Jerry Howell

Synopsis: In first century Rome, evil Emperor Nero rules with an iron fist. Those who follow Christ live in hiding and fear for their lives; Nero has been casting those of the Way to the lions because of their faith. Paul, world-traveling missionary, is imprisoned and nearing the end of his life. Luke, a doctor and fellow believer, visits him in prison. When military commander Mauritius' daughter is sick, he is desperate to save her...but, nobody seems to be able to help. He has heard that Luke is an amazing physician...but, he can't bear the thought of having one of those Christians set foot in his home. Will he be able to save his daughter...and learn the error of his ways?

The Good: For a Christian movie, the production values here are incredible. It really took me back to the time of Acts, which, ironically, was where I was in my Bible reading plan when I started and finished this. The actors all did amazingly well, and this flick doesn't shy away from showing the brutality that those of the Way faced back in the day. There is some blood, but much of the more intense violence is implied...which can leave quite the picture in your mind's eye. Showing Paul's past haunting him was a plus; I'm a Christian now, but, I had a rather troubled childhood as well, despite being raised in a faithful home. So, when his deeds in his younger years haunted him, that just makes me identify with him all the more. All in all, this was excellent, except...

The Bad: I had a hard time getting into this at first; the jumping around made me feel like I was watching a clips show instead of an actual movie. Plus, though Jim Caviezel did well as Luke, hearing his voice made me think I was hearing Jesus instead, as he does the voice of Christ in The Word of Promise audio Bible.

Conclusion: Other than Jesus, who is your favorite person in the Bible? I've heard answers ranging from Peter to Abraham to even Samson. (I don't understand the reason for the latter answer; he may have been really strong...but he was also a rather messed-up guy, and undone by a woman.) For me, that answer is Paul, because he is a lot like me: a checkered past, a passion for expressing ideas through words, and a head for Scripture. This film illustrates his life very well; though I've seen other cinematic interpretations of his life, this one ranks above the rest. Just make sure that you stick to it when you decide to watch this; it may be a bit hard to get through at first, but it's worth it.

Score: 4/5

Synopsis: In this follow-up to the Disney smash hit, Simba and Nala now have a daughter, Kira, who is as mischievous as young Simba himself. When Kira goes exploring, she finds those Simba banished in the aftermath of Scar's murder of Simba's father, Mufasa. They seem to be bent on destroying Simba and his family at any cost...except for their son Kovu, who has fallen in love with Kira. Will his love for her win out?

The Good: Prior to watching this, it had been a while since I've done any regular Disney animation; I've done live-action from the House of Mouse, as well as Studio Ghibli, but not something like this, especially a direct-to-video sequel. While I doubt any movie will live up to the epic original, this one had great animation, good music, super voice work...all the hallmarks of Disney animated fare.

The Bad: The songs were lame; then again, the musical aspect of Disney animated movies is something I've never really liked. Also, this movie is a bit short compared to the original.

Content Concerns:
Sex: Lions romantically nuzzling and pawing at each other.
Nudity: None.
Language: Name-calling, at worst.
Violence: Animal fights throughout, including a rather intense final battle where at least one character dies; a flashback to the stampede scene from the first film.
Drugs: None.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: The evil lions are a bit scary; a dark mood in some scenes, particularly the climax.
Other: A bit of bathroom humor; communication with the dead.

Conclusion: Disney's direct-to-video sequels have drawn the ire of many a movie fan. Ever since The Return of Jafar, video stores have been flooded with many a film that never made its way to theaters, most of which have been scathingly reviewed by both amateur and professional critics everywhere. While I can't comment on most of the others, because I've never seen them, I have to say this one was surprisingly good for what it was. As long as you don't expect it to be as epic as the original Lion King, you might enjoy it; I know I did.

