Homeschool Movie Club

So, I just joined a club.  The Homeschool Movie Club.  I found them off of Facebook.  (Thanks, Jen K.)  Last week they put up a post about being able to see a FREE screening for the movie Dolphin Tale... you can check out the movie trailer here.  All you had to do was be a leader of a homeschooling group.  My group is for mommies, but has several homeschooling families, so I gave it a shot.  3 days later my ENTIRE family of 8, experienced what felt like VIP service, to a FREE movie screening, before the movie even comes out for the rest of the world to see!  It was the 3D version, which means a TOTAL SAVINGS of a whooping $115.00.  Wow!   


Our family hardly ever goes to the movies for several reasons... expense, content, and being able to find a movie that the entire family would enjoy together.  I also have a hearing disability, so this makes it nearly impossible to know what is being said in the movie without closed captioning.  Therefore, movie nights at home are usually our best option.  However, who can say no to FREEEEEEE??!!  NOT OUR FAMILY.  So, this past weekend, thanks to the Homeschool Movie Club, we got to do just that.

Let me start by saying I loved this movie.  If you liked Free Willy, then you will love Dolphin Tale.  This movie was not only fun and entertaining to watch, but it was inspiring.  Moving.  Encouraging.  It was so pro-family and get this...PRO-HOMESCHOOL.  How often do you see a movie like that?  A movie where they aren't trying to characterize the homeschool child as awkward, or socially inept.  It was actually the opposite.  They portrayed homeschooling as something fun, and educational, and so positive.  There was a point in the movie where the parent of the main character has to make a tough decision concerning her son, and it made me tear up.  To know that so often as parents we are faced with what the world expects us to do, but going against the grain and doing what is REALLY best for our child, even if we may be criticized or ridiculed for it.  I honestly left the theatre feeling motivated to begin our year of learning!!


This movie has some of my favorites like Morgan Freeman and Harry Connick Jr. The 2 kids that play the main characters are adorable.  The little girl that is homeschooled is so cute and I loved her portrayal of that character. However, the true star of the film is the dolphin, Winter.  This is her AMAZING story.  I had heard of Winter awhile back, but hadn't really looked into the story.  Now, thanks to the Homeschool Movie Club, we can do the curriculum for the movie.  Fun!  Check it out HERE...and it is FREE.  Hello!!!


So, if you love FREE, are looking to find more movies geared towards family values, go register to become part of the Homeschool Movie Club here.  They have fun promotions, giveaways, and obviously have the hook up to free movie screenings!


By the way... I can't exactly give you the plugged in online version of what the movie content held, due to not being able to hear most of the movie,  but it seemed that the only bad word... d**n, was in one of the songs being played in the background.  There wasn't any sexual content or scantily clad women.  There are a couple of scenes of bare chested men (they are at swim meets).  Overall, it is a movie that I would feel comfortable taking my family to see, although I will say this...my 4 year old was getting squirmy 1/2 way in.  The movie is about 2 hours long, so be prepared with lots of goodies to keep them content.  The 10am popcorn and rice krispy treat only kept him happy for about an hour.  My 2 year old had to go potty 90 seconds into the movie, Daddy took her out, and decided to not come back in and have to climb over 10 people again, so he didn't get to see it, but Daddy said our 2 year old princess had a great time dancing up and down the halls.  


The movie is set to premiere September 23rd at a theatre near you.


**2 good places to check before taking your families to the movies or renting a movie are:


Focus on the Family- Plugged In
or 
Kids In Mind