The Family Movie Guide 1997
CM/FM
Copyright 1997 by The Family
Dear Family,
GBY! We love you, and hope it has been a blessing to receive regular updates of "watchable" movies. This Movie Guide should be used along with the Family Movie Guide 1995, parts 1 and 2, as the movies contained in that mag are not repeated here.
Included in this listing are all the movies that have appeared in the FUNs (33-40) and Grapevines (1-20) since the Movie Guide 1995, as well as about 200 additional newly-rated or re-rated titles, which we hope will give you many hours of viewing pleasure. Please be sure to read over the write-up carefully before selecting a movie to watch, as not all movies listed here will be to everyone's liking.
Some movies appear in this list with new ratings. These include some movies which were "non-recommended" in Movie Guide 1995, and some which have been re-rated for different age groups since they appeared in the FUN or Grapevine. These are marked with a (R) after the title. In such cases, please go by this most recent rating. Thanks! (Most ratings, however, are unchanged.)
We love you and hope this Movie Guide will be a blessing to you!
Your WS Family
Movies Rated for Adults and YAs
CARRIED AWAY (1996)
Dennis Hopper, Amy Locane, Amy Irving
Drama/character study set in the 1960s about a middle-aged school teacher in a small rural town who gets involved with a flirty teen.
DEAD MAN WALKING (1995)
Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn
Intense, realistic drama based on the true story of a nun who gets involved in spiritually counseling a death row inmate. Well-acted, with clear messages of Salvation through Jesus and loving the sinner while hating the sin. This movie contains repeated flashbacks of the rape/murder scene and a graphic description of the act by the parents of one of the victims, which may be disturbing. Everyone will probably appreciate an extra good cleansing prayer after viewing this movie, and avoid watching those scenes if they might disturb you.
LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER (1981)
Sylvia Kristel, Nicholas Clay
Drama based on D. H. Lawrence's sexy novel about the passionate relationship between a groundskeeper and the wife of a bitter, crippled British country gentleman. Some may find it slow-moving.
MURDER IN THE FIRST (1995) (R)
Christian Slater, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman
Intense, realistic drama set in the 1930s about a young lawyer defending an Alcatraz inmate charged with murder. Sensitive viewers will want to be particularly wary of the first 15 minutes, which contain graphic and heart-wrenching scenes--or even avoid this movie altogether. Expos of the System, showing the good results of courage and fighting despair even in the most terrible circumstances.
Movies Rated for Senior Teens and Up
40 CARATS (1973)
Liv Ullman, Gene Kelly, Edward Albert, Jr.
Comedy about the relationship between a 40-year-old divorced woman and a young man in his twenties. Light entertainment.
ABSOLUTE POWER (1997)
Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris
Thriller/character study about a thief who witnesses a crime, which embroils him in high-powered political intrigue. Beware of a particularly unpleasant scene near the beginning of the movie.
AGE OF INNOCENCE, THE (1993)
Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Wynona Ryder
Drama/character study set in New York in the late 1800s. A well-bred young man, engaged to a well-bred young woman, is smitten by a beautiful, independent woman with a somewhat scandalous background. Interesting insight into the lifestyle and mores of upper-class Americans of those days. Adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel.
BEACHES (1988)
Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey
Drama/character study about the lifelong friendship between two women, one rich and one poor.
BEFORE AND AFTER (1996)
Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson, Edward Furlong
The lives of a small-town couple are thrown into turmoil when their teenage son is charged with murdering his girlfriend. Tense, realistic and traumatic in parts. Good lessons on honesty, conviction, facing fears, and the negative results of deceit and covering up. Sensitive viewers should be mindful of the graphic scene showing the girl's death.
BLUE SKY (1994)
Jessica Lange, Tommy Lee Jones
Drama about an army officer in the late 1950s who struggles with the antics of his alcoholic, sexpot wife and becomes involved in a nuclear cover-up scheme. Lessons on fighting, unconditional love and forgiveness.
BOURNE IDENTITY, THE (1988)
Richard Chamberlain, Jaclyn Smith, Anthony Quayle
Action-packed thriller about a man who wakes up with complete memory loss, only to find himself tracked at every step by would-be assassins. Entertainment only. Beware of scenes of violence.
BRAVEHEART (1995)
Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau
Well-made Hollywood epic production chronicling 13th-century Scotland's fight for independence from Britain. Good lessons on conviction, the qualities of a pioneer, not giving up, and being willing to give your all for a cause you believe in. Beware of extremely graphic violent scenes throughout the movie. (Note: You may want to have two showings of this movie--one for those who want to watch it in its entirety, and another for those who want an "edited" version, where the violent and gruesome portions can be fast-forwarded by someone who has seen the whole thing. The battle scenes aren't necessary to the understanding of the plot.)
BYE BYE, LOVE (1995)
Matthew Modine, Randy Quaid, Paul Reiser
Comedy/drama about three divorced men, their interactions with their ex-wives and children, and their attempts to carry on normal lives.
CHAMBER, THE (1996)
Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman, Faye Dunaway
Drama/character study about a young attorney trying to save his white supremacist grandfather from the gas chamber. From the novel by John Grisham, with lessons on not judging people by outward appearances. Contains foul language.
CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (1994) (R)
Harrison Ford, Willem Dafoe
Action thriller involving the CIA, Colombian drug lords, and Washington corruption. Much violence may make this undesirable for some.
CLIENT, THE (1994) (R)
Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones
Suspense movie about an 11-year-old boy who becomes a target for a crime syndicate after witnessing a gangster commit suicide. The boy has an unpleasant attitude and there is a lot of foul language, but there's a good sample from the woman lawyer of how love can change problem children.
COLOR PURPLE, THE (1985)
Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey
Character study about a black woman's life of trials and triumphs in the Southern US. A melancholy but well-made, interesting portrayal of black culture during the early 1900s. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
COURAGE UNDER FIRE (1996)
Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Lou Diamond Phillips
Intense, realistic drama about a US Army colonel who is assigned to investigate whether a woman combat officer should receive a posthumous medal of honor for bravery during the Gulf War. Profiles of courage and cowardice, with the tension of wartime, are vividly portrayed. Contains the typical pro-American slant. May be suitable for some junior teens.
DEVIL'S OWN, THE (1997)
Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt
Suspenseful drama about a young member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) who travels to the US and is accepted into the home of an honest policeman. Has a pro-IRA slant. Beware of some scenes of violence, particularly one in a warehouse.
DISCLOSURE (1994)
Michael Douglas, Demi Moore
Drama about a high-tech executive who gets passed over for a promotion in favor of an upcoming woman executive and is then accused of sexual harassment. Exposes the hypocrisy and deceit of the corporate world and what people will do for personal and corporate gain. The slant given to the issue of sexual harassment would be a good topic for discussion.
DON JUAN DE MARCO (1995)
Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp
Fanciful tale of a young man who believes himself to actually be Don Juan, the world's greatest lover. Good discussion points on the "Don Quixote" parallels, seeing things through the eyes of faith and being able to "be all things" in the spirit world, as well as the potential dangers of daydreaming or living in a make-believe world.
DONNIE BRASCO (1997)
Johnny Depp, Al Pacino
Intense drama/character study based on the true story of an FBI agent who infiltrates the Mafia in order to gather information on their activities. Some scenes of extremely graphic violence; not for the faint-hearted.
DREAMSCAPE (1984)
Dennis Quaid, Max von Sydow, Christopher Plummer
Science fiction movie about a man who discovers he can enter other people's dreams. Beware of graphic violence in parts.
EXTREME MEASURES (1996)
Hugh Grant, Gene Hackman
Medical thriller about an emergency room doctor who decides to dig a little deeper when the corpse of one of his former patients mysteriously disappears. Interesting story line that raises thought-provoking moral questions. Contains graphic and bloody emergency room scenes, as well as a fair amount of bad language.
FATHER OF THE BRIDE 2 (1995)
Steve Martin, Diane Keaton
Fun, pro-fatherhood comedy about the joys of pregnancy and childbirth with a good central message. Supporting roles portraying homosexuals and a strong materialistic slant taint this otherwise light and entertaining movie.
FAVOR, THE (1994)
Elisabeth McGovern, Brad Pitt
Comedy about a married woman obsessed with a fantasy of making love to her high school sweetheart. Light entertainment, with lessons on honest communication.
FOURTH PROTOCOL, THE (1987)
Michael Caine, Pierce Brosnan
Thriller about a British policeman assigned to foil a plot by rogue elements in the Russian military to detonate a nuclear bomb at a British airbase. Based on a novel by Frederick Forsythe. Some violence and unpleasant scenes.
FRANKIE AND JOHNNY (1991)
Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer
Drama/love story about the developing relationship between an ex-convict and a withdrawn waitress. Good insight into the loneliness and need for love of many worldly people, and lessons on honesty, communication and being willing to accept love.
FREEJACK (1992)
Emilio Estevez, Anthony Hopkins, Mick Jagger
Tense futuristic action movie about a professional racecar driver who gets transported to the future when his car crashes. Beware of scenes of violence. Not to everyone's liking.
FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN, THE (1981)
Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons
Drama which goes back and forth between the filming of a forbidden love affair in a movie set in Victorian times, and the real-life relationship of the actors. Well-acted, but somewhat slow-moving and not to everyone's liking.
GHOST AND THE DARKNESS, THE (1996)
Michael Douglas, Val Kilmer
Tense drama about a British railway engineer in Africa who teams up with a hunter to track down two man-eating lions on a killing spree. Based on true events that occurred in 1898. Some graphic and bloody scenes of attacking lions--in particular a scene involving a woman and baby--could be disturbing to some.
GODFATHER, THE (1972)
Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
Three-hour action-drama set in the 1940s, based on the novel about the violent life and times of Mafia patriarch Don Corleone. Beware of violence.
GODFATHER, PART II, THE (1974)
Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Robert DeNiro
Three-and-a-half hour sequel to "The Godfather," following the attempt of Corleone's son, who becomes the Don after his father's death, to restructure the Mafia's operations. Beware of many scenes of violence.
GRUMPY OLD MEN (1994)
Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret
The long-time feud between two elderly neighbors is brought to a head by the arrival of an extroverted, somewhat wild new woman across the street. This movie may not be to everyone's liking due to the continual bickering and sarcasm of the main characters.
GRUMPIER OLD MEN (1995)
Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Sophia Loren
Sequel to "Grumpy Old Men" where the old fellows wage war on a woman who is attempting to make their beloved bait shop by the lake into an Italian restaurant. Similar to the original movie in its foul language and sarcasm, but these are toned down a little in this sequel, and the storyline has more "plus" points.
HEAVEN AND EARTH (1993)
Hiep Thy Le, Tommy Lee Jones, Joan Chen
Intense psychological drama based on the true story of Le Ly Hayslip, following her peaceful childhood in a Vietnamese village to a lifetime of upheaval in Vietnam and in the US. Beware of traumatic scenes throughout. Not for the faint-hearted. Also has a strong pro-Buddhist slant in parts. Directed by Oliver Stone.
HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS, THE (1993)
Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close
Epic drama following the lives of a rich Chilean family from the 1920s to the early 1970s. Somewhat spooky and somber in parts.
INDICTMENT: THE McMARTIN TRIAL (1995)
James Woods
Well-documented dramatization of the 1984-1989 trial of a California preschool director and staff who were accused of abusing the children in their care. Good fighter movie and powerful System expos. Parallels can also be drawn to persecution and similar allegations brought against the Family. Could be accompanied by a study of MLs and Home Educators covering these issues.
LAST OF THE MOHICANS, THE (1992)
Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe
Historical drama and romance based on the famous novel by James F. Cooper, set in 1757, when the British and French were at war for control of North America. May not be to everyone's liking due to graphic violence in parts. Good lessons on the damaging effects of bitterness and hatred, with a pretty fair portrayal of all sides involved and the reasons behind their actions.
LORENZO'S OIL (1992)
Nick Nolte, Susan Sarandon, Peter Ustinov
Drama based on the true story of a couple's fight to save their young son from a rare, incurable nerve disease. Slow-moving in parts and intense in others. Good examples of unselfishness, perseverance and bucking the System.
MARRIED TO IT (1993)
Beau Bridges, Stockard Channing
Drama/comedy/character study centering around the lives of three married couples.
