Breakthrough (2019) Movie Review

Breakthrough is the story of a mother’s worst nightmare, the very real prospect of losing her son as a result of his fall through the ice while fooling around with friends on a frozen lake. It is also involves some other breakthroughs.

Breakthrough is the story of a woman who lives with the regret of giving up her first-born son to adoption, earlier in her live. Now she is faced with the loss of her adopted son, who she loves.

This is a faith-based movie, a true account of miracle. The movie simultaneously has tragic and inspirational moments.

The movie also has some lighter scenes. Breakthrough gives an honest and realistic portrayal of modern-day life in America, imperfect people, interpersonal relationship conflicts, typical parent-child confrontation and annoyances, teenage rebellion and forgiveness.

One of the stars of the movie, the son, is an accomplished and somewhat obsessed high school basketball player.

There were other breakthroughs that occur during the movie. One involves the mother’s relationship with her husband, another involves the mother’s relationship with her pastor.

The movie’s audience at the early Saturday evening showing, which I attended, watched, for the most part, in rapt attention. They seemed to enjoy the movie; I didn’t notice anyone leaving their seats during the movie.

Upon leaving the movie, we saw a long line waiting to enter the theater rooms showing the new Avengers movie. I couldn’t help but think that all these folks picked the wrong movie to view that night.

I would recommend Breakthrough for all audiences, except maybe not for small children.

Now Showing:  BREAKTHROUGH

Pilgrim’s Progress (2019), A 400 Year Journey

This afternoon I watched my first animated movie ever. I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I’m not much for cartoons or animation. But this movie, Pilgrim’s Progress, was surprisingly very well done and captivating. 

It was one of those Fathom Event movies with a very limited engagement in theaters. It showed in theaters only twice, last Thursday and today, Saturday. But it will likely be out soon on DVD. It would be a worthwhile movie to rent, purchase or watch when it comes to a venue or church near you.

John Bunyan in the late 1600’s wrote this enthralling tale while sitting in jail. His book became, next to the Bible, the best-selling Christian book of all time. Unfortunately, I never read book version of his book.  However, I think I got the message of the book quite well from the movie.

What an interesting story. The main character was named Christian. The story was an allegory. The movie portrayed Christian’s journey from his home in the City of Destruction (the world) to the Celestial City (heaven), his future home.

Along the way he becomes a Christ-follower, a true Christian and the heavy burden he had been carrying (his sins) for part of his journey was lifted. He faced trials and difficulties, nevertheless, both before and after he became a Christ-follower.

As many true Christians living in the world today find, life is an adventure, with many ups and downs, challenges all along the way. We are all tempted. Evil and demonic forces raise their ugly heads both obviously and subtlety. We all experience some wrong turns or decisions, distractions and barriers along life journey.

The main point of the story for me is the importance of keeping our eye on the ultimate goal being with King Jesus in heaven and seeking the help He provides along the way.

Interestingly, this morning I attended the 31st annual Resurrection Breakfast in Mansfield, Ohio (a friend gave me a ticket because he was going out of town)which featured a speaker whose message dealt with how we should deal with our problems, needs and fears that plague us.

His four-step approach included: (1) Taking our problems, needs, fears (burdens) to God and focusing on Him for solutions. (2) How we do this is through very specific prayers. (3) As well as by memorizing key scriptures, especially those that admonish us not to be afraid, such as perfect love casts out fears, etc. (4.) We should also fight our fear and humble ourselves asking others to pray for us. 

Like Christian in the Pilgrim’s Progress movie, who focused on getting to the Celestial City and being with the King (Jesus).  Christian also needed help from others along the way and God provided him timely assistance.

Unplanned (2019), Coming Face-to-Face with the Abortion Reality

The Unplanned (2019) movie continues in theaters around the country. In the Mansfield, Ohio area, for example, Unplanned is playing in its fourth week. If you haven’t seen Unplanned or if you are hesitant about seeing it, don’t be! There is much to learn about the abortion issue in this film, no matter what side of the abortion debate you are currently on, pro- or anti-abortion.

Click on this first link or the link below following the article, to listen to an extended and insightful audio podcast from American Policy Roundtable’s weekly radio show, The Public Square, which airs this weekend. The panel discussed the movie Unplanned, abortion, the highly criticized Planned Parenthood and Kermit Gosnell, the convicted and incarcerated abortionist and criminal.

Besides an intense and thorough discussion on Unplanned, there were comments on the podcast about two additional movies, one another feature film, Gosnell, The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer, and the other a related documentary, 3801 Lancaster, An American Tragedy, which explored more of the insidious Gosnell story.

When all is said and done the movie opens the door wide for a behind the scenes look into the local abortion provider operation and exposes the depth of deceit, destruction and depravity that occurs there on a day-by-day basis. And this is all done in the name of “Choice,” and “Women’s Reproductive Rights” and “Equality."

The movie is primary about a 10-year period in the life of Abby Johnson. She grew from a naïve college student to a pro-life activist by means of a stint as an executive director of one of Planned Parenthood's abortion facilities. It is a true and remarkable story.

Although I do not agree with neither the movie's nor the radio's panel's inaccurate portrayal of all abolitionists, those who show photos of aborted babies, overall the movie was great in that it provided a behind-the-curtain look at the stark reality of the horrific, inhumane and bloodthirsty industry.

Instead of the R-rating that was given to this movie, I would rate it "must-see" for every adult and teenager.

Podcast Link:
TPS60: Unplanned — The Movie

Ending Abortion is a Cause Worth Fighting For!

A group of defenders of the sanctify of human life in Mansfield, Ohio and surrounding areas last Thursday, April 11, 2019, just completed a 6-day campaign in front of a PlannedParenthood affiliate near downtown Mansfield.

We followed the 40 Days for Life model somewhat. The national 40 Days for Life campaigns are held twice a year in the spring and the fall. While the actual 40 Days for Life Campaign is conducted for 40 consecutive days, we only covered the hours that the local facility is opened (8:00am – 6:00pm) on six consecutive Thursdays. We managed to have someone present each hour for six Thursdays.

The highlight of our mini-campaign for me was when, ironically, a pregnant couple stopped to talk to us. It is not that unusual to have people walk by and either greet, ignore or condemn us. However, this couple was extremely happy. They stopped by Denny, who had a “Dads for Life” sign, and talked to us. The father couldn’t stop smiling in reaction to that particular sign, after all he was a new dad! 

The couple apparently had just been to the doctor’s office, because the mother proudly displayed her ultrasound pictures.

Happy Couple Outside of Planned Parenthood Celebrating New Life

What a beautiful and refreshing contrast to the mostly malicious and devious misinformation, counsel and services provided inside of the typical Planned Parenthood facility.

The biggest or the “Mother of all Lies,” told by Planned Parenthood staff as confirmed and shown in the insightful and dramatic Unplanned (2019) movie (see also the movie's Facebook page), which is currently in theaters, is that the baby that mothers carry are “Not a Baby.” They deny scientific reality to make a sale.

Additionally, although Planned Parenthood employs ultrasound machines, most of the time they do not show those pictures to the mother. They typically use ultrasounds to determine how far along the pregnancy is and for use in the actual abortion procedure, which was also depicted in the Unplanned movie.

Other highlights were the young man who stopped and heard the gospel from Pastor Kerby and prayed to receive Jesus as his savior. Two homeschool families joined us over a lunch hour and the 4-year old boy counted 90+ honks from vehicles passing by during the hour he was present. Several people stopped to join us when they saw what we were doing and took signs and stood with us.