This new year 2019 is starting off well with many top pick movies in theaters and many more wonderful movies due for the big screen this year! The top pick family and redemptive movies in box office order for the second week of January 2019 include: animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG), for older children through adults; Mary Poppins Returns (PG) for all ages); animated, comedic, Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG) for all ages; animated The Grinch (PG) for all ages; At Eternity’s Gate (PG-13) suitable for teens and adults; and live-action Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) for older children through adults. As major Hollywood studios are producing family and redemptive movies in response to consumer interest and as independent studios are producing high quality content and artistry in family and redemptive, January opens 2019 with good family and redemptive movies in theaters!
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG), which is suitable for older children through adults, is an animated comic book adventure, various manifestations of Spider-Man from other dimensions team up to stop a crime boss from destroying reality. This movie is a fun movie with action, heart and faith; but there is intense action violence which warrants caution for young children.
In Mary Poppins Returns, Michael Banks and his sister Jane are now adults and Michael has children of his own, who are in desperate need of a nanny because they have lost their mother. In addition, Michael is distraught with overdue house payments. The movie is full of delightful entertainment with spectacular dance numbers and sweet, endearing songs. This lovely movie encourages the value of family and the importance of imagination. It features Emily Blunt delightfully as Mary Poppins, along with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Colin Firth, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, and more.
The Grinch is a charming, innocent movie and more about the true meaning of Christmas and how it triumphs over alienation and materialism. It includes classic Christmas carols and hymns that focus on Christian themes. It gives a sympathetic back story for Grinch. It presents role model family members. It is a sweet movie with delightful humor and funny characters. All ages will enjoy this entertaining movie.
Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG) for all ages is a hilarious and heartfelt sequel to Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph, in which the arcade villain wants to be the hero rather than the villain. In this sequel, Ralph and his best friend Vanellope go into the world of the Internet after a missing piece for Vanellope’s arcade game. The movie has good moral themes about friendship, adoption, family, self-sacrifice, and courage (there are a few intense scenes). The characters and adventures in the movie appeal to all ages.
At Eternity’s Gate (PG-13), which is suitable for teens and adult, features Willem Dafoe with an engaging performance as Vincent Van Gogh, during the last few years of his life. This well-shot movie focuses visually on a personal portrait of Van Gogh.
At Eternity’s Gate is an aesthetically lovely movie directed by Julian Schnabel. The captivating cinematography captures the beauty of nature as Van Gogh experienced it, enabling the audience to experience Vincent’s sense of wonder. He says, “The essence of nature is beauty, a vibrating energy speaking in God’s voice.” Several beautiful sequences of cinematography picturize Van Gogh’s sense of awe of nature and how it reveals God. The movie’s title comes from the scene in which Vincent see a vast landscape and cries, “It feels like I’m looking into eternity.”
At Eternity’s Gate gives positive references to God and Jesus Christ, as Vincent Van Gogh discusses God’s calling on his life. Although Van Gogh struggles with mental instability, the movie picturizes Van Gogh as a gifted artist with beautiful faith. In referring to God, he says, “Existence can’t be without reason.” He has moving a conversation with a priest about his Christian faith and states, “God gave me this gift…It’s the only gift he gave me…Life is for sewing, the harvest comes later…” He quotes various verses in the New Testament, referring to his past attempts at being a minister and his continued belief in Jesus. (Before Paris and Arles, Vincent Van Gogh spent many years as a devout missionary.) Van Gogh’s last words in the movie are, “Oh God, will you receive your son?”
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) is Disney’s version of the Christmas classic. It is spectacular but intense. It is most suitable for older children through adults. In Disney’s live-action adaptation of the classic Christmas ballet, young teen Clara (Mackenzie Foy) receives a special gift from her godfather (Morgan Freeman). From there the story departs from the familiar version of the story, Clara receives access to a magical, Narnia-like world, the Four Realms. Here she meets a brave Nutcracker soldier (Jayden Fowora-Knight), the Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightley), and Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren).
Clara goes into another world to return a stolen key to help the people of that world. Clara, who is interested in science and invention, develops valuable character traits: courage, perseverance, and learning from your mistakes. This movie has a strong Christian, redemptive, biblical, moral worldview.
