Who Says I Have to Stop: Fireproof (2008)

Romantic Moment #1

Fireproof (2008)

So I have always been a giant Kirk Cameron fan. I loved Mike Seaver on Growing Pains and after he became a Christian and switched to Christian films-well I watched every thing he was in. So when Fireproof came out in theaters, I was there. And when the DVD went on sale, I was the first at the Christian bookstore to buy it.

Anyways, I actually planned on picking a moment from this for last year’s Romance is in the Air, but didn’t get a chance to.

So the story is of married couple Caleb (Kirk Cameron) and Catherine Holt (Erin Bethea), who have been falling further and further apart.

Caleb is a fireman who feels as if his wife doesn’t care about him, support him, or respects him. Nothing he does is good enough for her and all they do is fight, fight, fight.

Catherine feels as if Caleb doesn’t love and respect her as he is saving money towards his dream of a boat instead of using it for them, and because of his addiction. When a doctor at the hospital she works at starts paying a lot of attention to her, she eagerly responds to it.

Both are ready for divorce, but Caleb’s father comes to him and asks him to try one last thing. He gives him a book called The Love Dare, that includes a 40 Day challenge, with scriptures, to try and help heal their marriage and hearts.

Psalm 147:3

At first Caleb is only half-hearted, doing barely anything to complete his “daily challenge.”

But then he commits himself to God, God begins working on his heart, and he is all in.

But will it be enough to convince Catherine? Will he be able to win Catherine’s heart back? Or is it too late and the relationship has ended?

***Spolier Alert***

Most Romantic Moment: Who Says I Have to Stop

This moment comes at the very end of the film. Caleb has been trying and trying, but after all they have been through Catherine doesn’t even care, she doesn’t want to care because she is afraid of getting hurt again.

One day she is sick and Caleb comes to care for her-bringing her medicine and soup and the like. But Catherine won’t accept his help, she is actually pretty nasty to him.

But Caleb takes it from her. And this upsets Catherine that she reveals why she is so angry now. She find his Love Dare and feels all this is fake.

Catherine Holt: So, what day are you on?

Caleb Holt: 43.

Catherine Holt: There’s only 40.

Caleb Holt: Who says I have to stop?

Catherine Holt: Caleb, I don’t know how to process this. This is not normal for you.

Caleb Holt: Welcome to the new normal.

It doesn’t matter to him that the challenge has “ended” he wants to continue to show how much he loves and cares for her.

This is so romantic!

So awesome!

And even though it is hard and he has received nothing back, he continues to show his love and devotion to his wife.

For more on Kirk Cameron, go to Fandom Love

For more bible verses, go to Book Club Picks: A Wrinkle in Time

For more Christian films, go to It Feels So Good to See the Bad Guys Scared for a Change: Hangman’s Curse (2003)

You’re Sad So I’m Making This Day Extra Special: The Bikini in the Soup, Bones (2011)

Most Romantic Moment #9

So another TV episode? Well what can I say, it just happened that way this month.

So Bones is about forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) who gets hired by the FBI as a consultant to help solve cases. Her partner is the amazingly handsome and wonderful man, FBI Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz).

There is also an amazing secondary cast: wild, artistic, Angela Montenegro who does facial reconstruction; Dr. Jack Hodgins, an entomologist who spurned his family’s wealth and “business” to study science; Dr. Zack Addy, genius graduate student who is unfamiliar with “social norms”; and Dr. Lance Sweets, the young, handsome, FBI psychologist who helps them out; and Dr. Camille “Cam” Saroyan, the head of the Jeffersonian.  It is a great show, that I highly recommend.

So the episode I have chosen, The Bikini in the Soup takes place in season 6 of Bones. In a few episodes previous, Booth asked his girlfriend Hannah to marry him:

But she refused him, being the second women he’s loved to do so.

Quick tangent, I don’t know these girls would do such a thing. Booth is perfect, I’d marry him in a heartbeat if he asked me! (And was real).

Anyways, back on topic. So it is Valentine’s Day:

And Booth is very unhappy. He keeps going on about how it is a horrible holiday

Something is not right!

And the only thing memorable that has ever happened on the day is the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.

The team gets called out to investigate the death of a wedding planner found melted in her tanning bed.

EW!

Meanwhile Cam is trying to have the case solved before tonight so she can have her romantic date with her Doctor boyfriend, Hodgins is trying to find a perfect gift for Angela, and Brennan is turning down dates as she wants to spend the day countercultural.

Most Romantic Moment: I Know You Are Hurting and I Want to Make You Feel Better

So as Booth is brokenhearted from Hannah’s marriage refusal, and totally hates Valentines’ Day; Bones decides to do something really special for him.

She finds him at the shooting range and surprises him with Thompson Machine Guns (Tommy Guns) so that they can celebrate the “true meaning” of Valentines Day; The Saint Valentines Day Massacre.

How romantic

So I know some of you might feel this is weird but let me explain why it is so romantic.

