Top Movies I Want to See

Hello, folks! Since I haven't had time to film a video this past week, and lost my dear laptop and all that, I just wrote up and scheduled this random post on Saturday (my free day!)

So ... the MOVIES I'm anticipating seeing! Take a look!

Counting On: Season Eight

Airing: July 31st, 2018

{Kendra Duggar // Joy-Anna Forsyth // Jinger Vuolo}

{Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson // Engaged}

{Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo // Baby Shower}

I know, Counting On is not a movie. But I couldn't help but put this TV series on the list! I am so, so, so excited for Season Eight. *internal squealing* I love watching this family grow and experience life. I'm especially excited to continue watching Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo's journey. ^_^

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Like Arrows

Released: May 1st, 2018

After loving their movies such as "War Room" and "Courageous", I'm really looking forward to the Kendrick Brothers' new film, Like Arrows! It's theme is parenting, and it looks spectacular. I think it will be a much-needed and impacting message.

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Unbroken: Path to Redemption

Releases: October 5th, 2018

I haven't actually watched the first movie, but the trailer for Unbroken: Path to Redemption looks absolutely amazing! I love the era, for one. And the emotional journey shown in here looks powerful. As I recall, it's based on a true story. Can't wait to watch it.

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I Can Only Imagine

Released: March 16th, 2018

Based on the life of the lead singer of the Christian band, Mercy Me, I Can Only Imagine also looks like it's a powerfully-moving story! I definitely love the song, "I Can Only Imagine", and I think I'm going to really appreciate this heart-rending, beautiful story of redemption.

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Releases: April 20th, 2018

So apparently this is based on a novel, which I know pretty much nothing about. However, it looks like a really lovely film so I want to give it a try! I mean, Lily James plays in it and I really enjoyed her performances in "Cinderella" and "Downton Abbey". Plus, I love period dramas. And a book club + romance? Yes, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society sounds like it could just be my thing. ^_^

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The Greatest Showman

Released: December 20th, 2017

This one looks like such fun, and is also based on a true story. I've been a little enamored with the idea of circuses and shows like this since reading The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof, so I'm excited to see how The Greatest Showman is!

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God's Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness

Released: March 30th, 2018

I enjoyed the previous two films, so I'm looking forward to seeing God's Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness. It sounds like it has quite a thought-provoking theme - and those are always good!

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Once Upon a Prince

Released: April 7th, 2018

Yes, Hallmark movies can tend to be cheesy, but if Once Upon a Prince the movie is anything like the book by Rachel Hauck that it's based off, it'll be great! Truly, the book was a lovely modern-day retelling of "Cinderella", so I'm really hoping to see this movie.

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So there you have it! Seven movies + a TV series season that I'm eagerly anticipating!

DO YOU WANT TO SEE ANY OF THESE?

WHAT ARE SOME MOVIES YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THIS YEAR?

Top 10 Movies I'm Excited For

     Just thought I'd share some movies I'm so excited to watch, and their trailers (if they have them)...

THE SILVER CHAIR (2016/2017)

 

CINDERELLA (2015)

 

 

BEYOND THE MASK (2015)

 

 

WHEN CALLS THE HEART: SEASON TWO (2015)

 

 

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2016)

 

THE YOUNG VICTORIA (2009)

 

 

MOCKINGJAY: PART I (2015)

 

 

ALONE YET NOT ALONE (2013)

 

 

INTO THE WOODS (2015)

 

 

THE RECKONING (2015)

 

     Eep!! They're all just so EPIC and BEAUTIFUL! Yay for fairytales!! And I can't wait to see that Revolutionary War drama! And Narnia!!! :D :)

 

     Are any of the above on your want-to-watch list? Or have you watched any of them already? What are your thoughts? :)



A Dash of Randomness

     So the first month of the new year has gone by. Already. Wow. No wonder I’m one book behind schedule on my book-reading challenge on goodreads. Time flies, :p

     Some of you perhaps read my post about Garbanzo Bean Fudge, and noticed my Health Food and Fashion tabs. I do fully intend to get some more yummy, healthy recipes on here! But it just turned out that my family came down with a nasty flu right after my great inspiration for health, and so I haven’t been baking much lately. However, that should all change soon here, :) :D So be on the look-out for healthy cheesecake, sugar-free chocolate chip cookies, Greek-yogurt, flourless pancakes, and things like that!! :)

     As for Fashion, well yeah, I’ve been meaning to get that started too. Probably I’ll just be sharing little, modesty tips and some outfits I’ve put together, for the most part.

     Reading. I’m currently in the middle of Winter Queen by E. Kaiser Writes. And quite enjoying it, I must say. I also have bookmarks in Every Tear by Molly Evangeline (which is also a grand tale so far), and Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun (this one’s a bit confusing at the moment, but still good!). And I have a kindle full of exciting tales just WAITING to be read…!!

     ...To name just a few.

 

     ...And a fair amount of books on my bookshelf also waiting, expectantly. I’m a little overwhelmed, and try not to get caught in their accusing gazes, lol.

 

     Oh! And Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Beauty and the Beast contest has come to an end! I didn’t make the top five, but I thought I’d share the results…

     I am really excited to read this new collection!! :) Although, by the story descriptions, I fear that some of them might be a bit spooky for my taste, haha, :p We’ll see. Anyway, coming out Summer 2015, so be on the lookout, fairytale-lovers!

