One can hope that through watching “Emma’s Chance”, it may make one want to volunteer or donate to their local horse rescue non-profit. “Emma’s Chance” is a heartwarming film that I recommend for the whole family!
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DVD TITLE: Emma’s Chance
FILM RELEASE DATE: 2016
DURATION: 92 Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English, French and Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Portuguese, Thai
COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
RATED: PG (Thematic Elements)
AVAILABLE ON: July 5, 2016
Directed by Anna Elizabeth James
Written by Anna Elizabeth James
Story by Tyler W. Konney
Produced by Tyler W. Konney
Executive Produced by Blake Goza, Barbara Greaves, Natalie Metzger, Richard Switzer
Co-Producer: Daniel S. McCoy
Music by Gareth Coker
Cinematography by Alex Jacobs
Edited by Brian Scofield
Casting by Amey Rene
Production Design by Kyle Fenning
Charles William Bren
Art Direction by Carly Lujan
Set Decoration by Annie Jung
Costume Design by Amanda Wing Yee Lee
Starring:
Greer Grammer as Emma
Joey Lawrence as Kevin Chambers
Missi Pyle as Susan Peirce
Jennifer Taylor as Miranda Bailey
Christina Robinson as Lexi Smith
Ryan McCartan as Jacob Murphy
Lia Marie Johnson as Meg Bowler
Amber Frank as Kate Rogers
Shanna Strong as Catherine Conner
Tracy Nelson as the Principal
While volunteering at a horse rescue, Emma forms an unlikely bond with an abused horse that won’t let anyone else ride him. Gaining new skills and confidence, Emma hatches a plan to redeem herself and ultimately save the ranch she’s grown to love.
From writer/director Anna Elizabeth James (“Diary of a Teenage Nobody”) and a story by Tyler W. Konney (“Blue Line”, “Altitude”, “The Escort”) comes the heartwarming film “Emma’s Chance”.
Starring Greer Grammer (“Life Partners”, “Awkward.”, “Deadly Sorority”), Joey Lawrence (“Melissa & Joey”, “Blossom”, “Brotherly Love”), Missi Pyle (“Gone Girl”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “The Artist”, “Big Fish”), Jennifer Taylor (“The Waterboy”, “Wild Things”, “Two and a Half Men”), Christina Robinson (“Dexter”, “Equestrian Sexual Response”, “Simon”), Ryan McCartan (“R.:. Stine’s Monsterville”, “Summer Forever”) and Lia Marie Johnson (“Expelled”, “Terry the Tomboy”, “The Lady in the Walls”)
“Emma’s Chance” revolves around teenager Emma (portrayed by Greer Grammer), a smart girl who’s grades are starting to drop after hanging out with her friends and getting into some trouble.
When Emma is caught trying to sneak into a horse rescue with her friend Meg (portrayed by Lia Marie Johnson), she is the only one caught by the police.
Emma gets into big trouble and her punishment is to volunteer at the horse rescue and her mother grounds her from going out and going out to the school dance.
Working for horse rescue operators Susan Peirce (portrayed by Missi Pyle) and horse caretaker Kevin Chambers (portrayed by Joey Lawrence), what at first was a punishment becomes a blessing as Emma starts to bond with an abused horse that has taken a liking to her.
But as many troubled kids just do their time of volunteering and leave, a former troubled student, Lexi (portrayed by Christina Robinson) gives Emma the could sholder, because she thinks Emma is a person that will probably do her time and just leave.
And all is not good as the horse rescue is needing money to stay open and they are desperately needing money soon.
How will Emma be able to help them?
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Emma’s Chance” is presented in 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen and English, French and Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital. Picture quality is good, as one can expect on DVD and with most of the film shot outdoors, picture quality is good.
Subtitles are in English SDH, French, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Portuguese and Thai.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Adventures in Babysitting” comes with the following special features:
- Adventures in Outtakes – (1:40) Outtakes
For those who love horses and animals, one can’t help but be proud of those who run rescue homes for animals.
In Chino Hills, Susan Peirce has dedicated her life in running Red Bucket Equine Rescue and saving starving, abused and abandoned horses.
She has found loving and forever homes for horses.
But of course, running a stable and rehabilitating, sheltering and feeding many dozens of horses does cost a lot of money and so, Red Bucket Equine Rescue has continued in building awareness and also having ongoing fundraising in order to pay off mortgages and to keep the stable properly running and giving the horses the attention they need.
But to build awareness of horse rescues and rehabilitation, not just for Red Bucket Equine Rescue but also possibly for other horse rescue non-profits out there, a film by writer/director Anna Elizabeth James and writer Tyler W. Konney was created.
A heartwarming tale about a girl named Emma who gets into trouble and has to serve her punishment by volunteering at a horse rescue. But what seemed like punishment at first, became a blessing for Emma, who found her true calling and love of taking care of her horses. Having to rescue, rehabilitate and find these horses a good home.
For the most part, the film is a family film. There is no violence, there is no profanity, it’s a wholesome film about the challenges that horse rescue non-profits face.
The film is simple, predictable and straightforward and in some ways, it kind of reminds me of the old, heartwarming afterschool specials with a clear and positive message. It’s a family film that does a great job of educating the public about horse rescue operations.
It’s great to see Missi Pyle playing the role of horse rescue non-profit owner Susan Peirce, Joey Lawrence as the horse caretaker, Kevin and for us adults, it was great to see Tracy Nelson as the principal. And of course, younger viewers will no doubt be happy to see YouTube star, Lia Marie Johnson in this film.
But I have to give credit to main actress Greer Grammer. Daughter of actor Kelsey Grammer (“Frazier”, “Cheers”, “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, “Transformers: Age of Extinction”) and the younger half-sister of actress Spencer Grammer (“Greek”, “Rick and Morty”). Greer Grammer is no doubt an emerging actress and she does a great job of playing the role of Emma.
And for anyone who has thought about volunteering a horse rescue, donating or even wanting to know more about horse rescue operations, you can see a little of it through “Emma’s Chance”.
The horses featured in the film are horses that were rescued and also features staff from Red Bucket Equine Rescue. From reading online of the success that Red Bucket Equine Rescue has made by finding homes for these horses but also taking these horses through the process of rehabilitation and healing, it’s really incredible and honorable.
As for the DVD, picture quality is good, dialogue is crystal clear. Unfortunately there are no special features.
I was hoping some of the videos that made it to the Emma’s Chance Facebook page from the behind-the-scenes of the film, would have made it on the final cut of the DVD. But a good reason for one to visit the film’s Facebook page.
Overall, one can hope that through watching “Emma’s Chance”, it may make one want to volunteer or donate to their local horse rescue non-profit.
“Emma’s Chance” is a heartwarming film that I recommend for the whole family!