MASK, THE (1994)
Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz
Action-comedy based on the comic book classic about a mild-mannered bank clerk who finds an ancient mask with magical powers to turn the wearer into the embodiment of his own fantasies. An imaginative film with a rather zany script, delighting some and repulsing others--definitely controversial. Some found lessons on accepting yourself and being happy with who you are, and some found only foolishness. The concepts of talismans and spiritual possession could serve as a springboard for discussion. Not suggested for repeated viewing. (See following prophecy on this movie.)
THE MASK
(Dad speaking:) You have to be really mature to get the message and the meaning out of "The Mask." You have to go through quite a bit of the guy being ridiculous and silly and unrealistic. Nobody turns into a guy with a green head and has that type of supernatural powers. It's pretty silly. I think especially young people would have to be pretty deep spiritually to wade through the surface silliness in order to get the message -- to just be yourself, and to be loving and thankful for the way God made you, which is real success.
This movie was found very subjective to personal opinion, so it's controversial. One man's meat is another man's poison. So remember, you as a Home must decide whether it's worth watching or not. If you think it's going to have a bad effect on you, then don't watch it. And for God's sake, as with all movies, pray a cleansing prayer afterwards. Don't let the System seep into you! (End of prophecy.)
MATTERS OF THE HEART (1990)
Jane Seymour, Christopher Gartin
Drama following the passionate relationship between a talented teenage musician and an embittered middle-aged woman, and the effect that it has on both of their lives.
MEDUSA TOUCH (1978)
Richard Burton, Lino Ventura
Intense drama about a man with psychic insight who finds that telling (or rather, foretelling) the truth kills. Is he warning of disasters, or causing them? Not for the faint-hearted. You may wish to read ML #955 before watching.
MIRROR HAS TWO FACES, THE (1996)
Barbra Streisand, Jeff Bridges
Love story/character study exploring two people's points of view on love and sex, presented from the woman's perspective. Lessons on comparing and not judging by the outward appearance.
MISSISSIPPI BURNING (1988)
Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe
Tense historical drama about two FBI agents in Mississippi in the mid-sixties, who are investigating the disappearance of three civil rights workers. Contains graphic violence. Will need some explanation for viewers not familiar with those times.
MR. JONES (1993)
Richard Gere, Lena Olin, Anne Bancroft
Intense story of a manic-depressive, and the beautiful, serious-minded therapist who is trying to help him. Vivid and realistic portrayal of the lives of people with this mental illness. May not be to everyone's liking.
NELL (1995)
Jodi Foster, Liam Neeson
A small-town Southern doctor discovers a girl who was raised in the backwoods, completely apart from civilization. Shows how love and patience can help people learn to communicate, in contrast to the System's unfeeling methods.
NETWORK (1976)
Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch
Drama/satire about a trailing TV station that will air anything to get a big rating. Beware of a mocking portrayal of prophets.
NINE MONTHS (1995)
Hugh Grant, Julianne Moore, Robin Williams
Comedy about a carefree young executive who is faced with some drastic decisions about his lifestyle when he discovers that his fianc is pregnant. Caution about the unrealistic and chaotic childbirth scene.
NIXON (1995)
Anthony Hopkins, Joan Allen
Drama/character study portraying Nixon's political career, and the events leading to his impeachment. Three hours long; produced by Oliver Stone. Interesting look at the behind-the-scenes workings of the US government and political shenanigans of that era, but may need some explanation for those not familiar with the events depicted. Some may find it slow-moving. Could be a springboard for further study of the events of the early 1970s. (Note: You may find it interesting to read ML #219, "Special Police Powers," after this movie--a prophetic dream which Dad had before the Watergate situation came to light.)
NOSTRADAMUS (1994)
Tcheky Karyo, Julia Ormond
Biographical drama about the 16th-century astrologer-physician Nostradamus and his life and prophecies. Good springboard for further discussion on the dark times in which he lived, the role of the church of those days, the movie's emphasis on knowledge and book-learning and the portrayal of Nostradamus' character and the source of his gift. May not be to everyone's liking. (Please see MLs #1800 and 2323 for more on Nostradamus' prophecies.)
ON GOLDEN POND (1981)
Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda
Drama/character study about life, love and affection, centering on a crotchety, 80-year-old retired professor and his relationships with his wife, daughter and grandson. Beware of bad language and cynicism.
PATRIOT GAMES (1992)
Harrison Ford, Anne Archer
Action thriller about a CIA agent who becomes a target for terrorist retaliation when he intervenes to block a terrorist act. Beware of violent scenes.
PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT, THE (1996)
Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love
Drama/character study based on the controversial life of Larry Flynt, creator of Hustler girly magazine. Although we do not agree with most of the views of this man or his magazine, still it is a good portrayal of someone being a fighter and standing up for their cause. The events and characters as portrayed are factual, but the film downplays the degrading treatment of women that Hustler is famous for. (See following prophecy on this movie.)
THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT
(Jesus speaking:) If My children view this movie, they must have the understanding and knowledge of how ones such as this man choose to give their lives to the prince of the power of this world in order to obtain the riches and success that he claims. The portrayal of the life of this man is not entirely accurate. I mete out My judgments slowly and surely, and all will be weighed out justly in the end.
The prince of this world offers men their dreams, their desires -- the high ride on the wave of fame and popularity. If they will sell their souls and give their bodies over unto his will, then he exalts them for a time. Yet every wave breaks and crashes, and the rocks upon which the prince of this world dashes his victims bruise, batter and scar for life.
Larry Flynt has given himself unto the keeping of the Evil One. He has chosen to receive of his riches and his pleasures, while believing and accepting delusions as the truth. Outwardly he appears to men to be successful, industrious, clever and witty. But who has made him into this? Is his power and glory coming from his own hand, or from the hand of a dark one behind him who turns his head and pulls the strings of his life? What man can know the torment of spirit and the unhappiness which he must conceal in his heart? None can know these things, for he conceals this within himself.
Yet I have mercy, patience and forgiveness even for this one, who chooses not to retain Me in his thoughts. In this world he shall reap the fruits of his sowings. In the life to come he shall be taught, trained and reshaped, as shall be all My wayward children. (End of prophecy.)
PLATOON (1986)
Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen
Traumatic first-person account of a young, idealistic soldier's tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Strong anti-war and anti-System message, but beware of the graphic war and violence scenes, which comprise the majority of the movie. Not for the faint hearted. This movie is said to be the most realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War of any movie done on that subject. Written and directed by Oliver Stone, and based on his experiences in Vietnam. The first of a trilogy of Oliver Stone movies about Vietnam, which includes "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Heaven and Earth."
PRISONER OF HONOR (1991)
Richard Dreyfuss
Movie based on the historic trial in turn-of-the-century France, where a lieutenant colonel is court-martialed for his attempts to free a Jewish captain, Alfred Dreyfus (great grandfather of the actor), who has been jailed for espionage. Some may find this one slow-moving.
RANSOM (1996)
Mel Gibson, Rene Russo
Intense drama about a millionaire whose life falls apart when his young son is kidnapped and held for ransom. Hollywood entertainment; beware of some violent shooting and fighting scenes.
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (1990)
Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver
Drama/character study based on the true story of Claus von Bulow, who was convicted of the attempted murder of his wife, and the New York lawyer who appeals his case.
RISKY BUSINESS (1983)
Tom Cruise, Rebecca DeMornay
Satirical comedy about a high school student who gets more than he bargained for when he becomes involved with a prostitute while his parents are away on vacation.
RIVER WILD, THE (1994)
Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon
Intense thriller about a family rafting down dangerous rapids, who get caught up with some ex-convicts on the run. Not to everyone's liking.
ROB ROY (1995)
Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt
Historical drama about Robert MacGregor, sometimes referred to as the Scottish Robin Hood. Set in the picturesque Scottish highlands, with lots of action and suspense. Beware of a rape scene and other scenes of graphic violence. Some may be disturbed by the portrayal of Rob Roy's adversary, a particularly evil character.
ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (1991)
Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman
Action-packed version of the famous story of Robin Hood. Some people may be disturbed by scenes of violence--the opening scene in particular--and scenes of the demonic witch and the sheriff of Nottingham throughout the movie. Not to everyone's liking.
ROOM WITH A VIEW, A (1985)
Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith
Character study based on the novel by E.M. Forster about a young British woman who begins to learn about life and love while on a trip to Florence. Somewhat slow-moving and not to everyone's liking.
SAINT OF FORT WASHINGTON, THE (1993)
Matt Dillon, Danny Glover
Drama about a mentally-impaired young man who is forced onto the street after his apartment building is demolished. There he meets up with a veteran homeless man, who shows him the ropes. Realistic, heart-wrenching portrayal of the plight of homeless people.
SAVAGE IS LOOSE, THE (1974)
George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere
Intense, emotional drama about a couple and their son, shipwrecked for years on a deserted island. Very unconventional message and portrayal of human nature. (See MLs #2451:16-23; 2452:16,17.)
SCARLET LETTER, THE (1995)
Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, Robert Duvall
Drama, very loosely based on the famous novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Love story with good lessons on the Law of Love, dedication, conviction, and bucking the System. Exposes the hypocrisy of mainstream churchianity.
SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE (1994)
Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
A young banker is sentenced to life in prison after his wife and her lover are found dead. Realistic and traumatic look at prison life, and this man's ability, through it all, to hold on to his character and his hope. Because of some distasteful, graphic prison scenes, this movie may not be to everybody's liking.
SHE'S THE ONE (1996)
Jennifer Anniston, Edward Burns
Romantic comedy about two brothers and their respective approaches to life and love. Good portrayal about the fruits of selfishness. Not to everyone's liking.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT (1995)
Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid, Robert Duvall, Kyra Sedgwick
A woman finds out her husband is having an affair with another woman and struggles to cope. Lessons on pride, humility and forgiveness. Lots of bad language and attitudes, especially in the family quarrels.
SPEED (1994)
Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper
Tense action movie about a runaway bus with a trigger-bomb. Some graphic violence and psychotic nature of the bomb-planter make this movie not to everyone's liking.
STAND, THE (1994)
Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald
Six-hour mini-series, based on the novel by Stephen King. Intense, dramatic and graphic portrayal of an Endtime-like scenario, where the few survivors of a worldwide plague are polarized into two camps, one good--the believers in God and Jesus--and the other evil--led by the Devil--engaged in a struggle to the death. Beware of graphic scenes throughout the movie, particularly in the first two hours. Some may also be disturbed by the portrayal of the Devil. Those who are sensitive to or easily frightened by heavy spiritual movies should probably avoid this one.
Please note that although there are definite comparisons to a future Endtime world and the movie is somewhat based on the Bible, it does not follow the Endtime chronology as we know it, and the lives of the good characters involved are more like AACs or unsaved believers. Overall, it's faith-building and glorifies Jesus and His power. (Note: Please be sure to have good prayer before and after this movie!--You may even want to have a little uplifting Word on hand to read afterwards!)
STEPFORD WIVES, THE (1975)
Katharine Ross, Paula Prentiss, Peter Masterson
Thriller about two housewives trying to figure out the seemingly blissful and submissive state of the other women in a small town, where they have recently moved. Anti-cult slant. Not to everyone's liking.
STRIPTEASE (1996)
Demi Moore, Armand Assante, Burt Reynolds
Light action-drama about a single mom working as a stripper to make ends meet, while she struggles to gain custody of her daughter. Entertainment only.
SUMMER OF '42, THE (1971)
Jennifer O'Neill, Gary Grimes
Nostalgic drama/love story about a teenage boy remembering his first sexual experience with an older woman in 1942. Light comedy in parts. Contains some negative attitudes about sex and birth control.
TEQUILA SUNRISE (1988)
Mel Gibson, Kurt Russell, Michelle Pfeiffer
Action-drama/love story involving the confrontation between two lifelong friends--one a former drug dealer and the other a cop.
THREE MUSKETEERS (1993)
Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland, Chris O'Donnell
Action-comedy based on the classic Alexander Dumas novel about the sworn defenders of the king of France, who try to save his throne from usurpers. Light entertainment; foolish in parts but violent in others. Not to everyone's liking.
