Whether it’s a rainy day or you just want to escape the summer heat, UP Faith & Family has several films to stream to take you to destinations that just might be the motivation for your next real vacation. Enjoy the love stories, but the scenery in these films will also transport you to new places.
When businesswoman Leah (Kelley Jakle) is sent to Hawaii to secure a property that is going up for auction, her life takes a drastic turn. Having been focused on her career for a long time and even though she is surrounded by lush, tropical scenery, her mind is centered on her job.
But when a hula show transfixes her she discovers that there is more to life.
Leah asks for private hula lessons from the resort’s entertainment director Ikaika (Cedric Jonathan). His laid-back attitude toward life helps her decompress from her hectic schedule. Leah feels the Aloha spirit infuse her.
Viewers are not only treated to some spectacular tropical scenery, but also some Hawaiian words and traditions and soothing Hawaiian music throughout the film. Hawaii is the main focus of this film, with a dash of romance.
Three twenty-something Manhattanites decide to vacation on a working dude ranch in Yellowstone, Wyoming,and get more than they bargained for.
Olivia (Stephanie Bennett), her roommate Amber (Aadila Dosani), and their friend Justin (Caleb Di Pomponio) are off on an adventure that will change the way they feel about life country versus the big city.
Bailing hay, corralling horses, fixing fences, and mucking stalls actually gives them enjoyment -- along with some sore muscles.
Olivia is attracted to Travis (Christopher Russell), who owns the ranch with his father. Although they both feel a pull toward the other, neither wants to admit it. After all, Travis lives in Wyoming, and Olivia lives in the Big Apple.
Eventually the laid-back lifestyle of Wyoming and the ranch get the better of her. Viewers also see some beautiful mountain landscapes and spectacular scenery.
Paisley (Hedy Nasser) has dreams of making her ranch into a summer camp for kids but is in desperate need of cash. After Josh (Jonathan Stoddard), a Denver marketing executive, is suspended from his job, he sets out for a visit with his brother in Sun Valley but his car dies when he gets to Big Sky. Paisley offers him a place to stay at the ranch in return for some ranch work.
Josh does more than simply help with ranch work. He infuses the place with his marketing prowess and helps Paisley plan a gala to raise the much needed funds to realize her dream. And, obviously, along the way the two discover they still have feelings for each other. This time things will be different for them. “If you have something good in your life don’t let it go.” Those words of wisdom from Josh’s fortune cookie remind him of the important things in life.
With Josh’s help, Paisley and the ranch get a new lease on life. As she says, “When God closes a door, start looking for a window.”
Grab a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, a flannel shirt and jeans to fit into this cowboy setting complete with country music and dancing. Yee haw!
Wildlife journalist Amelia (Liliana Tandon) travels to Puerto Rico to write about the release of two little manatees whose mother died during the last hurricane. The two manatees are due to return to their natural habitat, thanks to Fernando (Thony Mean) and his wildlife conservation clinic.
The thing about Amelia is that even though she has written articles about far-off places, this woman has never left the East Coast. So, when Fernando takes her snorkeling and hiking, it opens up a whole new world for her.
As she discovers the wonders of the world outside her apartment, she also discovers the caring and endearing nature of Fernando and those that take care of helping animals.
The movie was filmed in Puerto Rico and showcases some of its picturesque settings.
The name of the town is Love. Yes, Love, Alaska. It’s a fitting destination for a Love Festival. Every year the town puts on festivities for singles who arrive from all around the world to hopefully find their love match.
Maggie (Sarah Podemski) left the town 15 years ago but has returned to take over her uncle’s medical clinic. She has her hands full as the town’s only doctor.
Finn (Victor Zinck, Jr.) also grew up in Love and, at one time, was Maggie’s sweetheart. But life got in the way, and he joined the military. Later, he returned to the States with extreme PTSD. Now, he is back in Love to help his brother with his air-charter business.
While the movie was actually filmed in Ontario, it does depict the atmosphere of rural Alaska. And the old friendship between Maggie and Finn is rekindled.
Click here to learn more about UP Faith & Family (where you can also stream FTP's documentary about our founder, Venerable Patrick Peyton, called PRAY: THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON).
Image: UP Faith & Family
Francine Brokaw is a longtime journalist, covering entertainment, product reviews and travel, and is the host of Beyond the Red Carpet on Village Television and YouTube.
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