2002
top ten Dove Films:
1. Ice Age
(Fox) MPAA: PG – DOVE: Any Age
Synopsis:
Fresh on
the heels of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Ray Romano, John Leguizamo and Dennis
Leary lend their voices to this computer-animated story about an unlikely
pre-historic trio. As the southern migration begins, Manfred (Romano), a woolly
mammoth, seems to be going his own wrong way. Sid (Leguizamo) is a fast talking,
lazy sloth left behind by his family to fend for himself. After angering two
rhinoceros, Sid latches on to Manny as his protector, much to Manny’s dismay.
When a human child is suddenly thrust into their care, Sid convinces Manny they
should return the baby to his own tribe. Diego (Leary), a saber-tooth tiger,
soon joins the pair. He has the skills they need to find the humans, but also
hides ulterior motives for the child. As winter closes in, the trio races to
find the one gap in the mountains used by human hunters. Humorous attempts by a
pre-historic squirrel to hide an acorn provide slapstick interludes throughout
the film. With comical sights and comments about various historical and
fictional events, ICE AGE will entertain kids from 10 on up. Sports enthusiasts
will also enjoy laughable scenes of skiing, snowboarding and football with dodo
birds.
Review:
But younger
audiences may find some scenes disturbing, such as the child’s mother
disappearing in a river, an intense battle with Diego’s tiger pack, and cave
drawings depicting men attacking a mammoth family. After one tense rescue by
Manny, Diego comments that he’s never had someone risk their life to save him.
As Christians, the line stirs memories of Christ giving up his life to save
many. One humorous scene in an ice cave suggests Darwin's Theory of Evolution
but a following scene includes a UFO stuck in ice, which could equate Darwin's
ideas with those of extraterrestial life. Unlikely friendships, and the positive
effect they can have, warm up ICE AGE.
2. Like Mike
(Fox) MPAA: PG – DOVE: Any Age
Synopsis:
Calvin
Cambridge (Lil’ Bow Wow), a 13-year-old orphan, dreams of playing professional
basketball and being adopted. But Calvin has two strikes against him – he’s
only four-foot-eight, and no one wants to adopt a 13-year-old. When he finds a
pair of used sneakers with the faded initials “MJ” inside, Calvin senses
great things are about to happen. And they do. Whenever he wears those special
sneakers on the basketball court, no one can stop him. At an NBA game, the young
player wins a chance to show his stuff during half-time, and the rest is
history. Calvin becomes an NBA star overnight, traveling with his favorites, the
Los Angeles Knights team. The Knights’ coach assigns Tracey Reynolds (Morris
Chestnut), one of his star players, to watch over young Calvin. But Tracey, a
loner estranged from his own family, resents baby-sitting the pesky little kid
who bounces off the wall with excitement and energy. You don’t have to be a
basketball fan to like LIKE MIKE, but if you are, this gem will knock your socks
off with appearances by some of the NBA’s best. It’s an uplifting, funny and
delightful fantasy “CinderFella” story for the whole family.
Review:
LIKE MIKE
is not really a basketball story – it’s about the plight of older children
trapped in orphanages or foster homes with little hope for adoption into a
family. But Calvin and his fellow orphans are “family” and that family feels
threatened when Calvin becomes famous. Instead of being bitter and rebellious
about his circumstances, Calvin shows compassion and respect for all and even
forgives the house bully who picks on him unmercifully. It’s also the story of
a lonely professional athlete who seems to have it all, but learns through a
13-year-old orphan that his priorities are all messed up. Calvin even insists
that Tracey kneel with him for bedtime prayers. A few crude words and a slang
term for urination are barely noticeable and, except for some pushing and
shoving, violence is almost non-existent. Although Tracey does bring his date to
a hotel room he shares with Calvin, any chance Tracey might have for romance is
quickly sabotaged. Refreshingly free of offensive material, LIKE MIKE can be one
of this year’s top family entertainment events.
