Dark Shadows is a Family Flop - Any Good Christian Movies?

Christian Cinema offers a brief review of a few new movies and family ratings are provided by the Dove Foundation. The movie, "Dark Shadows" doesn't appear to be a very edifying movie. Another new movie, "Divorcing God" is shown to be family approved, though probably not the most entertaining movie for younger kids. Other movies noted at the website are the new Janette Oke movie, "Love's Everlasting Courage" which has a good review, and 'Brother White," Which is a family-friendly comedy with some good-quality Christian actors. Some of these movies may not be available quite yet. If you are interested in lists of top Christian movies, there are a couple of lists below.

Dark Shadows

"In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family...

  

When I watched the TV series, you got little more than a trickle of blood on the vampire's lips or chin. In this movie, although there are only a few biting scenes, you get a lot more gore. In fact, this is definitely a "darker" Dark Shadows all the way around, including the use of strong language and sexual innuendos and "making out" scenes between the vampire and a witch. Although the movie is certainly entertaining and even funny in spots, it definitely falls short of us being able to award it our Dove "Family-Approved" Seal. You might want to go see a family-friendly movie this weekend as this one should not be watched by a kid running home from school to head to the theater. Sadly, the innocence of the TV series is nowhere to be found in the film. The full review is at this link.

Divorcing God

"Divorcing God is a revealing look at what the Founding Fathers believed about morality and religious faith as the pillars of our government and nation, and the dangers posed by secular humanism. It explores the historical patterns of the lives of nations and empires - from birth and growth to prosperity, weakness, decay and death.

  

However, The film is not just about doom and gloom. "Divorcing God is a hopeful presentation of the power of our Christian faith and the power of renewal," said American Family Association president Tim Wildmon. "The film represents AFA's very reason for existence: We believe Christians should get informed about what's happening in our country and get involved." The full review is linked here.

  
Love's Enduring Courage

This movie was added to the original inspirational Love Comes Softly series and will be available shortly.

  

"Clark Davis struggles to maintain his land and support his family during a long drought. With a bank loan to repay, his wife, Ellen takes a job in town as a seamstress, but soon becomes ill with scarlet fever. Devastated to lose his beloved wife, Clark and his young daughter turn to his parents for support. Clark must find a way to save his farm and survive Ellen's death without losing the person he loves most: his daughter." The basic description of movie is at this link.

Brother White

All things are possible when you believe...

  

David A.R. White (Jerusalem Countdown, Me Again), Victoria Jackson (Saturday Night Live), Jackée (Sister, Sister & 227), Ray Wise (Twin Peaks) with Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison and Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters, Die Hard), star in this heartwarming fish out of water comedy about an associate pastor at a mega church in California who finds himself the pastor of a poor church in the worst neighborhood in Atlanta.
  

James White (White) is one of dozens of associate pastors at a mega church in Southern California under the tutelage of television evangelist Johnny Kingman (Wise). He always longed to have his own church and jumps at the opportunity to become pastor of the impoverished Divine Faith Apostolic Church in Atlanta. His wife and two children aren’t very enthusiastic about his assignment. Neither is the congregation itself, but they will have to learn to trust each other and pull together to save the church from a corrupt banker anxious to foreclose. It will take a musical miracle, supplied by BeBe Winans himself, to save them all in this heartfelt, family-friendly comedy. More information at this link.

Best Family Approved movies of 2011

On March 7, 2012, The Dove Foundation announced its winners of the best Family Approved movies of 2011, as outlined at this link.
  
Top Ten Christian Movies
  
I've noticed that a lot of the "Top Family Movies" lists on the internet are not movies that the Dove foundation would approve of because many lists are not based on Christian values. And when it comes to lists of top Christian movies, there are slim pickings. If you would like to add a comment and tell others about movies you've enjoyed that would be helpful.
   
As far as top Christian movie of all time go, I like "The Passion of the Christ" because if offers a realistic and moving portrayal of the most important event in human history.I've enjoyed family movies that are not necessarily Christian movies, but are very well-done family movies. The movie, "The Ultimate Gift" continues to resonate with me as a top family-oriented film. The Prayer Foundation has listed their Top Ten Christian Movies, but this list seems a bit outdated.If you would like to help support the Templestream blog, you may purchase new and used books and movies at Amazon.com. If you enter Amazon by clicking the links in the right side bar at my Blogger blog, a small percent of any purchases will be attributed.

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