So this is romantic for three reasons:

1) Booth is angry, incredibly hurt, and just all around feeling bad. The fact that she wants him to feel better and brings him something that he can healthily relieve the frustration is truly dear of her.

2) She is fulfilling one of his fantasies, as he has always wanted to shoot one of those guns; and the fact that it is the actual gun from that time period? Fantastic.

3) All day he has been going on and on about how the The Saint Valentines Day Massacre is the “true meaning” of Valentine’s Day. Even though Bones has issues picking up social cues and the like from people; she could tell he was hurt and needed something to perk him up. Not only does it show her connection with him, but is just romantic. 

To start Romance is in the Air:Part IV from the beginning, go to I Can’t Pretend, I Have to Be: Casual Sex? (1988)

For the previous posts, go to I’d Lay Down My Life for You: Pocahontas (1995)

For more on Bones, go to England Dreamin’ On Such a Summer’s Day

For more Valentine’s Day episodes, go to It’s Not What You Buy, But the Reason Why That Matters: Playing Heart to Get, Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse (2013)

Some Things Never Change

So as I was saying Marianne is not into Edward as a romantic hero.

Here is a list of Edward’s shortcomings according to Marianne

• He’s not handsome enough
• Doesn’t have the right airs or manners.
• He is tame with no fire (i.e. too much of a nice guy)
• No taste in music
• Doesn’t know anything about art
• He’s not exciting

Now who does Marianne sound like? An average teenage girl.

Yep, this book came out around 200 years ago, yet it is as relevant as today. Does that surprise you?

Let’s take a closer look at what she wants in a guy. First of all she doesn’t like Edward because he isn’t handsome enough. Now there are teenage girls who prefer substance over looks, I have to admit I was one as I liked guys who weren’t the hottest ones in school, but most young girls it’s what they see on the outside. I mean think about the guy in your high school that everyone wanted to date? Were they a nice person? Most of you will answer that as no. Nope, they tended to be all about themself.

Now I’m not saying you won’t be able to find a hot nice guy, I’m just saying that sadly most girls don’t realize until after they have had their heart broken that looks are not as important as what is on the inside of a person.

Yep, the heart or soul of a person is the most important thing.

Marianne is also not into Edward because instead of showing fire and spirit, his eyes only show intelligence and virtue. You see Marianne doesn’t want a smart, nice boy. Nope, she wants that bad boy.

Now having that bad boy can be exciting and all, but when push comes to shove they won’t care about what’s best for you but what’s best for them. Their crazy adventures will end up causing trouble for you, the “exciting” impulsive life will eventually become a bore, and their free spirit will become commitment phobia. Sadly, most young girls fall for this kind of “love” 9really attraction) instead of going with someone who is stable, reliable, and an all around guy good for you.

And those are the guys that are the best.

Marianne is also upset at his supposed disinterest in books and music.

“I could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in ever point coincide with my own. He must enter into all my feelings; the same books, the same music must charm us both.”

Now I’ll be the first to say that I love movies, books, and music.

But is that really what you want to base your relationship solely on?

Now I’m not saying it isn’t important. I mean I love reading, it is such a part of me:

And we all know my stance on film:

And music…well

But that isn’t what I base a whole relationship on. The person has to read, but what they read isn’t as important as the fact that they are doing it. Loving film and having the ability to marathon is definitely needed as I like to do that as well. Having some similar tastes in music, mostly in they have to be willing to listen to my oldies and classics. But all this is superficial. What is more important is how they treat you.

Do they see you as equal or belittle you? Do they value your opinions or not care what you think about? Are they willing to value you and your time together or do they not care as they could get “any old girl”? Do they share the same values?

Hmm

True back in Regency era, they didn’t really care about that. It was more about bloodlines, dowries, etc. But this should be the way it is. As a person of any age looking for the perfect guy, you need to make sure that you push through the superficial, outer layer and look instead at what is underneath. See what truly makes up that person. Or else you will learn the hard way and get your heart incredibly crushed (or worse) in the process.

Remember:

So how does this turn out for Marianne?

You’ll just have to wait and see.

For more on Marianne Dashwood, go to Sisterly Roles

For more on Sense and Sensibility, go to To Edward or Not to Edward?

For more on being old fashioned, go to Treat Her Right

For more quotes, go to Adventure Time

But the Book, It Will Never Close…: Along Came a Spider (2001)

“They say that when I die, the case will die. They say it will be like a book I close. But the book, it will never close…”

So this is a film that I have been wanting to see for a really long time and finally was able to. It is on Amazon Instant Watch currently, so I would totally suggest checking it out if you have that.

Check it out

So this film was an amazing thriller. I have to say that I thought I had everything figured out, but in the end I was really thrown by James Patterson.

So the film is based on the book of the same name, and is the first of the Alex Cross detective series.

