Many redemptive, entertaining movies for all ages are prevailing at the top of the box office the last week of September with outstanding, uplifting new movies coming to theaters this week.
Steve McQueen: American Icon comes to theaters for a special one-time, Fathom Event, September 28. This fascinating, entertaining documentary is hosted by Greg Laurie. It reveals how Steve McQueen experienced a transforming faith at the end of his life. This heartfelt movie is engaging and inspiring.
Greg Laurie speaks on Focus on the Family about Steve McQueen’s life, his career in movies, and his life as a Christian.
Steve McQueen was a product of the loss of his parents. His father, a wandering stunt pilot, left when Steve was a baby. His mother, an alcoholic involved with many men, gave Steve to grandparents to rear. It was on his grandparents’ farm that Steve developed his love for racing and stunts.
He was arrested several times as a teen and sent to truancy homes for rebellious kids. He served in the Marine Corps, where he both demonstrated valor and rebellion.
He decided to become an actor, studying with Lee Strasberg. He went into movies, displaying skill at reacting to scenes and performing action roles. He became the highest paid star in Hollywood.
Having gone through multiple marriages and affairs, as well as harmful involvement in drugs, as a broken man he started going to church. He had been exposed to Christians throughout his career and now be became a Christian. Pilot Sammy Mason and Pastor Leonard De Witt each had a profound Christian impact on Steve at the end of his life. Steve McQueen: American Icon inspires hope and reveals the grace and providence of God.
A Question of Faith opens in theaters Friday, September 29. In this engaging movie, three families are struck with tragedy that intertwines them, but sets them free collectively and personally. There are twists and surprises that bring hope to audiences. In the converging, growing, deepening journey, the characters find and experience God’s love, grace and mercy in their deepest places and resurrection of their personal and collective faith. This movie is especially inspiring in a time such as this.
‘Bullitt’ was an iconic film starring legend Steve McQueen
Actress Renee O’Connor, famous for her role in Xena: Warrior Princess. In a Fox interview, she said “I love to be a part of a film that gives a positive message…This was the type of film that I’m always looking for, something that’s spiritual and tries to make people feel good or more inspired. The opportunity came up and I really wanted to work on the film…I think there’s definitely a larger audience looking for films with a message…People are looking for something that will inspire them, help them connect more with the community, connect with something.
A movie for kids, The LEGO Ninjago Movie, remains in theaters the third week of September. This PG-rated, animated, action-adventure movie is the third movie in the LEGO movie series. It’s based on the LEGO Ninjago sets and also features characters from the LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu TV program.
The story is about Lloyd (James Franco), a teen misfit who suffers at school because his absentee father – who is the evil warlord Garmadon (Justin Theroux) – constantly threatens his home, Ninjago City. However, Lloyd’s secret is that he is the Green Ninja. Lloyd and his friends, who are also secret ninja, constantly save the city from Garmadon. However, during a battle, a terrible monster is unleashed on the city. Led by Master Wu (Jackie Chan), Lloyd, and his friends embark on a perilous journey and learn to trust their power.
The LEGO “Ninjago” franchise has some Eastern mysticism and occult elements in its TV and toys versions; but the comical, new animated movie is basically free of such problematic, objectionable content. The plot of the movie has a strong, family, moral premise about reconciliation of a son with his father and reunion with the boy’s mother and father. It is a movie with a lot of heart, fun action, and comedy.
Kids who have liked the previous The LEGO Movie and The LEGO Batman Movie, who have watched LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, or who have played with any of the toys, will like this movie. Adults will like references to the 1980’s. The young ninjas are warriors by night and ordinary teens by day. This movie is appropriate for older children through adults.
As we have also seen many examples of courage and compassion in responses to natural disasters, we continue to see themes of courage and compassion in top pick movies. AFFIRM Films, a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company and Provident Films continues to provide a top pick in theaters for the fourth week of September. All Saints (rated PG), released in theaters August 25, stars John Corbett and Chonda Pierce. AFFIRM Films has brought to theaters some of the best in faith-based movies which inspire hope such as Risen, Miracles from Heaven, and War Room.
This movie is also based on a true story. “Michael Spurlock, the real pastor of All Saints church, and his wife Aimee were able to impact an entire city after simply saying ‘yes’ to God, and ‘hello’ to a unique group of people placed in their lives,” said Rich Peluso, Executive Vice President of AFFIRM Films. “We think audiences will connect with this story, and be inspired to meet the needs of those around them.”
Having been ordered to shut down his tiny church, Michael Spurlock (John Corbett), with a group of refugees from Southeast Asia, risk everything to literally plant seeds for a future that could save them all.
Executive Vice President of Provident Films, Ben Howard, said, “When the Karen people knocked on his door, it would have been very easy to say, ‘sorry we are too busy today, we’re closing a church and we won’t be able to help you.’ But he reached out, and he loved them, and look what it led to. It’s a powerful story of how actively loving others can change the course of people’s lives, and ultimately the world.” See more about the All Saints movie on its website.
Personal and corporate courage and compassion, as people serve, sacrifice, and save strangers and communities, revealing the best in people in the worst of times, is a recurring and inspiring theme in the true stories in top pick movies, as it is today in our real lives.
The courageous and compassionate efforts of people all over the country and around the world in response to hurricanes and tropical storms have been inspiring. Likewise, the true stories of courage and compassion in current movies in theaters is also inspiring.