3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
(IFC Films) MPAA: PG – DOVE: 12+
Synopsis:
Nia
Vardalos, who also wrote the screenplay, plays Toula, the thirtyish,
plain-looking, overweight, single daughter of Gus and Maria Portokalos (Michael
Constantine and Lainie Kazan). Nagged daily by her father to marry and make
babies, Toula quits her job at the family restaurant to take some college
courses, and goes to work at an aunt’s travel agency. The “ugly duckling”
blossoms into a very attractive young woman with a new hairstyle, makeup and
stylish clothes. She meets the love of her life, Ian Miller (John Corbett), who
proves his love by embracing Toula’s overbearing parents and clannish Greek
community. His parents are stuffy and formal; hers are garish, loud and loving.
If laughter is truly the best medicine, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING should cure any
minor ailments and help you forget major ones. Produced through IFC Films.
Review:
The
courtship of Ian and Toula begins slowly because her family would not approve of
her seeing a non-Greek. As their feelings for each other intensify, a sexual
relationship begins, implied by the two shown briefly falling into bed as they
embrace. In spite of annoying interference from the Greek family, Ian cheerfully
adopts their culture and religion in spite of Toula’s willingness to elope and
live far away. To fulfill Gus’s dream of his daughter marrying in their
church, Ian is baptized so the marriage can be performed in the Greek Orthodox
Church. A few crudities and two regular profanities mar the dialogue, but MY BIG
FAT GREEK WEDDING has no nudity or violence. Family gatherings feature wine
drinking and the couple appear drunk in one scene. Although tacitly condoned,
the implied sexual relationship plays a very small part in the story. With an
empahsis on strong family values and a theme of love overcoming ethnic
differences, the pluses far outweigh the negatives in this delightful PG movie
that celebrates family.
4. Rookie, The
(Walt Disney) MPAA: G – DOVE: Any Age
Synopsis:
Jimmy
Morris (Dennis Quaid) tucked away his dream of playing professional baseball 12
years ago after a shoulder injury ended his short time in the minor leagues.
Now, he’s a high school baseball coach in a small, dusty West Texas town with
his wife Lorrie (Rachel Griffith) and three young children. When he challenges
his losing team to try for a winning season, they agree - if the coach promises
to try out for the major leagues. They win the district championship and
Jimmy’s 98 mph pitches at tryouts earn him an offer as a minor league relief
pitcher, in spite of being 12 to 15 years older than his teammates. Based on a
true story, THE ROOKIE delivers a home run that will have your whole family
rooting for Jimmy as his family, high school kids and hometown population cheer
him on. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this wholesome spring
treat from Disney.
Review:
It’s
heartwarming to see an entertaining film that features a loving family. Jimmy
and his father, a strict, career-Navy man, never understood each other, so Jimmy
tries to be the dad he longed to have. His young son goes everywhere with him,
and his two girls are clearly the apples of Jimmy’s eye. When Jimmy signs on
with the minor league, Lorrie shows support, in spite of hardships created by an
absentee dad and husband, as well as a big pay cut. Traveling on a bus for three
months and staying in cramped quarters with young players, who constantly
ridicule him about his age, begins to wear Jimmy down. But he’s no quitter. A
strong role model for the kids he coaches, Jimmy even wins the respect of his
teammates as he perseveres. The glaring absence of sexual content, violence and
foul language proves that good films can be made without offensive elements,
which adds to THE ROOKIE’s charm.
5. Joshua
(Crusader Entertainment) MPAA: G - DOVE: Any Age
Synopsis:
A stanger
comes to a town and starts helping people rebuild a church. He helps them anyway
he can and in ways that they most need. He even heals a blind woman so she may
see. Although he attracts many people as friends, a lone Catholic Priest fights
to have the Catholic Church denounce this man and all he has done. Who is this
man really, and how can he do these miraculous things?
Review:
I read
Joshua, the first book of the multi-million-selling novel series just prior to
seeing this film. This movie is somewhat difficult to review, since I don’t’
want to spoil the storyline before you have the chance to enjoy this enchanting
film under the direction of Jon Purdy. The all-star cast of Tony Goldman, F.
