🎬✨ Movie Review – I Can Only Imagine 2: How This Faith-Based Movie, it's Music, and Message Spoke to My Heart

Hello movie friends! I'm excited to share with you all a new movie review!

Lionsgate recently provided me an early screener for I Can Only Imagine 2, and I must say, I was honored and absolutely delighted. However, to be honest, I couldn’t *imagine* that this sequel could move me in the same way as the original film.

I Can Only Imagine (the first movie) is so powerful and spiritually moving. Could this sequel make me feel the same? Oh my, yes! A resounding YES! It most certainly did!

As the credits rolled at the end of I Can Only Imagine 2 and I wiped tears of joy from my eyes, these words flooded my mind…

Wow! Phenomenal. Amazing! Raw. 

Powerful! Anointed. Outstanding!

But I’m getting ahead of myself a little. Let me start back at the beginning…

This incredible sequel, I Can Only Imagine 2, begins as the success of the song “I Can Only Imagine” begins to soar. We see the Christian music band MercyMe on the road, performing that life-changing song for countless fans, yet as time passes and years roll by, the pressure builds. They have a longing to create something special again. The band hopes to write another song that will reach hearts in a fresh, meaningful, eternal way.

As the lead voice of MercyMe and the writer of the chart-topping song, “I Can Only Imagine”, Bart Millard carries the weight especially heavily. Not only does he feel the pressure of writing something new, but he also carries the ache of being away from home, from his wife and children, especially his teenage son, Sam, who struggles with ongoing health challenges that require constant care.

When Bart brings Sam on the road with the band, their relationship still remains strained. They clash over Sam’s health, and that tension stirs up old memories for Bart, memories of his own difficult childhood and teen years, with his abusive relationship with his own father. There are a few flashbacks to those hard days, reminding us of how deeply our past can still influence our present.

As Bart and his son, Sam, struggle to connect, Sam forms a meaningful connection with the band’s opening act, musician Tim Timmons. Tim becomes a gentle mentor, treating Sam with compassion and understanding.

Milo Ventimiglia (This is Us) portrays Tim with warmth and sincerity, and Arielle Kebbel (Bridal Wave, A Brush with Love), plays his loving devoted wife.

The entire cast is truly exceptional. John Michael Finley (Faith of Angels) once again steps into the role of Bart Millard with such depth; it is remarkable the way he portrays his testimony.

Sophie Skelton (Outlander) takes on the role in this sequel as Bart’s supportive wife, Shannon.

Sammy Dell (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), who plays Bart and Shannon’s teenage son, Sam, is absolutely remarkable- honest and heartfelt.

Country singer Trace Adkins returns as Scott Brickell, the steady and faithful manager of the group, bringing a grounded presence to the chaos of the road.

And Dennis Quaid (The Rookie, Soul Surfer, On a Wing & a Prayer), reprises his role as Arthur Millard in new flashback scenes that are touching and redemptive.

The main theme of the movie revolves around reconciliation and redemption- it’s about connecting fathers and sons, mending broken pasts with hopeful futures, and ultimately focuses on our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is an amazing story of second chances and wounds that only God can truly heal.

I sincerely hope this movie blesses you in the same way it has blessed me. I laughed. I cried. Each scene drew me in... in such a personal, meaningful way, drawing my heart closer to our creator.

If you know MercyMe’s hit song “Even If,” then you’ll likely recall how it includes a touching tribute to the beloved hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” This film honors the incredible true story behind that cherished hymn and weaves in a message of healing and hope.

*Even if* God doesn’t fix everything the way we hope or make life perfectly smooth, it’s a beautiful reminder that we can still trust Him, and we will still praise His holy name. Our hope, our peace, our everything… is always in God!

I hope many of you will be able to see this powerful, spiritually uplifting movie when it arrives in theaters.

I Can Only Imagine 2 is rated PG; however, due to the subject of illness and physical abuse, I feel the movie is probably best suited for mature preteens and up.

