'Gimme Shelter' in U.S. Theaters January 24th

In February of 2008, I posted about Several Sources Shelters. Today, as I write this, thousands of people are marching in Washington, D.C. at the March for Life. 'Gimme Shelter' promises to be a gritty look at true life struggles of young women who find themselves pregnant in less-than-ideal circumstances. We are called to not only fight for the life of the child, but to show undying compassion toward the women who face the most difficult intersection of their lives. We can help. P.S.: the message of the film is pro-life and I'm hoping the secular media won't notice until it is too late.

Synopsis: "A pregnant teenager flees life with her drug-addicted mother and ends up living on the street before being welcomed into her first real home in Gimme Shelter, an extraordinary tale of survival and redemption inspired by actual events. For 16-year-old Agnes "Apple" Bailey (Vanessa Hudgens), life has been a constant struggle to overcome the harsh reality of a subsistence existence with her abusive mother, June (Rosario Dawson), and June's string of lowlife boyfriends. When she finds herself pregnant and alone, Apple temporarily takes shelter with her biological father, Tom (Brendan Fraser), a wealthy Wall Streeter living in a New Jersey mansion with his wife Joanna (Stephanie Szostak) and two young children. But Apple's inability to adjust to her new circumstances, and her refusal to terminate her pregnancy, soon force her back onto the streets. Desperate to find a haven for herself and her unborn child, Apple reluctantly agrees to move into a suburban shelter that houses other pregnant teens. Emotionally scarred and unable to trust those who want to help her, it seems unlikely that Apple will be able to adapt to the shelter's strict rules and high expectations. With her safety and that of her unborn child at risk, Apple must find a way to break the shackles of her unhappy past and embrace the future with clarity, maturity and hope. Inspired by the real-life, David-and-Goliath story of Several Sources Shelters founder Kathy DiFiore, award-winning writer and director Ronald Krauss wrote his original screenplay while spending a year in a shelter for pregnant teens, and based his poignant screenplay on the lives of several of the shelter mothers. Gimme Shelter stars Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical franchise, Machete Kills), Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Trance), Brendan Fraser (Crash, The Mummy), James Earl Jones (The Great White Hope, Star Wars franchise), Ann Dowd (Compliance, Side Effects) and Dascha Polanco ("Orange is the New Black"). Also appearing in the film are several real life shelter mothers, their babies and Kathy DiFiore. The film is produced by Krauss and Jeff Rice (End of Watch, 2 Guns). Director of photography is Alain Marcoen (The Kid with a Bike, She is Not Crying, She is Singing). Production designer is William Ladd Skinner (This is the End, Pirates of the Caribbean franchise). Costume designer is Ciera Wells (All is Bright, Damsels in Distress). Executive producers are Paul Hellerman (Pulp Fiction, The Mexican) and Scott Steindorff (The Lincoln Lawyer, The Human Stain)."




'Gimme Shelter' Facebook page
National Catholic Register article on the film
Several Sources Shelters

Upcoming Film Release: Mary of Nazareth

Contact your Pastor and tell him you'd like to help secure a screening of the film in October at a local theater. Details on how to make it happen are HERE. Our Lady, pray for us! St. Joseph her faithful spouse, pray for us!

"And a sword shall pierce your heart"

Please 'like' their Facebook page HERE.

And the Silver Fish Goes to... The Miracle of Marcelino!

There is a little gem available on DVD that is sure to warm your heart. Let me introduce you to El Milagro de Marcelino or The Miracle of Marcelino.

Synopsis: In Spanish with English subtitles, The Miracle of Marcelino is a heart-warming tale of an orphan boy caught in the midst of Mexico's revolution. The story begins as the monks of a poor war ravaged monastery find an infant abandoned on their doorstep. Having nowhere to turn in the wake of the war, they decide to raise him in the monastery.The child grows into a rambunctious boy fond of playing jokes on the friars with his best friend Enrique. Marcelino finds himself yearning for a mother as he observes the deep bond Enrique shares with his mother. An attack by revolutionaries leaves the tiny village in chaos and Enrique dying in the arms of his grieving mother, as Marcelino looks on. Overcome with fear he hides in the one place he was warned to never go — the attic of the monastery. While hiding there he is drawn to a statue with a face so full of love that he is compelled to visit it often. Marcelino is too young to realize that it is a statue of Jesus. Thinking the statue looks hungry, he sneaks bread and wine into the attic and offers it to the statue. As he gives his offering, the statue miraculously comes to life and accepts the gift. Moved by the boy’s gift of faith, Jesus grants Marcelino’s deepest wish, to be reunited with his mother.

Winner: 

• Best Director - 2011 International Catholic Film Festival
• Cinematography -  2011 Las Diosas de Plata Award (Mexican)

Please support family and faith-friendly films. 



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Irony: When the Abortionist is Forced to Sign Your Birth Certificate

I first posted about Gianna Jessen back in October of 2008 HERE. What makes Gianna's story extraordinary, is that she survived a saline abortion at seven months gestation. If you are not familiar with her story, please read my previous post and watch her testimonial videos. The abortionist had not yet arrived at the Planned Parenthood clinic where she was expected to be exterminated, when she was born alive. The man later had to sign her birth certificate.

