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The Business of Being Born

Posted by html404 on April 10, 2010
in DVDs & CDs

Ever since I heard about documentary, The Business of Being Born, I have wanted to see it. There was even a screening here in the Chicago area, but being a bit of a miser I decided to wait until it came out on DVD. Then life happened and I forgot about it until this past week when a friend and colleague mentioned it on Facebook. So I looked it up online, found it and watched it. It was really good.

Business of Being Born dvd

Director, Abbey Epstein and executive producer, Ricki Lake did a great job of documenting how birth has become big business and how normal, healthy pregnancies can produce a healthy birth at home. Both of these ladies actually had a birth filmed and a part of The Business of Being Born.

Here’s another tidbit about me, I am actually a bit of a prude. So I don’t enjoy seeing other women in all their “glory” giving birth. Although, I do love their responses as they meet their newly born child – that moves me to tears. I also do not like fowl language, which The Business of Being Born did not “bleep” out the few times that it was uttered by participants in the movie, but that did not detract from the message of the film. It did make my ears ring though. Not that I don’t ever spout off something I shouldn’t when I am upset, I do, after all I am human. However, I do not use the “F” word and think it sounds atrocious to be honest. Very unlady like and unprofessional in my opinion. But I will say that some of these ladies were giving birth and in pain, so in part they really did not have had much control at the time either.

I think this is a must see film for all women planning to have children, expecting or who may even be done having children. Each group of women will take something away from it and it will challenge the way they view and think about birth.

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BibleMan – Combating the Commandment of Confusion DVD

Posted by html404 on March 25, 2010
in DVDs & CDs

I received the following DVD in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of this DVD.

Bibleman

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up to receive this BibleMan DVD. I had only heard and seen a couple of products at our old bookstore. I was under the impression BibleMan was animated, I guess because of the toys, but I was wrong. This DVD is actually a live adventure with the actors performing on stage in front of a live audience. I really enjoyed the opening song! It was encouraging.

Of course, I loved the biblical principle presented in the DVD, which was based on Ephesians 6:11 (ICB) “Put on the whole armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks.” They did a very good job of showing us how we are in a spiritual battle and that we need to be prepared to fight by using the armor of God.

Our children have enjoyed watching The Commandant of Confusion and Chaos cause a disruption in the Biblical Adventrue Training Academy. They really liked it. Again, this is a product probably geared towards children under 8. I couldn’t find any age recommendations, but I am going by my children’s reactions and comments. As I have said before, I find as our children get older they are not entertained by the same things as the younger crew. Although, our nine-year-old daughter said that she likes BibleMan, so again, every child is going to be different.

Some Christian films in the past have seemed amateur-ish, especially once you have viewed anything Hollywood or Disney has created with their multi-million dollar budgets. However, BibleMan was like watching a live theater performance. I was pleasantly surprised with the content and production.

For more information visit www.bibleman.com/ BibleMan may be purchased at most Christian retailers, as well as at other major retailers like Walmart and Amazon.

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Demographic Bomb

Posted by html404 on March 16, 2010
in DVDs & CDs

Demographic Bomb

I forgot to mention in Saturday’s post that we requested these two dvds -Demographic Winter and Demographic Bomb - from our interlibrary loan department. I love that we can save money or at least preview items before we commit to adding them to our family’s resource library.

Demographic Bomb is the sequel to Demographic Winter. Where Demographic Winter was about the decline of the human family, Demographic Bomb is demography is destiny. “Where Demographic Winter predicted the financial crash of 2008, Demographic Bomb reveals how it is just beginning.” (Taken from the back of the dvd, but slightly paraphrased).

It is truly amazing that demographers knew that we were heading for a population decline back in the ’60s and 70’s when the overpopulation idea was highly publicized with the book, “The Population Bomb,” which had 13 printings by 1970. The Population Bomb was publicized by non-demographers and media.

I was impressed by how important the demographers viewed children to the future of the world’s economy. It was refreshing, actually.