Synopsis: Just after being released from an unfair prison sentence, preacher Dave (David A.R. White) names his good friend Jude as his associate minister...only for Jude to be killed in an accident caused by a brick thrown into one of the windows of the church building, which also burns the building down! Dave is bound and determined to have his church rebuilt; problem is, it's on the campus of a university, and the leaders of the college want the church removed. Not sure what to do, Dave turns to his long-lost brother, a lawyer, for help in the legal fight. Meanwhile, Christian college student Keaton (Samantha Boscarino, Nickelodeon's How to Rock) is experiencing serious doubts in her faith...which become even more complicated when she discovers her boyfriend Adam was the one who threw the brick that started the whole affair! Will Adam ever come clean? Will Dave be able to rebuild his church building?

The Good: This had some surprising plot details, especially portraying a preacher as a flawed individual who messes up in a big way. It also makes a wonderful point about what a church truly is. (Hint: It's not a building!) All of the actors did amazingly well, and the storyline had me hooked.

The Bad: The only complaint I had was with the beginning's out-of-order chronology; it would have been better if they'd shown it in order.

Content Concerns:
Sex: College co-eds briefly seen dancing at a party; kissing.
Nudity: A girl in a one-piece swimsuit; slight midriff.
Language: Name-calling, at worst.
Violence: A man is killed in an accident, which is a bit bloody; two men get into a fight, which leaves a gash on one's face; a man knocks a college student into the bushes.
Drugs: Possible drinking at a college party.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: The accident scene at the beginning; emotional intensity throughout; people arguing on television news programs; a funeral; the fights.

Synopsis: Lizzie is thrilled to be invited to a pool party thrown by Danny Kessler, her number one crush! Her mother is willing to let her go...until Jo discovers that it's on the same day as Lizzie's Nana's birthday. Worse yet, Lizzie's BFF Miranda is considering going without her, and "'Randa" has also been invited into the popular clique by Kate, Lizzie's former friend and sworn nemesis! Will Lizzie get to go to the pool party? Will Miranda learn the error of her ways?

The Good: This is one of the earliest Lizzie McGuire episodes; some sources say it's actually the pilot. Wherever it falls in the continuity, it's great to see where it all began. All the hallmarks of the show are here: a moral premise, someone learning a lesson, unconventional filming style, cartoon Lizzie's remarks...yeah, if you're a fan, you know.

The Bad: Despite being a Disney Channel show, this isn't quite as clean as you'd expect from the Mouse network. Remarks about teenage girls' chests may make some viewers uncomfortable, especially males. Also, the animation on the cartoon Lizzie is terrible.

Content Concerns:
Sex: Talk about teenage girls' chests.
Nudity: Teenage girls' midriffs.
Language: Name-calling.
Violence: None.
Drugs: None.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: A scene or two of emotional intensity.
Other: A scene of bodily function humor.

When Disney bought Marvel, people had a lot of questions: How would the universes of beloved characters such as Spider-Man, the X-Men, or the Avengers be affected? Some people had their doubts, and rightfully so; when the Mouse owned Saban, the Power Rangers seasons they produced are still to this day widely considered to be the worst, and many longtime space opera fans feel that The Last Jedi was a shark-jumping moment for Star Wars. Still, Disney has gotten their own franchises wrong, too; The Lizzie McGuire Movie may have been the first theatrically released film to be the series finale of a television show, but it betrayed the now-iconic sitcom on which it was based. So, they could have either hit a home run...or completely strike out.

Well, if this movie is any indication, then Mickey's ownership of Marvel is working very well. This film packed a punch unlike any animated movie I've seen in a while. Some scenes made me almost tear up, whereas others made me want to cheer. The animation was outstanding; seriously, it was on par with Pixar's creations. As usual, there was plenty of action and heroism, not to mention a cameo by Stan Lee, albeit one after the credits.

However, I do have to warn viewers that, though this movie was amazing, it is also very emotional. Early in the movie, the main character's brother is killed; later on, multiple characters are feared dead, including the protagonist's robotic companion. For those who can't handle seeing such tragedy because of events in their own lives, it might be best to avoid this.