In the theaters for the fourth week of September the movie, Dunkirk, inspires courage and compassion with its true story of sacrifice and grit as individuals risk their own lives in water rescues manned by volunteers and professionals to save others in harm’s way. This has been a top pick movie at the box office for adults since its release the third week of July.
Dunkirk immerses audiences in the harrowing, heroic, amazing events of 1940, when Germany trapped Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk, France. Under skilled air and ground cover from British and French forces, British crews and boats, including civilian, courageously, carefully, and safely evacuated 330,000 French, British, Belgian, and Dutch soldiers from the beaches.
This powerful, thrilling movie (rated PG-13) is most suited for adults, due to intense war violence, although there is little that is gratuitous or inappropriate in terms of language or behavior. The courage, sacrifice, and camaraderie of soldiers and civilians is deeply inspirational.
The acting and cinematography is outstanding. Although the dialogue is often difficult to understand, the action speaks for itself.
In this movie, everyman and everywoman role models and heroes are significant in their positive potential influence on viewers. Research provides evidence that those who observe and identify with role models are significantly influenced by the role models for good. Those who role model compassion, sacrifice, and courage can inspire it in others, as we are seeing played out in real life currently in flood rescues.
Although not depicted in the movie, it is also noteworthy that a National Day of Prayer that was declared on May 26 for the soldiers trapped at Dunkirk. People from all walks of life came to British churches to pray. It was this call to prayer that compelled many civilians to bring their boats to Dunkirk to help save the courageous. A unifying National Day of Prayer was also declared on Sept. 3, 2017 for the rescue and recovery work in the Houston, Texas region.
There were miraculous answers to prayer for Dunkirk. First, Hitler stopped the advance of his armored columns at the very point when they could have proceeded to annihilate the British army. Second, a huge storm over Flanders on May 28 grounded the German Luftwaffe squadrons and enabled the British army formations eight to twelve miles from Dunkirk to move up on foot to the coast in the dark and rain of storm. Third, the English Channel was amazingly calm as the vast armada of little ships, big ships, and warships rescued the stranded soldiers.
The British were so grateful for the great deliverance at Dunkirk that June 9 was appointed as a Day of National Thanksgiving. The Daily Telegraph published C. B. Mortlock’s article in which he stated, “…the prayers of the nation were answered…the God of hosts himself had supported the valiant men of the British Expeditionary Force.”
Steve McQueen is well known for his role in ‘The Magnificent Seven’
Also, remaining at the top of the box office as a top pick for kid is Cars 3. This movie is a rare G-rated animated comedy adventure for kids and families by Pixar. It has no foul language, but it has some light crudity. See videos, photos, and more on IMDb. In this movie, legendary Lightning McQueen is blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers. Suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves, he wants to get back into the game. He needs the help of an eager young race technician. She has her own plan to win with inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet along with a few unexpected turns. Cars 3 celebrates small-town, American values. It is appropriate for all ages.
Further remaining at the top of the box office are two more entertaining family movies: Despicable Me 3 and The Nut Job 2. Despicable Me 3, which is PG-rated, has some light crude elements and lots of cartoon violence, but is moral and redemptive as it celebrates faith and family in the midst of action-packed adventures. It has no foul language. Gru, wife Lucy, and their three adorable daughters (Margo, Edith, and Agnes) along with the Minions and Gru’s twin brother, Dru (both twins are skillfully voiced by Steve Carrell), are involved with fast-paced adventures filled with heart and satirical humor for all ages. Despicable Me 3 (PG-13) is suitable for older children through adults.
After the events of the first Nut Job movie, in The Nut Job 2, Surly and his friends plan to stop Oakton City’s mayor from destroying their park home to make way for an amusement park. No manmade attractions ever beat God-made nature. One way to check out this movie and others is to view their videos and trailers IMDb and You Tube, as well as to read reviews on sources you trust.
It takes effort and research to find good movies with worthwhile values through good reviews from trustworthy, wise sources (Sonoma Christian Home, Movieguide, Focus on the Family, Dove and more.) Uniquely, each week Sonoma Christian Home not only provides reviews of worthwhile family movies, but it also publishes the top picks in movies in theaters for all ages that are not only entertaining, but they are redemptive, of good quality, and inspirational.
The top pick movies for the fourth week of September are the following: Steve McQueen that is suitable for teens and adults; A Question of Faith (PG) appropriate for older children through adults; All Saints (PG) suitable for all ages, Cars 3 (G) which is appropriate for all ages, and Dunkirk (PG-13) which is appropriate for older teens and adults. Other suitable movies for families are Despicable Me 3 (PG-13) which is suitable for older children through adults, The Nut Job 2 (PG) which is appropriate for older children through adults, and The LEGO Ninjago Movie, which is suitable for older children through adults.
In weeks and months ahead for this year, there are many more promising family and redemptive movies. They include the following: Mully, 10/3-5; The Stray, 10, 6; 6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain, 10/13; Revive Us 2, 10/17; Same Kind of Different as Me, 10/20; Only the Brave, 10/20; The Star, 11/10; Paddington 2, 11/10; Good-bye Christopher Robin, 11/10/2017; Genesis: Paradise Lost, 11/13; Ferdinand, 11/15; Wonder, 11/17; Let There Be Light, 12/24; and The Greatest Showman, 12/25.
Remember that all that glitters may not be gold. Research movies before you see them. Hold out for the best. What we see in movies affects our personal lives, our families, and our culture. Support in every way you can the best of family and redemptive movies, so that more like them will be made. Choose and support the best that will affect us all positively for eternal good.
To learn more about this author, please visit Dr. Diane Howard
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