TIME TO KILL, A (1996)
Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson
Intense, well-acted drama based on the novel by John Grisham, involving the brutal rape of a 10-year-old black girl by two white men, and the turmoil and trial that occurs when her father takes the law into his own hands. Thought-provoking in its exploration of issues such as racism and revenge. Beware of several disturbing scenes, including the rape at the beginning.
TIN CUP (1996)
Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Cheech Marin
Character study/love story about a washed-up professional golfer with an attitude, trying to get on top of things again, in his career and in love. Contains some foul language and a bad sample of pride and temper.
TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY (1996)
Peter Gallagher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes
Drama about a widower who is still mourning the death of his wife. A well-developed character study, but a rather weak and confused depiction of communicating with a departed spirit--in this case, one too immature herself to be much help. A thank-God-for-the-Family film. Not to everyone's liking.
WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE? (1993)
Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, Leonardi DiCaprio
Character study about a young man in a small town, who cares for his mentally handicapped brother and his extremely overweight mother. Sweet portrayal of love and self-sacrifice in caring for others. Not to everyone's liking.
WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN (1994)
Andy Garcia, Meg Ryan
Drama/character study about a husband and his alcoholic wife learning to deal with her problem. Realistic, traumatic look at alcoholism, coupled with an uplifting message.
WIDOW'S PEAK (1994)
Mia Farrow, Joan Plowright, Natasha Richardson
Mild British comedy/mystery and character study set in Ireland in the 1920s, concerning a flashy young widow and the ripple effect she causes among the tightly-knit group of widows in the small town.
Movies Rated for Junior Teens and Up
2010 (1984)
Roy Scheider, John Lithgow
Sci-fi about a joint American-Soviet space mission, launched in an attempt to discover what went wrong with a previous ill-fated space mission. (See ML #2163.) Sequel to the non-recommended "2001."
84 CHARING CROSS ROAD (1987)
Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins
Well-acted character study/drama about the long-time correspondence between a feisty New York City woman writer and a British bookseller. Slow-moving, with lessons on honesty, sharing your true feelings, and the power of love to influence others. Touching depiction of the lost, lonely people in the world.
ABSENCE OF MALICE (1981)
Paul Newman, Sally Field
Drama about a female reporter who unknowingly prints a story discrediting an innocent man--who then determines to expose those defaming him. Interesting about ethics in journalism.
ABYSS, THE (1989, 1996)
Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Tense sci-fi drama about an elite oil rig crew that becomes involved in a perilous underwater operation to rescue a sunken nuclear submarine. Some violence. If possible, see the newer "special edition" version, with 27 minutes extra footage which makes the plot--and the ending in particular--much clearer. Contains foul language.
AIR UP THERE, THE (1995) (R)
Kevin Bacon
Cocky aspiring coach travels to Africa in search of a star basketball player. Lessons on humility, teamworking and becoming one. Be wary of some African tribal dancing and ceremonies, etc., which are rather intense.
AMERICAN PRESIDENT, THE (1995)
Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Martin Sheen
Light drama/love story in which a widowed, modern-day US president falls in love with a lobbyist. Interesting character study on the personal lives of those at the top and the political choices they are faced with on a daily basis. The movie promotes a pro-liberal agenda.
ARRIVAL, THE (1996)
Charlie Sheen, Ron Silver
Sci-fi action thriller about a radio astronomer who picks up signals seeming to prove that there is intelligent life beyond our solar system. He is promptly fired from his job--and that is only the beginning .... Not to everyone's liking.
BAT 21 (1988)
Gene Hackman, Danny Glover
Tense drama about a middle-aged air force colonel and strategist in the Vietnam War who is shot down behind enemy lines. Based on a true story. Some unpleasant scenes; sensitive viewers beware.
BED OF ROSES (1996)
Christian Slater, Mary Stuart Masterson
Drama/love story between a woman executive and a florist. Sweet story with lessons on honesty and trust in relationships.
BENNY AND JOON (1993)
Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson
Character study about a young man who is left to care for his mentally unstable sister after their parents' deaths, and her relationship with an equally quirky boarder whom she takes a fancy to. Good sample of "Don Quixote" type people who dare to pioneer things others think are nuts, and sweet lessons of love. Some unpleasant mental institution scenes.
BEYOND RANGOON (1995)
Patricia Arquette
Drama based on true historical events from the late 1980s and early 1990s. A recently widowed American woman on vacation in Burma gets caught up in the tumultuous events surrounding the military's suppression of the democracy movement. Somewhat unrealistic in parts, but good lessons on being challenged to help others during a crisis. Beware of violent scenes throughout the movie.
BOB ROBERTS (1992)
Tim Robbins, Giancarlo Esposito
Political satire/expos about a manipulative right-wing candidate's campaign for the US Senate. Some found this slow-moving.
BREAKER MORANT (1979)
Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson
Somber drama about three Australian soldiers who are court-martialed on trumped-up charges during the Boer War of 1899-1902. Based on a true story.
BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, THE (1995)
Meryl Streep, Clint Eastwood
Well-acted character study about a world-traveling photographer who arrives in a small Iowa town and strikes up an acquaintance with a farmer's wife. Good lessons on sacrificial love.
BROKEN TRUST (1995)
Tom Selleck, Elizabeth McGovern
Suspenseful drama about a judge who cooperates with the US Justice Department to do a sting operation on a corrupt court system. Interesting look into the corruption of the System.
BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROSE, THE (1989)
Peter Strauss, Robert Mitchum
Intriguing spy movie set in different countries all over the world. Beware of violence in parts. Entertainment only.
BROWNING VERSION, THE (1994)
Albert Finney, Greta Scacchi, Matthew Modine
Touching drama/character study about a professor at an English public school who is being unjustly removed from his position, and is considered a loser by everyone until one of his young students shows him genuine appreciation. Slow-moving in parts.
CAN YOU FEEL ME DANCING? (1986)
Justine Bateman, Jason Bateman
Sweet and touching drama/character study about a blind teenager's struggle to overcome her handicap. Based on a true story.
CASSANDRA CROSSING, THE (1977)
Richard Harris, Sophia Loren, Burt Lancaster
Tense action-drama taking place on board a train carrying a deadly plague, which is mysteriously going out of control. Entertainment only.
CHAIN REACTION (1996)
Keanu Reeves, Morgan Freeman, Rachel Weisz
Action movie about a group of scientists who discover a cheap, non-polluting source of energy, but soon find themselves running for their lives through a series of inexplicable events. Occasional but not graphic violence. Entertainment only.
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (1995)
Chris O'Donnell, Minnie Driver
Love story/character study set in Ireland in the 1950s, about a young woman from a small village who enrolls in a Dublin university and falls in love. Slow-moving in parts.
CITY HALL (1996)
Al Pacino, John Cusack, Bridget Fonda
Tense political drama involving corruption in New York City. Well-acted, but with the usual shootings that characterize this genre of movies. Lessons on conviction, and the far-reaching results of compromise.
CLEAN SLATE (1994)
Dana Carvey, Valeria Golino
Comedy/action movie about a private detective who wakes up every morning with no remembrance of what happened the day before. Light entertainment only.
COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, THE (1975)
Richard Chamberlain, Tony Curtis
Adventure story, from the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas, about a man who is unjustly accused and spends years in prison, until he finally escapes and seeks revenge.
COUNTDOWN TO LOOKING GLASS
Realistic, drama/documentary showing how a nuclear war could start. A little dated, but interesting nevertheless.
CRIMSON TIDE (1995) (R)
Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman
High-tension movie set on a US Navy nuclear submarine as the US is pushed to the brink of war with Russia. Attitudes of disunity and mutiny, and the lessons needed to be learned by both sides make good discussion topics.
DAY OF THE JACKAL (1973)
Edward Fox, Alan Badel
Action-suspense as an assassin targets President DeGaulle of France. Based on the novel by Frederick Forsythe.
DRIVING MISS DAISY (1989)
Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman
Drama/character study about a cantankerous old Southern woman and her loyal black chauffeur.
ENGLISH PATIENT, THE (1996)
Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche
Drama/character study set during WWII about an injured man struggling to remember the secrets of his past. Almost three hours long. Beware of a couple of gory scenes.
ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ (1979)
Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan
Action-drama based on a true story of the 1962 breakout attempt from the Alcatraz prison. Some violent and disturbing scenes, but pretty "tame" compared to some other prison movies.
ESCAPE TO FREEDOM (aka JUDGMENT IN BERLIN) (1988)
Martin Sheen, Sam Wanamaker, Sean Penn
Drama about a US judge who has to determine if the hijacking of an East German jet into Berlin was justified.
EXECUTIVE DECISION (1996)
Kurt Russel, Oliver Platt, Halle Berry
Tense, action-packed drama involving the hijacking of a passenger plane by Arab terrorists. Beware of unexpected violence at the very beginning of the movie. Also has a very pro-American and anti-Arab slant. Contains lessons on teamworking.
FAMILY THING, A (1996)
James Earl Jones, Robert Duvall
After his mother's death, a middle-aged white Southerner discovers family secrets that lead to a search for his half-brother. Character study addressing the issues of race and infidelity.
FOR KEEPS (1988)
Molly Ringwald, Randall Batinkoff
Character study of two high school students who have a baby and learn about married life. (Pow-wowed version can be found on GAP #004 and 005.)
FORGET PARIS (1995)
Billy Crystal, Debra Winger
Comedy/love story about a popular basketball referee who goes to Paris to bury his father, and falls in love. Light entertainment with lessons on marriage and relationships.
FRENCH KISS (1995)
Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, Timothy Hutton
Romantic comedy about an American woman who goes to Paris to try to win back her fianc who has left her for a French woman. Some "ugly American" behavior, and the mannerisms of the French may need some explaining. Light entertainment only.
FOXFIRE (1987)
Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn
Character study about an elderly woman who refuses to leave her home in the hills where she communes with the spirit of her dead husband. Slow-moving; not to everyone's liking.
GLORY (1989)
Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman
Historical drama set during the US Civil War, about a young, inexperienced white officer who is put in charge of a regiment of black soldiers. Sensitive viewers beware: Contains bloody scenes of wartime violence. Good lessons on leadership, enduring hardness and the strength of unity. Based on a true story.
GREAT ESCAPE, THE (1963)
Steve McQueen, James Garner
Suspenseful drama based on the true story of a group of Allied prisoners of war planning their escape from a Nazi prison camp.
GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh
Drama/character study following the life of Scarlett O'Hara, the feisty and temperamental Southern belle around and during the time of the US Civil War. Considered a film classic, and based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Mitchell. Good lessons on the results of pride and stubbornness. (Nearly four hours long.)
HANGAR 18 (1980)
Darren McGavin, Robert Vaughn
Sci-fi drama about a US government plot to hide a captured UFO.
HANOVER STREET (1979)
Harrison Ford, Lesley-Anne Down, Christopher Plummer
Action/love story set in Britain during World War II, involving the wife of a British officer who falls in love with an American soldier.
HAVANA (1990)
Robert Redford, Lena Olin
Professional gambler travels to Cuba just before Castro's takeover, in the hopes of making it big there, only to be distracted by a beautiful Swedish woman.
HOUSE ON CARROLL STREET, THE (1988)
Kelly McGillis, Jeff Daniels
Classic-style suspense thriller set in the US in the 1950s, about a young woman who stumbles across a strange espionage plot.
I.Q. (1994)
Tim Robbins, Meg Ryan, Walter Matthau
Romantic comedy, set in the 1950s, about a garage mechanic who falls in love with a customer and gets some unusual match-making help from her uncle--Albert Einstein! Fictional role of Einstein and use of deception would be good to discuss.
IL POSTINO (THE POSTMAN) (1994)
Massimo Troisi, Phillippe Noiret
Touching drama/character study about a simple postman who finds inspiration in poetry and faith for romance through a friendship with the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Italian movie with English subtitles. Excellent acting and good lessons on how people can be affected by those they look up to. Slow-moving.
IMMORTAL BELOVED (1994)
Gary Oldman, Isabella Rossellini
Historical fiction set after the death of Beethoven, involving his confidante's search for the "immortal beloved" addressed by Beethoven in a passionate letter. Lessons on communication.