Synopsis: Walter, a lifelong fan of Kermit, Miss Piggy and crew, dreams of visiting the Muppet studio. When he, his brother Gary, and Gary's significant other, Mary (Amy Adams), finally make the trek over there, they discover that it's been largely abandoned. Worse yet, Walter overhears an evil tycoon's plan to buy the Muppet studio only to dig up the oil reserve beneath it. The only way the nefarious scheme can be stopped is if Kermit and friends can raise ten million dollars. Kermit assembles the old crew together to put on a benefit...but, that nefarious oil baron will stop at nothing to be the owner of the Muppet studios. Will Kermie prevail in the end?
Features appearances by Jack Black, Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Selena Gomez, Emily Blunt, and several other celebrities.

The Good: After Jim Henson died, the Muppet franchise went into a downward spiral. Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets from Space were pretty good...but, after the mediocre and somewhat crude It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, the absolutely horrible The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, and the inane A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa, things seemed bleak for Kermit and crew. Well, I'm happy to say that this film brings back the Muppet magic. It's a serious throwback to a time when movies were made to simply be enjoyed, not picked apart for hidden meanings. Humor abounds; the musical numbers were great; the heroes were likable; the villain was utterly despicable; and, there's many a cute moment.

The Bad: Unfortunately, the makers felt the need to add some occasional crude bits, though it's nowhere near as egregious as in the other Muppet flicks mentioned above. Without them, this movie could have scored a "G".

Conclusion: I grew up watching the Muppets in various forms: movies, both older and newer; Muppet Babies; Muppets Tonight; and, yes, even Fraggle Rock. That may make me a bit biased, but, I still had a blast with this movie. Say what you will about Disney; they brought back the Muppets to their former glory. Whereas the movies from the 2000s would have made Jim Henson turn in his grave, this would have made the late Muppet creator proud. Let's hope the next movie, Muppets: Most Wanted, continues this trend.

Score: 4.5/5

Who hasn't heard the song "Amazing Grace"? Even if you've never attended a church service, you've probably heard it in some form or another. I can remember a scene in According to Jim where that hymn was played on a harmonica during a funeral of sorts, and an episode of Home Improvement where Jill alluded to it. Most songs have a story behind them, and "Amazing Grace" has quite the history; after seeing this, you won't hear that hymn the same way ever again! Better yet, the production values and story were better than usual for a Christian film; the performances were all outstanding, especially the lovely Romola Garai as Barbara. However, what I didn't expect was for some problematic content to be thrown into the mix. While I knew there would be disturbing descriptions of slavery, as that was a deplorable practice, I was bothered by some of the female characters' low-cut outfits, as well as several utterances of profanity, including British crudities "b----y," "b------s," "arse," and right many uses of the h-word not in reference to the place. Despite its problems, it was still a great movie; however, with a bit more decorum, it could have been much better.

This flick was of interest to me for two reasons: One, my mom is a longtime fan of Broadway musicals, especially this one, so, I grew up hearing the songs and knowing the story. While I've never read the Victor Hugo novel--I know; what kind of reader am I?--I've become familiar with it thanks to its various interpretations. Two, Anne Hathaway is an old Hollywood "flame" of mine. In March of 2005, she replaced Hilary Duff as my number one favorite female celebrity after I saw Ella Enchanted thanks to a friend's recommendation. (Believe it or not, not only was that friend of the male gender, he was a former drill sergeant; no joke!) So, when I saw this recently at a garage sale, I knew I had to give it a whirl.

In short: I was blown away. The grand scope of the story; the performances, especially from Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and Samantha Barks; the authentic sets; the musical numbers; pretty much everything about this flick wowed me. Better yet, it portrayed faith in God in a positive light; so much so, I almost felt like I was watching a Pure Flix production at times. An appearance by original Broadway cast member Colm Wilkinson was a plus. Not since the celluloid adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera have I been this impressed with such a film. Despite their popularity and my penchant for Disney Channel media, even the High School Musical and Camp Rock flicks didn't have such an effect on me.

