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Erica Galindo
Celebrating Food, Faith and Family
Last edited on: March 11, 2019.

Top pick family and redemptive movies have recently earned Oscar nominations and awards. Many of these movies and some new ones continue to prevail in theaters.  In box office order they include: Run the Race (PG) appropriate for young teens through adults; animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (PG), for older children through adults; Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG) for all ages; and Mary Poppins Returns (PG) for all ages.

Run the Race has been the top limited released movie. It is about the weight of the world on two brothers bound by brotherly love. Zach and David Truett live in peaks and valleys as they are cheered by crowds but live in a lonely home without their mother or father.  Coming to theaters February 22nd, Run the Race concerns two desperate brothers willing to sacrifice today for a better tomorrow. As he reels from his mother’s death and his father’s abandonment, Zach, an All-State athlete, finds hope and glory on the football field, as he works to earn a college scholarship and the brothers’ ticket out of town.

When a devastating injury puts Zach, along with his hopes and dreams, on the sidelines, brother David laces up his track cleats to salvage their future and point Zach toward hope.  Zach’s knee injury has a silver lining in his growing closer to Ginger, who is a nurse at the hospital. However, just as things get serious with Ginger, Zach’s doubts about God threaten to tear them apart, so he does what comes naturally and runs.

The story of Run the Race that deals with two brothers facing unbelievable odds with an unbreakable bond so enthralled actor Jake McEntire that he spent years persevering to get it from his imagination and onto theater screens. He wrote it, produced it, and even acted in it.

Run the Race similarly attracted others, including brothers Tim and Robby Tebow. The Heisman Trophy winner and his brother read an early version of the script and decided to get actively involved as first-time feature film executive producers.

“RUN THE RACE is about so much more than football. This is a story about overcoming the hard issues of life, about the power of sacrifice, the power of family and the power of forgiveness,” Tim Tebow said. “I love being a part of a project like this because it will impact lives, inspire hope and even prompt action. When I read the script, I knew this was an important project to get behind.”

“The script pulled me in right away, and I wanted to bring it to life cinematically,” Robby Tebow said. “As somebody with brothers in a big, super-close family that has gone through a lot together, it resonated with me on a deep level.” Robby and Tim Tebow on set. Photo Courtesy Run

Run the Race shows what’s possible when you run to, not away from, the overwhelming love of God. See this movie to watch which worldview will help them run and conquer the long-term race. Their story is a universal one that informs and inspires all who see this meaningful movie. See my exclusive interview with writer, actor, producer Jake McEntire on Sonoma Christian Home.

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. It has been awarded the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the year.

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. It has been nominated for the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the year.

In Mary Poppins ReturnsMichael 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. awarded the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Feature film of the year. It has been nominated for the 2019 Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Production Design of the year.

Some other top pick family movies now available on streaming and DVD that have also earned Oscar nominations include: Black Panther for Best Picture and Best Sound Mixing, At Eternity’s Gate for Best Leading Actor (Willem Defoe), Incredibles 2 for Best Animated Movie, and Christopher Robin for Best Visual Effects, and Solo: A Star Wars Story for Best Visual Effects.  See my articles and interviews for these movies and more top pick family and redemptive movies on Sonoma Christian Home.

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:  3/14, 16, 19- Patterns of Evidence-Moses; 3/15 – Faith, Hope, and Love; 3/22- The Islands; 3/22 – Unplanned; 3/24-To Kill A Mockingbird;  3/29- Dumbo; 4/1- My Brother’s Keeper;  4/12- Breakthrough; 4/18-Pilgrim’s Progress; 4/19-Disneynature’s Penguins; Tolkien- 5/10; 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 in various stages of development and production for the future include: Passion of the Christ 2: The Resurrection; One Nation Under God; The Penitent ThiefEast Oil TexasThai RescueRoe V. WadeGigantic; 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 PointThe Follower; Our God is Good; and more.

Further, many Disney projects are in development:  TinkSnow 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 1The Little MermaidLady and the TrampFantasiaChip ‘n’ DaleGeniesJames and the Giant PeachNottingham & HoodLilo & Stitch, The Hunchback of Notre DameThe Sword and the StoneXD 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.

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!

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