We need 2.13 children to replace the population according to the 2007 CIA Fact Book. Currently 90 countries have fertility rates less than 2.13. As the narrator of Demographic Bomb asked, “Anyone wonder if we’ve created these economic consequences?” And one demographer stated that a civilization turned against children is the revolution we are living in. How sad. But the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, since there has been a 50% decline in fertility in the last 50 years and the United Nations is still pushing to decrease those levels, especially in poor countries, because they want to eliminate poverty and control the population.

I don’t know what you think of this, but I find it disturbing. And here is the American Heritage Dictionary’s (English Language) definition of Population Control:

“Population Control. Noun: a government program to limit or slow population growth…as by birth control education, the wide availability of contraceptives, and economic incentives.”

How many of us have been duped by this government program? And to think that it all started here in the United States and is now affecting the whole world. When will it end?

Quotes from the dvd:

“With the rise in concern about the population bomb, the field was suddenly awash with money.” ~ Mathew Connelly, Columbia University, Author of Fatal Misconception

“We must have population control at home, hopefully through a system of incentives and penalties, but by compulsion if voluntary methods fail.” ~ Paul Ehrlich, Standford University, Author of The Population Bomb

“It’s an odd thing that an entire civilization would turn on children, but in many respects that’s the revolution that we are now involved in.” ~ Allan Carlson, President, The Howard Center

For more information, please visit www.DemographicBomb.com

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Danny the Dragon DVD

Posted by html404 on March 15, 2010
in DVDs & CDs

I received the following DVD free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book. Danny the Dragon Book, except it is a video showing the pages of the book while an actress reads the story and a sign language instructor gives the signs so that deaf children can enjoy the story as well.

This wasn’t what we expected since it isn’t a “real” video like they are use to and our children were disappointed at first, but that didn’t stop them from asking to watch it again.

As Mrs. Turbin stated in her interview she created this DVD for the benefit of Blossom Montessori School for the deaf as well as for Literacy and Education and is donating all the proceeds from the sale of the DVD to these causes. Tina Turbin is also involved with causes for Celiac disease and gluten free education.

The Danny the Dragon DVD is due out in April and will be available at http://www.dannythedragon.com/buy/

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Interview with Author Tina Turbin

Posted by html404 on March 15, 2010
in Books, DVDs & CDs, Giving Back/Charity

This interview was conducted before I received any of Mrs. Turbin’s Danny the Dragon products.

FF: I am looking forward to reviewing your products.

TT:Thank you for doing them!

FF: I just have a few questions about your upcoming DVD that is due to be released in March. Official street date is April 14th actually.

FF: Is the DVD an animation or does it have real actors?

TT: Neither, the DVD is the book read aloud by an actress and the DVD has sign interpretation for the deaf.
I am donating the money to the Blossom Montessori School for the deaf as well as for Literacy and Education.

FF: What ages is the DVD geared towards?

TT: 2- 9 years but I have attended many schools with it and the young teens sure love it!

FF: Is there a particular reason that you decided to make a DVD of Danny the Dragon?

TT: Kids love to watch things on TV and computers and I was also asked that I create one off of the book. I also wanted to make something for the deaf as well.

FF: Does the DVD deviate from the book? If so, how?

TT: Not at all. The exact story.

FF: You have included sign language in the DVD. Did you have a personal reason for doing that?

TT: I visited a school to do a reading of my Danny the Dragon book and the school works with kids from very young all through High School and they had a number of deaf students. Carol Downing did the sign while I read to these lovely children. These kids amazed me, the staff inspired me and I walked away from that day with a new view on many aspects, and so did my photographer who came with me for the reading. I got in the car and my ideas starting rolling away on how I could help or do more. I first attended a fund raiser and donated to that and that was not enough. So now we have the DVD as well.

FF: And were actual deaf actors involved? ( please see above)

FF: How was that experience for everyone who participated in the making of the DVD?

TT: We all felt a deep sense of commitment doing it and truly enjoyed working on it. The end was an accomplishment well worth the time and the kids love watching it over and over.

FF: It is great when authors, celebrities and businesses support different causes in the work they are doing. You support the Celiac Foundation and now the deaf; what made you decide to choose these two organizations?