However, I did have one quibble: There were certain moments that I found unnecessary. I understand that violence and sex were a big part of the original novel, and any faithful adaptation would have to be at least "PG-13"; still, there were a few brief scenes that could have been left out, and that would have embarrassed me if I'd had a friend--especially one from my church--watching it with me. So, discerning viewers may want to proceed with caution.

I'm a sucker for a story.

Seriously, anytime I hear, read, or see a story--in any form--I always want to know what happened next. I still remember years-old incidents where somehow--flipping channels, being at a friends' house, a technical problem, etc.--I saw only part of a movie or show; to this day, I wonder what happened before or after what I saw. True, some tales are not worth telling; if it's morally offensive, I don't want to hear any part of it. However, as long as it isn't sinful, pretty much any story can grab my attention.

So, despite the critical drubbing this movie got, I found it to be a captivating tale of redemption, with a charming historical setting. The performances were wonderful, and the production values were amazing. It seems to me that the critics were just too hard on this movie because it fell into the genre of Christian cinema. I would say that we need more films--and, for that matter, television shows--like this.

Then again, I'm such a sucker for a story that I stayed up past midnight to finish watching The Witches of Oz, which had the worst special effects I've ever seen, so, maybe I'm not a fair judge. To adapt an old song lyric, "Here I am now; entertain me!" That's what this movie did; you may feel differently.

(I do want to issue a content concern: This film has a surprising amount of violence; more than I would expect in a "PG". The initial shock I had while watching this is akin to what many people felt when Prince Caspian first came out. While there's no blood or gore, the intensity of the action made me feel like this should have been "PG-13" instead.)

First off, a little personal history: All the way back in 1995, I received a computer game as a Christmas gift called Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon. My mom didn't even know what it was; I still can hear her saying, "What is that? A golf game?" Despite its title, it had nothing to do with any sport; Putt-Putt was actually an anthropomorphic purple convertible that actually gets launched on a rocket to the Moon while visiting a fireworks factory. As the game progresses, that titular vehicle does everything from save an alien from moon goo to play the arcade game Bear Stormin' to meet up with an abandoned NASA Rover...and, eventually makes it back to terra firma. I quickly got addicted to that game, and soon got my hands on not only other Putt-Putt titles, but also others from the same developer, Humongous Entertainment. One of their games, Let's Explore the Airport, I awaited owning for well over a year, playing the demo to death the whole time. Words can't describe my excitement when my mom randomly decided to purchase it for me as an end-of-school reward.

Fast forward to 2004: I hadn't touched any Humongous Entertainment games in years, but I did fondly remember playing them on my first Mac, which was long gone. That November, I went with some friends from church to see The Incredibles in theaters, where the trailer for the first Cars flick was unveiled. As you can imagine, those Putt-Putt games were the first thing I thought of; it was almost like a 3-D version of a childhood favorite. I actually didn't see Cars until well after it came out on DVD, but I enjoyed it, particularly the vehicle-themed spoofs of other Pixar films during the end credits.

That was years ago; the Cars franchise is now a trilogy, and I'm just now seeing the second outing. What did I think? Honestly, I had a blast with it; the action and intensity was on point, and Mater's triumph over dire circumstances was very inspiring. I loved the voice actors, especially the female British spy, Holley Shiftwell. As usual, the animation was excellent. Despite what some people may think, I think this is another winner from the studio that pioneered computer animation; it was vastly superior to the last one I sat through: the dreadful, nerve-grating Incredibles 2. If you like family-friendly action/adventure flicks, this one is for you.

Me and this second Star Wars prequel have an interesting history. (I know; I say that a lot, don't I?) My first time seeing it was actually in an IMAX theater at a local museum; at the time, that place had the only supersize movie screen anywhere close by. What I didn't know until after it was over was that the IMAX version actually was shortened; as soon as me and my brother-in-law walked out of the theater, one guy said to his friend who saw it with him, "So...how much did they cut out?" Still, despite the hate this movie has gotten--it was widely considered to be the worst of the saga even before the prequel trilogy was finished--I enjoyed it; the action sequences were spot-on, and it's interesting to see the start of Anakin's journey towards the Dark Side. True, the romance was a bit overdone, but, this series isn't about lovey-dovey scenes anyway.

