A Plumm Summer -- Plumm Good Movie!

Last night we celebrated my son Nathan's birthday by going out to yummy Mexican food (where Nathan orders chicken strips!) and then coming home to watch a movie.

We picked A Plumm Summer because:

1) I was one of the cool moms chosen by Mom Central to preview this movie and give my opinion.

and

2) I wanted a movie our whole family (three kids, two parents, grandma, and GREAT grandma) could enjoy.

It's not often that we find a movie that the entire family can enjoy (let alone agree upon!) but when I was asked to screen the new independent family film it was amazing to see every member of my family engaged in its wonderful story.

I think the first thing that drew our interest is that it's set in Montana. We love Montana movies although most of the time we're disappointed because most movies are Hollywood's vision of Montana and not the real thing.

Thankfully, A Plumm Summer was about the REAL Montana in 1968. In fact, we all agreed that it looked JUST like where we live! (And I remember reading inn our local paper about them filming it last summer.) Finally ... someone who got Montana right! Finally, someone who can small town themes of friendship and family right, too!

The cool thing about this movie is that it is one that can become a classic. Winner of the Audience Best Film Award at the International Family Film Festival, A Plumm Summer is based on a true story in Montana in the 1960's, where well-loved local TV legend and puppet, FroggyDoo, gets stolen during a live show. The families of Montana outcry at FroggyDoo's loss prompts an FBI investigation, but the children of Peaks View take the mystery into their own hands and it's a race to unravel the mystery (hint: those FBI agents are slow to catch on ...)!

Okay, one more favorite thing. The actors were really good and really cool! They included Henry Winkler, Billy Baldwin, Jeff Daniels and Brenda Strong as well as talented, up-and-coming child actors. I love the Fonz and even though my kids didn't know who he was, but the end of the movie they like him, too.

One last thing. It's often tough for independent films like A Plumm Summer to reach big theaters nationwide, which is why we'd love your help to spread the word. Would you consider attending the film's upcoming premier screenings beginning Friday, April 25?

As you know, a successful first two weekends for A Plumm Summer means that more families will have a chance to see the film in more locations and most importantly, Hollywood will hopefully take notice and start to invest time and money into making quality films with stories that appeal to families!!!

The movie opens April 25 (TODAY!), 26, and 27, in these 4 areas:

· California: LA and surrounding areas

· Alabama: Birmingham, Trussville

· Minnesota: Oakdale, Lakeville, Eagan.

AND .... Montana: Billings, Bozeman, Kalispell, Livingston or Missoula

Check the A Plumm Summer video trailer.

A Plumm Summer website for a complete list of theaters in your area.

Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.