The Lost Medallion - The Advetures of Billy Stone: An Honest Review

The Lost Medallion

Synopsis: 

Daniel tells foster kids a story about Billy and Allie - two friends who uncover a long-lost medallion then accidentally wish themselves back in time. Billy and Allie's adventures help the kids realize their value to God.

The Story: Archaeologist Dr. Michael Stone looked for the lost medallion his entire life, and now his son Billy has taken up the search. Amazingly, the medallion ends up in Billy's hands and a spontaneous wish in a precarious situation takes him and his best friend Allie back 200 years to what they realize is a very different Aumakua Island. 

When Billy and his friends are not jumping off waterfalls, avoiding animal traps, crossing the ocean, sneaking through caves or escaping a prison, they're facing their nemesis Cobra, who wants nothing more than for them all to disappear. With no other way to get home, and the well-being of the entire island resting on his shoulders, Billy must discover the key to reclaiming the medallion and its tremendous power. One way or another, this adventure will change Billy and life on the island forever.

My Review:

    If you are looking for a family adventure movie with faith to watch on movie night then this is it. I'm not a big fan of time-travel or sci-fi movies but this one was most certainly the exception. I mean, it was shot in Thailand - what's not to love? Parents might want to preview this though if their children aren't used to watching movies that contain dramatic themes, so just be aware that this might not be a good film for all families. 

     

    So to start, the beginning was great. I loved seeing Alex Kendrick in the film as Daniel, and it was a cool concept how the majority of the movie and the story of the lost medallion was being told as just that - a story. It was also really sweet how Daniel named the main characters in the story of the lost medallion after certain children in the orphanage - the ones he knew needed help measuring their self-worth. 

 

    As I said at the start of this review, the story of "The Lost Medallion" was shot in Thailand, so all the scenes were exquisite. I liked Billy Stone (played by Bill Unger) right off the bat. My heart ached for him as he tried so hard to seek his father's approval and love. Billy's character is quite extraordinary. He's determined, stubborn, but also faithful and loyal. He can be a little skeptical and gets carried away a few times thinking he's better than the others but for the most part he's a very likeable kid. Billy carries a bit of resentment throughout the movie though, as he aches to prove himself even when he's two hundred years back in time. 

 

    Billy Unger was the perfect actor for the part of Billy Stone. Honestly, young Unger looks like a little adult, which gives the movie a more serious air than if the main actor had been a very young-looking 12 year old. Billy is so devoted to his friends though, you can't help but admire him.

 

                                                                            

                                     Billy: "Its all about our hearts - that's the answer to the

                                                riddle. Our hearts: where worth and purpose 

                                                both reside."

 

 

    Oh, and Sammie Hanratty was the perfect actress for Allie. My heart grieved for the young girl who didn't have a family - well, except for Billy. She was incredibly courageous, and didn't complain about how hard life had been for her. Unlike what many girls I'm sure would have done in life-threatening predicaments, Allie was always trying to help in any way that she could, not allowing the fear of the moment to paralyze her. It was also so nice to see the relationship that her and Billie had. Allie was put in a lot of dangerous situations but she kept her head and was always looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel. 

 

    Cobra was an interesting character. Can't say much on this villain as that would spoil the show for those of you who have never seen it before. But his character was...well, evil, and the fact that he dipped his nails in cobra venom was very *gulps* interesting. He was a good representation of the darkness in this movie and made the life lessons and scenes of faith really stand out.    

 

    And the humor in this! While a lot of the scenes were serious, some were downright funny and it was great to have a good, clean laugh! James Kong as Faleaka added some great comedy to the show - oh yeah, and the thugs of course. They were pretty funny as well.

 

                                                            

                                                  *These two guys cracked me up lol*   

 

 

    Altogether a must-see. From the amazing lesson on self-worth and identity, to the quality of the film itself, it more than met my expectations. So if you like faith, action, and a few laughs, grab your popcorn and sit down with the family for the thrill of a lifetime!                    

 

    All opinions expressed are strictly my own, unbiased thoughts on this film.   

 

    Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐                   

 

 

Belle - The True Story of Dido Belle : An Honest Review

Belle:The True  Story Of Dido Belle

Synopsis:

 This movie was inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Royal Navy Captain Sir John Lindsay. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield and his wife, Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar's son bent on change, who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.

 

Review:

    Oh my, where do I begin? I don't think any movie has left me so speechless in every possible way. It even rivals Beyond The Mask...and if you watched my review on that movie then you know that that is saying something! And the fact that this movie is based on a true story makes it even  more amazing!

  

    First off, Dido's character is breathtaking. Gugu Mbatha-Raw played the part perfectly. I felt like by watching the movie I actually got to get to know the woman herself. My heart ached for her when she was so set apart from general society, kept like an animal in a cage, only to be allowed freedom when society said it was acceptable. Even though the Earl and his family were good to her, you could tell that Dido felt somewhat rejected, and sometimes resented her skin color. It was obvious that she was longing for love and acceptance, though knew that the only way she could escape living as an old maid with no protection was to marry...whether she loved the man or not. 

    

     She was also very courageous and some of the words Dido spoke were just...profound. She was very intelligent and wasn't going to take things at face value, as shown when she goes on to investigate the Zong case. It's clear that Dido believes that if she can't find justice for herself then maybe she can at least pave the way for her her people. Also, she is very sacrificial and caring to those whom she loves, like her cousin Elizabeth. But she's incredibly honest, and isn't afraid of the truth. She has a realistic approach to life, but at the same time wishes society wasn't so barbaric.

 

                                                                     

Belle: "My greatest misfortune would to marry into a family

           who would carry me as their shame. As I have been

               required to carry my own mother's: her apparent crime

to be born Negro. Am I to be the evidence?"

 

 

 

     And we need to talk about Mr. John Davinier. Sam Reid was the perfect actor to play this part. Right from the start I knew that this man would win Dido's heart. He wasn't forward, rude, or prejudice. As a matter of fact, he was nothing but respectful and kind to Dido. John showed his care for her in very subtle ways, but it was undeniably there. His ambitions to make a law abolishing slavery were so genuine, and he too had some amazing statements to make that took my breath away. John wasn't afraid to speak what he believed to be the truth. That human beings can never be put at a price because they are priceless. Mr. Davinier's involvement in the Zong case was amazing, I loved how he was rallying his friends together to try and come up with a way to show, through the Zong case, that slavery needed to be abolished. 

    Also, wow, this man is so humble and unselfish! If it wasn't for some minor mistakes he made in the show, I would say he was almost perfect. It was evident he wanted to marry Dido and loved her. But he truly loved her - and you know how I know that? Because he really just wanted her to be happy. He was ready to sacrifice his own happiness if it meant that she would be happy marrying another man instead.

                                                                                    

                                 
                                        John: "I pray he would marry you without a penny 

                                                   to your name, for that is a man who will 

                                                   truly treasure you."

 

     

    Now for the all together review on strictly the movie itself. The quality of the film was stunning, the sets, the plot, all of it was intricately woven to be both historically accurate, adventurous, romantic, and family-friendly. I also loved how at the end the producers displayed some written information about the real Dido Belle and what happened after what took place where the movie left off.

     

    Altogether, this was probably one of the best movies I will ever watch. Ever. Just a side not: due to some theatrical elements, adult topics, and the nature of the film (slavery), this is a PG-13 movie. But they could have included a lot more unpleasant topics or events, which the producers chose not too put in purposely, and I really respect that. 

 

    In a sentence summary: This is a must-see motion picture! 

 

    This review is strictly my own unbiased opinion of the movie.  

 

    Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