See this film in theaters nationwide beginning Friday, February 20th. I've included a link for tickets and the official trailer for I Can Only Imagine 2 below.

Blessings to you all,

Net

Ticket information here:
https://tickets.icanonlyimagine.com/

Trailer:




*images courtesy: Lionsgate / From Kingdom Story Company

✝🌷 UPtv's "Bring the Spring" Inspirational Easter Programming for March 2024 🌷✝ SEE HERE:

Are you ready to "Bring the Spring"? UPtv has released their full March schedule in the press release below, which includes their new premiere movies for March and religious Easter programming!

I hope you enjoy this UPlifting news from UPtv, and it brightens your day!

You'll also find UPtv's *Bring the Spring* promo trailer at the end of this post!



UPtv Press Release:

UPtv’s “BRING THE SPRING” INSPIRATIONAL

EASTER PROGRAMMING 

RETURNS MARCH 3

UPtv’s uplifting slate is filled 

with more than 60 hours of programming

including contemporary premiere movies, 

Bible favorites,

and a Gaither Dennis Quaid Gospel Special

ATLANTA – Feb. 29, 2024 – UPtv, the leader in uplifting entertainment, will celebrate the Spring and Easter season with four weekends of programming embracing love, hope, renewal, joy and faith. From a new romance movie every Sunday night, to the World Premiere music special Dennis Quaid’s Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners, to marathons of hit series, and Bible movies on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, viewers will be uplifted all season long.

“Every year UPtv is a top destination for viewers to celebrate the true meaning of Easter,” said Hector Campos, senior vice president, content strategy and acquisition at UPtv. “This year’s offering continues to deliver on programming celebrating new beginnings and a season of renewal. The ‘Bring the Spring’ slate features four contemporary movie premieres, marathons of fan-favorite series, Bible favorites and the World Premiere of Dennis Quaid’s Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners. We invite families to the network to feel uplifted while also having a chance to win prizes.”

UPtv’s “Bring the Spring” event includes a sweepstakes where viewers can enter for the chance to win a gift card to spruce up their homes and get organized for the spring season. One (1) grand prize winner will receive a $3K gift card and four (4) secondary winners will receive a $500 gift card. Participants can enter at Spring.uptv.com. In 2023, UPtv’s Easter programming reached 4.3 million viewers1 between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday as part of the network’s “Bring the Spring” offering with +82% increase2 in W25-54 compared to the year prior.

To keep track of upcoming movies, series and specials, viewers should download The My UPtv app. The app allows users to learn more about upcoming movies and series on the network, watch previews and request personalized showtime alerts. Viewers can also “favorite” movie titles to add to a personal collection to easily access them later, set calendar reminders and request notifications or text messages. Download the app: uptv.com/myapp.

Premiere Slate:

PROGRAM SCHEDULE




The Single’s Guidebook – Sunday, March 3 at 7 p.m. ET – Cable Premiere Molly, a talented, scrupulous content creator, gets a surprise assignment to chronicle her newfound singlehood. But when she's paired with Jackson, her polar opposite, will she learn to stand on her own two feet, or will love get in the way?

Starring: Meggan Kaiser, Philip Boyd




A Royal Makeover – Sunday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET – Cable Premiere

When all-American Ramone discovers he is the heir to the European Kingdom of San Pablo, he is daunted by the prospect of becoming king. To prepare him for his royal duties, King Felipe hires royal expert Angelica to show Ramone the ropes on how a king is expected to behave for the coronation ceremony. Through lessons in history, etiquette, fine dining and even Spanish, Angelica transforms Ramone into the king he is destined to be. And maybe he found his queen in the process.

Starring: Veronica Long, Ricky Martinez




Sweetly Salted – Sunday, March 17 at 7 p.m. ET – Cable Premiere

Alison remains notoriously anonymous when critiquing restaurants. But when she accidentally goes viral for trashing a new restaurant, her editor insists she make amends by going undercover as a prep cook for the chef she maligned.

