For the fourth week of February some phenomenal, important movies are in theaters. The top pick for all ages is the brilliant and scholarly, Is Genesis History?. In this enlightening new documentary, Dr. Del Tackett leads audiences on a remarkable journey through evidence that supports and explains the history of the Book of Genesis. He achieves this with the help of many renowned Ph.D. scientists and Bible scholars with the most advanced research experience.
Brilliant scientists and scholars-one after another-in on-site research locations, fit the history of the Bible hand-in-glove with science. This captivating and compelling documentary was available for viewing in cinemas on Thursday, February 23rd and has an encore showing March 2nd, from Fathom Events. See the wonderful exclusive interview with Dr. Del Tackett on Sonoma Christian Home. This movie is appropriate for all ages.
Another phenomenal movie in theaters the end of February is Hacksaw Ridge. This highly acclaimed movie directed by Mel Gibson and is R-rated for especially military violence and some male exhibitionism (fortunately it has no F words). It is appropriate for adults. Hacksaw Ridge stars Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spiderman). This highly acclaimed movie has received the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion picture. Andrew Garfield earned a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Andrew Garfield portrays real-life hero Desmond Doss in ‘Hacksaw Ridge.’ Photo Courtesy of
For the February 10, Movieguide Awards nominations for Best Movie for Mature Audiences includes Hacksaw Ridge. Movieguide ® Epiphany Award nominations also include Hacksaw Ridge. Further, Movieguide ® Bradley Foundation Faith and Freedom Awards nominations include Hacksaw Ridge and Movieguide ® nominations for Inspiring Performance Awards includes Andrew Garfield for Hacksaw Ridge.
This extraordinary movie has also received six Oscar nominations including for film, director and actor. Hacksaw Ridge is the amazing true story of WWII army medic Desmond Doss, played by Andrew Garfield, who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, miraculously saved 75 men in a matter of hours without firing or carrying a gun.
He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong. Doss’ courage was exemplified in the simple prayer he uttered as he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers, and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers.
Doss was the first conscientious objector of WWII to ever earn the Congressional Medal of Honor (he called himself a “conscientious cooperator” as he volunteered). See the powerful, Godly interview with producer, Terry Benedict, on Sonoma Christian Home.
Another profound movie in theaters the end of February is A United Kingdom. The real history of this movie is set in the amazing historical Christian legacy of Botswana, which is one of the most modern, democratic, successful countries in Africa, having overcome many hard obstacles as a role model to the rest of the world, including the USA.
A United Kingdom is a moving and fascinating David Oyelowo (Selma, Queen of Katwe, Captive) production. This film, with David Oyelowo’s superb, multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, nuanced performance, is a significant movie for such a time as this. This movie is based on complex Christian, political, British, and African history, which has important lessons for our time. It is a love story caught in political British and African history after WWII.
David Oyelowo is one of the best actors of our times and his movies are critical for such a time as this. This beautiful PG-13 movie is another top pick for the end of February. See the profound, wonderful story and interview with David Oyelowo for A United Kingdom on Sonoma Christian Home.
Another phenomenal movie in theaters the last week of February is Hidden Figures. It has earned many SAG, Movieguide ®, and Oscar honors, and is based on an amazing true story about an outstanding team of African-American women during the American Civil Rights Movement and Space Race of the 1960’s. It is primarily about these brilliant women who provided NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program’s first successful space mission.
HF-228 – Octavia Spencer stars as Dorothy Vaughan in HIDDEN FIGURES. Photo Credit: Hopper Stone.
As the United States races against Russia to put a man in space, NASA finds incredible talent in a group of female mathematicians who serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in U.S. history. Hidden Figures is based on the incredible true stories of three of these women, known as “human computers.”
These women wisely, boldly, and quickly rise in the ranks of NASA, alongside many of history’s greatest minds. They 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, and faith); inspiring Christian church, family, community support, and more.
The three female leads are engaging, captivating, and delightful in their performances. Hidden Figures features Kevin Costner as Al Harrison and Kirsten Dunst as Vivian Mitchell, as well as other notable actors.
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.
DF-02289_R2_Comp_V2 – Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) are three brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Photo Credit: Hopper Stone. Photo Courtesy of EPK.TV
However, the movie focuses on the gracious, strong, and overcoming spirits of the women at NASA and those who support them. This movie is inspirational, redemptive, and hopeful.
For the fourth week of February, Box Office Mojo reports that many other family and redemptive movies are also at the top of the box office in the following order: The Lego Batman Movie, Moana, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Sing.
The Lego Batman Movie has been at top of the box office since its release. It is PG- rated but appropriate for all ages. It has good themes about the value of following: family, love, humility, relationships, changing bad behavior and more.
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.
David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike star in ‘A United Kingdom’. Photo Courtesy of Fox Searchlight
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana continues strong in 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, San Andreas) to join her with her comedic sidekick 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 older children through adults. 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.
Sing (PG, all ages), a delightful, 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.)
While on her journey, Moana crosses paths with the mythical legend, Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson
With the ongoing active support of consumers, more and more excellent movies for all ages are being produced in the growing Renaissance of artistry ad Reformation of content. The top pick movie for all ages with the most significant substance and beautiful cinematography is Is Genesis History?. Another top pick redemptive and family movie for all ages the fourth week of February is Hidden Figures. The top pick for older teens through adults is A United Kingdom. The top redemptive pick for adults (R rated due to graphic war violence) is Hacksaw Ridge.
The modern Renaissance and Reformation in movies continues with many more to come. Promising movies for the rest of 2017 include the following: TBA- A Question of Faith, All Saints, I Believe, and The Heart of a Man; 3/17, Beauty and the Beast, 3/17, Same Kind of Different as Me, 3/17, Second Coming of Christ; 4/7, The Case for Christ; 4/21, Born In China; 5/5, Guardians of the Galaxy 2; 5/26, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales; 6/16, Cars 3; 11/10, The Star; 11/22, Coco; 12/15, The Last Jedi; and 12/24, Let There Be Light.
To learn more about this author, please visit Dr. Diane Howard
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