2004 top ten Dove Films:

1. Finding Neverland (Miramax)  MPAA: PG – DOVE: 12+ 

Synopsis:
Director Marc Forster's follow-up to "Monster’s Ball" is FINDING NEVERLAND, a tale of magic and fantasy inspired by the life of James Barrie, the real-life author of the children’s classic Peter Pan. Set in London in 1904, the film follows Barrie’s creative journey to bring Peter Pan to life, from his first inspiration for the story up until the play’s premiere at the Duke of York’s Theatre - a night that will change not only Barrie’s own life, but the lives of everyone close to him. David Magee’s screenplay is based on the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan written by Allan Knee.

Review:
This is by far the best performance of Johnny Depp in my opinion. Of course he has had some good roles in Edward Scissorhands, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Sleepy Hollow and some others, but I felt more drawn into his role as James Barrie than I have of any of his others. Never knowing the story of how Peter Pan came to be one of the classic plays, I found this film to be very interesting. Barrie takes to the Davies family, a widowed woman and her three sons. He spends a tremendous amount of time with them playing kid games and acting out imaginary scenarios. The kids really take to him and a wonderful bond is created even though it puts a strain on his marriage.

The play Peter Pan finally comes together and is produced despite Barrie's last play being an utter flop. The film was true to the English lifestyle in the early 1900's by not containing any profanities or obscene language. And unlike Kate Winslet's steamy sex scene in Titanic, Finding Neverland stays away from any sex, nudity and graphic violence. This film is one that the entire family can enjoy, but might be too slow moving for young children. In addition, the theme of the death of the Davies kids father and how they all deal with it may be too sensitive of an issue for younger children. A wonderful clean and touching film, I found refreshing and entertaining. Freddie Highmore does a marvelous job playing Peter Davies.

2. The Incredibles (Walt Disney)  MPAA: PG – DOVE: Any Age    

Synopsis:
The Incredibles is an animated adventure/comedy that is fast-paced and action-packed. Bob and Helen Parr (voices by Craig Nelson and Holly Hunter) are 15 years into retirement following exciting careers as superheroes. Bob, a.k.a. Mr. Incredible, faces a growing waistline and the boredom of civilian life working in the insurance field. Helen, a.k.a. Elastigirl, manages the home with three rambunctious children, who have their own superhero abilities. Yearning to relive his former glory days, Bob accepts a confidential new assignment from an unknown employer after his termination by an overbearing boss. Since Mr. Incredible always works alone, he fails to tell his wife about his termination or his new assignment. Believing that he is working for good, Mr. Incredible is surprised when someone from his past enters his life to destroy him. Unable to escape, Mr. Incredible appears doomed.

Review:
Incredible is the best way to describe the latest collaboration between Disney and Pixar Studios. This movie reminded my of the cartoons of yesteryear when good triumphed over evil. The film starts with a dysfunctional super hero family that has to deny their special powers because the government is overwhelmed by lawsuits from past villains and their victims.

During the course of this movie we find a family that has to come together and acknowledge their unique powers to battle against a "want to be" super hero named Syndrome. As they work together, they all experience the fulfillment of being who they were meant to be.

3. The Polar Express (Warner Bros.)  MPAA: G – DOVE: Any Age    

Synopsis:
Based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 classic children’s book, this film uses “performance capture,” a new technique that turns actors’ movements into computer animation. A boy’s (Tom Hanks, voice by Daryl Sabara) dream of sneaking a peek at Santa Claus (Tom Hanks) is about to come true when the Polar Express steam train stops in front of his house one Christmas Eve. Boarding several kids along the way, the Train Conductor (Tom Hanks) takes them on an unforgettable journey toward the North Pole, but they must face a dangerous problem — the terrain of the arctic. Venturing across ice-covered lakes and plummeting down steep mountain cliffs, the Polar Express races to get the children to the North Pole to see Santa before it’s too late. This magical, delightful experience is a true holiday treat for kids of all ages. Most adults will cheer too.

