movies

Movie Review: Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace

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ROB DIAMOND’S NEW FEATURE FILM LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE ANNOUNCES RELEASE

-Film debuts on Amazon Prime on Black Friday, Nov. 27 and Living Scriptures on Dec. 4-

Salt Lake City – Writer, Director and Producer Rob Diamond announced today that his new film, LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE will be released on Amazon Prime on Black Friday, November 27 and then on Living Scriptures on Friday, December 4.

LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE is Diamond’s 15th feature film and was produced completely in Utah early in 2020. “I can truly say that this is my favorite film I’ve ever made,” said Diamond. “The inspiration for the film came from a dream I had and then the story and the entire production came together absolutely seamlessly.”

LUCY SHIMMERS tells the story of five-year-old Lucy and the incredible influence she has on those around her, especially hardened criminal Edgar. Lucy, with the help of her guardian angel, create miracles that change his heart and inspire a second chance in his life.

The film features mostly local talent, including Shawn Stevens as Grandpa Jackson, Adam Hightower as James Shimmers, and Florencia Stevens as Isabelle Shimmers. In addition, the film stars well-known actor Vincent Vargas (THE MAYANS) and newcomer Scarlett Diamond in the title-role of Lucy.

 Scarlett Diamond just so happens to be the granddaughter of filmmaker Rob Diamond.
“Granted I’m biased, but Scarlett was absolutely incredible. She is only five-years-old and this was her first major speaking role and she proved she’s a natural!” proclaimed Diamond.

In addition to writing, directing and producing, Diamond also operates an acting studio and many of the actors in the film are current and former Diamond students. The film was shot entirely on location in Salt Lake City and Heber, Utah early in 2020. “Our last day of filming was literally the day before Utah shut down in March because of the pandemic,” said Diamond.

For more information on LUCY SHIMMERS & THE PRINCE OF PEACE, visit its IMDB page at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11916254/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1.

My Review

Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace is about a special 5-year-old girl. Everyone who meets her is truly blessed; even a hardened criminal can’t escape her charm. Scarlett Diamond, who plays Lucy, is an adorable actress and does an amazing job. It’s hard to believe she’s just five years old.

This story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The best way to describe it, is a quote from the end of the movie: “While we weep here on Earth, others celebrate in Heaven.” If that’s the case, there was a lot of celebrating in Heaven today, because I wept through half of the movie.

The film isn’t perfect (but nothing is). There was some bad acting here and there especially by those with just a line in the movie. The thing that really stood out to me is that Lucy would just unplug her IV to sneak out at night. I don’t think so.

Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace is definitely a movie to watch if you like sweet, emotional Christmas movies.

Movie Review & Giveaway: The Santa Box

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THE SANTA BOX tells the story of teenager Kallie Watts. For the past five years, Christmas has spelled disaster for her and her family. When a fire leaves Kallie and her widowed mother homeless just before the holidays, there’s only one conclusion: Kallie is cursed by Christmas. When Kallie and her mother relocate to a small California town, Kallie is confronted by her worst nightmare come true: a town overflowing with holiday decorations and Christmas cheer. Kallie’s life is soon changed forever by the gift of a Santa box. When she lifts the lid, she rediscovers the magic and true meaning of Christmas.

My Review

The Santa Box is a sweet movie about Kallie that’s perfect for the holidays. She and her mom have to move into a new home after a fire destroyed their apartment and everything in it. Kallie is a good girl deep down but she has an attitude, especially when it comes to Christmas. Every time she loses someone close, it’s during the holidays. I had to keep telling myself at the beginning of the movie that she’s a typical teenager, although I did wish her mom would tell her to stop being rude to strangers.

Kallie tries to ignore Christmas and all that goes with it, but that’s not possible especially with her 85-year-old neighbor who has a yard full of decorations. Before she knows it, they become good friends. Their friendship is perfect because he teaches her a lot about life and love, and she’s a good listener and truly cares about him.

Kallie struggles to belong at a new school and to come to terms with loss with Christmas around the corner once again. When she receives the Santa Box, how can she use it to help her situation?

I enjoyed watching Kallie grow and learning about friendship and forgiveness and maybe giving Christmas another chance…

About the Cast

THE SANTA BOX features mostly local talent, including Shawn Stevens as Otto, and newcomer Cami Carver as Kallie. “Playing Otto was something completely new for me, but it was a role I wanted so much,” said Stevens. “The Otto character is an 85-year-old German immigrant, and naturally, Spanky originally wanted to cast an actor who was around that age. But, luckily for me, with the help of an amazing makeup artist, Vanae Morris, I was able to convince Spanky that I could pull-off a great performance of an old German man. And the character was an absolute joy to play.”

“For the role of Kallie, we auditioned dozens of young actresses and Cami originally auditioned for a different role, but she absolutely knocked our socks off!” proclaimed Ward. “We instantly knew she was our Kallie.”

In addition to the two leads, THE SANTA BOX features 20-plus major characters and dozens of extras. “Filming during this crazy time brought some unique challenges, but we acclimated to it very quickly,” said Ward. “Everyone on the production team strictly adhered to safe production guidelines implemented by the health officers we had on set. Thanks to those practices, everyone in the cast and crew stayed healthy and the production went off without a hitch.”

For more information on THE SANTA BOX, visit its IMDB page at: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12065192/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c3e6ea7723/?