Although dates can change, here is what is known about the “what and when” of some of the most promising family and redemptive movies for a range of ages due in theaters in 2019: 1/18- Unbridled; 2/1-The Least of These; 2/08– Lego Movie Sequel; 2/10– Heavenly Deposit; 2/17- My Fair Lady; 2/22– Run the Race; 2/27- Wizard of Oz; 3/TBA– A Promise to Astrid; 3/14- Patterns of Evidence-Moses; 3/15-Faith, Hope, and Love; 3/22- The Islands; 3/22 – Unplanned; 3/29- Dumbo; 4/1- My Brother’s Keeper; 4/12- Breakthrough; 4/18-Pilgrim’s Progress; 4/19-Disneynature’s Penguins; 5/24- Aladdin; 6/7- The Other Side of Heaven 2; 6/21– Toy Story 4; 6/24- Star Wars Episode IX; 6/7– Secret Lives of Pets 2; 7/09– Indiana Jones 5; 7/29– Lion King; 8/2 –Dora the Explorer; 8/23-Overcomer; 12/31- Finding Grace; and more.
Other promising movies is various stages of development and production for the future include: Passion of the Christ 2: The Resurrection; One Nation Under God; The Penitent Thief; East Oil Texas; Thai Rescue; Roe V. Wade; Gigantic; CATS; Heavenquest: Peter Pan; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair; In God’s Underground; Palau the Movie; Do You Believe 2; The Chronicles of Narnia, The Magician’s Nephew; The Ten Commandments; King David; Pontius Pilate; Butterfly Circus; The Adventures of Tintin 2; West Side Story, You are My Friend, God Calling, Walking with Herb; Heavens to Betsy; Let Go and Let God; The Wake of Light; The Breaking Point; The Follower; and more.
Further, many Disney projects are in development: Tink; Snow White (musical); Oliver Twist (musical), and a Jesse Owens project. Some live-action Disney remakes of classic animated family movies continue in development, as well: Pinocchio 1; The Little Mermaid; Lady and the Tramp; Fantasia; Chip ‘n’ Dale; Genies; James and the Giant Peach; Nottingham & Hood; The Sword and the Stone; XD Big Hero 6 animated series and more. Watch for updates, interviews and insightful stories for these movies on Sonoma Christian Home.
What we see and think about becomes a part of us and affects our mental, physical, and spiritual health. What we see and experience leaves permanent images and memories. It is important that we make good choices in movies and media for ourselves and for those in our care. Look for reviews by those you respect who have screened the movie before reviewing it.
Remember that trailers can be deceiving and may hide some of the movie elements that you would find distasteful and disturbing. With some careful research, it is possible to find good movies that enhance our well-being that are entertaining while also inspiring, uplifting, and edifying, as they show the good consequences of good actions and the bad consequences of bad actions.
The top pick family and redemptive movies in box office order for the second week of January 2019 include: animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG), for older children through adults; Mary Poppins Returns (PG) for all ages); animated, comedic, Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG) for all ages; animated The Grinch (PG) for all ages; At Eternity’s Gate (PG-13) suitable for teens and adults; and live-action Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) for older children through adults..
Uniquely, each week Sonoma Christian Home publishes the top picks for the best choices in movies in theaters for all ages that are not only entertaining but edifying with quality production elements. Sonoma Christian Home provides valuable reviews and substantive interviews for these top picks in family-friendly and edifying movies.
Please continue to search for and support the best movies for your friends and families. Be aware that the titles and trailers of some movies make them appear to be family-friendly when they are not. More and more Hollywood studios and independent ones are making better and better family movies, but there are also movies that may seem family-friendly that have politically correct themes with subtle messages that you may find incorrect or blatant language and situations that you find disturbing.
Some movie publicity makes some movies seem family-friendly; but when they are seen at a theater end up marred by foul language and other crass, inappropriate elements. All seemingly family-friendly movies are not equal in terms of family values, including superhero movies! it is critical for movie viewers who want uplifting, entertaining, and wholesome experiences for themselves and those they love to research movies written by trustworthy sources before they see them. Further, all movie review and recommendation sources are not equal. Make sure you read reviews by those you respect who have previewed movies you are considering. All movies that glitter are not gold even with cute, seemingly innocent characters or with light humor. Buyer beware. Make careful, informed choices. The best family movies can be entertaining, educational, and edifying.
The best is yet to come when we continue to support the ongoing reformation in content and renaissance in artistry in media and movies. As audiences continue to see good family and redemptive movies in theaters, keeping them at the top of the box office, more good movies like them are being made. Watch for many top picks this year of redemptive movies that continue to improve in the ongoing renaissance of artistry and reformation of content in movies. Remember that the teams of good family and redemptive movies include consumers, who determine the success and wide global distribution of good family, redemptive movies. We are making good progress in encouraging major Hollywood studios to produce good family and redemptive movies, as well as supporting independent studios to do the same.
Here’s to a blessed 2019!
To learn more about the author, please visit Dr. Diane Howard
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