Everyday Is Filled With "Miracles From Heaven"

Miracles From Heaven (2016)

Rated PG

Starring Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers, Martin Henderson, Brighton Sharbino, Courtney Fansler, Queen Latifah, Eugenio Derbez,

Directed by Patricia Riggen

The Story:

Anna Beam (Rogers) keeps feeling sick. Hospital visit after hospital visit turns up nothing, but the poor thing is getting worse. Her mom (Garner) finally manages to get her to see one of the top specialists (Derbez) in the States and diagnoses Anna with a rare, non-treatable disorder. The pain gets worse, and little Anna is ready to throw in the towel. Her mom breaks down and begs God for a miracle.

Based on a true story, naturally!

However, that's not to say this movie doesn't have a few hiccups along the way.

They condense Anna's 4 year journey into a condensed to fit  your movie running time year.

Naturally, there are a ton of skeptics that feel and believe that Anna was never sick to begin with, and this is just a cash grab by the Beam family to make a buck off the Christian market.

Well, judge not lest ye be judged.

:)

I can, however, judge the movie, and it's not too bad.

There are naturally a few heartstring tuggers along the way, which is par for the course in most movies like this.

I don't think it beats a Christian message over the head of those that are skeptical, and it even briefly launches into the "why do bad things happen to little kids" endless debate.

There's also a few clunkers that keep the movie from reaching the full potential. One that pulled me out of the movie completely and made me start laughing was when a tearful, angry mom yells at the doctor "no, you calm down!"

The doctor was already calm and explaining why he couldn't help the daughter any further.

So a few misfires like that keep the movie from being a must-see and relegate it to a could-see.

That said, the movie does emphasize that your life is filled with little miracles every day that you may be too busy to notice and realize they were miracles at the time, and that is a message that's worth repeating over and over until the world gets it.

Final Grade: B-

A Really Long Day At Work..."The 33"

The 33 (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips,

Directed by Patricia Riggen

The Story:

Mario (Banderas) and 32 other miners are down below getting ready for their shift in an underground mine in Chile when the earth begins to shift and the mine starts to collapse. The 33 men barely make it to the sanctuary area where there is food and water for a few days worth of survival. All attempts at escape and rescue seem impossible as the mine owners cut costs and never completed escape routes. Eventually several companies come in to try and get to the men, but as the days turn into weeks, the odds of them finding anything other than corpses becomes more likely.

Based on a true story.

It's a sentimental drama that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you feel for the men.

These movies are often derided for doing the "by the numbers" routine to play on audience emotions.

Hey, I thought it worked.

And really, that's why we have phrases like "by the numbers", you check them off and you know that while you may not be pushing any envelopes or breaking new ground, you're producing a competent film that should appeal to most audiences.

I would say that is achieved in this film.

Odds are you may have overlooked or never heard of this film. I was won over by the trailer when I saw it, and I thought it looked good.

Of course, I also work for the Mine Safety and Health Administration and our job is to make sure miners come home safely at the end of each shift, so maybe I'm biased.

:)

Final Grade: B+