On March 20, 2016, Box Office Mojo reports that Miracles From Heaven is number three in the box office for its first weekend in theaters. Box Office Mojo further announces that Risen is still in theaters at number ten and Young Messiah continues in theaters at number thirteen. These are the top pick movies in theaters for Holy Week.
On March 20, The Wrap’s headline is Miracles From Heaven Uplifted as Minorities Join Box-Office Chorus. They report, “Sony’s faith-based tale starring Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah debuts with $15 million weekend — and Easter is on the way…Sony’s inspirational saga Miracles From Heaven… beat projections from analysts and distributor Sony Pictures, and the $18.5 million it has grossed since opening on Wednesday has already topped its $13 million production budget… also received a rare “A+” CinemaScore from moviegoers and has already begun benefiting from that word of mouth. The $6.2 million that it grossed on Saturday was a 48 percent increase from Friday.”
Christy (Jennifer Garner), Kevin (Martin Henderson), Abbie (Brighton Sharpino), Anna (Kylie Rogers) and Adelynn (Courtney Fansler) are one big happy family in Miracles From Heaven; Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Recently, Sonoma Christian Home has spent a beautiful weekend with the Miracles From Heaven premiere in Dallas, TX, which included exclusive interviews on the Red Carpet with Jennifer Garner; producers DeVon Franklin and Bishop T.D. Jakes; Christy Beam (mother), Anna, Abbey, and Adelyn (daughters), and Kevin (father). Further, an exclusive interview with Jennifer Garner was filmed. From these interviews came profound and inspiring insights.
Miracles From Heaven is a heart-felt, thought-provoking, delightful movie that features Jennifer Garner, Queen Latifah and Eugenio Derbez, Mexican comic star. The film is based on Christy Beam’s bestselling book about the amazing true story of her daughter, Anna, who experienced a painful, debilitating disorder for four years but was restored and healed in a strange accident. Golden Globe® winner Jennifer Garner is Christy Beam, who is a devoted mother whose world is turned upside down when her daughter Anna (wonderfully performed by newcomer Kylie Rogers) is struck with a rare, incurable, painful digestive disorder. This is an inspiring, must-see movie for families of older children through adults. It is a wonderful choice for a movie during Holy Week for intergenerational families.
With a mother’s unrelenting determination, Christy does everything she can for her daughter as she works her way through a medical maze. After struggling for years, when her faith is greatly challenged, and when all seems lost, a series of documented events unfold that leave not only Christy but doctors, family and community amazed by the astonishing events.
Jennifer Garner shares that this movie has been transformative for her personally. Further in exclusive interviews with Sonoma Christian Home on the Red Carpet and in a private one-on-one filmed interview, Jennifer tells how this movie will also have a transformative impact on those who see it. She relates how at the heart of the story is a mother’s love, a child’s faith, and the inspiration of the whole family.
Producer DeVon Franklin states that this movie will impact viewers, especially families and children, because “…it is easy to receive an honest story from a child.” He tells how each member of the family serve uniquely and are individual role models. For example, he shares how the older sister is a role model to teens and shows “…that it matters to help your family.” He tells that “Viewers need to bring tissues because this heart-warming story reaffirms the importance of love and faith in a family… All families experience crises and tragedies…This movie brings the top talent to this good story… Jennifer Garner brings her role home as the mother.”
Bishop T.D. Jakes (producer) tells how with “blessings come burdens.” He reflects on the value of good movies. He shares, “Miracles From Heaven is a sequel to Heaven Is For Real.” He states, “Both stories value the real experience of children… It is the child’s faith that marshals the parent’s faith… If Jesus, The Great Storyteller, was here today, He would use movies to tell stories.”
The Young Messiah tells the story of Jesus’ early years, growing up with Mary and Joseph; Photo Courtesy of 1492 Pictures.
In exclusive interviews with the Beam Family, Sonoma Christian Home asks about the roles that each member of the family have performed in the real events and about how together they now work as a family unit. Kevin Beam tells, “I needed to be strong for my family, during the four years when my daughter was in terrible pain.” Christy tells, “Our story is about hope and encouragement. We are relieved that the movie tells our story well.” Abbey reveals, “It was hard but later became rewarding. At first we didn’t know why this happened. We just needed to get through one day at a time.”
Miracles From Heaven is based on a true story, whereas Risen and Young Messiah are inspired by true events recorded in the Bible and histories and take more dramatic license in telling the stories. Both have outstanding acting, cinematography, music and more. Both movies depict the Roman brutality of the times, but The Young Messiah depicts it ways that are appropriate for older children through adults. The Young Messiah is singular in that it presents Jesus Christ as a spiritually-sensitive child. It picturizes Jesus Christ as a spiritual role model for children through adults. Risen is more appropriate for teens and adults due to stronger depictions of Roman violence.
This year’s Holy Week movies are rich with inspiration for the Easter Season. All three movies are top picks and all three are must-see movies! May you experience new insight and inspiration during this Holy Week with these outstanding movies! Happy Easter!
Written by Diane Howard, Ph.D. (Performance Studies), dianehoward.com
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