Faith & Spirituality - Page 11

Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Brand: Provident Distribution Group Model: 22035794

Doris Roberts reprises her role as Mrs. Merkle (Mrs. Miracle) and brings hope for the holidays. Posing as an unassuming toy department clerk, she sets out to ensure that this Christmas is memorable and meaningful for all at a struggling family-owned department store in New York City. With broken dreams to mend and promises to keep, Mrs. Miracle has her work cut out for her, but she won’t give up until she delivers a merry, meaningful Christmas for all! Also starting Jewel Staite, Eric Johnson and Lauren Holly. The holidays can be a difficult time, especially for people who are feeling overwhelmed by the absence of a loved one. Perhaps it's fate that brings together Holly, Jake, and J.R. A single aunt with a demanding job, Holly cares for her brother's son Gabe while his father is deployed overseas. Jake, a single man who doesn't celebrate Christmas, has just bet his whole career on his decision to stock his store with classic toys rather than the trendy new robot every kid wants. And Jake's long-bereaved father, J.R., has withdrawn into himself ever since his wife's death. Then again, perhaps these three people come together because of a sales clerk named Mrs. Merkle, who's taking her misspelled nametag "Mrs. Miracle" very seriously. Intent on her own quirky agenda to save Christmas, Mrs. Merkle arranges repeated, seemingly chance meetings between each of these isolated characters, and an amazing thing starts to happen: they begin to discover that they're not really alone, nor do they want to be. In the end, each of them realizes that bringing happiness to others makes oneself happy, and everyone ends up having the best Christmas they've had in years. Like 2010's Mrs. Miracle, Call Me Mrs. Miracle is a made-for-TV movie based on a book by Debbie Macomber. But it's interesting that while both films feature many of the same characters and the same basic message, they differ in some key plot points (as do the books). Even more confusing is the fact that both films star Doris Roberts as Mrs. Merkle. The acting...

Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Brand: Sony

James Van Der Beek (TV’s Dawson’s Creek) and Doris Roberts (TV’s Everybody Loves Raymond) star in this heartwarming charmer about family, faith and forgiveness. Overwhelmed widower Seth Webster (Van Der Beek) is searching for a housekeeper to help him with his rambunctious six-year-old twin sons. Mrs. Merkle (Roberts)—whom the boys call “Mrs. Miracle”—mysteriously appears and quickly becomes an irreplaceable nanny, chef, friend… and matchmaker. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes this whimsical holiday story filled with good tidings and great joy. Seth Webster (James Van Der Beek) is a widowed father trying to raise a pair of unruly boys. When the twins drive off yet another nanny, he hires a kindly and angelic woman named Mrs. Merkle (Doris Roberts) to take care of their household. Before long, the twins are behaving less like feral beasts and more like well-behaved little gentlemen. And though he's still mourning the loss of his wife, Seth also shows a glimmer of hope. A romantic and upbeat film, Mrs. Miracle doesn't offer any amazing revelations or plot twists. Viewers often know what will happen before the characters do. But it is a satisfying and warm made-for-TV movie. And while it would certainly have been interesting, no, the romance isn't between Seth and Mrs. Merkle. Rather, Mrs. Merkle helps facilitate a burgeoning relationship between Seth and Reba Maxwell (Erin Karpluk), a comely woman who has been deeply hurt by love in the past as well. Van Der Beek plays his part well, with his patented subdued mannerisms. While the actor doesn't look much different than he did when he played the titular character in Dawson's Creek, he easily plays the dad role with the kind of believability that parents will recognize and relate to. --Jae-Ha Kim

Manufacturer: Thinking Man Films Brand: Capitol Christian Distribution

Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus is an award-winning documentary by filmmaker Timothy Mahoney that chronicles an in-depth archaeological investigation in Egypt as his team attempts to corroborate the biblical text. The film explores one fundamental question: Is there any evidence that the Exodus story actually happened? Twelve years in the making, this provocative documentary reveals new or rarely seen evidence regarding the Israelites descent into slavery, their Exodus from Egypt and their ultimate conquest of the Promised Land. Although many scholars and archaeologists deny the validity of the Exodus story for lack of proof, Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus builds a case that sheds new light on the story