Review:
I was really impressed with this movie. And I believe that it is one of the most wholesome movies that I have ever seen. Tom Hanks plays the voices of many of the characters, but the most prominent one was the role of the Polar Express Conductor. This movie was animated, but the conductor looked EXACTLY like Tom Hanks, and the rest of the characters looked like real people. It was a Christmas themed movie, but it had a bigger message than just "Merry Christmas". It taught everyone to be happy with themselves, believe in things that cannot necessarily be seen, and be open to new people and new friends. This is one of those movies that everyone from ages 1 to 100 can come away from feeling genuinely good and leaves you feeling happy and uplifted for the rest of the day. I recommend that everyone goes to see The Polar Express.

4. Fat Albert (20th Century Fox.)  MPAA: PG – DOVE: Any Age  

Synopsis:
“Hey, Hey, Hey.” Bill Cosby’s hugely popular character, “Fat Albert” comes to the big screen as a live action, big-event feature film. The "Fat Albert' movie is based on Cosby’s stand-up comedy monologues about his childhood, centered around a group of urban adolescents growing up in a Philadelphia neighborhood. A generation grew up on "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids", which enjoyed one of the longest runs in Saturday morning cartoon history, airing 1972-1979. "The New Fat Albert Show" ran 1979-1984.

Review:
Bill Cosby is an amazing entertainer and he proves it again with this very well written film Fat Albert. As true to Mr. Cosby's career, the film is totally free of objectionable content and deals with the lesson of "Be yourself and not someone your not." The film integrates the Fat Albert cartoon with the present day live action in a fun way. All the characters come through the TV set when Dorris is at home crying while watching Fat Albert, the cartoon. Fat Albert and his gang then stay close to Dorris in an attempt to "fix her problem." The fun heats up as they discover what their new world holds for them. Fat Albert brings politeness and gentlemanly behavior to a community and impacts everyone he comes in contact with.

I used to listen to Bill Cosby comedy albums as a kid and it was loads of fun seeing all his characters come to life on the big screen. I highly recommend this film for families that wish to enjoy a fun wholesome time at the theater this holiday season.

5. National Treasure (Walt Disney)  MPAA: PG - DOVE: Any Age  

Synopsis:
A secret from our nation’s past will lead to the greatest adventure in history. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer (“Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Rock,” and “Armageddon”) and director Jon Turteltaub (“Phenomenon,” “While You Were Sleeping”) team up to bring you “National Treasure. ”Academy Award®-winner Nicolas Cage stars as the brilliant Benjamin Franklin Gates, third generation treasure hunter. All his life, Gates has been searching for a treasure no one believed existed: amassed through the ages, moved across continents, to become the greatest treasure the world has ever known. Hidden by our Founding Fathers, they left clues to the Treasure’s location right before our eyes … from our nation’s birthplace, to the nation’s capitol, to clues buried within the symbols on the dollar bill. Gates’ life-long journey leads him to the last place anyone thought to look: a map hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. But what he thought was the final clue is only the beginning. Gates realizes in order to protect the world’s greatest treasure, he must now do the unthinkable: steal the most revered, best guarded document in American history before it falls into the wrong hands. In a race against time, Gates must elude the FBI, stay one step ahead of his ruthless adversary (Sean Bean), decipher the remaining clues and unlock the 2000 year-old mystery behind our greatest national treasure.

Review:
I really hope this film does well at the box office because it is the type of film that Dove has been encouraging Hollywood to make. It has all of the positive elements that make for good entertainment but contains little of the objectionable content that keep family audiences away from many films.

