Parenting

Holiday Films Reviewed Compiled by Philip Boatwright, The Movie Reporter www.moviereporter.com . Animated: Dr. Seuss#146; How The Grinch Stole Christmas. In 1966, Dr. Seuss#146;s classic picture book was transformed into an animated TV masterpiece by Warner Brothers cartoonist Chuck Jones. The seasonal fixture featured the amiable voice of Boris Karloff as the rhyming narrator and the title character. It still holds up today as delightful family entertainment. The Little Drummer Boy. (1966). Family Home Entertainment. The very moving seasonal song comes to animated life with the capable voices of Greer Garson, Jose Ferrer, and Teddy Eccles. Opens with a quote from Luke 2, then segues into the tale of a bitter orphan who is kidnapped by a Fagan-like villain to front for the thief. The boy is full of anger until he beholds the Christ child. Lesson: Hatred is wrong. Ends with "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." The Greatest Adventure #150; The Nativity. Hanna /Barbera. A respectful homage to the greatest story ever told. 3 young archeologists go through a time portal and find themselves in Jerusalem during the birth of Christ. Entertaining. Good animation. Voices of Roscoe Lee Brown, Darlene Carr, Helen Hunt (Mad About You), Gregory Harrison, Vincent Price. A Charlie Brown Christmas. (1965) A perfect animated tale by Charles Schultz with the "Peanuts" gang searching for the true meaning of Christmas. Great d ialogue, charismatic voice performances, and an award-winning jazzy score by Vince Guaraldi. One of the few Christmas presentations, either animated or live action, that pays tribute to the true meaning of the season - the birthday of our Savior. Mr. Magoo#146;s Christmas Carol. (1962) The myopic curmudgeon plays Ebenezer Scrooge in this delightful animated musical version of the Dickens' timeless classic. With the voice of Jim Backus, the superbly adapted teleplay by Barbara Chain and the music and lyrics of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, you find true children's programming doesn't have to be condescending. The Night Before Christmas And Best-Loved Yuletide Carols. (1992) Meryl Streep reads the classic Christmas Eve tale by Clement Moore with moving renditions of Christmas carols by George Winston, The Edwin Hawkins Singers and Christ Church Cathedral Choir set to breath-taking illustrations. Ms. Streep does a fine job singing It Came Upon A Midnight Clear. The highlight -The Edwin Hawkins delivery of Go Tell It On the Mountain , which is both stirring and reverential. A perfect bedtime video. Made by Rabbit Ears, a company committed to family programming. CHRISTMAS STORIES. Children's Circle Home Video. 4 delightfully told bedtime stores. Entertaining and well illustrated. Stories include Morris's Disappearing Bag - a last present under the Christmas tree contains a bag that causes you to disappear, The 12 Days of Christmas - a long song with illustrations, The Little Drummer Boy - a simple gift from the heart is the most precious, and The Clown of God - a once famous juggler, now old and penniless, gives one last performance on Christmas Eve. For ages 3-10. Inspirational: Cotton Patch Gospel. (1988). A musical comedy/drama placing the Gospel of Matthew in modern-day Georgia, with Jesus being born in Gainesville. Funny, moving, inspirational, with lively music by the late Harry Chapin. Ask your Christian bookstore to order it from the Bridgestone Production Group. The Fourth Wiseman. (1985) Gateway Films/Vision Video. Martin Sheen, Alan Arkin and cameos by the leads' offspring and other well-known faces. Based on the Henry Van Dyke tale of a good magi seeking the birthplace of Jesus, but because of his duty to others, is delayed in the desert for 33 years, only to see (from afar) the Savior as He is being crucified. He spent his life searching for the Messiah in order to give valuable treasures, but one-by-one he sells his priceless gifts to help the needy. Full of illustrations of how our Lord would have us treat our fellow man. Arkin serves brilliantly as comic relief in his role as the magi/doctor's self-serving slave. A selfish man, the slave is finally moved by his master's constant self-sacrifices. Fun For The Entire Family#133; Little House On The Prairie; The Lord Is My Shepherd. Troubled Laura Ingalls learns a lesson in love from a kind-hearted hermit, who may be more than he seems. Prancer. (1989) Orion/Nelson Entertainment. Sam Elliott, Rebecca Harrell, Cloris