 

     Writing. My novel, Silver Rose, is currently being edited by a wonderful blogger friend; and one of my dear friends is also doing a bit of editing work while she reads it. I am so, so grateful for their willingness to take on this project!! :)

     I started writing the sequel, and had a couple days of lovely inspiration, putting me at a word count of 10,642 words. Then I just, stopped. Writer’s block, you know. :/ But I shall start writing again!! Erm, hopefully. (Let’s not mention that I got distracted on a rather deep and personal retelling of Rapunzel, :p) Anyway, I’ll share a few pictures from pinterest that lend me inspiration for Diamond Dark:

 

DESPAIR...

 

...CLASHES WITH HOPE...

 

...AND BLACK BEASTS HAUNT THEM ALL...

 

 

...IS THE LIGHT MORE POWERFUL?

 

 

     And… one movie I’m looking forward to watching this year? Beyond the Mask. I can’t tell you how excited I am for this Christian, independently-made, Revolutionary War drama film… Eek!! Check out the trailer here. It’s going to be epic! :) :)



      Last, but of course not least(!), a verse that was especially poignant to me this fresh year of 2015: Ephesians 4:29-32

^29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. "

     Praying God’s blessings on you all, dear readers! May your readings and writings go well, and may we all grow ever closer to the King!

Are You Excited ... :)

... For Book 8 in TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD by Anne Elisabeth Stengl? I certainly am! This series constantly leaves me looking forward to more! *smiles* Though Book 8 doesn't have a cover yet, a title was revealed some days back.

Are you excited now? *grins* Poison Crown sounds intriguing! Anyway, this series is a favorite of mine. And if you are into fantasy with Christian allegories woven throughout, deep and fascinating complexity, a whimsical touch, and a nice amount of sweet romance, TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD might be wonderful for you too! ^_^

So I would suggest looking into this series ...

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I'm also really excited for Cinderella (2015). 

I love fairytales!! The first trailer for this upcoming movie just came out, and it looks like it sticks pretty close to the original story. Yay! I'm hoping that it will be clean and worthwhile! Check out the trailer:

 Cinderella (2015)

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Last but not least, I'm excited for Thanksgiving! It's just kind of a fun, blessing-filled time to fellowship with family and friends. I don't know about  you, but I have so much to be thankful for!! Especially when I start reflecting on blessings. So as you're perhaps eating delicious, traditional Thanksgiving food, and laughing and enjoying family, take time to thank God for His care for you! <3

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And then here's just some lovely pictures of things that I'm excited may come someday ... *smiles*

~Start up ballet again~

~Publish my story, Silver Rose (mock cover)~

~Marry my best friend (whenever he appears *smiles* )~

~Wear a pretty wedding dress~

~See if my story, A Beauty Unforgotten, becomes part of this collection~

~Go to an old-fashioned dance~

~Be a mommy <3~

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So, what are you excited for? *smiles*

(Photos found on Pixabay.com)

Movie Review: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

 

My Review (4.5 stars):

 

     The excitement is growing. Getting captured, fighting darkness, giant spiders, and waking a dragon... I liked The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) even more than the first movie! There was more action, I think. More is discovered... we're coming closer... And of course, there's a cliffhanger ending. :( But it was still epic! Can't wait to watch all three movies in a row!

     

     The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) was more violent than The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012). More mini battles, more orces getting beheaded and whatnot. And then there were the giant spiders... which definitely creeped me out... but were a necessary part of the story I suppose! It was kind of creepy and great all at once, ha! :p But yeah, a few scary/intense/yucky parts that definitely give this movie a reason to be pg-13.

 

     The elves... were amazing. The scenes of Legolas and Tauriel's epic fighting were most certainly my favorite parts of the movie! Love the elves. Love the interaction between the king's son and the captain of the guard. Their story intrigues me, and I'm excited to see more of it. Yeah... the red-haired Tauriel's appearance really made The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) all the better for me; I felt a girl character with a bigger role was due, :)

 

     Bilbo was brilliant and endearing as usual. The dwarves funny. The skin-changer added some new excitement and intrigue to the whole story... and not just a little amount of chill. Oh, and Bard from Lake-town also added a whole new element to this journey. His children were great too, and gave his story depth. Oh, and Smaug, we finally come face to face with Smaug... which is quite exciting, and terrible all at once!

 

     As I mentioned, the elves' fighting was great. The barrel scene was fresh, funny, and exciting! Just too much fun. Also, the fighting scenes in Lake-town were great. Though the scene there of Tauriel saving a sick dwarf left me a little weirded out. But from what I understand, the elves have a special gift in healing??

 

     The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) just left me more wound up and excited than ever about this hobbit's tale. Since I haven't read the book, I'm left breathless and full of terror mixed with anticipation. I can't imagine how its all going to work out right. What happens to dear Gandalf? Where does Legolas end up as he's chasing down Bolg? How does Tauriel answer Kili? Why does the elf king not want to help fight against evil? Does Bard escape in time to counter Smaug's return for revenge? And what's going to happen with the necromancer and his dark army?

 

     Guys, I am so excited to watch The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)!! All in all, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) leaves you enthralled yet wishing for more! :) :)

 

 [Turiel]

 

[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies trailer]