INDOCHINE (1992)
Catherine Denueve, Vincent Perez
Historical drama set in French Indochina in the 1930s, spanning the life of a wealthy French landowner, her adopted Indochinese daughter, and the heart-wrenching changes they go through. The movie is in French, with subtitles. Although some found it slow-moving, it is a good look at the tumult of life in that part of the world, rich with color, detail, emotional intrigue, and an interesting story line.
JANE EYRE (1996)
William Hurt, Charlotte Gainsbourg
Zefferelli adaptation of the classic novel by Charlotte Bront. Drama/character study, with sweet lessons on love and overcoming obstacles.
JEFFERSON IN PARIS (1995)
Nick Nolte, Greta Scacchi
Historical drama about some little-known episodes of Thomas Jefferson's life during his stint as US ambassador to France, based in Paris just before the French Revolution. Could serve as a springboard for a discussion and study of that period in history and other prominent figures of the day portrayed in the film. A bit slow-moving for some.
JERRY MAGUIRE (1996)
Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renee Zellweger
Romantic comedy about a hotshot sports agent struggling to make it in both his professional and private life. Deals with commitment and conviction, and the true values of life. Expos on the big-money machine that drives the professional sports scene.
JIGSAW MAN, THE (1984)
Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier
Spy movie following a former British secret service agent who, after defecting to Russia, returns to England for one final mission.
K-9 (1989)
James Belushi, Mel Harris
Comedy about a cop who teams up with a police dog to crack a drug case. Light entertainment only.
KINDERGARTEN COP (1990)
Arnold Schwartznegger, Penelope Ann Miller
Comedy about a macho police officer who goes undercover as a temporary kindergarten teacher while attempting to solve a crime. Beware of some violence in parts.
LADYHAWKE (1985)
Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer
Medieval fantasy adventure about two lovers caught in an evil spell, and a young thief who becomes their unlikely ally. New Age slant makes this one not to everyone's liking.
LEGAL EAGLES (1986)
Robert Redford, Debra Winger, Daryl Hannah
Action-drama about an assistant DA who becomes involved with a lawyer and her eccentric client. Entertainment only.
LES MISERABLES (1995)
Jean-Paul Belmondo
Emotional drama about the life of a simple French worker during World War II, who helps a Jewish family fleeing from the Nazis. Three-hour movie, French with subtitles and excellent acting. Different story from the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, but refers to it throughout.
LET IT RIDE (1989)
Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr
Lighthearted racetrack comedy about a chronic gambler who can't resist a hot tip on the horses. Though the movie itself is quite unrealistic, the main character is a classic example of an addicted gambler.
LIAR, LIAR (1997)
Jim Carrey, Justin Cooper
Comedy about a lawyer--a habitual liar with a history of broken promises to his young son--who is bound by the boy's birthday wish to tell only the truth for 24 hours. Contains some crude and foul language in places, but also has a good message and lessons.
LION OF THE DESERT, THE (1981)
Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed, Rod Steiger
Historical drama/character study following the Italian attempts of 1911 and 1931 to invade Libya. Contains scenes of wartime violence.
LOVE AFFAIR (1994)
Warren Beatty, Annette Bening
Love story involving two people who meet aboard a ship headed for Australia. Modern-day remake of B&W classic "An Affair to Remember," with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.
LOVE IS A MANY-SPLENDORED THING (1955)
William Holden, Jennifer Jones
Classic love story set in Hong Kong during the Korean War, about a Eurasian woman doctor who falls in love with a reporter.
LOVE POTION No. 9 (1992)
Tate Donovan, Sandra Bullock
Romantic comedy about two shy lab technicians who decide to personally test out a "love potion," guaranteed to magnetically attract all members of the opposite sex. Light entertainment, with a sweet message.
LOVER'S KNOT (1996)
Tim Curry, Jennifer Grey
Romantic comedy about one of Cupid's assistants who is assigned to bring a young couple together and then to help them stay together. Good relationship lessons.
LOSING ISAIAH (1995)
Jessica Lange, Halle Berry, Marc John Jeffries
Tense emotional drama involving a custody case between a white family who adopted an abandoned crack baby, and the rehabilitated black mother who wants her son back. Many interesting points for discussion.
MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, THE (1994)
Nigel Hawthorne, Helen Mirren
Historical drama set in the 18th-century, chronicling King George III's struggle with insanity, and his attempts to keep his throne. It would be helpful to read up on King George III before viewing. Certain scenes of mental illness and its treatment could be disturbing for some.
MASS APPEAL (1984)
Jack Lemmon, Zeljko Ivanek
Drama about an idealistic Catholic seminary student who challenges the preaching methods and diplomatic ways of the beloved rector.
MICHAEL COLLINS (1996)
Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts
Historical drama about the Irish people's violent fight for independence from the United Kingdom in the early part of this century, and what it cost them and the British. Beware of many unpleasant scenes of terrorism and violence.
MILK MONEY (1994)
Melanie Griffith, Ed Harris
Comedy/love story about three 12-year-old boys who pool their funds and go to the big city in hopes of getting a look at a naked woman. A point for discussion would be the non-glamorous reality of the prostitute lifestyle.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (1996)
Tom Cruise, Jon Voight
Action-suspense movie about a team of undercover government spies on a mission. Some violence throughout. Look out for one murder scene by a gate, which is repeated in flashbacks. Hollywood entertainment only.
MOLL FLANDERS (1996)
Robin Wright, Morgan Freeman, Stockard Channing
Drama about a young girl struggling to survive on the streets of 18th-century London. Inspired by Daniel Defoe's novel by the same name, but retaining very little of the original story. Realistic and sometimes traumatic portrayal of events, but also an inspiring example of overcoming.
MONEY PIT, THE (1986)
Tom Hanks, Shelly Long
Comedy about a young couple trying to repair and remodel their dream house. Some unrealistic foolishness, but contains lessons on jealousy, communication and forgiveness.
MONTH BY THE LAKE, A (1995)
Vanessa Redgrave, Edward Fox, Uma Thurman
British love story/character study about a middle-aged woman on holiday by Italy's Lake Como, who is attracted to a man also residing there. Slow-moving, but good lessons on communication and the bad results of shallowness and insincere flirting.
MR. WONDERFUL (1993)
Matt Dillon, Annabella Sciorra
Romantic comedy about a recently-divorced man who sets out to find a husband for his ex-wife, so that he can get out of his alimony payments.
MRS. DOUBTFIRE (1993)
Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan
Comedy/drama about a father's desperate attempt to spend time with his children. His estranged wife plans to hire a nanny to be with the kids, and the father sees his chance. A few scenes with unpleasant homosexual characters, but otherwise lots of fun, with a sweet, pro-fatherhood message.
MRS. WINTERBOURNE (1996)
Ricki Lake, Shirley MacLaine, Brendan Fraser
A pregnant, unmarried woman is mistaken for the new wife of a recently deceased millionaire and is welcomed into his high-society family. Good message about love, acceptance and parenthood.
MULTIPLICITY (1996)
Michael Keaton, Andie MacDowell
Fanciful comedy about a man who thinks he has found the perfect solution for his lack of time for work, family and personal pursuits: to get himself cloned. Light entertainment, with lessons on contentment, moderation and more.
MY LITTLE GIRL (1986)
Mary Stuart Masterson, James Earl Jones
Drama/character study about a naive young, wealthy girl who volunteers to work one summer in a children's foster home. Gives some insight into teens' emotions and frustrations. Points for discussion on communication and not acting on impulse.
MY STEPMOTHER IS AN ALIEN (1988)
Dan Akroyd, Kim Bassinger
Comedy about a widowed scientist looking for a peaceful domestic life who marries a very unusual bride! Light entertainment only; not to everyone's liking.
MYSTIC PIZZA (1988)
Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, Lili Taylor
Character study centering on three young women who work at a pizzeria in a small fishing town, and their lives and loves. Lessons on relationships.
NAPOLEON AND JOSEPHINE (1987)
Jacqueline Bisset, Armand Assante, Anthony Perkins
Five-hour mini-series chronicling the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, especially his relationship with Josephine de Beauharnais, until his exile.
NET, THE (1995)
Sandra Bullock
Young computer expert becomes involved in a computer deception scheme and finds herself running for her life. Though not an accurate portrayal of how things really work on the Internet, the movie gives an interesting look at how easily people's lives can be controlled and manipulated through computers. Younger audiences will need some explanation.
NICK OF TIME (1995)
Johnny Depp, Christopher Walken
Suspenseful thriller about a widower whose young daughter is kidnapped, to be released unharmed only if he commits a murder in the next 90 minutes. Entertainment only.
NO WAY OUT (1987)
Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young
Suspenseful thriller about a murder and cover-up plot within the top circles of the US Department of Defense. A few violent scenes.
ON WINGS OF EAGLES (1986)
Burt Lancaster, Richard Crenna
Action adventure based on a true story about billionaire Ross Perot's attempts to rescue two of his executives imprisoned in Iran during the chaos surrounding the overthrow of the Shah's regime. Interesting pointers on security and what not to do.
ONLY THE LONELY (1991)
John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy
Romantic comedy about a withdrawn Chicago cop still living with his mother, who falls in love--much to his mother's dismay.
ONLY YOU (1994)
Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr.
Romantic comedy about a girl whose search for her "dream man" takes her to Europe. Light entertainment.
OP CENTER, THE (1995)
Charles Noland, George Alvarez
Suspense movie portraying a possible WW3 scenario involving Ukrainian nuclear weapons. Lessons on teamworking and personal relationships.
OUTBREAK (1995)
Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman
Military medical researcher identifies a deadly virus that has made its way from Africa to the US, then has to race against the clock to stop it from spreading. Story loosely based on a real-life incident. Tense action movie with some unpleasant scenes.
PASSAGE TO INDIA, A (1984)
Judy Davis, Alec Guiness, Peggy Ashcroft
Drama/character study set in India in the 1920s, with interesting insight into Indian lifestyle and the culture clash of the East and West.
PERSUASION (1995)
Amanda Root, Ciaran Hinds
British adaptation of the novel by Jane Austen, set in the early 1800s. Character study and love story about a young woman who followed a friend's advice to reject the man she loved, only to have him return eight years later.
PHENOMENON (1996)
John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick
An ordinary, small-town man has a mysterious experience that leaves him with phenomenal abilities. Although some of the philosophies expressed by the main character differ at times from our beliefs, there are many positive points, including a good illustration on the Flatlanders' refusal to accept anything they can't understand or that is out of their reach.
POWDER (1995)
Mary Steenburgen, Sean Patrick Flanery
Intense, touching character study about a teen with an unusual appearance and abilities. Lessons on bigotry, judging by the outward appearance, and the results of negative peer pressure. Be mindful of a strong New Age message throughout.
PRESIDIO, THE (1988)
Sean Connery, Mark Harmon, Meg Ryan
Action-thriller about two investigators who are at odds with one another, investigating a murder at an Army base. Action-entertainment only.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1995)
Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth
Well-acted, British-made mini-series, from Jane Austen's novel. Character study of five 19th-century sisters and their life and loves. Good lessons on humility, honesty, seeing beyond the outward appearance and not making surface judgments on people's character.
QUIZ SHOW (1994)
John Turturro, Rob Morrow
Drama/character study set in the 1950s about a former contestant of the popular game show "Twenty-One" who accuses the show of fraud. Based on a true story. Good lessons on honesty and standing up for your convictions.
REBECCA (1940)
Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine
Psychological thriller, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, about a young bride who finds her wealthy husband still living in the haunting shadow of his deceased first wife. (B&W)
RENAISSANCE MAN (1994)
Danny DeVito, Gregory Hines
Advertising designer gets a new job teaching below-average army privates. Good lessons on making learning fun, showing faith in others, and the rewards that can be had in working with people vs. pursuing a more lucrative career. Some parts present the US military in a glorified and unrealistic manner.
RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, A (1992)
Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerrit
Drama/character study about a preacher and his two sons, and the different paths that their lives take.
ROBIN HOOD (1991)
Patrick Bergen, Uma Thurman
Action-drama of the famous Robin Hood story. Beware of several unpleasant scenes.
ROOMMATES (1995)
Peter Falk, D.B. Sweeney
Character study/comedy about the relationship between a boy and his grandfather, over a 30-year time span.
