Currently I'm approaching the autumn of my years and question the existence of an afterlife. Is there a place for our souls to continue after our brief stay on Earth? How are we judged? Do we get our memories erased and are sent back for another try? Or do we just cease totally in darkness? So many infinite questions. I recall a documentary called Beyond and Back made in the late 1970's showing real life experience entwined with near death experiences. The Subject just fascinates me which brings us to this review of the afterlife. Our story centers around a Nebraska Family (The Burpo's). Todd Burpo, (Greg Kinnear) Pastor, firefighter, Husband and Father of two children who lives on the Nebraska plains with his wife Sonja (Kelly Reilly). They live a busy but normal life. As for the Burpo's two children, the older sister Cassie(Lane Styles) typical wide-eyed girl filled with curiosity and our centerpiece the adorable three year old Colton played by Conner Corum. The Burpo's take a trip to the Denver zoo. Older sister Cassie is shown confidently petting a tarantula. Meanwhile timid Conner hides behind his Dad and wants no part of the petting experience. A short time later, the kids contract a stomach flu. Cassie and Colton recover but in Colton's case his fever returns and his temperature eclipses to 104 and is rushed to the hospital. At the hospital, the Burpo' wait and pray . You see Todd in the hospital chapel frustrated, pushing the chairs in disgust as to why their son fell ill? The result was an appendectomy and the surgery was successful. With Colton on the mend , financial strains on the household become burdensome . Todd juggling the Church and his other duties is consumed as subtle statements from the virgin lips of Colton have him astonished. Due to Christian accuracy I had a problem with Colton's depiction of his heavenly experience. For me personally why couldn't Colton meet Moses, Shoshone, Allah or any religious figure. Does this movie preach us to pray the Christian way? That was my only problem with the accounts by the boy. The movie had a suspense to it at times when Colton would reveal his experience in the afterlife. Fine supporting roles by Thomas Hayden Church and Margo Martindale. As for the appearance of the film as a whole . The cinematography extenuates the Nebraska landscape and the vibrant Heaven scenes are worth a look. I still question which denomination is on the other side?

This is a film that is based on a book that is based on a true story about a boy who was transported to heaven during a near-death experience and came back to tell the tale. There will be doubters out there who wonder whether this really happened, as the boy Colton was just three years old then. I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, and just enjoy the story of a loving Christian family that was already experiencing some trials and this episode brought its fair share to them. Some Christians themselves may have problems with the story's doctrine and message, but everyone can just enjoy the amazing acting on display by the cast members. Greg Kinnear is convincingly down-to-earth as the minister father who has to take care of both his family and his church. I also liked Margo Martindale as a concerned church member, while Connor Corum gives a winning turn as the wide-eyed Colton. A solid family-friendly film that will warm the hearts of the less-cynical viewers.

There comes a time when we all question Is heaven for real? On most occasions the act of good seems to far fetched to believe in and solace is found the misery of the event. Based on a four year olds anecdotal account of being invited to heaven after a ruptured appendix it is a truly remarkable tale of faith. Faith and hope are two things adults seem to thrive on to wake up each morning and what is extraordinary about the movie is its focus on the father, a pastor, his peeled s and the adults and how they perceive the question. Heaven is for real? A paradoxical question that questions ones own faith, but not of heaven but of existence. We all seek validation and our state of affairs is almost always based on what we believe. What an extraordinary tale to be told. This is not about whether Heaven is for real, but more about is mankind for real?I say this because what is real is what we decide to believe is real. An amazing cast and an splendid performance by Connor Corum. What is a wonderful capture of Connor's performance, who plays young Colyton Burpo, is the innocence and often heightened glee as he strolls through each scene. Almost as if he, during the making of the film was touched by an Angel. This is more than a feel good movie. It brings you to that point questioning not if Heaven is for real- but are you for real?

Heaven is for Real (2014): Dir: Randall Wallace / Cast: Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Connor Corum, Thomas Hayden Church, Margo Martindale: Emotionally charging faith based film that addresses the reality of Heaven vs what is mainly spoken of during church service and taken for granted. Greg Kinnear plays a pastor in a small town. He is married and has a young son and daughter. He is generous with his time, too often putting others ahead of himself thus neglecting tremendous financial responsibilities at home. Central plot regards his son growing sick, taken to hospital and having what is perceived as an out-of-body experience. He survives the surgery but the church congregation grows weary when the boy describes Heaven, angels, and even the loving embrace of Jesus himself. Kinnear struggles to fathom this as even his grandfather is described in his younger form. Kelly Reilly plays his wife who grows frustrated with the unwanted media attention that follows. Connor Corum plays young Colton who is wise beyond his years and seems at peace with his spiritual encounter. Thomas Hayden Church and Margo Martindale steal scenes as members of the church facing their own issues. We eventually discover that their son is deceased and they must come to terms with Kinnear's situation. Randall Wallace does a fine job hinting at the afterlife, dazzling our imaginations without cheating us. Screenplay is flawed by disjointed subplots including Kinnear's broken leg and kidney stone passing that does nothing but hold up the premise. Theme addresses hope through the doorway of death to another reality. Score: 8 / 10