“Field of Dreams” quote becomes a reality
By Dick Rolfe

Moviegoers have already spoken volumes about this topic, so I will be brief. 

One of the better recognized and often quoted lines from a motion picture comes from the 1989 hit, Field of Dreams.  The “ghost of baseball past” encourages Ray Kinsella [Kevin Costner] to build a regulation baseball field in his cornfield with the admonition, “If you build it, they will come.”

For years, millions of Americans have been reciting a similar mantra to Hollywood film makers.  “If you produce it [a good, high quality, wholesome movie] we will come.”  And people are doing just that …in greater numbers than ever before.  And this time, I believe Hollywood is finally paying attention.

The five top box office hits since Thanksgiving are all recipients of the Dove Family-Approved Seal. Click on any of the titles below for a critique from one of the Dove reviewers.

The success of Disney’s live action thriller, National Treasure (rated PG) is a hopeful sign. Any movie that crosses the sacred $100 million mark at the box office in less than a month is considered a blockbuster by Hollywood standards. Other studios may follow suite by putting big money behind more live action movies that are appropriate for family viewing. Not long ago, a film like National Treasure would have been riddled with enough sex, nudity, language and violence to warrant at least a PG-13 or, more probably an R-rating.

If you haven’t seen these five movies, by all means go out and enjoy some good, clean entertainment, and send a message to Hollywood at the same time. If you have seen them, pass the word along to your family, friends and neighbors to support these and other Dove approved movies at the box office or on home video.

The reverse of the Field of Dreams quote is also true. “If enough of you come, they will make more.” After all, it’s called Show Business, not “Show Art.”

Have a joyous Christmas!

USA Weekend Box-Office summary as of December 3, 2004 (Sunday estimates)