I have never seen a movie about boating, camping and bears that had so many flaws in the story and situations...i don't know where to begin. Pounding on cellphones with no coverage instead of using the VHF radio. Sheriff office refusing to help because a 48 hr missing persons time period passes and no one thinks "what about the coast guard?!". Two guys going after a rogue grizzly on an island with no way for a grizzly to get there. One of the two wrestling with the grizzly bear while the other dope stands there with a high calibre rifle pointing at the sky. It goes on and on....one stupid thing after another.

During the opening credits, it looks like a flood is causing serious damage for some people. This turns out to be a boating trip hit by a storm. Two days earlier, the story begins… After his new book "On Dating Brainy Women" receives a cool reception, Seattle-area author Jason Priestley (as Robert "Bob" Childs) decides to take his family out on a boating trip to Bear Island. While he is away, the book catches fire... but we'll have to wait and see if the family makes it back, to learn the good news. Bear Island turns out to be a great name for the island, because a snarling, blood-thirsty bear hangs around there. But first, we see how Mr. Priestley and his family got there. The impromptu trip began calmly. Then… the weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the "Christine" would be lost...

It's always nice when a disaster movie adds characterization. In this case, the story is about fractured family values. Priestley was a widower who wed beautiful and brainy Andrea Roth (as Teresa Martin). She's beautiful, blonde, a bit younger and incredibly bright. Bratty teenage daughter Genevieve Buechner (as Christy) asks her step-mom, "Is there anything you don't know?" When the men in the cast are incapacitated, Ms. Roth easily takes command. She shows great strength; but, when manly men are around, Roth trips and falls like a helpless lady. The whole point of the disastrous experience appears to be a divine plan to make them somehow form a family. Too bad there wasn't an easier way. Supporting mother Gabrielle Rose (as Hannah) is good, a second family seems poorly edited in, and the bear might scare small children.

**** Courage (2011-06-18) George Erschbamer ~ Andrea Roth, Jason Priestley, Genevieve Buechner, Gabrielle Rose

Family in Danger is the top for "Courage," a 2009 Lifetime movie starring Jason Priestley, Andrea Roth, and Genevieve Buechner. Priestley plays a widower named Robert who has remarried Teresa (Roth). He is also an author who has written a book, "How To Date Brainy Women." Naturally his teenage daughter Christy (Buechner) is a resentful brat who doesn't like Teresa.

Robert suggests the family head for Bear Lake in their boat. A huge storm comes up, and Robert disappears. The two women find him, but they have pretty much wrecked the boat, and Robert has an infection in one leg and the other leg is broken. Teresa retrieves their supplies from the boat.

It turns out that Robert is married to Superwoman. She builds fires from cell phone batteries, she makes a stretcher when they have to move Robert, she applies first aid to him. You name it, she does it. I'm surprised she couldn't repair the boat. Give her some gum and I'll bet she could have done it.

Nature in the form of a grizzly bear is their enemy, and the family finds itself trying to escape him.

This movie is completely predictable and somehow, the womens' hair looked pretty good after a storm and roughing it. Jason Priestley basically lies around being sick. I saw him at a restaurant once greeting what were obviously a family of old friends. He seemed very sweet and he's short.

Despite its predictability, I have to say it was entertaining. The acting was nothing special, but Andrea Roth is very likable, as is Priestley. How he didn't lose that infected leg is a miracle.