Movie Review : The Lost Medallion

Billy and Allie are best friends who set off to find the legendary Medallion. They find it by accident, Billy makes a wish, and they find themselves in the past battling the evil Warlord Cobra. Together with new found friends they battle to save the enslaved islanders and set right what once went wrong.

 The Lost Medallion is a wonderful combination of magic, time travel, action and adventure and even a hint of romance. It teaches a valuable lesson in an entertaining way.  Shot in Thailand the scenery is absolutely breath taking. This is a highly recommended family film which will appeal to children of all ages.

Alex Kendrik, actor and director of Fireproof, Flywheel, Facing the Giants and  Courageous, makes an surprise appearance.

Available at Walmart and local Christian stores.

 Out of five stars, this film is a four and half.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'Game of Your Life'

'Game of Your Life' is the last of the Walmart Family Movie Night series. It follows a young man leaving home to attend a creative college specializing in Gaming. He meets his teammates, is challenged to break the 'no consulting' rule due to dire family circumstances back home. He is taken off his team and has to learn what really is important - holding onto the past or moving forward into his future. This film very much focuses on the Gaming world, complete with geeks who act and dress differently. Some of the references are lost on the general public but no doubt resonates with those who are part of this sub culture. The unique strengths of the characters presented, for instance the leader of thee, team who tells the main hero he's off the team for his lack of focus and breaking the rules, who risks him not talking to her again. The comedy team who are both his room and team mates and spice up the movie although their somewhat cliche'. Also, the couple who helps them acting both as mentors and away from home parents. It is a 'coming of age' story. In some ways it reminds the blogger of films like 'Uncle Buck' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', the film. Definitely recommended for those with children who are hard core gamers. On a scale from 1 to 5, this film is a 3.5.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'Game Time Tackling the Past'

'Game Time Tackling the Past' depicts a professional football player on the decline of his career. He returns home due to a family emergency, reconnects with them, and discovers a new passion for the sport that is not self serving or self centered.

The movie shows what can happen to someone when they live only for themselves and how what appears to be a tragedy or ruin, can actually work into something far better than a dream now past its prime. Filled with emotional moments and new friendships, this film shows the power of forgiveness and love.

There are also some faith filled moments depicted.

Many parts of this film reminds the viewer of moments in 'Facing the Giants' or 'Flywheel'.

On a scale of 1 to 5, this film is a 4.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'Who is Simon Miller?'

'Who is Simon Miller' is a heart thudding chase from the United States to Europe as a family tries to find Simon Miller. Caught up in international intrigue and chased by bad guys, the family learns about the secrets that have been kept from them and have to struggle with the question of whether they can trust their husband/father.

This first attempt at placing a film outside the US is a complete success, giving the flavor of Europe and life quite different than most in American are used to. The twists and turns are unexpected, the bad guys believable and the ending, well, not quite as strong as it could have been.

If viewers enjoy spy movies with a family twist like 'Patriot Games' then this is the film for you.

On a scale of 1 to 5, it's about a 3.5.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'Field of Vision'

'Field of Vision' subtly focuses on the problem of bullying and one young football player who stands up for the new kid at school, the target of other players. Although the consequences are tough, as it would be in any high school with a championship playoff in the balance, the final payoff wins the day.

The movie is a wonderful balance between fantasy and real life. Without giving the plot away, the blogger praises the script writer for mixing the two successfully to an excellent and believable ending. The symbol of the horse and literary figures also plays a prominent role in the film as well. It also encourages children to read but to balance the passion with friends.

If the viewer enjoyed 'Facing the Giants' or 'We are Marshall' you'll love this film.

During one scene a popular Christian song is played. It's on a car radio.

On a scale from 1 to 5, the movie is a strong 3.75.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'Truth be Told'

'Truth be Told' is about a woman who an expert at repairing couple's relationships. She meets a media mogul,(Ronny Cox) who she helps at party and unexpectedly offers her a chance of a lifetime - to have her own radio show. There's a catch - she must bring her family - which she doesn't have but the mogul thinks she does because he saw her talking to an old college friend there with his children. The couple talk about it and journey to the New Mexico ranch, all the while trying to find a way to tell the mogul the real truth.