The one complaint I did have is that it feels a bit...well, oversexed. Between seeing Anakin shirtless and Padmé's various immodest outfits, it seems that the makers were trying to provide unnecessary eye candy for viewers of both genders. Also mildly disappointing was the single profanity; the only one in the entire prequel trilogy!

Let me start by discussing my history with this story, both in book and celluloid form: I was recommended the original novel in second grade, but couldn't get into it; I was too enthralled by computer games and television for it to interest me. In sixth grade, my homeroom teacher made it required reading; I was a bit hesitant to try it, but, when I did, I enjoyed it so much that I read the sequels later on in middle school, even though it wasn't required. To this day, that's the only book that was required reading for my entire class--at any point in school--that I actually liked. When the ABC telefilm came on, I started to watch it...but, then it got too late, and I had school the next morning, so, I taped the rest...and never watched it. Later on, I got the DVD from the library, but, it took multiple attempts to finish it. As an adult, I read/listened to the entire Time Quintet again, and it still held up, even though I wasn't too enthused by L'Engle's other works, especially A Ring of Endless Light, which I didn't care for even in DCOM form. When I heard that Wrinkle was getting the big screen treatment, I was curious what the House of Mouse would do with it; would they bring new life to it like they did the Muppets, or would they butcher it like they did Star Wars with The Last Jedi?

Unfortunately, I have to say that this falls into the latter category. To me, the best thing about this film was seeing Rowan Blanchard (Girl Meets World) in a role that was very different from Riley Matthews. If only she had gotten more screen time. The rest of the movie falls flat. Oprah Winfrey's performance was awful; while Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling were attractive, they also were just awkward here. The flick also takes too much liberty with the novel; so much so, I'd hate to see Ms. L'Engle's reaction to this if she were still alive. As it is, she probably was turning in her grave at this movie's release. Not only was the story butchered, but the Christian elements were removed as well. Fans of the books who are also part of the Way will likely be disappointed by that. Yes, the special effects were good, but, you can get that pretty much anywhere these days.

In short: Go read--or listen to--the book and its sequels; don't even bother with this mess.

Synopsis: Continuing where the first film left off, the Incredibles work together to defeat the Underminer...only for it to result in serious destruction of the city. When superheroes are made illegal, the Parr family thinks it's time to hang up their super-suits...until Bob (Mr. Incredible) and Helen (Elastigirl) get contacted by a wealthy businessman who wants to change that law. He selects Elastigirl to be his "it" girl, and she soon saves the day...only to find out that an old nemesis, known as Screenslaver, is bent on her and her family's destruction. Who could this evil villain be? Will the Incredibles be able to save the day once again?

The Good: Pixar basically pioneered the computer-animated film, so, it's no surprise that the animation here is beautiful. The decades-old setting brings some old-school charm, particularly when the kids are seen watching the vintage Saturday morning cartoon Jonny Quest. As you'd expect, the action was spot-on.

The Bad: If only the rest of the movie matched up. As much as I love female superheroes, Elastigirl was annoying here; her voice nearly drove me bonkers. Violet's adolescent tantrums were just as ingratiating. The villain here wasn't very convincing, either. Some content concerns popped up as well: Though I expected violence, profanity (including misuses of God's name) and occasional crudity simply weren't necessary.

Conclusion: I first saw The Incredibles in a packed theater back in November 2004, and had a blast with it; so much so that, the following March, I begged my mother to buy the DVD when it was released. We popped the movie in one night...and never watched it again; soon after, I sold it at one of our garage sales. On the small screen--which really was small; we didn't have a very big television set back then--it just wasn't the same; it was almost as if I were watching Barney and Friends instead. Despite that, I had heard great things about the long-awaited sequel, so, I figured, why not? Well, I hate to say it, but Pixar got it wrong here. Yes, the animation was fabulous, but, these days, you need more than great visuals to win me over. While the content concerns were minor, the problems lied in poor voice work, annoying characters, and a sub-par villain. Part of me says they shouldn't make an Incredibles 3; then again, that would give them a chance to redeem themselves for this second outing.

