(From syracusenewtimes.com)
The film studio bigwigs who released ‘Heaven Is for Real’ this particular weekend knew what they were doing.
My dear wife Karen and I watched with appropriate wonder on Easter proper.
Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly and Connor Corum are fabulous as Nebraska Todd Burpo, his wife and their smart 4-year-old.
It’s a true story, which makes the whole story even more precious as little Colton almost dies, visits heaven with Jesus and shares his tales of joy and wonder with his dad.
It’s deep. Deliciously deep.
Afterward, we noticed the book from which this movie derived in the easiest-to-spot book shelves.
Perfect, I believe.
If you’d like to read my review on the Syracuse New Times site, click the link below.
http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/heaven-is-for-real-tackles-big-questions/
Have you heard the amazing story of the Burpo family? Do you think religion as a topic will turn more people on or more people off to the movie?
Mark Bialczak 
I have to watch the movie before I read the book. Usually the movie is not as good as the book, so I am disappointed. The only exception so far was “The Help” where the movie was much better than the book.
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I saw ‘The Help’ but did not read the book, Angie. I did not read this one before seeing the movie, either. I usually like the book better than the movie, too.
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I read the book as soon as I heard about it a couple of years ago. It is something I am eagerly waiting to see. It grabbed me from the very beginning.
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I want to read what you think after you see it, Colleen. You, especially.
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I’m very excited. I hope it is true to the book. And I already believe, this child….. what a gift he received. I will certainly let you know!
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i had not heard of this story, either in book form, or the film. i like the premise of it and see how it could really make people question the spiritual things they do or do not believe. i am always open to all possibilities, and as a person who is not longer part of and organized religion, i am always interested these kind of things. )
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You grew up Catholic, I believe, like I did, Beth? It is interesting through that prism, most certainly.
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yes, i did and you have a very good memory for detail, mark. i’ll bet it is interesting having the catholic background –
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Yes, it always interests me to watch the Christian denominations in which the pastors can marry, raise a family, lead lives more closely aligned to the congregation. So different from the Catholicism I grew up with, yet cut from the same book and savior. Thanks, Beth.
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I read the book, was quite excited to read a person who critiqued it, saying that every faith that has someone’s heart stop, views Heaven in the way their faith believes it will be. But a child who sees Heaven, that is interesting, to me. He did have church lessons to provide his thoughts and the actor is amazing in the snippets and trailers. Glad you reviewed it favorably, I think this is powerful, Mark! Loved it!
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That was a great review on the other site. I haven’t seen it yet, but it definitely is on my list of must-sees. I remember reading about this story when it happened, and I’m glad they made it into a book and movie. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in another great post. 😀
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Thank you for clicking over to the other site, Rachel. I most appreciate it. Yes, one heck of a thought-provoking movie this is.
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Whatever you or I or anybody else may see during an experience like that, will vary:
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” ~ John 14:2
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Great review Mark and I enjoyed watching the trailer. Do I think religion will draw people to this film? Absolutely.
But I am not one of them.
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I recall, atheist Lance. Cool in my book.
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I am planning to see this movie. I read the book and loved it. It makes one think for sure. The family is from near where I was born and raised in Nebraska, although no one I know knows them personally.
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The on-location shots in Nebraska — if indeed they were shot there — were awesome in their expanse, Audrey. You see those horizons and say, overpopulation? What over population?
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Great review! I can’t wait to see this movie…maybe this week
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It’s very engrossing, AB. Please enjoy!
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Yeah I can’t wait to see how the afterlife is portrayed. I completely believe in the afterlife, wholeheartedly. To the point that death doesn’t scare me at all. I believe we are reunited with out loved ones for sure and I would think our good friends as well. I do believe that our loved ones are there to greet us when we enter the veiled realm. Do you??
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I am a believer, yes, AB.
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This was one of the most requested books when I was still working at the library. I have not read it yet, but I plan to soon.
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It’s such a different tale, Dora!
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Some friends saw it yesterday (yes, the bigwigs were smart) and enjoyed every minute of it. Even made one’s Marine husband tear up…
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