The film is a delightful romantic comedy and follows the tradition of many films done with the same theme, like 'While You Were Sleeping' or 'Sleepless in Seattle'. Predictable yet heart warming, the many twists are unexpected and make this movie unique. Not to mention the obvious 'green' powered southwestern ranch, the beautiful scenery and the type of work that goes on shown in all its honesty, makes 'Truth be Told' a wonderful movie.

Directed by Star Trek's Next Generations - Jonathan Frakes.

On a scale of 1 to 5, this film is a 4.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'Change of Plans'

'Change of Plans' features a professional singer with her engineer husband who designs airplanes for the military. They enjoy their lives, have a modern apartment and are making arrangements to advance their careers. Unexpectedly, the wife receives news her best friend has died and she had been named the guardian of the their four multi-racial children. The couple temporarily take custody while the social worker works on finding the youngsters a forever home.

Following the tradition of 'Baby Boom' and 'Rent a Kid', 'Change of Plans' is a wonderful example of how one can plan their life, only to have the unexpected happen and what you thought was important, actually isn't.

Featuring Joe Flanigan (Stargate Atlantis) and Brooke White, the film is filled with heart touching moments and some of the best music yet to be featured in the Walmart films. The plot is somewhat predicable, but the script writer did an excellent job of tossing in some twists, and the fact that Joe Flanigan has children of his own, which he admits in the extras, comes out very clearly in his scenes with the boys.

Grace is said at the dinner scene and of course, there is no missing the Walmart brands in the kitchen.

On a scale of 1 to 5, this film is a 4.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'A Walk in my Shoes'

'A Walk in my Shoes' follows what happens to a teacher when she condemns a mother and suddenly finds herself living the other woman's life. She discovers matters are not what she thought and why her student has been having such difficulty in her class. It also features a young woman who the viewer is lead to believe is probably an angel.

The film is an interesting fantasy after the tradition of 'It's a Wonderful Life' and 'Touched by an Angel'. With an open ending, the viewer is left to believe there might be more in this series with the 'angel'. This has yet to happen. Again a somewhat predictable plot line but heart tugging as you follow the teacher as her student's mother and their struggles.

On a scale of 1 to 5, it is a 3.

'Why Not Question' : Movie Review - 'The Jensen Project'

The next movie, 'The Jensen Project' follows the adventure of teen age boy who is the son of two brilliant parents. They had removed themselves from a think tank project but were recalled when an emergency emerges. Their son teams up with a fellow girl genius and the two of them embark upon an adventure to discover who caused the problem.

A good attempt at a Science Fiction/Mystery film but also predictable. The flying car was a fun addition and for the teen audience, the tension between the girl and boy would be all they could hope for. The parents' and other adult roles are downplayed, the bad guys stereotypes, which makes the film a bit less than it could have been.

If the viewer enjoyed films such as 'Return to Witch Mountain' or other Disney features, then they will enjoy this movie.

On a scale of 1 to 5, this film is a 3.

'Why Not Question' ; Movie Review - 'Secrets of the Mountain'

The demand for family entertainment has been growing and whatever the reader may think about Walmart's business practices, the company launching into the film industry and producing a bi-monthly Family Movie night, was as stroke of marketing genius.

Over the next few weeks 'Why Not Question' will be reviewing the movies and highly recommends picking them up at your local Walmart. They're generally priced at $13.00. The blogger has even seen some of the films carried in local Christian stores.

'Secrets of the Mountain'

A divorced mom receives an offer for a piece of property inherited from her favorite uncle after his death. Wanting to reconnect with her children, she bundles them off for a weekend in a small town. They embark on an adventure to discover a rare treasure kept within the mountain - one for which a wealthy corporation would pay a small fortune for - and puts them all in mortal danger.

The film puts a family spin on an Indiana Jones/National Treasure type adventure. Walmart's first film, and there is no missing the products featured in the kitchen scene, it is one of their better efforts and a totally fun film. There are moments to make the viewer cry, cheer, and by the end, hold their breath during the daring escape to safety.

Writing is tight, the story complete, and there is no doubt left in the viewers mind about happens to the family and how they've all grown.

On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), the blogger rates this movie as a 4.