ROXANNE (1987)
Steve Martin, Daryl Hannah
Romantic comedy, modern-day version of "Cyrano de Bergerac," about a man who is afraid to confess his love.
RUBY RIDGE: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY (1996)
Randy Quaid, Laura Dern
Intense three-hour drama about the FBI's August 1992 siege of Randy Weaver, his family and a friend at the Weaver property on Ruby Ridge. Fairly objective and factual portrayal of events, which some
may find a bit traumatic in places.
RUDE AWAKENING (1989)
Cheech Marin, Eric Roberts
Comedy about some middle-aged hippies who have been living in a jungle commune for 20 years. They return to New York City in order to expose a plot by the US government to invade a small Latin American nation, and find that the world has changed considerably while they have been gone!
SABRINA (1995)
Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond
Love story about a rich tycoon and a chauffeur's daughter. (Remake of 1954 black-and-white version starring Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.)
SAINT, THE (1997)
Val Kilmer, Elisabeth Shue
Action-suspense movie about a professional thief who gets involved with the Russian Mafia.
SECRET OF MY SUCCESS, THE (1987)
Michael J. Fox, Helen Slater
Comedy about an enterprising young man from Kansas trying to make it big in New York City. Light entertainment only.
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995)
Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet
Drama/character study about two sisters and their experiences in trying to find husbands. Shows the importance of sincerity, trust and sympathy in affairs of the heart. Set in 19th-century England, and based on Jane Austen's novel by the same name, with beautiful scenery and good acting.
SHE'S HAVING A BABY (1988)
Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern, Alec Baldwin
Comedy following the trials and triumphs of a young couple as they embark on the journey of marriage and parenthood.
SHINING THROUGH (1992)
Michael Douglas, Melanie Griffith, Liam Neeson
Suspenseful spy drama/romance set in WWII, about a Jewish-American secretary who volunteers to infiltrate a high-ranking Nazi officer's home as a spy.
SHOGUN (1980)
Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune
Historical fiction about an English sailor shipwrecked on the coast of Japan who ends up playing a pivotal roll in the struggle of rival warlords to become the Shogun. Two-hour video version is shortened from the original ten-hour mini-series.
SOLARIS (1972)
Natalya Bondarchauk, Yuri Yarvet
Russian scifi about a psychologist sent to investigate mysterious deaths aboard a space station. Somewhat slow-moving, but has lots of very interesting messages. (See MLs #271 and 271B.)
SOUL MAN (1986)
C. Thomas Howell, James Earl Jones
Comedy about a teenager who masquerades as a black youth in order to attend Harvard Law School on a scholarship.
SPEECHLESS (1994)
Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Christopher Reeve
Romantic comedy about two speech-writers for opposing political candidates, who fall in love. Some foul language.
STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT (1996)
Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner
The 24th-century crew of the Starship Enterprise travel back to 21st-century Earth while battling a race of cyborgs who are trying to assimilate all other species into their race. Excitement and suspense, but watch out for various unexpected and graphic weirdness throughout the movie, including the opening scene.
STARS FELL ON HENRIETTA, THE (1995)
Robert Duvall, Aidan Quinn
Drama/character study set in the Oklahoma oil boom years of the 1930s, about a struggling oil prospector who tries to convince a poor farmer that there is oil on his property. Realistic, though somewhat slow-moving.
STEEL MAGNOLIAS (1989)
Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Sally Fields, Daryl Hannah
Drama/comedy/character study following several years in the lives of six women in a small Southern town--their joys, sorrows and friendships. Positive message about having children.
SUBSTITUTE WIFE, THE (1995)
Lea Thompson, Farrah Fawcett
When a spunky pioneer wife and mother finds out she may not have much longer to live, she sets out to find a new wife and mother for her husband and children. Set in the 1800s. Very good lessons showing the application of and the rewards of living the Law of Love.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS (1990)
James Belushi, Charles Grodin
Comedy about an executive who loses his wallet/organizer on the outset of a weekend business trip, with very confusing results. Light entertainment.
TAMING OF THE SHREW, THE (1967)
Liz Taylor, Richard Burton
Colorful screen version of Shakespeare's famous play.
TARGET (1985)
Gene Hackman, Matt Dillon
A man and his college-age son are plunged into the world of international intrigue when their wife/mother disappears while vacationing in Paris.
TEACHERS (1984)
Nick Nolte, JoBeth Williams
Comedy/drama about a degenerate inner city school facing multiple problems from both in and out of its boundaries.
TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (1983)
Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Shirley MacLaine
Drama/character study following the relationship of a mother and daughter over the years. Not to everyone's liking.
THERE GOES MY BABY (1994)
Dermot Mulroney, Ricky Schroeder
Drama about a group of teens in 1965 who get together after graduating from high school, before they are to all go their separate ways. Interesting character studies and look at life in the sixties.
THIRTY-NINE STEPS, THE (1978)
Robert Powell, David Warner
Suspenseful spy movie set in Britain just before WWI. Remake of classic Hitchcock thriller.
THORNBIRDS, THE (1983)
Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward
Miniseries chronicling the tempestuous life and loves of an Australian priest in the first half of this century, and the effects of worldly ambition and sexual confinement on the clergy. A shorter, feature-length version was also released.
THREE WISHES (1995)
Patrick Swayze, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Fanciful drama about a woman struggling to raise two children on her own, and what happens when she opens her home to a mysterious stranger and his dog. Sweet story with good lessons on contentment, but be mindful of the New Age slant.
TIMESCAPE (1992) (aka DISASTER IN TIME)
Jeff Daniels, Ariana Richards
Sci-fi drama about a proprietor of a small-town hotel who suspects that his unusual guests are up to no good. Lessons on facing your fears.
TRADING PLACES (1983)
Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy
Comedy about a stock-broker and a street hustler who suddenly find themselves in opposite places. Entertainment only.
TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS, THE (1996)
Janeane Garofalo, Uma Thurman
Romantic comedy about a radio talk-show host for a call-in program offering advice on pets, who asks her beautiful neighbor to stand in for her on a blind date with a listener. Fun story with lessons about negative thinking and accepting yourself the way you are.
TWINS (1988)
Arnold Schwarznegger, Danny DeVito
Comedy about a genetically conceived "perfect" man who finds out that he has a twin brother--and sets out to find him. Entertainment only.
TWO MUCH (1996)
Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Daryl Hannah
Romantic comedy about a swindling art dealer and his relationship with two sisters. Light entertainment only.
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (1996)
Robert Redford, Michelle Pfeiffer
Love story/drama about an ambitious young woman's rise to the top as a network news anchor. Loosely based on a true story, with interesting insight into the way the news media operates. Realistic portrayal of life and relationships.
VICE VERSA (1988)
Judge Reinhold, Fred Savage
Comedy about a department store manager who is a workaholic and his 11-year-old son, who mysteriously swap their identities.
WALL STREET (1987)
Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Martin Sheen
Drama/character study exposing the corruptness of insider trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
WEDDING GIFT, THE (1993)
Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent
Drama about a middle-aged couple learning to cope with the wife's mysterious and debilitating disease. Character study with sweet lessons on love, sacrifice, and cheerfulness in spite of affliction.
WHAT ABOUT BOB? (1991)
Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss
Spoof on the mental health profession. A phobic patient who follows his uptight psychiatrist on his vacation. Light entertainment.
WHO WILL LOVE MY CHILDREN? (1983)
Ann-Margret, Frederic Forrest
Drama/character study about a mother of ten who is dying of cancer and trying to find homes for her children. Touching and a tear-jerker, but triumphant. Based on a true story.
WORKING GIRL (1988)
Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver
Romantic comedy about an ambitious yet naive secretary trying to get ahead in the business world.
Movies Rated for JETTs and Up
ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD (1994)
Danny Glover, Tony Danza
A young boy's prayer for his favorite baseball team who are on a steady losing streak produces some amazing results! The depiction of the angels is not Scripturally sound, but overall it is a sweet, enjoyable movie.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (1985)
Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst
Screen adaptation of the classic novel by L.M. Montgomery, about the imaginative orphan, Anne Shirley, who is adopted by an elderly brother and sister.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: THE SEQUEL (aka ANNE OF AVONLEA) (1987)
Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst
Continuing with the life of Anne Shirley, who is now 18 and dreaming of finding her ideal man.
ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (1969)
Richard Burton, Genevive Bujold
Well-acted historical drama centering on the life of Anne Boleyn, one of the wives of Henry VIII.
APOLLO 13 (1995)
Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon
True story of the Apollo 13's ill-fated 1970 moon mission. Contains good lessons on teamwork, determination in problem-solving, and Rom.8:28. Technical aspects will probably need explaining for younger audiences. Good springboard for study on the space program.
BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
Fantasy/comedy about a teenager from the 1980s who travels back in time to when his parents were teenagers. Entertainment only.
BACK TO THE FUTURE II (1989)
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
Sequel to "Back to the Future," with more time-travel for Marty--this time, into the future. Not to everyone's liking. Entertainment only.
BACK TO THE FUTURE III (1990)
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
Third and last in the "Back to the Future" series sends Marty back to the Wild West in the 1800s to try to save Doc's life. Entertainment only.
BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED (1987)
Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy
Sci-fi fantasy movie about a family of small alien spacecraft who come to the rescue of New York senior citizens whose tenement is about to be demolished.
BETWEEN TWO WORLDS (1944)
John Garfield, Eleanor Parker
Drama about several people who have died and are on board a ship which will take them to either Heaven or Hell. (B&W)
BREAKING AWAY (1979)
Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid
Character study/comedy about four college-age boys who are looked down on by peers from the local college, wondering what to do with their lives.
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE (1987)
Patrick Dempsey, Amanda Peterson
Extremely uncool teenager pays one of the "in" girls to pose as his girlfriend, in the hopes of elevating his status amongst his peers. Lessons on vanity and self-image, and good portrayal of the pressure on teens in the System to be accepted by the "in" crowd.
COCOON: THE RETURN (1988)
Don Ameche, Jack Gilford
Sci-fi sequel, where the elderly couples return from an alien planet in another attempt to rescue the cocoons left on the bottom of the ocean.
CORRINA, CORRINA (1994)
Whoopi Goldberg, Ray Liotta
Touching movie about a young widower in the late 1950s who hires a black housekeeper to help take care of his daughter, and the effect she has on their lives.
CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE, THE (1972)
Pat Boone, Erik Estrada
Film version of the book by David Wilkerson, telling of his ministry to the drug addicts and gang members on the streets of New York.
CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY (1995)
James Earl Jones, Richard Harris
Heavy, emotional drama set in South Africa in the late 1940s about a black country minister who goes to Johannesburg in search of his errant son. Slow-moving in parts, but with very good acting. Brings out the themes of forgiveness and mercy and the Rom.8:28 of trials and sufferings, set against the racial inequalities and tensions present in South Africa in that era. Adapted from a well-known book.
D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
Mary Beth Hurt, Michael McKean
Sci-fi about a childless couple who adopt a little boy who turns out to be a sophisticated robot prototype.
D3: THE MIGHTY DUCKS (1996)
Joshua Jackson, Jeffrey Nordling, Emilio Estevez
The teenage hockey team is back for more action as they start as freshmen at a prestigious prep school. Some bad behavior can be pointed out, but also contains good lessons on humility and learning to give others the benefit of the doubt.
DANGEROUS MINDS (1995)
Michelle Pfeiffer
Real-life drama about an inner city school with unruly high-school class that gets a new substitute teacher to replace the previous ones who have quit. Realistic look at today's American schools and the corruption of the public school system. Fighter movie with good lessons on peer pressure and people-handling.
DANTE'S PEAK (1997)
Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton
Special-effects drama about a vulcanologist trying to convince his superiors that a long-dormant volcano is about to erupt. Young or sensitive viewers beware of an unpleasant scene involving a hot spring.
DAYLIGHT (1996) (R)
Sylvester Stallone
Disaster thriller and character study about a group of people who are trapped inside a collapsed tunnel. Traumatic in parts. Lots of good points for discussion, such as heroism, leadership, unselfishness/selfishness and teamworking. Beware of some unpleasant scenes for sensitive viewers.
