DVD Giveaway and Review: "Abel's Field"

"Abel's Field"
DVD Review
AFFIRM/Provident Films
Rated PG
Release Date: Jan 22, 2012
Source: sent by publicist

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About Abel's Field: (from the publicist)

Left motherless by tragedy and abandoned by his father, high school senior Seth McArdle (Samuel Davis) faces enormous pressure as he strives to support his little sisters. At school, he endures the daily bullying of the football team. But fighting back only finds him singled out for punishment and assigned to an after-school work detail under the supervision of the reserved groundskeeper, Abel (SOUL SURFER’S Kevin Sorbo). Much to his surprise, Seth discovers that Abel may be the only one who truly understands his struggles. As dark times lure Seth toward desperate measures, the reluctant Abel may be the one person who can point him back toward the light.

My Review:

I really enjoyed this movie about a young man struggling through hard times to do the right thing for himself and his little sisters. The film does feel a bit heavy at times, the subject matter here is tough. But with a good dose of humor and a lot of hope, the film is an uplifting one.

My favorite part of the film was the character of Seth and the actor (Samuel Davis) who portrayed him. It would have been easy in a faith-based film to make the lead character come across as too good to be true or a goody two shoes. But Seth is very believable as a high school senior who is just trying his best to do the right thing in a very rough situation. Davis' acting is spot on and I really think he holds the film together and gives it that special spark to make audiences really invested in his character, as well as the story.

The movie really does a great job of portraying Seth's relationship with his 7 year old twin sisters. The twins are really sweet without ever being used for the "aww" factor. They seem like real little girls who have some idea of the problems they face, even though Seth does try to protect them from as much as he can. You can almost feel the love between the siblings, their relationship seems so real.

This is a quality production, with great acting and film making. The story itself did have a few plot holes here and there and some aspects weren't as developed as I would have liked them to be. I enjoyed Seth's story more so than Abel's, so I would have liked to see some other aspects of Seth's storyline expanded. I would have liked the quarterback angle to have come full circle, I thought that some things were hinted at that never happened. I also liked the addition of Seth's girlfriend, but her character and the romance wasn't totally fleshed out like I thought it could have been.

This is a film based on faith, so there is a lot of talk of faith, church, and praying. I did not feel that the message was preachy though. It was never about preaching to do certain things or not do certain things, or anything with a political agenda. The message was simply that with God, we are not alone, and that it's okay to ask for help when you need it.

Bottom Line: An uplifting film about facing diversity, with great acting, characters you will root for, and a lovely production.





GIVEAWAY RULES:

Propeller has generously provided a DVD copy of "Abel's Field" for one lucky reader of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :)

Rules:
  • International
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • DVD will be mailed out by the publicist, In the Hammock is not responsible for lost or missing DVD's or the time it takes to receive the DVD
  • Must be 18 or over 
  • Ends Feb 10
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

31 comments

  1. This looks like a great movie to watch with the family.

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  2. I love movies like this. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  3. I should totally check this out. Thanks for your review.

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  4. Sounds really good! I love the movies you review :D honest.

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  5. Looks like a good movie...my mom and like to watch shows like this together (bonding time)
    xo

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  6. I'd love to watch this with my teenagers! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. The trailor seems to be real good-- hopefully I will get to see this-- it looks like we would all enjoy this--thanks for the review and all your hard work

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  8. I'd love to watch this movie with my family.

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  9. I enjoy this kind of good family movies. And I like where in your review you said that the message of Adel's Field was simply that with God, we are not alone, and that it's okay to ask for help when you need.
    :)Jeanne Bates Tennant

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  10. I'd like to watch with my family.

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  11. This sounds like a very family friendly film. We love to watch movies like this!

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  12. I would love to watch this movie with my 12 yo daughter. She loves uplifting movies like this, and I feel good about letting her watch them. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. looks like a really good family style movie

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  14. I loved the trailer. I would love to win. It's so true that life is not fair. I don't know where that myth ever started. Sigh. Life will never be fair. You get what you get and you got what you got. Suck it up and deal with it. And of course ask God (and others) for help. Such is life. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

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  15. I saw this movie at redbox and am very interested in seeing it. maryannecochran at gmail dot com

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  16. This looks like a good family movie with a positive message to share.

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  17. looks like a great movie for our family!

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  18. looks liek a great family movie thanks for the chance i love a movie with a message to share

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  19. it sounds like a good movie crystletellerday@yahoo.com

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  20. This sounds like a very touching movie. I can't wait to watch it - and I have my tissues handy. sweetbettysue at gmail dotcom

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  21. I like that it is family friendly. Thank you

    candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. I've wanted to see this movie since I watch the trailer a few weeks ago!! Looks like a great one.
    GFC: MeganP

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  23. This looks like a movie my husband and I would both watch

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  24. This really looks like a good wholesome family movie. Your review was great and now I want to see it even more.Thank you for the awesome giveaway! :)
    I look forward to following your blog.

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  25. I look forward to watching this dvd as it is an uplifting film about facing diversity.
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. this movie looks really good. I would love to add it to the family collection!!
    Tori

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  27. The movie looks family friendly. Would love to see it.
    tarter95 at hotmail dot com

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  28. Sounds like a good family movie
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

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  29. Love the previews of this movie. I love family movies that with a great message. Thanks for this giveaway!

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  30. I'd love to watch this with my 14 year old.

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Thanks so much for your lovely comments!