*UPDATE. The drawing was completed this morning. Congratulations to Kayla! Thank you to all those that entered. I wish I had copies to give to each one of you.
I’ve been taking a break from most things social media the last few weeks. It has been rather refreshing as we head into the holiday season. I did, however, receive an invitation to review and giveaway a copy of the movie “The Good Lie” last week. I really wanted to see the film when it was in theaters so I jumped at the chance to take a look before it comes out on DVD December 23rd. Friends, I’m so glad I did. Incredible, powerful film.
Based on the true story of orphans of the civil war in Sudan, known as The Lost Boys, “A Good Lie” is a film so many of us (namely me) need to see. The film opens following these orphans as they literally travel thousands of miles just to survive. Within the first half hour you will be counting your blessings and naming each one. I know I did. I’m not sure who’ll read this, but I know that I can say I take far too much for granted. This film was a perfect reminder that we are rich beyond imagination long before any of us sits around a tree next week.
Not only is this a story of survival, it’s an incredible story of family, brotherhood, leadership and sacrifice. There are so many good themes. With its PG-13 rating, I read a review on PluggedIn.com before watching it as a family. After their review, I decided to watch it with my wife and our 14 year old. Now that I have seen it, I really wish I would have had the girls (11 and 9) watch it as well. While there are maybe a handful of cusswords, the themes and story are something to keep us all grounded. I can’t say enough good things about it. Just an incredibly heartwarming, gut wrenching story.
And now I get to give one away…..
Hopefully you didn’t just skip past my review (which is most likely grammatically incorrect) and jump to this part. If you did…well, that’s fine too. I don’t have any fancy way to do this other than to leave a comment below and I’ll put all of the responses in a hat. I’ll do the drawing Sunday night and announce my winner on Monday, December 22nd. If you haven’t seen the preview, here it is…
Here’s more about the film…
Burbank, CA, November 11, 2014 – Miracles happen when “The Good Lie” arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital HD on December 23 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon (“Walk the Line”) stars alongside Corey Stoll (“House of Cards”) and the Lost Boys, a group of real-life Sudanese refugees. Together, against the backdrop of their shared losses, the Lost Boys and these unlikely strangers find humor in the clash of cultures, and heartbreak as well as hope in the challenges of life in America.
Along with Witherspoon and Stoll, the film stars real-life Sudanese refugees Arnold Oceng (“My Brother the Devil,” “Adulthood”) and newcomer Kuoth Wiel; Ger Duany (“I Heart Huckabees”) and rapper Emmanuel Jal, who were both former child soldiers and Lost Boys; and Femi Oguns (BBC’s “The Casualty”). Rounding out the cast are Sarah Baker as Faith Based Charities volunteer Pamela Lowi; and, as the younger Lost Boys, Peterdeng Mongok, Okwar Jale, Thon Kueth, Deng Ajuet and Keji Jale, all of whom are children of Sudanese refugees.
Philippe Falardeau directed “The Good Lie” from a screenplay by Margaret Nagle. The film was produced by Academy Award® winners Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Molly Mickler Smith, Thad Luckinbill and Trent Luckinbill. Oscar® nominees Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson, Kim Roth, Ellen H. Schwartz, Deepak Navar, and Bobby and Deb Newmyer served as executive producers. Alcon Entertainment, Imagine Entertainment and Black Label Media present a Black Label Media, Imagine Entertainment and Reliance Entertainment Production.
“The Good Lie” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 *Price corrected on 11/12/14* and includes the film in high definition on Blu-ray disc, a DVD, and a digital version of the movie in Digital HD with UltraViolet. Fans can also own “The Good Lie” via purchase from digital retailers.
SYNOPSIS
They were known simply as “The Lost Boys.”
Orphaned by the brutal civil war in Sudan, which began in 1983, these young victims traveled as many as a thousand miles on foot in search of safety. Fifteen years later, a humanitarian effort would bring 3,600 lost boys, as well as girls, to America.
Mamere and Theo are sons of the Chief in their village in Southern Sudan. When an attack by the Northern militia destroys their home and kills their parents, eldest son Theo is forced to assume the role of Chief and lead a group of young survivors, including his sister Abital, away from harm. But the hostile, treacherous terrain has other dangers in store for them. As the tattered group makes the difficult trek to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, they meet other fleeing children, forging a bond with Jeremiah, who, at 13, is already a man of faith, and Paul, whose skills become essential to their survival.
Thirteen years later, the now young adults are given the opportunity to leave the camp and resettle in America. Upon arriving in Kansas, they are met by Carrie Davis (Witherspoon), an employment agency counselor who has been enlisted to help find them jobs—no easy task, when things like light switches and telephones are brand new to them.
Although Carrie has successfully kept herself from any emotional entanglements, these refugees, who desperately require help navigating the 21st century and rebuilding their shattered lives, need just that. So Carrie embarks on her own unchartered territory, enlisting the help of her boss, Jack (Corey Stoll).
Leave a comment below to enter your name in a drawing to be held Sunday night. Winner announced Monday, December 22nd.
“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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