TT: CELIAC: I am passionate about raising awareness to Celiac Disease and the many adverse effects that gluten produces in many children and adult bodies- and even animals! One in every 120-130 people have this disease which means about 2.35-2.85 million Americans to this date have not yet been diagnosed. It takes an average of 4-10 years (depending on who you reference) to be properly diagnosed and in the meantime other auto-immune diseases can begin and a whole mess evolves. People find out about celiac or gluten intolerance and start researching it themselves and bring the topic up to their doctors, after many years of tests and troubles to no resolution. I was one of these people! Also, many kids with autism are taken off of gluten for a very good reason. Much more is on my resource site about these topics: http://GlutenFreeHelp.info DEAF: (Explained above)

FF: I think I have exhausted my question reservoir for the time being. I appreciate the privilege to review your book and DVD, as well as the opportunity to interview you.

TT: I thank you VERY much and you can learn a bit more about me at this site: www.TinaTurbin.com

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Demographic Winter

Posted by html404 on March 13, 2010
in DVDs & CDs

We have all been exposed to the notion that the world is being overpopulated. Some of us may have even believed that or still do. However, there is a growing number of professionals, economists and professors in particular who are no longer believing that this propaganda is as newsworthy as new data comes to light. They have evidence that the world’s population is decreasing. “Demographic Winter is a documentary about the decline of the human family and how our children will carry the burden of the world.” (from the cover of the dvd) We have been waiting quite a while to watch this, probably since it first came out and I am so glad that we finally got to view it.

Demographic Winter

As nations have fewer and fewer children, the consequences won’t necessarily affect current generations, but the generations to come. The less children born, the more the world’s population becomes an aged population. This will result in less workers paying social security and taxes when the aged are retired and no longer working. What lasting affects will this bring to our children and their children and so on? That answer we will hopefully find in the sequel Demographic Bomb, which I will review on Tuesday, so stay tuned.

The problem is not just in depopulation, but the lasting economic repercussions that we should be aware of and fear the most, especially for our children and grandchildren’s sakes.

Quotes from the dvd:

“It’s happening in rich and poor countries…it’s happening throughout the Eastern and Western hemisphere, North and South…Birthrates are plummeting throughout the world.” ~ Philip Longman, Senior Fellow, New America Foundation: Author of The Empty Cradle

“Adam Smith said that economic prosperity comes from population growth, and depression…is associated with declining populations…this could lead to very serious consequences.” ~ Gary Becker, Nobel Prize for Economics, 1992

Demographic Winter is a SRB Documentary. For more information, please visit www.DemographicWinter.com/index.html

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Homeless to Harvard

Posted by html404 on March 8, 2010
in Movies

Disclaimer: I do not advocate the lifestyle portrayed in this movie or that you allow your children to view it without you having watched it first. And, if you do watch it after reading my review, you do so knowing that it contains vulgarity, drugs, alcohol, fighting and other sensitive subjects that most Christians avoid.

Do you ever get bored or don’t feel like doing anything else but watch a movie? I do. It seems that in the past two years we have more than made up for our TV time (We have never had cable in our home and when we did have TV, we only had about three stations), but with the advent of the Internet – YouTube and other movie sites, it has become pretty easy to access movies whenever we want.

Last night I was procrastinating (bad, bad, bad, I know) on a project that needed to be done by this morning, so what was I doing? Yes, looking for a movie to watch. The movie that caught my attention is called Homeless to Harvard; it’s a documentary style movie and was based on a true story.

I wouldn’t exactly call it a family-friendly movie because of the nature of the lifestyle and topics experienced in Liz Murray’s family. They were extremely poor, basically due to the parents’ addictions. However, contrary to what I have written concerning book reviews etc., we did let our children watch it after we had viewed it. I did fast forward through a sensitive part when Liz’s friend shared with Liz what her own father had done to her, starting at the age of seven. This is a sensitive topic and a new topic that our children have never heard of that I know of and one I didn’t want to discuss at this point in time.

There were no boy/girl relationships in this movie. It was about Liz’s life and her journey to a new beginning when all around her, hope was lost.

What we took away from the movie is that no matter how down and out you think you may be, there is always someone who is going through an even tougher time. We were encouraged by Liz’s determination and work ethic in school and in her job. Our children got to see a girl doing her school work and working at a job without an adult or older sibling urging her to do so.

