As we welcome in 2017, we reflect on what is behind us and look ever forward to a bright year to come. In 2016, we were blessed with many redemptive and family movies to enjoy at the theatre and the new year shows promise of the same. For the top movies for first week of the year, SCH Editor At Large Dr. Diane Howard reports.
The top redemptive movie for this first week of January is Hidden Figures. Opening in theaters January 6, this outstanding movie is based on a true story about an amazing team of African-American women during the American Civil Rights Movement and Space Race of the 1960’s. It is primarily about brilliant African American women who provide NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program’s first successful space missions.
As the United States races against Russia to put a man in space, NASA finds brilliant talent in a group of African-American female mathematicians who serves as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in U.S. history. Hidden Figures is based on the incredible true life stories of three of these women, known as “human computers.”
These women–as they wisely, boldly, and quickly rise in the ranks of NASA, alongside many of history’s greatest minds–are specifically tasked with calculating the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit and guaranteeing his safe return.
Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer), Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), and Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) cross all gender, race, and professional boundaries, as their brilliance and desire to dream big, beyond anything ever accomplished before by the human race, firmly places them in U.S. history as true American heroes.
Hidden Figures has many outstanding elements: amazing true story set in fascinating and sad history; good acting; effective use of humor and romance; character role models (of perseverance, humility, determination, faith); inspiring Christian church, family, and community support, and more.
The three female leads are engaging, captivating, and delightful in their performances. Hidden Figures features Kevin Costner as Al Harrison, Kirsten Dunst as Vivian Mitchell, and other notable actors.
HF-209 – Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), stands out amid her team of fellow mathematicians that helped send into orbit John Glenn. Photo Credit: Hopper Stone. Photo Courtesy of EPK.TV
Hidden Figures, which is PG rated, is most appropriate for teens through adults due to its subject matter. Unfortunately, the hard core administrator, Al Harrison, has one line early in the movie in which he takes our Lord’s name in vain. There are also honest, historic depictions of harsh treatment to African-Americans.
However, the movie focuses on the gracious, strong, and overcoming spirits of the African American women at NASA and those who support them. This movie is inspirational, redemptive, and hopeful.
Currently, Box Office Mojo ranks top redemptive and family movies still in theaters in the following order: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (PG-13, teens and adults), Sing (PG, all ages), Moana (PG-13, older children through adults), Sullly (PG-13, teens through adults), and Queen of Katwe (PG, older children through adults).
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (PG-13) has no immoral language or behavior, and is most appropriate for teens and adults due to battle violence, monsters, and evil villains, as well as some New Age elements. It has worthwhile themes: repentance, redemption, sacrificial love, hope, doing what is right, and finding a greater purpose. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a prequel that precedes the events of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope when rebels stole plans for the Death Star from the Imperial Empire.
Sing, an animated musical comedy, is about a Koala Bear named Buster Moons who puts on a singing competition at his failing theater. Sing is appropriate for all ages. It has positive themes that include the value of hard work, perseverance, using one’s passions and gifts, positive family relationships, and overcoming fear. (It has a few light crass elements.)
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana continues at the top of the box office this week. It is an amazing animated, action-packed movie with realistically fast-moving water in an ocean adventure story. Most importantly, Moana is also about love for and commitment to family, friends, and community. A significant theme is about social responsibility. Moana is a good role model for young people.
The sweeping CG-animated fantasy adventure based on Polynesian folklore and legends, follows the heroic journey of a Polynesian teenage girl to save Polynesian life and culture from annihilation.
Drawn to the ocean (which guides and protects her as an anthropomorphic character), Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) convinces the comedic demigod (half god, half human) Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson-Fast and Furious 6, The Tooth Fairy) to join her with her comedic side-kick on her mission.
Reluctantly Maui helps Moana on her quest to be a master wayfinder as they voyage across the open ocean encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds to save the Polynesian Islands.
This is a delightful, entertaining movie for all ages. Read the interview with key animator, Mark Henn, on Sonoma Christian Home about the latest in the meticulous animation process Disney uses for this movie.
Sully is about the “Miracle on the Hudson” in which Captain Sullenberger saved the lives of all on his flight by landing in the Hudson River. Tom Hanks performs skillfully the everyman heroic captain, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. Sonoma Christian Home presents another exclusive interview with the screenwriter for Sully in which he tells about relying on prayer to write the winning screenplay. This is another movie about sacrificial love and service for others.
Disney presents Queen of Katwe. It has received many good reviews. It follows a Ugandan slum girl’s rise from a hopeless future to that of an international chess player. David Oyelowo (Selma) plays Robert Katende, a missionary and refugee of Uganda’s civil war who as a chess teacher sees potential in 9-year-old Phiona Mutesi. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) plays her mother. It is about love for family and young people.
A triumphant still from Disney’s ‘Queen of Katwe’.
Many good movies for various ages are in movie theaters for the first week of January. The top pick redemptive movies for teens through adults is Hidden Figures and Queen of Katwe. The top pick family movies for teens through adults is A Star Wars Stor: Rogue One. The top pick movies for children through adults are Sing and Moana.
It is important to check out movies before seeing them. There are many good movies and some that, upon closer inspection, aren’t family friendly. Choose carefully and have a Happy New Year full of eternal hope.
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