Leachman. Rated G (3 "Oh my Gods" from different characters in the film). A precocious 8-year-old cares for a wounded reindeer she believes is one of Santa's flying helpers. Not just another film promoting the existence of Santa Claus. It's theme is about believing in things unseen. Contains positive lessons about faith, family love (although the father is a bit of a grump - a no nonsense farmer frustrated with financial problems and single parenting, but we see his love for the children by film's end), spiritual healing, and doing what you believe is right. Respectful church scene, including the singing of How Great Thou Art. Sentimental, engrossing. A Dream For Christmas. (1973) Hari Rhodes, Beah Richards. 100 min. Warner Home Video. Baptist minister moves his Arkansas family to L.A. in 1950. Unfortunately, the elders have neglected to inform him that the church he's to pastor has been set for demolition. The family must pull together to save the church. Written by Earl Hammer, Jr. (#147;The Waltons#148;). Family togetherness, faith, perseverance. Old St. Nick#133; Miracle On 34th Street. (1994). Richard Attenborough, Mara Wilson. The manager of a New York department store hires Kris Kringle to be the store Santa. Soon the old fellow has to convince the woman and her precocious daughter that he truly is Father Christmas. A delight and a rarity, as it is one of the few worthwhile remakes. Full of laughter, poignancy and charm, it is noteworthy for containing both visual and verbal Christian metaphors and points out that Santa is a symbol. Contains a great visual: A cross lit in Christmas lights on the side of a building, centered in the screen with decorated trees outlining the tableau. What an image! It places the true meaning of the holiday at the center of the screen and the story! There's even a Thanksgiving prayer - when is the last time you saw that in a Hollywood production? PG (one expletive; Santa is provoked by the villain, but he later repents). Although Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood have nothing to worry about, this newest Miracle is destined to become a classic. The scene where Santa communicates with a little deaf girl is worth the rental price. The Santa Clause. (1994) Tim Allen. PG (Santa falls off a roof; one or two mild expletives). When Santa is incapacitated, a divorced man trying to win back his estranged son takes over and soon finds himself the new Santa. It's both funny and imaginative and I found nothing objectionable as long as you don't mind the film's struggle to convince young ones of Santa's existence. And don#146;t forget - Holiday Inn, White Christmas and The Bishop#146;s Wife ! Classics with #145;nary a Reindeer in Sight#133; Stars In My Crown. One of my favorite films of all time #150; Joel McCrea stars as a pistol-packin#146; preacher who helps the citizens of a small western town cope with life#146;s frustrations. Sentimental, inspirational and very entertaining. This is not an easy one to find, but you can order it from The Dove Foundation. Call 1-800-968-8437, ext. 2 for details. Three Godfathers. (1948) John Wayne, Pedro Armendariz and Harry Carey, Jr. portray three outlaws who come across a dying woman and her newborn baby. The symbolism between the Christ child and this new foundling has a redemptive effect on the three bandits. Sincere performances, beautiful cinematography and the skillful direction of John Ford highlight this insightful western. Friendly Persuasion. Charming portrayal of a Quaker family caught in the Civil War conflict. President Reagan gave a copy to Mikhail Gorbachev. The Chestnut#133; It#146;s A Wonderful Life (1946) Republic Pictures Home Video. 160 min. George Bailey wishes he had never been born. When the angel Clarence grants him that wish George is able to see what life would have been like for his friends and relatives had he not been around. I consider this one of the most important films Hollywood ever produced. James Stewart's George Bailey reminds us that we touch so many lives and can have a real influence on those souls. Full of Christian symbolism, It's A Wonderful Life reinforces the belief that our compassion and responsibility do make a difference in the lives of those with whom we come in contact. Not rated, it does contain one suggestive remark made by on-looking men as the town's wild girl walks by. But it is handled tastefully. The Masterpiece: When it comes to the famous Dickens#146; tale, here are three of the best