Painted Horses 2017

      There is a new teacher at the beginning of school.  The principle has warned Ms. Hoog that this is a tough class and other teachers have given up!!  Ms. Hoog can’t give up, she needs this job for the health plan.  Her 18 month old son has club feet and he has already had one unsuccessful surgery.  His doctor is recommending another surgery of a different type as soon as possible.  There is no way that Ms. Hoog can pay for the surgery without the health plan.

     The students start out the year with some of them being rude and uncooperative.  Their teacher can’t throw in the towel so she will have to come up with something to make them want to learn history.  Ms. Hoog has documents from her family that date back to the Civil War.  Supposedly, there is a treasure possibly hidden in the area near the school.  She gets her students interested by the idea of a treasure hunt.

     Things are going much better in the class with the students but a parent makes a complaint to the principal.  She is a member of the school board and she threatens to hold a meeting to remove Ms. Hoog from her position???  Even the students don't want to their teacher forced out from her job!! 

     The students finally have a purpose and they are working together.  They are not used to doing either one of these things!!  They are assigned into teams of three students each and they learn how to work together for a common goal.  They don’t have to participate but there is a tiny chance they will find money.  Those who are not involved will not share in the money!!  This film has good themes about facing adversity as a teen and as an adult.  The students learn to encourage each other and see other people for what is inside, not what is outside.  This film is best for 12+ ages.  5* (I REALLY liked this movie!!)

91 min, Drama directed by Damian X. Fulton and written by Mark Cramer with Grace Fulton, Madelyn Deutch, Caleb Emery, Kendall Ryan Sanders, Deana Carter, Karson Kern, Linc Hand, Alexa Yeames, Alexis Wilkins, Harrison Stone, Kurt Krause, Rick Bucy, Terri Minton, Clark Harris, Tommy Cresswell. 

Note:  Imdb 6.8* out of 10* with 206 reviews, dove.org 1* sex, 2* language, 1* violence, 1* drugs, 1* nudity, 1* other (being disrespectful to others, lying to others, trying to get a teacher fired), Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 110 reviews.