Starring: Lanie McAuley, William Martinez


Palm Sunday – March 24

The Ten Commandments – 9 a.m. ET
The Chosen Season 2 Marathon 1 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET

Good Friday – March 29

The Ten Commandments – 1 p.m. ET
Mary, Mother of Jesus – 5 p.m. ET
Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners – 7 p.m. ET – World Premiere

Emmy Image Award and two-time Golden Globe Image nominee Dennis Quaid has been playing music since his childhood. A touring musician with countless miles of performances, he delivers his debut Gospel performance video, Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners. In addition to his soul-stirring renditions of seven hymns and classics and five original songs, the actor/singer/songwriter sits down with Gospel music legend Bill Gaither for an inspiring conversation, sharing his journey of redemption and message of eternal hope.

image via: Vortex Productions

Writing a Love Song – Sunday, March 31 at 7 p.m. ET – World Premiere

Aspiring music producer Chloe Brandon puts her career on the line by promising a hit song to the record label from Dustin Miller, a once-successful country musician with writer's block, while keeping it all a secret from her boss. Can a blossoming romance inspire the hit love song they both need?

Starring Nina Kiri, Connor McMahon, Britt McRae, Lauren Howe, Kent Sheridan



1 Nielsen, LSD, Easter Programs 4/2/23-4/9/23 Total Day M-Su-6a-6a, P2+, Reach 1 min qual.

2 Nielsen, LSD, Easter Programs 2023 (4/2/23-4/9/23) vs Easter Programs 2022 (4/10/22-4/17/22) - Total Day M-Su-6a-6a, W25-54 Cov AA% (0.05)

# # #

About UP Entertainment
UP Entertainment, home to UP Faith & Family, UPtv, AspireTV, AspireTV Life and Cine Romántico, is the destination for uplifting entertainment for passionate and diverse audiences across the leading cable, satellite and streaming platforms. UP Faith & Family is the leading streaming service in uplifting entertainment and includes exclusive access to original productions from the UP Entertainment family of brands. UPtv is the trusted network for adults seeking positive programming with relatable stories about relationships, filled with love and laughter, through exclusive premiere movies, box-office hit films and beloved series. AspireTV is the premier network for Black culture and urban lifestyle programming featuring original productions in food, home and fashion. AspireTV Life is the first free ad supported streaming television (FAST) channel dedicated to sharing the experiences of the multicultural audience through cooking, fashion, travel, design and more. Additionally, UP Entertainment in partnership with PixL Dos, manages and distributes Cine Romántico, a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel featuring the best of Hollywood TV romance movies in Spanish. UP Entertainment’s award-winning pro-social initiative, “UPlift Someone,” has inspired over 200 million people to uplift others through its social videos and dedicated UPlift Someone Facebook page and website.


*********** End of Press Release ***********


UPtv's *Bring the Spring* promo trailer:

I hope you enjoy UPtv's March movies and Easter programming! It is, once again, uplifting and encouraging to see each year around Eastertime how UPtv continues to air these faith-based movies and religious musical specials. I hope many are blessed by these programs during this holy Easter Season as we celebrate our Risen Savior!

Also, be sure to visit my UPtv March movie post, which includes more details and images for each premiere movie!

God Blessings to you all!

Net🌷

Jesse Metcalfe's New Faith-Based Family Drama Coming This Easter!

Recently, actor Jesse Metcalfe (Chesapeake Shores, Martha's Vineyard Mysteries, A Country Wedding, Harmony from the Heart, and numerous other TV movies) shared a first-look on a new movie project he has coming out this April.

This new movie won't be airing on TV, and typically my main focus is only there, but since Jesse is one of my personal favorite actors, and this movie is faith-based, I thought it was important to share.

Jesse's upcoming inspirational movie project is On a Wing and a Prayer; it was first announced back in October, 2021 via Variety, but now we have an official premiere date - April 7th on Amazon Prime Video, right before Easter! (Easter Sunday is April 9th, by the way!)

