Family Movie Night: Game of Your Life

Every few weeks Brennan will ask if we can have a movie night. If the calendar is relatively clear, we consent and the movie negotiations begin -- negotiations about who picked the movie last time, what new movie is out that's appropriate to watch, etc.

I'm marking next Friday night, December 2nd, on my calendar for a movie night -- no movie negotiations required.

Walmart and PG have teamed up to present Family Movie Night, a night where family movies are broadcast on network TV. Family Movie Night promises great quality movies, good for the whole family, teachable moments, and even family friendly commercials. Game of Your Life premieres Friday, December 2nd at 8/7c on NBC.

Game of Your Life synopsis (taken from the website): 

When industrious high school gamer Zach Taylor lands a prized scholarship to the prestigious Digital Institute of Game Design (DIGD), his future breaks wide open. The opportunity to study under gaming legend Marcus Bentton and alongside the country’s most creative minds will certainly propel him into a successful career as a video game designer. That is, if he can pass the infamous freshman project that eliminates more than half of the class within the first three months. 

Paired with brilliant yet socially awkward teammates Phillip and Donald, the trio persuades Sara Ramirez – a determined and striking team leader with whom Zach has a history (and possibly a future) – to join their team. Working off-campus in the teched-out Lincoln Alley loft, the four set out to involve the entire campus in a quirky new social interactive game. But as the group becomes entrenched in the project, Zach learns that his father Billy, a widower, is facing growing financial woes at home. To help out, Zach accepts an opportunity to work directly with Marcus Bentton on a secretive side project that seems too good to be true. The effort requires nearly all of Zach’s time and energy, which he should be devoting to the project. Struggling to keep it together, Zach is torn between his responsibility to his team, his admiration for Bentton and a chance to help his father. 

Everything comes to a breaking point when Zach’s team threatens to remove him from the group and the deceptive truth behind Bentton’s project comes to light. With the guidance of Professor Abbie Lambert, Zach must make a decision that not only affects his future, but the lives and livelihoods of the people around him as well. It’s a revealing story that recognizes the magnitude behind the choices we make and the importance loyalty plays in making good decisions.

We've already seen the movie, and I can assure you that it does live up to the Family Movie Night promises. It was a hit with all of the movie-watchers in our house. (Lauren still isn't interested in watching full-length, non-animated movies.) It is a great quality movie, not necessarily packed with action scenes but exciting none-the-less. It is good for the whole family -- no drinking, no partying, no profanity, etc. The teachable moments were real, not faked. It gets thumbs ups from all of us, and we'll definitely be watching it again when it shows next Friday night.

You can see the Game of Your Life trailer here and find more information on the Family Movie Night website. If you'd like you can like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Disclaimer: I received online access to view this movie prior to its premiere so that I could share this review. I was not required to post a positive review, and I received no other compensation.