DOWN PERISCOPE (1996)
Kelsey Grammer, Lauren Holly
Comedy about an unconventional US Navy officer who is given command of a rusted-out diesel submarine and a ragtag crew, and has to prove himself in a series of war games. Good portrayal of leadership qualities, teamworking, and perseverance.
EDDIE (1996)
Whoopi Goldberg, Frank Langella, Dennis Farina
Comedy about a basketball fan who becomes the head coach of a losing team. Some foul language. Good points for discussion on unity and on getting people to put forth their best efforts.
ELECTRIC DREAMS (1984)
Lenny von Dohlen, Virginia Madsen
Romantic comedy about a shy young man who enlists the help of his computer to try to win a girl's affections--with unexpected results!
EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, THE (1980, 1997)
Mark Hamil, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Second movie in the "Star Wars" trilogy--the fight of good versus evil continues! Entertainment only.
EVITA (1996)
Madonna, Antonio Banderas
Big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical about the controversial life of Eva Peron, former first lady of Argentina, in which her version of history in the making--and her part in it--is contrasted by that of the narrator, who speaks for her critics. A basic knowledge of her life story and Peron-era politics is helpful, as otherwise the story line is hard to follow. (For comments from Dad on the Perons, please see MLs #270:31-34,37; 272:35,40,42; 2167:126-128,131.)
FAHRENHEIT 451 (1967)
Julie Christie, Oskar Werner
Sci-fi about a future civilization on Earth where all printed reading material is outlawed. Could be taken as good forecast of AC suppression.
FAR PAVILIONS, THE (1985)
Ben Cross, Amy Irving, Omar Sharif
Romantic adventure set in 19th-century India, about a young British officer and an Indian princess. There is a four hour mini-series, as well as a shorter, feature-length movie edited from the series.
FIRST KNIGHT (1995)
Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond
Drama-love story loosely based on the legend of King Arthur of Camelot, his wife, Queen Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot. Lessons on good versus evil, honesty, jealousy, and the danger of the "fires within." Downside: Glorifies self-confidence and violence.
FOOLS RUSH IN (1997)
Matthew Perry, Salma Hayek
Romantic comedy about a one-night stand with long-lasting results. Fun and entertaining, with lots of good lessons.
FORREST GUMP (1994)
Tom Hanks, Sally Field
The fictional life story of mentally slow but lovable Forrest Gump and his growth to adulthood, following his coincidental involvement in many major events of the 1960s, '70s and '80s. Sweet character study with lots of good lessons. Younger age groups will probably need the historical significance of certain events explained.
FREE WILLY (1993)
Jason James Richter, Lori Petty
A young boy befriends a whale in an aquarium, and struggles to save it from its seedy owner. The heavy emphasis on spiritism and negative messages should be discussed with young viewers.
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (1996)
Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Fox
Three-hour adaptation of Jonathan Swift's classic political satire novel, in which Gulliver visits the tiny Lilliputians, a land of giants, the savage Yahoos, and others, on his fantastic travels. Good expos of System values.
HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, THE (1996)
(Animated, with voices of Tom Hulce, Demi Moore and Kevin Kline)
Disney adaptation of the famous novel by Victor Hugo, with good parallels on the struggle between good and evil, sacrificial love and a victorious approach to persecution. Children may find it intense and scary in parts, and many adult emotions are portrayed which they may not understand. However, it could be suitable for younger age groups with previewing and explanations as needed.
ICE CASTLES (1979)
Lynn-Holly Johnson, Robby Benson
Drama/character study about a successful figure skater who is blinded by a freak accident. Lessons on humility and overcoming obstacles.
IN PURSUIT OF HONOR (1995)
Don Johnson, Craig Sheffer, Gabrielle Anwar
Drama loosely based on a 1935 incident when US soldiers were ordered to destroy hundreds of horses as part of the army's modernization program. Beware of the graphic horse-shooting scene. Fighter-type movie with good points to discuss on the balance between obedience to trust and follow the new methods and going to a higher authority when you feel something is wrong; also good lessons on teamworking between older and younger generations. Lots of good discussion points!
INDEPENDENCE DAY (1996)
Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Will Smith
Sci-fi action movie, with lots of hi-tech special effects, about an alien attack on the United States. Some pro-American and "one world" hype. Sensitive viewers should be mindful of the scene with the alien in the lab operating room. Entertainment only.
JUNIOR (1994)
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Emma Thompson
Comedy about two scientists who make a desperate attempt to continue development of a new pregnancy drug--by experimenting on one of them. Light entertainment only.
KAREN CARPENTER STORY, THE (1989)
Cynthia Gibb, Mitchell Anderson
Drama following the life story of Karen Carpenter, the popular star of the music group The Carpenters, and her struggle with drugs and anorexia.
LAST DAYS OF PATTON, THE (1986)
George C. Scott, Eva Marie Saint
Historical drama, sequel to the movie "Patton," following the latter years of General Patton's life. Slow-moving; much of the movie takes place in an army hospital.
LITTLE BIG LEAGUE (1994)
Luke Edwards, Timothy Busfield
Comedy about a 12-year-old boy who inherits his grandfather's professional baseball team and decides to manage and coach it himself. Lessons are learned on maturity, self-righteousness and love.
LOOK WHO'S TALKING NOW (1993)
John Travolta, Kirstie Alley
Comedy, second of two sequels to "Look Who's Talking." This time the dogs are doing the talking. Light entertainment only.
LUCAS (1986)
Corey Haim, Kerri Green, Charlie Sheen
Character study about a precocious 14-year-old who develops a crush on the new girl in town. Good insight into early teen emotions, and lessons on love and considering the feelings of others.
MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, A (1966)
Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern
Historical drama based on the life of Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) and his religious disputes with King Henry VIII. Good lessons on conviction. Younger audiences may need help following the plot and dialogue.
MAN IN THE MOON, THE (1991)
Sam Waterston, Tess Harper
Coming-of-age drama/character study about a 14-year-old girl who falls in love with an older teen boy. Intense and emotional in parts, but with very good lessons on love, communication and overcoming jealousy. You may want to prepare young viewers for a very wrenching scene in a field towards the middle of the movie.
MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN (1992)
Chevy Chase, Daryl Hannah
Comedy about a man who is rendered invisible and finds himself running for his life. Light entertainment.
MIRACLE WORKER, THE (1962)
Patty Duke, Anne Bancroft
Drama based on the childhood of Helen Keller, who was deaf, dumb and blind. Intense, but has lots of good lessons.
MORNING GLORY (1993)
Christopher Reeve, Deborah Raffin
Heart-warming drama/character study about a down-and-out ex-con drifter who goes to work for a widowed single mother on a run-down farm. Good lessons on the changing power of love.
MR. MOM (1983)
Michael Keaton, Teri Garr
Comedy about a business-minded father who gets fired from his job and has take his wife's place caring for the house and children, while she goes to work for an advertising agency.
ONE FINE DAY (1996)
Michelle Pfeiffer, George Clooney
Romantic comedy about two divorced single parents whose children and business affairs become continually entangled during one eventful day.
ORDEAL IN THE ARCTIC (1995)
Richard Chamberlain
Drama based on the true story of a plane that crashes in the Arctic, and the resultant lessons for the survivors of overcoming and pulling together as the story unfolds.
PERFECT HARMONY (1991)
Peter Scolari, Darren McGavin
Drama set in the 1950s, about racial conflict in an exclusive boys' school in the Southern US.
PLACES IN THE HEART (1984)
Sally Fields, Danny Glover
Historical drama/character study about a young Texas widow trying to survive the Depression as a cotton farmer. Good insight into the prejudices of those times, and lessons on unity and pulling together. Some parts will need explaining for young viewers.
QUEST FOR LOVE (1971)
Tom Bell, Joan Collins
Sci-fi about a man who accidentally passes into a parallel dimension very similar to our own, but with strange differences.
RACE THE SUN (1996)
Halle Berry, James Belushi
Drama/character study based on the true story of a group of Hawaiian high school students who enter a solar-powered car race with great aspirations. Good points for discussion on perseverance and pulling together as a team. Contains some foul language, sarcasm and bad attitudes.
RESTORATION (1995)
Robert Downey, Jr., Sam Neill, Meg Ryan
The life and loves of a frivolous young English doctor during the post-Cromwell reign of Charles II of England, who faces many challenges and experiences that shape his character. Lessons on unselfishness, using the gifts God has given, and "makings through breakings." Sensitive viewers should beware of one scene where a man has a wound that leaves his beating heart clearly visible (you can see it coming).
RETURN OF THE JEDI, THE (1983, 1997)
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Conclusion of the "Star Wars" trilogy. It is helpful to have seen the first two parts before this one, or it may not be so understandable. Entertainment only.
ROCKY (1976)
Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire
Character study about a down-and-out boxer who gets a shot at the world heavyweight title. Good portrayal of perseverance and determination. Some unpleasant fight scenes.
RUNNING BRAVE (1983)
Robby Benson, Pat Hingle
Story of American Indian Olympic champion Billy Mills and his life beginning on a Sioux reservation to his triumph at the Olympics.
RUDYARD KIPLING'S THE JUNGLE BOOK (1994)
Jason Scott Lee, Cary Elwes
Adventurous, fanciful movie version of the classic tale of the jungle boy who is brought back to civilization by the daughter of a British regiment officer, and involving the mysterious lost treasure city. Light entertainment, but beware of some violence.
SECRET GARDEN (1993)
Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Maggie Smith
Modern remake of the classic story by Frances Hodgson Burnett about a spoiled orphan girl who comes to live in an English manor. Some parts contain a bit of a negative spiritist slant, which could be discussed.
SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE, A (1994)
Steve Martin, Gabriel Byrne
Modern-day drama and adaptation of George Elliot's literary classic Silas Marner, about a reclusive man who is changed when an orphaned toddler wanders into his life. Good message about "real fathers."
SPITFIRE GRILL, THE (1996)
Alison Elliot, Ellen Burstyn
Drama/character study about a female ex-con who attempts to start a new life in a small town after her release from prison. Lessons on trust and labeling. Emotionally intense in parts, and younger or sensitive viewers may want to avoid the scene where the girl explains the reason she went to jail.
SQUANTO: A WARRIOR'S TALE (1994)
Adam Beach, Mandy Patinkin
Adventurous tale set in America in the early 1600s, based on the true story of an American Indian who is abducted by traders and carried back to Britain as a curiosity.
SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe
Comedy about two musicians who witness the Chicago mob's 1929 "St. Valentine's Day massacre," and their resultant attempt to flee their pursuers. Light entertainment only.
SOUTH PACIFIC (1958)
Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor
Entertaining musical/love story/comedy set on a Pacific island during WWII. Light treatment of the sailors' bad habits could be discussed with young audiences.
STAR TREK: GENERATIONS (1994)
Patrick Stewart, William Shatner
Captain Kirk joins Captain Picard in a fight against an evil scientist. Fun entertainment for those with a taste for "Star Trek" movies.
STAR WARS (1977, 1997)
Mark Hamil, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher
Sci-fi classic about a small group of humans and their robot friends who embark on a mission to save the galaxy. Entertainment only.
STARCROSSED (1985)
James Spader, Belinda Bauer
Sci-fi/love story about a girl who flees her planet and comes to Earth.
STING, THE (1973)
Robert Redford, Paul Newman
Comedy about two con men in the 1930s, trying to avenge the death of one of their pals.
SUPERMAN II (1980)
Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman
Sequel with continued adventures of the "man of steel," as three villains with identical powers to Superman's threaten the world.
TIME MACHINE, THE (1960)
Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Yvette Mimieux
Sci-fi based on the story by H.G. Wells, about a scientist who invents a time machine and travels to the future.
TITANIC (1996)
George C. Scott, Peter Gallagher
Three-and-a-half-hour mini-series drama chronicling the naval disaster. Many good points for discussion on following through on checks, and the great consequences that can come of small things. Beware of an unpleasant scene in a shower.
TO SIR WITH LOVE 2 (1996)
Sidney Poitier
Thirty years later, the British teacher from the original movie goes to Chicago to teach at an inner-city school. Good lessons on teaching and shepherding; about relating to others but not compromising your convictions or lowering your standards.
TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL
Della Reese, Roma Downey
Television series about "angels with an attitude" who carry a message of love from the Boss to lost souls on Earth. Doesn't directly mention Jesus, but is full of Christian message. Overall, the series contains a very uplifting, Bible-based, full-of-faith presentation, and often tackles complex personal and social problems. Each episode will need to be previewed for younger audiences, as some deal with heavy subjects, but many may be fine for OCs or MCs.
TWISTER (1996)
Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton
Special-effects extravaganza about storm-chasers, who track down tornadoes in an attempt to study them and thereby save others from destruction. Parts are exaggerated or unrealistic. Please be mindful of the intense opening scene for young viewers.
WALK IN THE CLOUDS, A (1995) (R)
Keanu Reeves, Altana Sanches-Gijon, Anthony Quinn
Drama/love story set at the close of WWII. A young veteran meets an unwed pregnant woman, and agrees to pose as her husband for one night to help her save face with her aristocratic family. Good lessons on not being too proud to show love, the bad results of anger, and victory through defeat.
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING (1995)
Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman
Romantic comedy about a Chicago transit worker who saves her "dream man" from muggers. Shows what a mess even "innocent" deception can lead to.
WHITE SQUALL (1996)
Jeff Bridges, Caroline Goodall, John Savage
Drama/character study set in the early 1960s. True story of a sea captain and his wife who run a school-at-sea for teen boys, teaching teamwork and responsibility while sailing their ship on a difficult journey. Thought-provoking lessons are learned by all involved through being caught in extreme circumstances.
WITH HONORS (1994)
Joe Pesci, Brendan Fraser, Moira Kelly
Comedy/drama about a group of college students whose lives change through their interaction with a homeless man. Good lessons on learning to work together and get along, and the real values of life--love and caring for others. Beware of unpleasant language.
WOMEN OF VALOR (1986)
Susan Sarandon, Kristy McNichol
Drama/character study set in WWII about a group of US Army nurses in the Philippines who are captured by the Japanese. Contains some rough scenes of prison life in a concentration camp that JETTs should be prepared for, but overall it has a positive message and depicts a good sample of unity and coming through difficult situations victoriously.
YOUNG CATHERINE (1991)
Julia Ormond, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Plummer
Historical drama about the teenage German girl who married into the 18th-century Russian royal family and eventually became Catherine the Great.
Movies Rated for OCs and Up
ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO, THE (1996)
Martin Landau, Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Mixed live-action and computer-animation version of the famous story of the wooden marionette that yearns to be a real boy and magically comes to life. Beware of parts which could be scary for some children, in particular the scene where some characters change to donkeys and the part with the sea monster.
ALADDIN (1992)
(Animated, with voices of Scott Weinger and Robin Williams.)
Liberal Disney adaptation of the classic tale of Aladdin's Magic Lamp. Not recommended for repeated viewing, due to the predominant influence of the less desirable characters. Also, some of the main characters' bad actions and attitudes are portrayed as good or cute--such as stealing, for example.
ALASKA (1996)
Thora Birch, Vincent Kartheiser, Charlton Heston
Adventure drama (though somewhat unrealistic) about two young teens who embark on a search for their father after his plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness. Some bad attitudes could be discussed. It would also be good to explain to young viewers the real-life risks of being in that type of survival situation and around polar bears, which are portrayed as friendly animals in the movie but are actually dangerous carnivores.
AMERICAN IN PARIS, AN (1951)
Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron
Dance/musical about an American man in Paris, torn between his romantic attachments with two women.
BEAUTICIAN AND THE BEAST, THE (1997)
Fran Drescher, Timothy Dalton
Romantic comedy about a beautician who is hired to educate the children of an East European dictator.
BLACK STALLION RETURNS, THE (1983)
Kelly Reno, Vincent Spano
Sequel to "The Black Stallion," with the young teen boy searching the Sahara Desert for his Arabian horse which has been stolen.
CHRISTMAS IN MY HOMETOWN (1996)
Melissa Gilbert
Touching story about a businessman who is sent back to his hometown to assess who needs to be laid off from the factory that keeps the town alive.
CHRISTY (1994)
Kellie Martin
Drama based on the Christian novel by Catherine Marshall, about a young woman who goes to teach in a poverty-stricken mountain community in 1912. Somewhat churchy in parts. Some portions might be traumatic for young viewers--especially since this is the pilot for an American TV series and all the issues are not resolved--so discussion with younger audiences is recommended. (Note: The TV series has not been viewed nor rated.)
ENGLISHMAN WHO WENT UP A HILL, BUT CAME DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THE (1995)
Hugh Grant, Tara Fitzgerald
Comedy/drama about two WWI British Army map makers who raise the ire of a Welsh community when they mark the village's prized landmark as a hill rather than a mountain. Based on a Welsh legend. Lessons on teamworking and not giving up your goal, despite obstacles.
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU (1994)
Nicholas Cage, Bridget Fonda
Romantic comedy about a policeman who shares a lottery ticket with a waitress--little dreaming what the results will be! Sweet story with a good message, showing the true values in life, and that the greatest happiness comes from giving things away. Some characters and adult concepts will need explaining for younger children.
IVANHOE (1952)
Robert Taylor, Joan Fontaine, Elizabeth Taylor
Classic movie following Sir Walter Scott's epic about life in England in the Middle Ages.
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (1959)
James Mason, Pat Boone
Fun adventure based on the novel by Jules Verne of the daring expedition to the Earth's center. Contains some evolutionary themes which could be explained to children.
JUNGLE 2 JUNGLE (1997)
Tim Allen, Sam Huntington
Comedy about a New York stockbroker obsessed with work, who discovers he has a son who has grown up in the Amazon jungle--and brings him back to the big city. Beware of some native rituals.
LION KING, THE (1994)
(Animated, with voices of James Earl Jones and Jeremy Irons)
A lion cub raised to someday take his father's place as the king of the jungle faces adversity and exile until he finally decides to return and rescue his kingdom. Lessons on how good will eventually triumph over evil. Much of the humor is geared more for older age groups, and some scenes may need to be fast-forwarded for younger viewers. Some scenes may raise questions or cause fear, so ample explanation and discussion will probably be needed for younger children. May not be suitable in its entirety for all OCs, but, on the other hand, some parents and caretakers may choose to watch selected portions with younger age groups.
LITTLE WOMEN (1994)
Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon
Well-acted remake of the classic movie based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, of four young Civil War-era sisters and their lives and lessons as they grow to adulthood. Good lessons on having unselfish love for others, relationships with people, and the comparison between material riches and true happiness.
MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER, THE (1982)
Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson
Western-type adventure about a strong-willed teen who had been raised in the rugged hill country, who goes to work for a cattleman on the plains and falls in love with his daughter. Lots of beautiful horse footage.
MIRACLE, THE (1958)
Carroll Baker, Roger Moore
A young girl is in training to be a nun when she falls in love with a soldier and, torn between her feelings for him and her desire to serve God, runs away from the convent. Dramatic and tense parts may need to be explained to children.
MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN (1936)
Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur
Comedy about a small-town poet who inherits his uncle's millions and moves to the big city. AntiSystem message. (B&W)
MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS (1995) (R)
Richard Dreyfuss
Drama/character study of a music teacher and the challenges he faces in his life and work. Lots of lessons on shepherding, love and marriage, and parenting a handicapped child.
NEWSIES (1992)
Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, Robert Duvall
Walt Disney musical about New York newsboys in the late 1800s, and how these young boys revolt and stand up for their rights.
ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN (1941)
Fredric March, Beulah Bondi
Entertaining story of a preacher and his wife facing various problems in the clash between church life and 20th-century America.
OPERATION DUMBO DROP (1995)
Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, Denis Leary
Light-action/comedy based on the true story of a US Army unit during the Vietnam War assigned to buy and transport an elephant to a remote mountain village. Sweet, fun story with good lessons on humility, working together and "becoming one." Older viewers will enjoy this as well!
PRINCE VALIANT (1954)
James Mason, Janet Leigh
Adventure/love story set in the Middle Ages. Movie based on a comic strip character.
RETURN TO SNOWY RIVER (1988)
Tom Burlinson, Sigrid Thornton
More horses, love and mountain-living in this sequel to "The Man from Snowy River."
ROSE MARIE (1954)
Ann Blyth, Howard Keel
Comedy/musical about a Canadian Mountie who tries to "civilize" a trapper's tomboy daughter.
SHOW BOAT (1951)
Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner
Musical about life on a Mississippi show boat.
THAT THING YOU DO (1996)
Tom Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Johnathon Schaech, Liv Tyler
Character study about a small-town teen band in the early 1960s who are suddenly thrust into the national spotlight when their song becomes a major hit. Written and directed by Tom Hanks. Gives an authentic picture of life in the 1960s, and shows the pressures of fame and popularity.
TOY STORY (1996)
(Computer animation, with voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen)
A boy's favorite toy feels threatened by the arrival of a new birthday present--a high-tech spaceman. Good discussion points on comparing, jealousy and discouragement. Not recommended for younger age groups due to scenes involving a demonic neighbor boy and his toys, which could be disturbing. Could be shown to some MCs with thorough discussion and possible fast-forwarding of parts.
YEARLING, THE (1946)
Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman
Touching story of a young boy and his pet fawn, learning lessons growing up in the backwoods of pioneer America.
Movies Rated for MCs and Up
101 DALMATIANS (1996)
Jeff Daniels, Glenn Close, Joely Richardson
Live-action version of the classic tale of the puppies who are kidnapped, and the search to get them back. Beware of some scary parts with evil characters. Sensitive children might be negatively affected by some parts, so careful previewing and discussion is recommended. Not recommended for repeated viewing.
ABRAHAM (1994)
Richard Harris, Barbara Hershey
Movie portraying the life of Abraham. There are a few deviations from the Bible story, but realistic and well-portrayed. Some points may need fast-forwarding or discussion with children, such as the Sodomites, the childbirth scenes, and the strained relations between Sarah and Hagar.
AMAZING PANDA ADVENTURE, THE (1995)
Stephen Lang, Ryan Slater
Preteen boy whose parents are divorced goes to visit his dad in China on a panda reserve, and embarks on a journey of adventure and lessons. Beautiful scenery and educational insights into the panda and the forests and remote farmlands of China. Good lessons of the boy's recognition and understanding of his father's love, even though they have had to be apart for long periods.
ANDR (1994)
Keith Carradine, Tina Majorino
Sweet story set in coastal Maine in the early 1960s, about an animal-loving family who adopt a baby seal named Andr. Based on a true story, with actual footage of Andr at the end.
BABE (1995)
James Cromwell
Heart-warming movie about a piglet who aspires to become a sheep-dog. Fun for all ages, but younger children may need explanation of some parts.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991)
(Animated)
Disney adaptation of the classic tale, with a sweet story and fun musical numbers. Not recommended for repeated viewing due to the foolishness and negative attitudes of the bad characters. Parts could also be fast-forwarded, in particular the bar scene where the song is sung in praise of the bully Gaston.
FAR FROM HOME: THE ADVENTURES OF A YELLOW DOG (1995)
Mimi Rogers, Bruce Davidson
Adventure story of a boy and his dog who survive the capsizing of their boat and fight for survival in a forest as they try to find their way home. Good tips on wilderness survival. May not hold the attention of younger viewers.
FLINTSTONES, THE (1994)
John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins
Comedy based on the cartoon series by the same name about a family and friends who live on the cutting edge of Stone Age technology. Contains some foolishness, but has good lessons on the temptations of greed and pride. Not recommended for repeated viewing.
FLIPPER (1996)
Elijah Wood, Paul Hogan
Rebellious city kid goes to Florida to spend the summer with his bachelor uncle, and becomes friends with a dolphin. Fun dolphin scenes may be shown to younger audiences, but beware of some smart-alecky, foul language and bad behavior, as well as the boy's close encounter with a hammerhead shark, which could be frightening for some children.
FLY AWAY HOME (1996)
Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin
After the death of her divorced mother, a 13-year-old girl goes to live with her father on a farm in Canada, and becomes attached to a brood of baby geese. Many good points for discussion, including coping with separation and a parent's death, accepting a new mother, and learning to take responsibility and following through with chosen undertakings. The scene in the shower may be unsettling to some children. Would not be harmful for younger ones to watch, though they might find it slow-moving.