Murray Abraham, Kurt Fuller, Stacy Edwards and Giancarlo Giannini do an
outstanding job interpreting the characters penned by priest-turned-novelist,
Fr. Joseph F. Girzone. Joshua the Movie is spiritual but not preachy,
provocative without being gross, entertaining without taking the low road that
so many filmmakers feel compelled to travel. The story is enhanced by a moving
soundtrack scored by Michael W. Smith, with songs by noted artists, Rachael
Lampa, Nicole C. Mullen, Point of Grace, Mark Schultz, Third Day and Jaci
Velasquez. Epiphany Films was not satisfied making a charming film. They took
advantage of a wonderful opportunity to translate the movie’s message into a
valuable teaching tool. Check their website at http://www.joshuathemovie.com for
a well-prepared, free leaders guide for your youth or study group. All in all,
Joshua is a highly entertaining movie with a powerful spiritual message of hope
and peace. Audiences of all ages will enjoy this film. Mark my word; you’ll
love Joshua, the man and the movie.
6. Star Wars: Episode II Attack Of The
Clones (Fox) MPAA: PG-- DOVE:
12+
Synopsis:
Twenty-five
years after the original STAR WARS forever blended and changed the special
effects and motion picture industry, the imaginative universe of George Lucas
still captivates faithful fans and new viewers. Ten years have passed since
EPISODE I, when young Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) was discovered on
the planet Tatooine and taken as apprentice to the Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan
McGregor). Queen Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) has become the influential
Senator Amidala of Naboo in the government chambers of the Republic. Threats on
Padmé’s life lead the Jedi Council to assign Obi-Wan and the now adult Anakin
to protect the Senator. Keeping a close eye on Padmé re-ignites Anakin’s
feelings for the young woman and cause him to question the Jedi rules against
love. But love takes a back seat to action as the Federation’s army of
‘droids marches against the Republic. Political intrigue, secret alliances,
exciting chases, battles large and small, and a computer-generated Yoda (voice
of Frank Oz) showing his mastery of the light-saber will capture a new
generation of viewers.
Review:
While
previous ‘episodes’ have commented on religious aspects of the Jedi and
their use of ‘the Force,’ CLONES treats the Force as an accepted belief or
confines the comments to Jedi. Light-sabers flash frequently throughout the
action-packed story in numerous battles. Although bloodless, fights include arms
and legs being cut off, as well as a beheading with the helmeted head rolling on
the ground. The exciting action-adventure refrains from sexual content and
vulgar language except one mild obscenity. Most of the violence is between the
Clones and the Droids. The Clones, while being "human", are in combat
gear and are presented almost in the same way as the Droids. The scenes of limbs
being cut off and the beheading may be too strong for some younger viewers, but
since there is no blood and these scenes are relatively short, teenagers and
adults may find these scenes less gruesome. The light-saber limb severing scenes
are similar in nature to when Luke gets his hand cut off by a light saber in one
of the original Star Wars trilogy films.
7. Spy Kids 2
(Miramax) MPAA: PG-- DOVE: Any Age
Synopsis:
In this
sequel to last year’s surprisingly popular family film, the junior agents
Carmen and Juni Cortez, played again by Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabra, are now
full-fledged spies. But they find themselves upstaged by “new models,” Gary
and Gertie Giggles, played by Matt O'Leary and Emily Osment. When a special
energy-stopping device called the transmooker is stolen from the President, Juni
gets blamed for the theft and demoted. And even worse, Gary and Gertie’s dad
gets promoted ahead of Juni’s dad, Gregorio, played by Antonio Banderas. To
clear Juni’s name and get the device back, Carmen gets them sent to a hidden
island to hunt for the stolen transmooker. However, they discover all their spy
gadgets don’t work on the island. And it’s inhabited by strange genetic
mutations like a flying pig, a half ape–half spider Spider monkey and a part
snake-part lizard Slizard, all created by scientist Romero, played by Steve
Buscemi, who also invented the transmooker. It’s a race to retrieve the
transmooker when Gary and Gertie show up.
Review:
Violence is
limited to some humorous fight scenes between pint-sized agents and adult bad
guys and one slightly tense battle between a couple of mutations. Carmen repeats
a phrase from the first film using Shitaké mushrooms in place of an obscenity.
Family ties between parents, in-laws, siblings and kids are shown in humorous
and positive lights. Like the original, SPY KIDS 2 can be a fun outing for
youngsters and grown-ups alike.