It amazed our children that people really do live like Liz’s family. It also showed them how our choices – good and bad – affect not only our lives but the lives of those around us.

While the movie starts out very sad and depressing, by the end of the movie we were cheering for the main character, Liz Murray, who achieved her dreams and even honored her parents when most of the world would have written them off as undeserving of anything Liz had to offer them. She displayed Christian character while not claiming to be a Christian and that is an honorable thing because God blesses those who honor their parents.

I chose to share that I watched this movie because I know there are many hurting families out there and sometimes we all need a little shake now and again to realize how much we truly have to be thankful for; I know I needed it.

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Movie Monday: Bringing Up Bobby

Posted by html404 on March 7, 2010
in DVDs & CDs

For a dozen years, James has been both big brother and surrogate parent to his siblings. Trusting God to lead his path, James has done his best to honor his deceased parents as he’s raised his two brothers and a sister. Now, as youngest brother Bobby is about to turn 16, everyone returns to the family home to celebrate at a waterslide park—and to finally hear the reading of their parents’ will.

Bringing Up Bobby is a quirky story of family, identity, and faith that isn’t afraid to show that life can get muddled. And when it does, there usually aren’t easy answers to all of the questions. Watch the trailer below:

Our family really enjoyed Bringing Up Bobby this movie made us all laugh. It’s a really funny comedy and my children have watched 3-4 times already and are asking to watch it again. My children thought the movie was so funny and they liked how the filmmakers portrayed the characters. This movie does a wonderful job of portraying family life through the four siblings. We liked how even thought there was romance in this movie it wasn’t portrayed like Disney would portray dating. So we where impressed.

The quality of Bringing Up Bobby is not bad it’s alright. The trailer to Bringing Up Bobby makes it look a little silly but even thought it’s a little silly in parts it’s not THAT silly. Just funny! Bringing Up Bobby is a Christian comedy made by: Provident Films and Glowing nose LLC.

For more information please visit: http://bringingupbobbymovie.com/

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Danny the Dragon “Meets” Jimmy – CD and Book Review

Posted by html404 on February 26, 2010
in Books, DVDs & CDs

I received the following book and CD free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Book Reviews 003

Danny the Dragon “Meets” Jimmy was written by author Tina Turbin. It is a book geared towards children ages 2-9, but even my older children enjoyed this cute whimsical story. It was refreshing to read a new book whose characters were obedient, respectful and showed manners! You don’t know how many books that we have to discard because of negative character qualities – the reason is those attitudes are catchy, meaning children latch onto those undesirable qualities, especially when they are glossed over through the use of funny incidents. We have enough “catchy” attitudes of our own without adding more to them! (ahem…cough, cough)

Danny the Dragon is a neat little book that will require adults to unearth their buried imaginations as the way in which Jimmy meets Danny is not your everyday occurrence! But my children loved it, as well as the CD and DVD (which I will be posting a review on in a couple of weeks). The ending left us wanting more, so I hope Mrs. Turbin is going to write a series about Danny the Dragon!

Book Reviews 002
The CD is an audio of the book, so you moms who work at home or just need alone time to clean the house will appreciate having this tool for the times when you are rushed and cannot sit to read the book. It also contains some beautifully soothing classical arrangements that I am listening to while writing this review! I looked but was unable to find a sample track online… even on Amazon. So you will just have to take my word for it!

One thing I appreciated about Mrs. Turbin is that she desires to help the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, so the proceeds of her CD will be going there:

Proceeds from the Danny the Dragon CD will go to the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, one of the major research centers around studying and bringing awareness to celiac disease. It is one-hundred percent focused on studying celiac disease and carries out research connecting it with various other diseases which it is believed to lead to if left untreated. Its goal is to change the lives of celiac disease sufferers for the better around the world, a goal which it is actively achieving, little by little, every day.

The book retails for $18.95 in hardcover, $8.95 in softcover. The CD is only $8.95. On the Danny the Dragon website they also offer a gift set of the softcover book and CD for $14.95. FREE shipping on all domestic orders! http://www.dannythedragon.com/buy/

I think I know what my niece might be getting for her birthday….

Additional Resources:

http://GlutenFreeHelp.info