TV Movie Review: Truth Be Told
Where: Fox Broadcasting Network
When: Saturday, April 16 @ 8:00 PM (tomorrow)
Starring: Candace Cameron Bure (Full House), David James Elliot (JAG), Ronnie Cox (Stargate SG-1)
Synopsis: Annie Morgan (Cameron Bure) is  an unmarried marriage counselor. Mark Crane (Elliot) is her widowed college friend (with two kids) who currently runs a youth program that desperately needs new funding to continue.  They lost contact with each other after college but are coincidentally reunited at a business function where they also meet Alexander Bishop (Cox), a larger-than-life media mogul who ends up considering Annie as the host of a radio advice show (her dream job) and funding Mark’s kids project.  He invites them (along with the kids) for a stay at his New Mexico ranch to meet his own family. The hitch is he thinks they’re hitched — and, since them both of them want something from the old guy, they decide to continue the charade.
Is it worth seeing: Truth be told, Truth Be Told is hardly groundbreaking television.  You could even say it’s a bit predictable. But like many things (and people), it’s greatest weakness is also its greatest strength.  This a comfortable, agreeable movie, perfectly suited for a lazy Saturday night — enjoyable whether you’re watching alone or, importantly, with your family.
What I find most appealing about it is that it features likable characters. Sure, Annie and Mark are perpetrating a lie to get what they want but, essentially, they’re decent people worth spending some time with. And, in the end,… Well, I’m not telling. Though, you can probably predict. And, BTW, having the value of truth telling reinforced isn’t a bad thing. It’s actually a lesson children — and adults — need to be reminded of from time to time.
Essentially, Truth Be Told is a kind film about imperfect characters who are, nonetheless, essentially good and worth spending a Saturday night with. It’s not for cynics but if you like old-fashioned movies about nice people finding their way to the truth, you may just enjoy it.

Goodness Reigns winning films announced. The contest, which I told you about a couple of weeks ago, has unveiled its winners. Drum roll, please:

Young Adult Group Award: Catholic Integration Agency by Crux Sacra Productions of La Crescenta, Calif. The winners are receiving  either $8,000 in video gear or an all-inclusive trip for four to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain.

High School Group Award: Love Begins Here by Diocese of Madison/LBH Productions of Baraboo, Wis. The winners are receiving either $15,000 in video gear or an all-inclusive trip for ten to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain.

Individual Category Awards:

Each winner are receiving either $4,000 in video gear or an all-inclusive trip for two to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Spain.

Church History: Saint Patrick by Anthony Pires of British Columbia, Canada.

Church Teaching: Covenant by Bernadette and Rafael Rodarte of Madera, Calif.

Present-Day Missionary Spirit: Our Hometown by Madison Black of Chickasha, Okla.

Sacraments: Sacrament of Divine Mercy by Gabriel Castillo/St. Theresa Church of Sugar Land, Texas.

These, and other submitted films, can be viewed at  www.GoodnessReigns.com/vote/.  As time goes on, Goodness Reigns plans to continue building up its repository of Catholic-themed  short films.  Since March 20th, its People’s Choice web page has received over 89,000 page views and attracted approximately 10,800 unique visitors.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11