I've never been a fan of Kim Possible. Even back when I watched Lizzie McGuire, Even Stevens, and Raven practically every day, I only watched one full episode one time; everything else I know about the show and its characters comes from endless Disney Channel commercials, or tail ends of episodes I saw while waiting for one of my favorites to start. My problems with it are twofold: One, I'm not a fan of Kim's usual style of dress; the Mouse network would never have allowed a live action heroine to consistently dress that way. Two, while I'm all for strong female characters, Kim is too much of a Mary Sue, whereas her best friend is unacceptably dimwitted. On Lizzie McGuire, Gordo may have been a different sort of best friend, but, at least he was smart. Even the fact that my second top celebrity crush, Christy Carlson Romano, voiced Kim wasn't enough to make me a fan.

Still, the show had its admirers; otherwise, it wouldn't have lasted nearly as long as it did. So, some time ago, when I saw this at a garage sale, I thought: Why not give it a chance? This one definitely had its moments; the animation was great, and the plot was rather convoluted. However, the problems I always had with the show were present in multiple ways. Not only was Kim too perfect of a heroine, but Shego was the only smart villain around. Yes, Ron may have saved the day, but, he did it by accident. When the movie opened with a suggestive cheerleader routine, I knew this wasn't going a very good production...and it wasn't. It was fun at times, but, I don't think I'll bother with any more Kim Possible episodes again...and that's a longtime Disney Channel fan talking.

Synopsis: Ash, Brock, May, and Max travel to a city to see the Millennium Comet; as its name suggests, it only comes once every thousand years. While there, they meet Butler and Diane, a duo of magicians. During their magic act, Max hears a voice calling out to him: Jirachi, a Pokémon that supposedly has the ability to grant wishes. The two of the immediately bond, but, Jirachi can only stick around during the seven days the comet is in the sky. Worse yet, Butler has a plan to harness Jirachi's powers to complete a once-failed experiment. Will Ash and friends be able to stop him?

The Good: Unlike the previous "pocket monster" movie I saw recently, this one had a story that kept me interested. The animation and voice work were very good, and the ending was rather intense.

The Bad: While not as ingratiating as Latios and Latias, Jirachi could still be annoying at times. Also, though I wanted to see this through to the end, it still felt a little lackluster.

Conclusion: I mentioned in a previous review the history I have with the Pokémon franchise. Compared to my previous experience with one of these films, this was a step up...but, I'm still not all that impressed by these flicks. Die-hard fans of those "pocket monsters" may feel differently.

Score: 3/5

Synopsis: While walking around a town surrounded by water, Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum notices a strange young woman. When he follows her, he finds a mystical land where two Pokémon, Latios and Latias, the guardians of the city, reside. Hot on the two guardians' trail are Annie and Oakley, two thieves who will stop at nothing to rule the world. When they discover a gem that will give them global domination, it's up to Ash and his friends to thwart their dastardly plan once and for all.

The Good: The best thing I can say about this is at least it was a feast for the eyes. I sort of remember the anime on television being badly animated, but this one features gorgeous computer generated imagery alongside great hand-drawn animation. Also, the content is clean...but, you expected that, right?

The Bad: Latios and Latias are the main problem; they're the most annoying characters I've seen in any movie or show in a long time. Seriously, if you thought Pikachu was irritating, wait until you hear these two. Also, Annie and Oakley dress immodestly in most of their scenes. The overall story just feels lackluster; then again, I was unfamiliar with many of the monsters, even though I've played at least one game from most generations of the franchise.

Conclusion: Like most kids of my generation, I got into those "pocket monsters" around Y2K; unlike most of my peers, I continued being a fan for a while, and even played Pokémon games on my Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo GameCube. Most people I know who were into it back in the day have long since given up on it, but, it holds fond memories for me...to a degree. However, after watching this, I can see why many parents found the entire franchise positively nerve-grating. I grew up playing the games, and I was still bothered by this film. Maybe die-hard pocket monster fans will enjoy it, but, everyone else shouldn't bother.

Synopsis: It's the best-loved Christian song in a long time...but, do you know the story behind it? Young Bart Millard has a tough life; his dad is abusive, and his mother walked out on him. To escape his dire situation, Bart hits the road as part of a Christian band. He and his bandmates want to make it big...but, they're not having much success. When Bart writes a song inspired by his hard upbringing, he has no idea the impact it will have on his band...and the world.
Based on a true story.

The Good: As a longtime fan of contemporary Christian music, this kind of film is right up my alley. The performances were wonderful, especially by Dennis Quaid, although his character was rather despicable. Seeing a young Amy Grant and hearing names such as Audio Adrenaline made me happy. This film's story was rather inspiring, all the more so because it's true. While there's plenty of Christian songs heard here, I also liked hearing ELO's "Don't Bring Me Down"; one of my favorite mainstream tracks.

The Bad: Not necessarily bad, per se, but...this may be tough to watch for some. Seeing Bart get abused by his father and abandoned by his mother could trigger bad memories for viewers who had similar childhoods. Pretty much every scene of this flick is rife with emotional intensity; it makes the story all the more powerful...but, it could prove to be a stumbling block for sensitive people. Proceed with caution.

Conclusion: Me and the song "I Can Only Imagine" have an interesting history. I used to hear it on the way to and from church in my sister's car; she was a big contemporary Christian music fan, and she and my brother-in-law got me into the musical stylings of dc Talk, Audio Adrenaline, and the Newsboys. One time, during a communion devotional, a guy read the lyrics to "I Can Only Imagine"...only for us soon to start singing it during services. Our church was never one to use instruments, so, we sang it a cappella...and it was a tough one. One time, the song leader said just before leading it, "I can only imagine what this song would sound like if we got it right." Back in the day, I wasn't a big MercyMe fan; in recent years, my tastes in everything, including music, have seriously broadened, so, I now have many of their albums on my iPod...and I love them. So, maybe that makes me biased, but I really enjoyed this film; more than just a "behind the music" flick, it's an inspiring story of triumph over dire circumstances. However, for some, this may be too intense; if you're still haunted by childhood memories of abuse and/or abandonment, I'd think twice before watching this.

Synopsis: There's an undersea monster that has been taking the lives of sailors, and nobody can catch it! What could it be? It's soon discovered that the "monster" is actually a submarine, captained by a man named Nemo, who uses his submersible to isolate himself from society. Professor Aronnax, his assistant, Conseil, and their cocky harpooner, Ned, believe Captain Nemo to be crazy, and try to escape...only to put the ship and its entire crew in danger. Will the professor and his associates be able to safely emerge from the clutches of the insane Captain Nemo?
Based on the book by Jules Verne.

The Good: This is the old-school kind of adventure they don't make anymore. Not only is it clean-cut and exciting, but there's nary a female character in sight. (While I don't mind a character of the fairer sex, I do mind when she becomes a Mary Sue, and starts outdoing all the males in everything, which happens far too often in modern entertainment.) While this film may be quite old, it stands the test of time quite well. It's easy to see why this continues to be revered, several decades after its release.

The Bad: The violence wasn't graphic or bloody, but some may find there to be a bit too much here, especially for a "G" film. Also, the scenes involving smoking or drinking were rather disturbing, especially when they get their pet seal to join in.

Conclusion: Believe it or not, I haven't read the original Jules Verne novel. (I know; what kind of bibliophile am I?) Still, I enjoyed this throwback to a time when films were meant to be enjoyed, not brooding with hidden meanings. If you're a fan of Disney's live-action productions, you should check this out.