6. Shrek 2 (Dream Works)  MPAA: PG - DOVE: 12+

Synopsis:
In the land of Far Far Away, Shrek (voice by Mike Myers,) Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) journey together to meet Fiona’s parents. Shrek, being an ogre, wonders whether his new in-laws will accept him into the family. After a long trip through enchanted forests and white mountains, the three friends arrive in the kingdom of Fiona’s father, King Herald (John Cleese). All of the subjects have assembled, but the royal dinner reception turns to chaos as Shrek and his father-in-law clash over Fiona’s future. A fairy godmother (Jennifer Saunders) takes advantage of the situation by convincing the king to hire an assassin cat (Antonio Banderas) to take care of Shrek. She hopes that if Shrek is gone, her own son, Prince Charming (Robert Everett), will marry Princess Fiona and inherit the kingdom.

Review:
Shrek 2 has cutting-edge computer animation even better than the first film along with some commendable scenarios: Shrek abandons his swamp for Fiona’s happiness, Donkey sticks by Shrek through danger, and Fiona loves Shrek regardless of his appearance. The overall theme of the film is self acceptance. As in the first Shrek film, this one unfortunately contains crude jokes and sexual innuendo. Shrek displays less than virtuous behavior as he repeatedly insults his best friend, is quick to anger, steals things and walks out of his marriage because he thinks his wife would be happier without him. Shrek 2 is highly entertaining, but parents will want to be cautious with this one.as.

7. Spider-Man 2 (Sony Entertainment)  MPAA: PG-13 - DOVE: 12+  

Synopsis:
Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) continues to thrill New Yorkers by thwarting criminals with his superhuman powers. But beneath the Spider-Man suit, nerdy Peter Parker’s personal life is in shambles: his newspaper boss (J.K. Simmons) demands more photos of the mysterious Spider-Man; the bank is about to foreclose on the house of Peter’s beloved Aunt May (Rosemary Harris); his landlord is hounding him for past-due rent; and he’s still too insecure to declare his love for Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst). His best friend, Harry (James Franco), introduces Peter to Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), an eccentric scientist who has invented a futuristic mechanical monster that attaches to his body. During a demonstration, a miscalculation results in the octopuslike mechanism taking control of the man, and a new villain emerges. The solid story, special effects, nonstop action, humor and heartfelt sympathy for Peter’s character make Spider-Man 2 an entertainment experience that leaves us hoping for Spider-Man 3.

Review:
Spider-Man never forgets his commitment to use his power for good, unlike his adversary, Dr. Octavius, whose energy-generating invention begins as a noble attempt to conserve natural resources. The movie’s clear definition of good and evil has no gray areas. The very action that offers viewers fun escapism may be difficult to watch for anyone still suffering from the 9-11 terrorist attack on New York City with intense images of destruction constantly flashing on the screen. With only a few foul words and no sexual content, Dove awards the Dove Family-Approved Seal to Spider-Man 2 at a 12+ level and issues a warning for younger viewers concerning the comic-book violence and frightening scenes.

8. Miracle (Walt Disney)  MPAA: PG - DOVE: 12+  

Synopsis:
Miracle is the dramatic true story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team’s rise from obscurity. In 1979, Coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) was selected to coach Team USA in the 1980 Olympic Games at Lake Placid, NY. He was the last player to be cut from the U.S. Hockey Team before it won its last gold metal in 1960. The Soviet team dominated the sport of hockey in 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976. This movie brings to vibrant life the passion, ingenuity, tenacity, discipline and determination that Coach Brooks, a man of few words or visible emotion, passes on to his squad of college kids.

Review:
Herb Brooks has a clear vision and the insight to bring it to pass. He is nobody’s buddy, but he cares deeply for others and is fiercely loyal. While there are times of tension on the team and between him and his wife, he takes care of both and demonstrates that he is the leader whom they can trust. Coach Brooks and his wife are powerful examples of committed love as they talk through their problems and do whatever it takes to preserve their relationship. This movie is a reminder that the unbelievable can happen when people believe in the cause and work hard to make it a reality.

