love.

The movie is full of suspense and humor. Of course, it is also clearly a Christian movie. It emphasizes the value of marriage and encourages not only a commitment to one's spouse, but a commitment to the One who makes such an often impossible commitment into a reality.

I enjoyed the movie and would highly recommend it. Another movie that I can't wait to go see (and hopefully in a theater, but we'll see) is a movie called "Letters to God." (If you click on the link, you can watch a trailer for the movie.) Inspired by the story of a boy who fought cancer, it tells how the little boy's letters to God encouraged and changed the lives of others around him. It is said to be coming in April.