So the film starts off with Alex Cross, played by the amazing Morgan Freeman, trying to take down a serial rapist and killer. His partner, Tracie, is currently undercover and trying to see if Jim Galloway, the guy they’ve been tailing, is their supposed guy. Everything is running smoothly, until Galloway discovers that Tracie is a cop. He then tries to hurt her, causing her to hit him, the car to spin out of control, and go over the Virginia Falls.

Alex is brokenhearted.

Fast forward a year. Here we have little Megan Rose, a senator’s daughter, who is going to school. It seems to be just an average until…but its not. It is very different as her Charles Lindbergh obsessed computer science teacher, Mr. Soneji, kidnaps her.

The secret service who watches the kids of political parents discover the kidnapping and go looking for her, calling in the FBI.

Meanwhile, Alex Cross is watching news on TV when he receives a phone call. It is the killer!

Yes, just like When a Stranger Calls, the killer is interested in a game of cat and mouse. Soneji wants Alex to get involved in the case so that he can have the fame of not only outsmarting the detective but be widely written about in all the papers. He leaves Megan’s shoe in Alex’s mailbox, prompting him to immediately join the case. There he teams up with Jezzie, Megan’s security detail, to try and track this kidnapper down.

Now I won’t say anymore, because I really do not want to give away the ending, it was so awesome. But I will leave you with reasons why I truly enjoyed this film.

1. Morgan Freeman

Now you’re all probably think, no duh. (Am I right?) And sure it is a no brainer. Morgan Freeman is an absolutely wonderful actor and really connects to you in this role. You feel his pain when he loses his partner, the reluctance to take on a new one, and the drive he has to find this girl, no matter what the cost. He’s lovable, tough, no-nonsense, and the guy you pretty much wish you had backing you up.

2. Megan Rose

Megan is the little girl kidnapped and she’s no push over. This girl is pretty B.A. as she constantly comes up with ways to try and escape to get back to her parents. I love that she is not only super smart, but incredibly persistent stopping at nothing to gain her freedom.

3. Twist Ending

Now the ending is great, it was an amazing twist. It was one of those that when you each the end you see all the little hints that were headed your way and it all makes sense, vis a vis Perfect Stranger. 

To start Horrorfest III from the beginning, go to Even a Man Pure of Heart

For the previous post, go to Who’s Afraid of Cory Wolf?

For more twist endings, go to Happily Ever Aftermath

For more “cat and mouse” type films, go to What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?

For more films based on a book, go to I Was Here For A Moment. And Then I Was Gone.

For more on kidnapping, go to That Darn Cat!

Here I Go Again

So here we go again. Yes here we go again…

Couldn’t resist

So those of you who don’t know, those are lyrics from the song.

So here we go again, another post on our “Getting Over a Heartbreak Series”.

22) Here I Go Again by Whitesnake

Now if I had to pick my favorite song, absolutely had to pick one it would be this one. I love this song so, so, so, so, so much.

This is the song that has gotten me through everything. Any horrible events, broken friendships, break ups, moving, and making any drastic changes. It always helps empower me and make me feel like I can get through anything.

The song came out in 1982, but then was re-recorded and released in 1987. The 1987 version is the one I love. It was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on VH1‘s 100 Greatest Songs of the ’80s.

The song was written by  the lead singer, David Coverdale, and former Whitesnake guitarist, Bernie Marsden. 

I just feel that this song is absolutely amazing! I cannot stress that enough. I included it at this point in the breakup list as I feel it goes perfectly after the last song. Here you are going on with your life. Here you go on your own. You are making a vow to not wasting anymore time moping and crying. Here I go again. 🙂

I don’t know where I’m going
But, I sure know where I’ve been
Hanging on the promises
In songs of yesterday
An’ I’ve made up my mind,
I ain’t wasting no more time
But, here I go again
Here I go again

Tho’ I keep searching for an answer,
I never seem to find what I’m looking for
Oh Lord, I pray
You give me strength to carry on,
‘Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

An’ here I go again on my own
Goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An’ I’ve made up my mind
I ain’t wasting no more time

I’m just another heart in need of rescue,
Waiting on love’s sweet charity
An’ I’m gonna hold on
For the rest of my days,
‘Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

An’ here I go again on my own
Goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An’ I’ve made up my mind
I ain’t wasting no more time

But, here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go…

An’ I’ve made up my mind,
I ain’t wasting no more time

An’ here I go again on my own
Goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
‘Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

An’ here I go again on my own
Goin’ down the only road I’ve ever known,
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
An’ I’ve made up my mind
I ain’t wasting no more time…

But, here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go,
Here I go again…

And I have to say that I also absolutely love the version by Rock of Ages.

Remember:

Because:

Go on along the road:

And above all remember:

To start the “Getting Over a Heartbreak” series from the beginning, go to If It Means A Lot to You

For the previous post, go to I Don’t Wanna Be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem)

For more ’80s songs, go to Missing You

For more of my fav songs, go to Over You

For more on Audrey Hepburn, go to Women in Black

For more on James Joyce, go to Good or Bad

For more on Mandy Hale, go to But It’s Alright

For more on Rock of Ages, go to Nothing But a Good Time