There are many great redemptive and family movies in theaters mid-August. Out in theaters this week are Enchanted Kingdom 3D, Beyond the Farthest Star, and Bonobos: Back to the Wild.
Beyond the Farthest Star is about a formerly notable preacher and his broken family in a tiny Texas community. All these people are in the national spotlight as the pastor fights for the right to public religious expression after the church’s property has been destroyed. Movieguide.org gives this movie 3 out of 4 stars for quality and a -1 for content, issuing caution for family viewing. The film features effective, touching performances and artistic cinematography, but viewers should take care to watch this movie with a Christian worldview because of some dark and violent subject matter. This PG-13 movie is a story of moving from brokenness to beauty. It is also about freedom for truth and forgiveness of wrongs.
Enchanted Kingdom displays the beauty of God’s creation; Photo Courtesy of BBC Earth.
Dove.org recommends the documentary Enchanted Kingdom (G) for all ages. This movie, filmed with 3D technology, takes viewers on a spell-binding journey through extraordinary natural realms to discover its magical mysteries. Audiences will be taken from enchanting forests to fantastic seas to celestial mountains and to wonders of wildlife on Earth. Viewers will see and hear amazing creatures and experience nature as never before.
As of August 8, Ant-Man, Shaun the Sheep, Inside Out, Mr. Holmes, and Princess Cut are still in theaters.
“Minions” may have cute characters, but some content misses the mark of family friendliness; Photo Courtesy of Illumination Entertainment.
Due to content, Dove.org does not recommend Fantastic Four or Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, which are at the top of the box office currently, for families. Movieguide.org also cautions families about Minions due to content.
Thankfully, whether individuals or families want to see good movies in theaters or homes, there are many good redemptive movies in various stages of production for a range of ages. Still to come in theaters in August are Underdogs and War Room.
The top picks for redemptive and family movies in theaters this week include: Enchanted Kingdom 3D (all ages), Shaun the Sheep (all ages), Bonobos: Back to the Wild (not rated), Beyond the Farthest Star (teenagers and adults), Princess Cut (not rated), Ant-Man (teenagers and adults), Inside Out (all ages) and Mr. Holmes (older youth and adults).
War Room promises to be an uplifting film that will help you protect your family through prayer; Photo Courtesy of Kendrick Brothers.
Further redemptive and family movies coming out in theaters this fall for a range of ages include: Shake off the World, Adrenaline, 90 Minutes in Heaven, Captive, Pan, Woodlawn, The Peanuts Movie, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, The Good Dinosaur, and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Next year the following redemptive and family movies are due out in theaters: Risen, Kung Fu Panda 3, Ben-Hur, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, God’s Not Dead 2, Miracles from Heaven, The Jungle Book, I Am Not Ashamed: Rachel Joy Scott Story, Same Kind of Different as Me, Finding Dory, Providence, and Left Behind 2.
Redemptive and family movies in development that have not yet announced release dates include : Do You Believe 2, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, Ten Commandments, King David, Apostle Paul (with Hugh Jackman), Pontius Pilate, Butterfly Circus, and HD Texas Movies.
Fortunately, the Reformation of content and Renaissance of artistry continues in movies.
Written by Diane Howard, Ph.D. (Performance Studies), dianehoward.com
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