FREE WILLY 2 (1995)
Jason James Richter, Michael Madsen
A young teen boy's younger half-brother comes to live with him, and both learn about love and acceptance--as well as about whales! Beware of fairly strong promotion of American Indian religion. Please be sure to discuss this and clear up any confusion in the kids' minds. Kids should also realize that orcas (killer whales) are not generally friendly and tame in the wild--they are predators who eat fish, penguins, seals, dolphins and other sea mammals. They have not been known to attack people, but caution is still recommended.
HONEY, I BLEW UP THE KID (1992)
Rick Moranis, Marcia Strassman
Comedy sequel to "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," where the absent-minded scientist accidentally enlarges his two-year-old son.
IN SEARCH OF THE CASTAWAYS (1962)
Hayley Mills, Maurice Chevalier
Action-filled Disney movie based on Jules Verne novel, about children in search of their father. Very unrealistic in parts! Caution about the portrayal of a "crazy" prisoner who quotes the Bible. Entertainment only.
INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD, THE (1995)
Hal Scardino, Litefoot
Fantasy story about a young boy who receives for his birthday a magical cupboard which turns toys into real people and things. You can explain to the children beforehand that it is only a make-believe story, and of course not true.
IT TAKES TWO (1995)
Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Steve Guttenberg, Kirstie Alley
Light-hearted comedy about two look-alike girls--an orphan and a millionaire's daughter--who switch places. Caution about bad language used by the girls in parts.
LASSIE (1994)
Tom Guiry, Richard Farnsworth, Helen Slater
Take-off from the classic "Lassie" tale, but with a new story line. Some city folk decide to move to the country to become sheep farmers, and Lassie comes to their rescue! Lots of good lessons on relationships with people, unselfishness, growing up, learning to relate to others and adapt to new things.
MAC AND ME (1988)
Christine Ebersole, Jonathan Ward
Fantasy/sci-fi about a young extra-terrestrial who escapes from a government lab, and his friendship with a young crippled boy. Some moments may be tense for young viewers.
MARY POPPINS (1964)
Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke
Musical comedy classic about a nanny who brings new life to a sober-minded upper-class family. Some foolishness and unrealistic situations can be explained to young viewers.
NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1949)
Esther Williams, Red Skelton
Comedy/musical/romance with beautiful underwater scenes. Beware of foolishness in parts. Not recommended for repeated viewing.
POLLY (1989)
Keshia Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad
All-black, music-and-dance version of the "Pollyanna" story. Fun entertainment, but the children's behavior and the main girl's somewhat sassy attitude in parts will need discussing with children. The racial controversy will also need explaining.
RICHIE RICH (1994)
Macaulay Culkin, John Larroquette
Comedy about the life and adventures of the richest kid in the world. Light entertainment, with a sweet message.
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds
Musical/comedy set in the 1920s when Hollywood first began the transition from silent movies to movies with sound.
STATE FAIR (1962)
Pat Boone, AnnMargret
Light musical/love story about a family going to attend the Texas State Fair.
SWAN PRINCESS, THE (1995)
(Animated)
Hans Christian Andersen classic tale. A good king banishes an evil magician from his kingdom, and years later the magician returns to take his revenge. Discussion points include the movie's strong emphasis on human love relationships. Younger age groups will need a lot of explanations, and some of the scary parts may need fast-forwarding. Please preview! We'd suggest that this not be shown repeatedly to children.
WALLACE AND GROMIT: A CLOSE SHAVE (1996)
(Clay animation)
Half-hour British stop-motion animated feature about a man and his dog who get involved in a mysterious sheep-rustling racket. Enjoyable for adults as well.
WALLACE AND GROMIT: THE WRONG TROUSERS (1993)
(Clay animation)
Another episode: Wallace and Gromit take in a mysterious penguin boarder, and become involved in an intriguing set of events! Entertaining for older audiences as well.
Movies Rated for YCs and Up
ARISTOCATS, THE (1970)
(Animated)
Lively Disney animation involving a cat and her kittens on the run from a malevolent butler after they inherit a fortune from their late mistress. Entertainment only; not recommended for repeated viewing.
BENJI THE HUNTED (1987)
Benji, Red Steagall
Story of the dog Benji's survival in the mountain wilds.
BIG RED (1962)
Walter Pidgeon
Disney story of a boy who goes to work for a dog-trainer and becomes attached to an Irish setter.
CINDERELLA (1950)
(Animated)
Classic Disney version of the famous fairy tale about the sweet-tempered young girl with a nasty stepmother and stepsisters, who yearns for a chance to attend the prince's ball.
CLARENCE THE CROSS-EYED LION (1965)
Marshall Thompson, Betsy Drake
Fun, sweet adventure movie set in Africa. Please note the few fighting and shooting scenes when previewing, so that these can be fast-forwarded for YCs.
GORDY (1994)
Doug Stone, James Donaldio
Simple, light movie about a pig who tries to save his family from being taken to the slaughterhouse. The strong anti-meat eating message should be clarified for children. Not recommended for repeated viewing.
JACOB (1994)
Matthew Modine, Lara Flynn Boyle
Another movie in the same series as "Abraham" and "Joseph," following the early life of the patriarch Jacob. A few slight deviations from Scripture, but overall an inspiring Biblical account. Beware of hyped-up childbirth scene, which young viewers may find disturbing. Some parts could be fast-forwarded according to audience maturity.
LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD, THE
(Animation)
Sweet half-hour story of a little railroad steam engine's determination to make it to a town across the mountains in order to deliver a load of children's birthday presents. A couple of mildly frightening parts, and a bad example of arguing in one place, but overall it is an uplifting story about perseverance and having the faith to keep going despite obstacles.
THAT'S DANCING (1985)
Ray Bolger, Sammy Davis Jr.
Compilation of edits from MGM movies. Lots of fun song and dance routines. Some of the ending clips from 1980s movies which are not suitable for young children could be fast-forwarded.
THIRD MAN ON THE MOUNTAIN (1959)
Michael Rennie, James MacArthur
Disney adventure movie about a Swiss boy who is determined to climb a certain high mountain, and learns many good lessons in the process.
WALLACE AND GROMIT: THE GRAND DAY OUT (1989)
(Clay animation)
Half-hour British animation following the adventures of the cheese-loving duo on a trip to the moon. Entertaining for older audiences as well.
Movies Rated for All Age Groups
ADVENTURES OF MILO AND OTIS, THE (1989)
Narrated by Dudley Moore
Cute movie about the adventures of a dog and cat who embark on a journey from their farmyard home.
BALTO (1995)
(Animated, with voices of Kevin Bacon and Bridget Fonda)
Based on a true story that took place in Nome, Alaska, in 1925. An unwanted, ill-treated wolf-dog leads a dogsled team back to the town with medicine to fight a diphtheria epidemic. Lots of good lessons for kids, including the bad fruits of lying, competition, bullying and peer pressure. Can also lead into a geography study following the events of the story.
BLUE YONDER, THE (aka TIME FLYER) (1985)
Peter Coyote, Art Carney
Tale of a boy who travels back in time to join his grandfather in his aviation adventures.
JOSEPH (1995)
Paul Mercurio, Ben Kingsley, Martin Landau
Well-made dramatization of the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers. Follows the Bible quite accurately. Please preview before showing to young children, as certain parts will need explanations or fast-forwarding.
POCAHONTAS (1995)
(Animated)
Disney adaptation of the episode from American history involving an Indian princess, Pocahontas, her relationship with settler John Smith, and its effect on both of their lives and the lives of their people. Many points will need explaining for children.
PREACHER'S WIFE, THE (1996)
Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance
Remake of the black-and-white movie "The Bishop's Wife," about an angel who is sent from Heaven in answer to a minister's prayer for help.
WINDS OF KITTY HAWK, THE (1978)
Michael Moriarty, David Huffman
The true story of the Wright brothers and their attempts to fly. Beautiful flight photography!
WINNIE THE POOH
(Animated)
Disney animation of the adventures of the famous bear and his friends, from the children's book by E.E. Milne.
ZEUS AND ROXANNE (1997)
Steve Guttenberg, Kathleen Quinlan
Sweet story centering around the friendship between a dog (Zeus) and a dolphin (Roxanne). One underwater scene involving a submarine could be frightening for small children, and may need to be fast-forwarded.
* * *
Non-Recommended Movies
Above Suspicion (Christopher Reeve, Joe Mantegna; 1994)
Ace Ventura, Pet Detective (Jim Carrey, Courteney Cox; 1994)
All Dogs Go to Heaven (Animated; 1989)
Basic Instinct (Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone; 1992)
Batman Forever (Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey; 1995)
Beverly Hills Cop III (Eddie Murphy; 1994)
Birdcage, The (Robin Williams, Gene Hackman; 1996)
Brave Little Toaster, The (Animated; 1987)
Carrington (Emma Thompson, Jonathan Pryce; 1995)
Casino (Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone;1996)
Celtic Pride (Damon Wayans, Dan Aykroyd; 1996)
Cobb (Tommy Lee Jones; 1994)
Colony (John Ritter; 1995)
Congo (Laura Linney, Jo Don Baker; 1995)
Crash (James Spader, Holly Hunter; 1996)
Cutthroat Island (Geena Davis, Matthew Modine; 1995)
Devil in a Blue Dress (Denzel Washington; 1995)
Eraser (Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Caan;1996)
Escape from L.A. (Kurt Russell; 1996)
Eye for an Eye, An (Sally Field, Keifer Sutherland, Ed Harris; 1996)
Fan, The (Robert DeNiro, Wesley Snipes; 1996)
Fatal Attraction (Michael Douglas, Anne Archer; 1987)
Feeling Minnesota (Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz; 1996)
Fortress, The (Christopher Lambert, Loryn Locklyn; 1993)
Get Shorty (John Travolta, Gene Hackman; 1995)
Ghostbusters (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver; 1984)
Ghostbusters II (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver; 1989)
Golden Eye (Pierce Brosnan; 1995)
Great Mouse Detective, The (Animated; 1986)
Hackers (Jonny Lee Smith, Angelina Jolie; 1995)
Heat (Al Pacino, Robert De Niro; 1995)
Heaven's Prisoners (Alec Baldwin, Kelly Lynch, Mary Stuart Masterson; 1996)
How the West Was Fun (Mary-Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen; 1996)
Innocent, The (Campbell Scott, Isabella Rossellini, Anthony Hopkins; 1995)
James and the Giant Peach (Paul Terry; 1996)
Jimmy Hollywood (Joe Pesci, Christian Slater; 1994)
Johnny Mnemonic (Keanu Reeves; 1996)
Just Cause (Sean Connery, Lawrence Fishburne; 1995)
Kingpin (Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid; 1996)
Kiss of Death (David Caruso; Nicolas Cage; 1995)
Land Before Time I, The (Animated; 1988)
Land Before Time II, The (Animated; 1992)
Land Before Time III, The (Animated; 1995)
Last Unicorn, The (Animated; 1982)
Little Rascals, The (Travis Tedford, Bug Hall; 1994)
Long Kiss Goodnight, The (Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson; 1996)
Mad Love (Chris O'Donnell, Drew Barrymore; 1995)
Matilda (Mara Wilson, Danny De Vito; 1996)
Maximum Risk (Jean-Claude Van Damme; 1996)
Metro (Eddie Murphy; 1996)
Mojave Moon (Danny Aiello)
Mr. Wrong (Ellen Degeneres, Bill Pullman; 1996)
New Age, The (Samuel Jackson; 1994)
Alistair Maclean's Night Watch (Pierce Brosnan; 1995)
Primal Fear (Richard Gere, Laura Linney; 1996)
Ready to Wear (Sophia Loren; 1994)
Relic, The (Penelope Ann Miller; 1997)
Showgirls (Elizabeth Berkley; 1995)
Substitute, The (Tom Berenger, Ernie Hudson; 1996)
To Die For (Nicole Kidman; 1989)
Turbulence (Ray Liotta, Lauren Holly; 1996)
Twelve Monkeys (Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt; 1995)
Unstrung Heroes (Andie MacDowell, John Turturro; 1995)
Usual Suspects, The (Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne; 1995)
White Men Can't Jump (Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson; 1992)
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family