Fox New reports that “Ant-Man crept past new opener Pixels … the real issue here is whether or not the Adam Sandler end of the world comedy will make up its $88 million production budget … Critics were not fond of Pixels, which shows 1980s video arcade game characters attacking Earth, but younger audiences still turned out to theaters — an estimated 62 percent were under the age of 25.”
Both Ant-Man and Pixels have PG-13 ratings and offensive language. Many reviewers give Ant-Man the higher rating, with Movieguide.org giving it -1 for content (with caution advised) and +4 for quality. In contrast Pixels got -2 for content (with extreme caution advised) and +3 for quality.
Pixels couldn’t beat out the more positive and family-honoring Ant-Man in theaters this weekend; Photo Courtesy of Sony.
Despite the tragic “trainwreck” of a weekend at the movie box office, with many movies in theaters containing “adult content” (in the poorest use of that phrase), salacious scenes, and offensive language, the better family movie choices have prevailed. Many of these family films continue to top the box office, including Ant-Man (#1, PG-13, Marvel), Inside Out ( #7, PG, Pixar/Disney), Mr. Holmes (#9, PG, Roadside Attractions), Max (#16, PG, Warner Bros.), and Home (#24, PG, Dreamworks).
Although there have been few movies recently in theaters recommended as appropriate for children under 12, A LEGO Brickumentary, a documentary in limited release, opens Friday, July 31. It will be one of the few G movies in theaters these days.
A Lego Brickumentary highlights creativity and imagination; Photo Courtesy of Radius.
Back in theaters July 31 is Bonobos: Back to the Wild, a documentary which has not been rated. The bonobo is a chimpanzee with a black face and black hair, which is found in the rain forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This documentary follows the adventures of a baby orphan bonobo, Beny. After being captured by hunters, Beny is rescued and taken to Lola ya Bonobo to live in the wild.
The top picks for family movies in theaters for the last week of July include: Ant-Man (for ages 12 and over); Inside Out (ages 12 and over); Mr. Holmes (adults); Max (ages 12 and over); Home (all ages); and Bonobos: Back to the Wild.
God’s magnificent creatures are protected and cared for in Bonobos: Back to the Wild; Photo Courtesy of Lola Ya Bonobo.
It should be noted that Home is now available on Bluray and DVD, as is the outstanding documentary Ancient Roads from Christ to Constantine (teens to older adults). Movies are sometimes released to DVD even while they are in theaters. Watch for more news about DVD releases, as well as releases to various forms of streaming.
Also note that there are many promising redemptive and family movies theaters for a range of ages that are currently in production for distribution later this summer through next summer. These include the following:
- August 4 – Princess Cut
- August 5 – Shaun the Sheep
- August 7 – Bonobos: Back to the Wild
- August 10 – Beyond the Farthest Star, Enchanted Kingdom (3D)
- August 14 – Underdogs
- August 28 – War Room
- September 8 – Adrenaline
- September 11 – 90 Minutes in Heaven
- September 18 – Captive
- October 9 – Pan
- October 16 – Woodlawn
- November 6 – The Peanuts Movie
- November 20 – The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
- November 25 – The Good Dinosaur
- December 18 – Star Wars: Episode VII, The Force Awakens
More redemptive and/or family movies in development without announced release dates include the following:
- Do You Believe 2
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew
- Ten Commandments
- King David
- Apostle Paul (with Hugh Jackman)
- Pontius Pilate
- HD Texas Movies
Therefore, the Reformation of content and Renaissance of artistry in movies continues, especially as consumers and investors support such work.
Written by Diane Howard, Ph.D. (Performance Studies), dianehoward.com
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