Reelworks Studios Announces THE ULTIMATE LIFE to Premiere on Hallmark Movie Channel August 2, 2014

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Reelworks Studios announces THE ULTIMATE LIFE will premiere on the Hallmark Movie Channel August 2, 2014 beginning at 9 p.m. EDT, preceded by a showing of THE ULTIMATE GIFT.

A sequel and prequel to the award-winning 2007 film THE ULTIMATE GIFT which grossed over 30 million dollars worldwide, THE ULTIMATE LIFE opened in theaters in the autumn of 2013 to positive viewer reviews heralding the film as "entertaining," "big hearted" and "inspirational". Starring Bill Cobbs, Lee Meriwether, and Alli Hillis, who reprise their roles from THE ULTIMATE GIFT, the cast also includes Golden Globe® winner Peter Fonda, Drew Waters, David Mann, Austin James and Logan Bartholomew. The film was directed by Michael Landon Jr., known for his Hallmark series When Calls the Heart. The film was adapted from a book by Jim Stovall.

James Garner, who plays Red Stevens in both movies, passed away recently on July 19^th. As executive producer Rick Eldridge states, "This was a legacy project for James. It is fitting that The Hallmark Movie Channel is airing both movies on August 2." Garner's performance of Red Stevens from THE ULTIMATE GIFT carries over into THE ULTIMATE LIFE, continuing the storyline and filling in the backstory of how Stevens became a wealthy man who discovered later in life that his family was all he needed.

In THE ULTIMATE LIFE, we see Jason Stevens caught between the pressure of running a foundation started by his late grandfather, being sued by his greedy extended family, and seeing his beloved Alexia leave on an extended mission trip to Haiti. But when Jason discovers the lifelong journal his grandfather began as a Depression-era lad, Red Stevens' writings transport Jason to a front-row seat on an incredible rags-to-riches ride. With everything he loves hanging in the balance, Jason hopes he can discover THE ULTIMATE LIFE. THE ULTIMATE LIFE reminds us some things are worth more than money!

The film is available on Blu-ray and DVD from 20^th Century Fox.

About Reelworks Studios – ReelWorks Studios, LLC was founded in August 2009 by entertainment entrepreneurs, Rick Eldridge and Christopher Cates with the objective of producing media with a message that entertains, educates and edifies. Rick Eldridge has been in the entertainment business for over 30 years as a producer, director, musician, and creative visionary. Mr. Cates brings an equal amount of tenure in the industry as a producer and production and post production manager for both television and film. Collectively Mr. Eldridge and Mr. Cates have lent their expertise to projects for notable media companies including, Universal, Disney, Fox, MGM, Discovery, BET, PBS, Fox Sports, ABC, NBC and ESPN. While Mr. Eldridge and Cates both have long and varied credits, recent collaborations between them have yielded projects such as Bobby Jones - Stroke of Genius, The Ultimate Gift, Max Lucado's Hermie and Friends", etc.  ReelWorks also manages post production and sound stages in Charlotte and handles production services for TV and film projects such as the "Homeland" TV series and The Shunning and The Confession movies.  Currently ReelWorks is managing production services for the Hallmark TV movie Shuffleton Barbershop and providing stages and production facilities for FOX TV pilot "Sleepy Hollow".

THE ULTIMATE LIFE
Television Premiere
The Hallmark Movie Channel
Saturday, August 2 at 9 p.m. EDT, Encore at 11:30 p.m. EDT (6 p.m. /8:30 p.m. PDT)
Preceded by showing of THE ULTIMATE GIFT at 7 p.m. EDT (4 p.m. PDT)

SOURCE Reelworks Studios