Manufacturer: Echo Light Brand: Echolight Studios Model: 28445748

Brady Gray was always the favorite son. Overcome by jealousy, his brothers resort to an unforgivable crime to drive him away from their father's ranch. Brutally beaten and hauled away to an uncertain destiny, Brady chooses to forget the past and start anew. Yet his troubles are just beginning. Falsely accused of assaulting his new boss's wife, he ends up in prison. Daring to believe there may be some purpose in his suffering, he's given a change to turn his life around. At long last, success brings him the opportunity to decide the fates of the men who wronged him. But what man intends for evil, God intends for good. This simple, yet powerful, message is all he has left. Brady must now decide whether acts of cruelty or the hand of providence will mark the seasons of his life.

Manufacturer: Vision Video Brand: Vision VideoGateway Films

This epic network television mini-series brings to life the precarious existence of early Christianity. The new movement is beset by violent opposition from without and constant turmoil from within. Two key leaders emerge--Peter and Paul--who struggle to keep the faith alive. This dramatic presentation follows the pair, together and separately, through three epochal decades. Included are the stoning of Stephen, the road to Damascus, their encounter in Jerusalem, their conflicts over how the word of Christ should be spread. Paul’s travels to Asia Minor and Greece, Peter and Paul’s clashes over Jewish law, and Peter’s decision to follow in Paul’s courageous footsteps. The drama concludes in Rome in approximately A.D. 64 with the beheading of Paul and the crucifixion of Peter under Emperor Nero. SPECIAL FEATURES: -Spanish Language track with or without English subtitles -Closed captioning in English -Biographical information on leading actors -Chapter titles provided for easy scene access

Manufacturer: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Brand: UNI DIST CORP. (MCA)

The stage spectacular makes a stunning debut on DVD! Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar is now available to own for the first time ever. When it exploded on the scene in 1970, Jesus Christ Superstar changed the way the world watched musicals. At last, the phenomenon has been filmed especially for DVD, so you can see one of the world's best-loved soundtracks come amazingly to life. Powerful performances of Jesus Christ Superstar an unforgettable extravaganza you can't afford to miss!

Manufacturer: LIONSGATE Brand: HarperCollins Christian Pub. Model: 031398202479

The third season of "Little House on the Prairie" is filled with some of the show's most memorable moments. Whether the Ingalls family is caring for Charles's recently widowed father, facing an outbreak of mountain fever, helping a runaway child, or dealing with Laura's mischievous billy goat, they display the kindness, courage and good humor that their fans cherish - in 21 complete and uncut episodes, newely restored and remastered for matchless picture and sound quality.

Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Brand: Provident Distribution Group Model: 25729679

The first-ever Christmas story inspired by the popular Love Comes Softly series from Janette Oke. Natalie Hall (Pretty Little Liars) and Greg Vaughn (General Hospital) lead an all-star cast that includes Oscar nominee Sean Astin (Lord Of The Rings Trilogy), JoBeth Williams (Private Practice), Charles Shaughnessy (The Nanny), and Ernest Borgnine (Dirty Dozen) in this uplifting and moving Christmas film. Still mourning the loss of her husband and daughter, Ellie Davis (Hall) agrees to watch her brother Aaron's (Vaughn) children while he heads off to purchase farmland. But after a suspicious fire, Ellie finds herself playing detective to clear the name of a good friend with help from a handsome deputy (Dylan Bruce, As The World Turns). Despite her worries when Aaron stays away for longer than she hoped, if she can trust her faith, this Christmas just might bring more miracles than Ellie could have hoped for.

Manufacturer: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT Brand: Word Entertainment Model: 15063581

Academy Award® winner Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, The Goodbye Girl) stars with Emmy and Tony winner Blythe Danner (Meet the Fockers) and Oscar® nominee Bruce Dern (Coming Home) in this warmhearted tale of lost love and second chances. The year is 1912. Vowing to swear off women for good, curmudgeonly Seth Atkins (Dreyfuss) takes refuge tending a remote Cape Cod lighthouse. Then, a mysterious stranger (Tom Wisdom, Pirate Radio) literally washes up in Seth’s life, with a past full of secrets and a similar aversion to females. But the arrival of two beautiful, spirited women (Danner and Mamie Gummer) will test the men’s resolve – and send all four of them sailing into uncharted romantic waters!