TREK THE MOVIE

TREK THE MOVIE. I watched this movie with my kids and enjoyed most of it. It has a lot of things that would be over someone's head if they've never heard of or been on a trek before though. I had to explain a lot to my kids. However, they did get some of the humor and I laughed through most of it. They did a good job portraying a trek for the most part. There is growth for most of the characters and some really good, powerful lessons that were shown. There were some cheesy things but overall it was an enjoyable film that I would recommend to most people. It is worth seeing at least once. There is a curse word in it that surprised me since it really didn't need to be used.  

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Trek follows a young Mormon teenager named Tom and his friends on their handcart journey. Along the way, they try to smuggle in unsanctioned food, battle sibling rivalry, encounter a "special ops" Young Men leader, match wits with a Twinkie-loving skunk, and ponder doctrinal brain teasers like, "Do General Authorities go to PG-13 movies?" But, when they encounter unexpected trouble, their faith is tested much like that of their pioneer ancestors. Whether you've been on a trek or not, your family will laugh along and ultimately be inspired as you enjoy this delightful film.

Special Features

• Trek bloopers
• Meet the Cast
• Director Commentary

This is a link to an exclusive seen for LDSLiving that is one of the hilarious parts. If the link doesn't work, click on the title of the movie here and it will be on the Deseret Bookstore page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjqjXkfA_88&feature=youtu.be

*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

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JUST LET GO — review

JUST LET GO by Excel Entertainment. This was a fascinating movie, although I had a hard time with some of it. I knew about the heartbreaking story and the basic details, but to see it on screen made it more real and that much more powerful. It is a life-changing story for anyone to witness, let alone live through. However, in the beginning I had a difficult time with all the switching back and forth between flashbacks and reality. Sometimes it took me awhile to figure out which time frame I was in. Then, with the movie being based on a true story, I found myself wondering through the entire movie if that was what really happened or was it artistic liberties being taken. If anything it made me want to read the book LET IT GO by Chris Williams himself. I thought the movie was very tastefully done and is an incredible example of forgiveness and letting things go that can and probably would potentially ruin us. I would recommend it to almost anyone. There are graphic images and discussions on the details of the crash that younger viewers should watch with parental guidance.

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In the face of tragedy, Chris Williams made the most important decision of his life. On a cold night in 2007, a devoted father of four and a seventeen-year-old drunk driver both received life sentences. In one violent, devastating instant, each face a drastically different future. But as Chris Williams sat in a demolished vehicle, realizing that his wife, unborn baby, nine-year-old daughter, and eleven-year-old son had just been killed, he committed to do something extraordinary: he would forgive. Chris Williams' story is the cinematic tale of how someone can forgive despite the desire for revenge that surfaces within the dark corners of the human heart—showing the world that hope, love and forgiveness can overcome all when you just let go.

Bonus Features
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu's Forgiveness Challenge
• "Rise and Fall" music video from Ryan Innes (NBC's The Voice)
• Just Let Go—A forgiveness discussion with Delilah

Region: All regions
Running Time: 106 min.
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Format: Widescreen

MY WITNESS, MY TESTIMONY— AN INVITATION FROM CHRIS WILLIAMS
I would invite those who need to forgive others, or to forgive themselves, to "just let go" of that which can't be controlled, and focus instead on what can be; our decision to have faith in Jesus Christ, assured that we will obtain his peace. No offense can ever take that choice from us. 

Many have wondered why I would agree to have something so personally painful recreated in a movie. Part of the Saviors healing in my life has blessed me with a different perspective on that scene. My experience with the Savior and the Spirit while still seated in the car after the impact and while laying on my back in the emergency room is now as sacred to me as if I had been standing on mount Sinai or in a holy sanctuary. 

The confirmation that my wife and children are safe in paradise, combined with the personal instruction I received that night have changed my perspective forever. It helps me to weekly remember the healing and hope of Christ’s atonement even though that involved recounting the cruelty of the cross and the admonition to endure our own.

When I contemplate the warnings against pride, contention and revenge from Book of Mormon prophets to us in our day, I feel that forgiveness, hope and healing can keep us from the societal self-destruction that claimed two civilizations they wrote about. 

This movie is an inspiring and hopeful depiction that faith in Christ, hope for a better day, and charity motivated by His enduring love for the one can keep us anchored when the storms of life rage around us.

The enabling power of grace can give us with strength to forgive while experiencing His miraculous ability to heal. Trusting that ultimately no one can escape consequence, there is freedom in forgiveness that propels us through the powerful emotions that come when we are offended, without having them stop our healing.

As I reflect back on the years since the crash, I am consistently reminded that, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am nothing, and He is everything.

Just let go, move forward, and be healed. 

—Chris Williams