On a Wing and a Prayer storyline: "After their pilot dies unexpectedly mid-flight, Doug White's (Dennis Quaid) has to safely land a plane and save his entire family from insurmountable danger."

From the production company, MGM’s Lightworkers... Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) is the producer, and besides Jesse Metcalfe, the film also stars Dennis Quaid (I Can Only Imagine, Yours, Mine & Ours, Soul Surfer), Heather Graham (Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer), Brandon Quinn (A Welcome Home Christmas, Cloudy With a Chance of Christmas), James Healy Jr. (Love at the Christmas Contest, A Thousand Tomorrows), Brett Rice (USS Christmas, The Case for Christ) and more.

Heather Graham, Roma Downey, and Jesse Metcalfe
at the screening of A Wing and a Prayer

According to EW, Dennis Quaid plays Doug White, a real-life man who took control of a twin-engine plane after the pilot died mid-flight. Heather Graham portrays Doug's wife and eventual co-pilot, Terri. Jesse Metcalfe portrays the pilot who connects with Doug from the ground to help him safely land the plane at a nearby airstrip."

Jesse Metcalfe is no stranger to religious, uplifting films; he also starred in the faith-based film God's Not Dead 2, and he has another new movie, titled Golden Influencer, that will be coming out on the faith and family streaming movie platform, Pureflix.

Do you have a favorite Jesse Metcalfe movie? For me, that is such a difficult question to answer since I love all of his movies so much, but if I absolutely had to say, my response would have to be Number 1: A Country Wedding, Number 2: Christmas Next Door, and Number 3: Harmony from the Heart tied with Christmas Under the Stars. Please share your favorites in comments below.

I hope many of you will be able to see Jesse this April in On a Wing and a Prayer.

Blessings, 

Net

Movie Reviews:

✈ I watched "On A Wing and A Prayer" yesterday, and I will say it was entertaining and kept me watching, but I had to fast forward a lot of scenes. Sadly, a lot of it disturbed me. There were multiple bar/alcohol drinking and bar singer scenes, the wife who was a believer dressed kinda sleazy. The daughters as well. -Concerning the revealing outfits.. I know we see this in our secular chic flicks, but I expected better for a Christian film. Also, the character that Jesse Metcalfe played, he and his girlfriend friend were living together, not married, even after the end, in the epilogue. This was a no for me. Hollywood's version of a Christian movie. Too immoral. I wouldn't feel comfortable showing this to my younger siblings or friends. Sad, I was hoping this would be a good one. ~Abigail

✈ On a Wing and a Prayer – I decided to try this movie, which is marketed as a faith-based film, since it was still available to watch free with my Amazon Prime. In my opinion, there are some intense scenes, some brief language, and casual drinking, which I feel is better suited for a mature audience. The one quick scene I must strongly caution is when Dan, a supporting cast member, drinks too much and meets a woman at a bar. They are very flirtatious with one another, and we are made aware that they leave together, but that’s it. The point of showing this is because this character is typically irresponsible, and the next day, he has one of the biggest missions of his life. I thought Dennis Quaid’s performance as the loving husband and father Doug White was excellent, especially when he had to take over flying the plane with his wife and two daughters on board when the pilot perished mid-flight. Due to other circumstances in his life, Doug was seriously questioning his faith in God. Jesse Metcalfe’s character, Kari Sorenson, is a real-life pilot and flight instructor who is coping with the grief of losing his family previously in a plane crash. Kari is suddenly tasked with trying to help Doug land the plane through a storm and what seems like insurmountable odds. This film has a powerful message about trusting and leaning on God through all situations in our lives and allowing God to use our weaknesses for His Glory. Overall, the meaning behind this film was very encouraging and inspirational. I also enjoyed the music that was chosen near the end, including the “Hallelujah” song and the beautiful old hymn “I’ll Fly Away,” which was sung by Dennis Quaid. I would recommend this film only for a mature audience who enjoys action-adventure. ~Net

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Jesse Metcalfe movies available on DVD: