The Place For The Latest Movie Reviews
Cast: Connor Corum, Greg Kinnear, Thomas Haden Church, Kelly Reilly, Margo Martindale
The inspirational story of family and faith based on the No. 1 New York Times best-selling book by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL debuts on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD July 22 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Directed by Randall Wallace (Secretariat) and starring Academy Award® nominee Greg Kinnear (Best Supporting Actor, As Good as It Gets, 1997), HEAVEN IS FOR REAL tells the true story of Todd Burpo, a small-town businessman whose young son, Colton (Connor Corum), miraculously recovers from a near-death experience with vivid memories of his visit to Heaven.
I was looking forward to seeing this film for two reasons, one was Greg Kinnear who I think is a wonderful actor and the other is I love any movie that is based on a true story.
The film tells the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. Todd Burpo, the real-life father whose son Colton claims to have visited Heaven during a near death experience. Colton shares the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth ... things he could not possibly know.
I loved everything about the film and I liked that it was not too preachy as well. It does supply enough things for those that already believe but it doesn't try to sway anyone and lets even the non-believers judge for themselves. I am not going to go in to any more plot details here but I will say that the film is thought-provoking and emotional. The story also has the potential to be a life changer for many out there as well.
"Heaven Is For Real" is a film the entire family can enjoy together and it doesn't even matter what your religious beliefs are because a good film is a good film regardless and this is certainly one of them. It is a film that tugs at the heart strings and makes you think. Like the characters in the film I am sure many will form their own opinions about the story but I am sure the filmmakers are fine with that.
Production wise the film looks and sounds fantastic and you could not of asked for a better cast, I already mentioned Greg Kinnear who plays the boy's father, Todd but he is not alone in the film. The film also stars, Thomas Haden Church, Kelly Reilly, Margo Martindale and little Connor Corum who is terrific as Colton.
The Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD both feature inspirational bonus materials, including six deleted scenes and the “Colton Goes to Heaven” featurette, taking fans behind the scenes for a look at the journey of bringing the book to the big screen. Exclusively available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack are two additional featurettes. “The Making of Heaven is For Real” gives a look at the production process and talent in the film, and “Creating Heaven” explores the choices in production design that support the film’s religious themes.
The Special Features are as follow:
Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features Include:
“Colton Goes to Heaven” Featurette
Deleted Scenes
Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Features Include:
Two Featurettes:
“The Making Of Heaven Is For Real”
“Creating Heaven”
You can order the DVD HERE and the Blu-ray Combo Pack HERE.
"Heaven Is For Real" is a touching film that I recommend highly.
Released by Sony Pictures
**** Out Of *****