9. I Am David (Lion's Gate Entertainment)  MPAA: PG-13 - DOVE: 12+  

Synopsis:
An extraordinary family adventure, I AM DAVID follows a 12 year-old boy as he boldly escapes from an East European prison camp and makes an incredible personal journey to freedom. Fleeing with only a compass, half a loaf of bread and a sealed letter he must carry across the continent, David cannot foresee the dramatic odyssey that awaits him. From stowing away on a ship bound for Italy, to facing his fears of the dangerous outside world, to the unexpected revelation of his true identity, David discovers for the first time the real meaning of courage, trust, laughter and hope. Based on the internationally acclaimed young adult novel by Anne Holm, I AM DAVID tells the story of David (Ben Tibber), a boy who has grown up a captive in a 1950s labor camp with almost no knowledge of the outside world or what happened to his family. Everything he knows about life has been taught to him by his fellow prisoner and mentor Johannes (Jim Caviezel). One night, David is helped to make a break from the camp and is handed a mysterious letter he is told must reach Denmark, a place he has never heard of, let alone knows how to find. Relying on his wits and courage, David manages to evade the prison commandos, attempt a dangerous border crossing and hide away on a freighter headed for Italy, but his adventure is only just beginning. In Italy, David discovers something beyond his imagination: a country at peace. He has no idea how to get along in this brave new world, as the only advice he has been given is to trust no one. He doesn't understand the most basic aspects of everyday life -- he doesn't know what money is or how to use silverware or even how to smile. It¹s as if he must learn how to live in the world from scratch and each day brings both shocking new terrors and exhilarating new pleasures. When David is taken in by a kind aristocratic Italian family, he is so happy to at last have a home, he almost gives up on his quest to reach Denmark. But the journey must go on. Haunted by memories, David crosses into Switzerland, where he meets an artist recovering from her own tragedy, Sophie (Joan Plowright), the woman who will help him find the key to his identity and his destiny at last.

Review:
This film chronicles the trials and joys of young David's journey across eastern Europe, beginning with a daring escape from a prison camp to his final destination in Denmark. The back-story is revealed along the way with a series of flash backs to his painful days as a child and as a fear-filled prisoner. The film is slow moving at first, but keeps the viewer involved until he meets up with an elderly woman artist who takes a special interest in David and his quest. The film's primary message is that trusting people can sometimes be painful and at other times, rewarding. But, trust and perseverance in this case was worth it in the end. I Am David is heartwarming and enchanting story of victory over adversity.

10. Around the World in 80 Days (Walt Disney)  MPAA: PG - DOVE: 12+  

Synopsis:
This adventure comedy is a Disney remake of the Jules Verne classic set in 1872. Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan) is an eccentric London inventor ridiculed by his pears. After bringing one of his inventions to the Royal Academy of Science, he is mocked and then challenged to accomplish a stunt to travel around the world in 80 days. If he succeeds, the head of the academy (Jim Broadbent) will step down and Phileas will become the new leader of the academy. If he fails, he must retire, destroy his laboratory and never practice his trade again. The stakes are high, but he accepts the challenge accompanied by his assistant Passepartout (Jackie Chan) who is being pursued by the law for stealing a rare, jade Buddha. Along the way, they join up with a starving artist (Cecile De France). On their journey around the world via boats, trains, balloons and elephants, the three encounter plenty of adventures. Also starring John Cleese, Kathy Bates and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Review:
At a rather lengthy 120 minutes, this film moves at a rapid pace with all of the action. After all of these years, Jackie Chan is still fun to watch as he spins, juggles, fights and somersaults his way out of jams. Chan, who built his reputation by performing all of his own stunts, displays his typical martial arts and slapstick humor.There are some instances of crude humor. For instance, a knife is thrown and lands on the crotch of a man in a painting. And a man who is incarcerated is accused of urinating in public and upon release is briefly shown unzipping his pants. There are also a few occurrences of bad language.

[Top 10 year 2000]      [Top 10 year 2001]      [Top 10 year 2002]    [Top 10 year 2003]