Gianna Jessen

The new film October Baby was inspired by Gianna's story. In the film, a young woman discovers that she was a survivor of an attempted abortion, and goes on a journey of discovery and healing. I went to see October Baby on opening weekend, and recommend that all go see it as well. Find it in a theater near you by searching HERE. Even if you happened upon this post with a pro-choice mindset, I ask that you open your heart and mind to the story. As you can see on Rotten Tomatoes, there is a giant chasm between Hollywood critics and what the ticket-buyers long to see. At the time of this post, only 7 out of 30 critics enjoyed the film, yet a whopping 91% of the audience (9,492 reviewers) enjoyed the film. Even the New York Times was pressed to acknowledge the film's success - though in the linked article you'll find that the article has a definite bias against the pro-life movement. Many critics have gone so far as to discount the story in the film, believing it impossible that anyone would survive an abortion. Of course, many people still deny that the Holocaust happened - so, there you go.

The soundtrack for October Baby is now available on iTunes and Gianna Jessen performs the song Ocean Floor. Give it a listen and support the project. The entire album is only $9.99 and contains some of the most enjoyable new music I've heard in a very long time.

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*Read about another abortion survivor in this NYT article HERE. Learn about late term abortion methods HERE, including 'saline amniocentisis' (the method Gianna survived), and President Obama's record on the Infant Born Alive Protection Act HERE. Why don't we hear of more survivors of abortions? Find the answer HERE.

October Baby

Sanctity of Human Life Day is Sunday, January 22, 2012.

Blood Money

Hopefully, and perhaps with your help, coming soon to a theater near you.

Film Website HERE.

DVD Review: 'Love is a Choice: The Life of St. Gianna Molla'

I often hear mothers share about about how difficult it is to instill a deep faith in the hearts of their children 'in this day and age' and hope that St. Gianna Molla can be a new measuring stick for all of us. Some of us work outside of the home, some of us stay home to care for kids and home. Consider St. Gianna Molla (1922-1962), a loving wife and mother, snow skier, gifted pianist and physician.

The DVD, Love is a Choice: The Life of St. Gianna Molla, available online from The Catholic Company , is a 52 minute love story. Much of her story is shared by her husband through their love letters, family pictures, home movies and by interviews with her family and friends. I had first seen the film on EWTN and was touched by the great faith this woman had, running so deeply within her soul that she willingly sacrificed much because of her great love for God and family. I do not like 'spoilers' myself, but I will tell you that while expecting a baby, Gianna discovered that she had a deadly form of cancer. Let the DVD fill in the rest of the story. The message of this film will inspire you and your family as it has a moving message for all who view it - believers and unbelievers alike.

Included in the DVD is the Canonization Ceremony in Rome with the late John Paul II meeting her family, and special commentary by the film Producer, Fr. Thomas Rosica. I highly recommend this DVD for RCIA programs, which would be very useful when explaining both the Communion of Saints and Sanctity of Life. Teens would also benefit from watching the DVD in youth groups or religious education class.

Bella, Bella, Bella!

UPDATE: Bella is now available on DVD in the U.S. and Canada.

Take a young, unmarried pregnant woman and a very handsome former professional soccer player in New York city, put that on the big screen and most would expect a very different film than the blessing that is Bella.

Synopsis: Nina, a young waitress at a busy Mexican restaurant shows up late to work one day as she has just discovered she is expecting a baby. She is immediately fired when she enters the restaurant and Jose, the chef and brother of the owner, follows her as she storms out. She shares with him her situation and they embark upon a day of discovery, new beginnings and redemption. Nina intends to have an abortion and Jose who is from a Mexican Catholic background steeped in love of life and family introduces her to a whole new world. Jose struggles with a painful secret himself and in the end finds a solution so that life prevails.

This film was a labor of love created by an under-financed, independent production company comprised of Catholic men who were tired of the proliferation of movies which treated all life as disposable. Lead actor Eduardo Verástegui was at one time a leading man in steamy Mexican soap operas and admits to having led a sinful life, leaving behind his Catholic upbringing. He has chosen to die to sin and in one television interview said, "the next woman I will kiss will be my wife." Prior to the film's opening in the US last October, he told National Catholic Register :

Bella is the fruit of 3 1/2 years of sacrifice, of saying No to a lot of offers that were not honoring God. To really follow the path of Our Lord, you have to be willing to die to yourself. Period. Because sometimes my own dreams become my worst enemy if those dreams are not in line with God’s will. If it means that I never work again in this career, thanks be to God. If God wants to use me to use my talents in this career so I can glorify him, thanks be to God.

Raymond Arroyo interviewed Mr. Verástegui on World Over Live and he shared many moving insights and personal reflections upon both the film and the Faith. One such story was about how he prepared for the film. He went to an abortion clinic and attempted to interview a young couple who were nervously approaching the building, apparently seeking an abortion. He gave them his name and phone number pleading with them to at least go home and think about their conversation. The couple agreed and he received a call of good news and a baby named after him several months later.

I anxiously awaited the release of the film and my husband and I were sure to be at the first possible screening in our area. Our only regret was that we did not bring our 9-year old son along with us. There was no violence, sex, romance, kissing or inappropriate touching in this film and the protagonists shared a deep and honorable friendship. When the credits were over, I asked my husband what he thought of the movie. He said, 'It was a tearjerker and I'd like to see it again.' I asked him what parts he found to be moving and he replied, 'the whole thing.' The message is a heavenly one, yet there was no preaching in this film. I believe this is what I liked most.

The DVD release is approaching (May 6) and I would like to ask everyone who reads this blog to purchase the video. Watch it with friends who may not be close to God or consider themselves to be 'pro-choice'. ;-) They will never know what you're up to.
Life: God created it and it was good.
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*The film grossed a very respectable $7,762,924 at the box office and was honored with the coveted Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award among many other awards.