renditions: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1951) starring Alastair Sim; A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1984) with George C. Scott; and the musical version, SCROOGE (1970), with Albert Finney. Each is a well-acted parable with regard to redemption. After the little ones are snug in their beds#133; The Preacher#146;s Wife. (1996) Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance. Touchstone. PG (1 mild expletive; the grandmother smokes, but the angel chastises her, "Our stay here on earth is precious" - an excellent indictment against smoking; the Scrooge-like character drinks, but alcohol use is not glorified). An over-worked pastor gets help from a classy angel. In some ways it outshines the original, The Bishop's Wife, especially when it comes to proclaiming the gospel message (through songs), but it doesn't surpass that Christmas classic when it comes to charm. Whitney is a one-note actress, but for those who like her music, you won't be disappointed. Denzel is handsome and cool, and Courtney B. Vance is exceptional as the neglecting father and husband. Replete with moral teachings concerning marriage, home life, faith, and the fact that we can make a difference. One sad note; although the story is about religious people and takes place at Christmas time, the name Jesus is never uttered. Ironic, considering most every other movie of this era now uses, or should I say, misuses that name as a mere expletive. The Bishop#146;s Wife. (1947) Cary Grant and Loretta Young. An angle aids a struggling minister. I marveled at the ending sermon given by the Bishop, played by David Niven. Standing behind his pulpit, the Reverend reminded his parishioners to focus attention on Christ. #147;All the stockings are filled, except one. We#146;ve even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It#146;s his birthday we#146;re celebrating. Don#146;t let us ever forget that. Let us each ask what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share.#148; Wow. The Gathering. (1977) Ed Asner, Maureen Stapleton. This Emmy-winning TV movie focuses on a dying man's efforts to reunite his family. It reinforces the importance of family and presents positive Christian images including a believable prayer, the scripture reading of Jesus' birth, and a child's christening. Find of The Year: Saint Maybe. (1998) Blythe Danner, Edward Herrmann, Melina Kanakaredes, Thomas McCarthy, Jeffrey Nordling, Mary-Louise Parker. Hallmark When a ne#146;er-do-well finds himself the cause of his brother#146;s death, he seeks a reason for his life. He stumbles upon a church gathering and quickly turns his life around, living for others. This affecting Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of a family dealing with the loss of a loved one is a wonderful film suitable for the Christmas holidays. There are so many powerful messages and life lessons, none of which over-powers the entertaining drama. What a delight to find a film where scripture is quoted, the Christian lifestyle is not mocked, prayers are spoken and the gospel message is put into practice. Due to the adult subject matter and two deaths, the material may not be suitable for little ones, but older children and their parents will be nurtured as they see a family come together after tragic circumstances. I really liked this movie. But beware: have a Kleenex on hand. It will move you. Unrated (two women have a beer; a car crash kills a man #150; seen twice; an accidental death by drug overdose; the family pet passes away). From all of us atThe Movie Reporter, Merry Christmas THE MOVIE REPORTER I present the synopsis and content so you can decide if the new releases are suitable for your family's viewing. With this information, you can discuss "hot" new releases without financially supporting them. I also suggest Video Alternatives: films with the same theme or style as the new releases, but without the offending material. Go to my website for over 1,000 FREE past reviews. My site will give you my background as well as information on how to subscribe to the weekly guide. Every Friday I send out reviews of theatrical releases, made for TV originals, plus extras. For further information, visit www.moviereporter.com . "Know Before You Go" reg;Philip Boatwright, Editor Film/Video Reviews from a Family Perspective, Email: moviereporter@sbcglobal.net . Published by C. C. Publications, 835 Northstar Ct., Tonganoxie, KS 66086. Permission granted for use on DrLaura.com