8. Jonah – A Veggie Tales Movie
(Artisan) MPAA: G- DOVE: Any Age
Synopsis:
Already one
of the best-selling video series for kids, the VeggieTale bunch take off on
their first feature-length adventure on the big screen. On a dark and stormy
night, well, at least sort of dark, Bob the Tomato and some Veggie kids stumble
through the woods when their Veggie van breaks down on the way to a concert. The
only place that seems to be open is the seemingly deserted seafood restaurant
where they meet Larry the Cucumber and the lazy Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything.
As they wait for the repair truck, the pirates share the strangest fish story
they know, about Jonah. Along time ago, when Jonah gets a message from God to
deliver to Nineveh, he doesn’t want to go. The Ninevites are bad people who
even slap other people with fish. So Jonah hops a pirate ship going away from
Nineveh and meets up with Khalil, a carpet-selling caterpillar. But things get
bad for the ship, so Jonah goes overboard and gets swallowed by a whale. Inside
the whale, Jonah meets another character and ends up in Nineveh for a fun-filled
and surprising showdown as he finally delivers his message.
Review:
JONAH – A
VEGGIETALE MOVIE is fun for the whole family, teaching lessons about compassion
and mercy. Witty wordplay, references to pop culture and old movies will keep
the adults laughing right along with the younger audience that likes the silly
songs and slapstick action. There are a few tense moments that may upset very
young children, like when Jonah faces the whale but, like you’ve always been
told, Veggies are good for you.
9. Santa Claus 2
(Walt Disney) MPAA: G - DOVE: Any Age
Synopsis:
This
comedy-fantasy sequel to the 1994 SANTA CLAUSE movie, brings back much of the
same cast lead by Tim Allen. Scott Calvin, a divorced father, took over the
duties of Santa Claus at the North Pole and for eight years things have run
smoothly. His elves think Scott is the best Santa yet. But trouble appears when
his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), living with his mother and step-father back in
Scott’s hometown, is misbehaving in school and lands on Santa’s
“naughty” list. Not only that, but Scott also seems to be loosing some of
his Santa magic.
Review:
Once again,
Scott’s officially informed of the “Missus Clause” that will end his Santa
job unless he gets married soon. To keep things running at the North Pole, he
makes a Santa clone to take over his job – temporarily. Scott takes off on his
magical sleigh to attend to Charlie’s school problems and possibly find a
wife. Sure enough, he’s drawn to Charlie’s stern, but attractive, school
principal, Carol Newman (Elizabeth Mitchell). But back at the North Pole,
Scott’s clone is wreaking havoc with his harsh treatment of the elves, who
threaten a strike. All these activities are chuck full of Allen’s humorous
antics and quips, as well as other colorful characters and comical events.
Although this sequel doesn’t quite live up to the magic and humor of the
original film, it still makes for a fun holiday outing destined to be another
favorite.
10. The Country Bears
(Walt Disney) MPAA: G - DOVE: Any Age
Synopsis:
THE COUNTRY
BEARS can best be described as a country-rock-and-roll musical. Based on Disney
World’s “Country Bear Jamboree,” its lively musical numbers feature the
voices of John Hiatt and Don Henley as two of the singing bears, and Queen
Latifah plays a bartender at a non-alcoholic “honey” bar. Bonnie Raitt also
provides the singing voice for a female bear. Even Willie Nelson and Elton John
make brief appearances as themselves. In the movie, 4th grader Beary Barrington
(voiced by Haley Joel Osment) runs away from home after his older brother,
Dexter (Eli Marienthal), tells him he is adopted and, in fact, is a bear not a
human. Beary decides he belongs with the Country Bears, a musical ensemble that
disbanded years earlier. But he hopes they’ll reunite to save the legendary
Country Bear Hall.
Review:
Children
from age 4 on up will root for Beary in his quest to find out where he belongs
and laugh at the bumbling cops, Hamm and Cheets (Daryl Mitchell and Diedrich
Bader) as they chase the missing little bear across the country. Interspersed
with music and slapstick mayhem are strong messages of family love, acceptance
and forgiveness. A harrowing car chase, two bears fighting, and Hamm and Cheets
tossed around an automatic carwash provide action for the young and restless.
With no sexually suggestive elements or foul language, THE COUNTRY BEARS is fun
for the whole family.
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