Score: 4.5/5

Synopsis: Young Phiona lives in the African country of Uganda, and sells corn her mother grows only because it's the only source of income her family has. When Phiona is introduced to the ancient game of chess, she finds she has an affinity for it; she learns to predict her opponents moves so far in advance, they think she is reading their minds. Phiona has what it takes to become an international chess champion...but, between the funds required for entering and traveling to the tournaments, her family losing their home, and Phiona not believing 100% in herself, the odds to reaching that dream seem insurmountable. Can she overcome them?
Based on a true story.

The Good: What an amazing film! It took me to a faraway yet real land, and illustrated its people's struggles quite vividly. It also features a main character who overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds, and challenged me to refrain from chickening out when faced with problems, whether small or big. Better yet, it portrays the Christian faith in a positive light. Though there are references to sex, they're handled with very old-school decorum. The performances, sets, and production values in general were all fabulous.

The Bad: Other than one misuse of God's name, I can't come up with any complaints. I will say one thing: Largely accented dialogue may make you want to turn on the closed captions or English subtitles in order to understand what they're saying. Also, some Lugandan dialogue, which is subtitled in English, may present a problem for those with reading issues.

Conclusion: While I've adored many of Disney's live-action productions, this is in a class all its own. Inspiring and affirming, this is the kind of cinema we need more of. If you haven't seen this, you definitely should.

Score: 5/5

Synopsis: It's the happiest day of Skylar's (Alexa PenaVega, Spy Kids) life! She and her fiancee are getting married, and they and all their friends and family are beyond happy for them! Unfortunately, the joy soon turns to sadness when, during the reception, wedding guests--including Skylar's parents--and people all over the world inexplicably drop dead. What could be causing this? Skylar, her new husband, and their friends are about to learn a hard lesson about their faith...or lack thereof.

My Review: I haven't done a longer review like this in a while, but, this film is so epic, it deserves it. Before I watched it, I thought: A Christian horror movie? Are you serious? Surprisingly, though, it's done very well, and brings home a chilling message: You never know when the end will come...so, be ready! While I don't agree with the Rapture theology--though it's presented much differently here than in the Left Behind series or any of the Pure Flix films--I have to say that, after watching this, nobody is going to want to be stuck on this Earth after Jesus returns. A gripping story, excellent performances...all in all, outstanding.

Content Concerns: Like with many Christian films of this rating, you should take the "PG-13" seriously; this is definitely not for kids. I also wouldn't suggest watching it before bed, unless you like having nightmares. Seriously, it's that creepy.

I generally don't do sports in my spare time, but I can appreciate movies centered around them, especially if they glorify God, i.e., Facing the Giants. This particular film is based on a story that had everyone talking back in the day; I knew of Bethany Hamilton's faith early on, after the lead singer of Christian band ApologetiX mentioned in his e-mail list that Bethany's brothers were fans of the band. Her story is very inspiring, and makes me want to try harder at things that I've avoided in the past for fear of failure. I have what some would consider a disability...but, after seeing what she went through, I have nothing to complain about. The fact that I can easily type this review or hold a book with both hands means that I have much less to overcome than she ever did.

That said, the production values weren't the best; the acting was poor at times, and some of the dialogue was rather stilted. Also, for some viewers, there may be too much inappropriate eye candy; guys without shirts and girls in tiny bikinis are seen throughout, which could make this inaccessible for some folks. Think about whether you can refrain from violating Matthew 5:27-28 while watching this before buying or renting it.

The Scooby-Doo franchise started out as a series of whodunits; the ghosts, monsters, etc., were merely people in masks. After the addition of Scrappy, the human characters other than Shaggy were gradually eliminated, and the focus changed. The 13 Ghosts series was all about real ghouls, while one series wasn't about monsters at all. When Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island came out, it was touted as the first mystery featuring "those meddling kids" where the monsters were actually real. Every year after that, another direct-to-video film came out in the series; some featured real ghouls, whereas others didn't.

Why mention the history of Hanna-Barbera's most successful franchise? Simple: Samurai Sword combines elements of the previous incarnations. While the traditional unmasking is present, some of the monsters are actually real. It also features action violence in the form of martial arts battles. Parts of it feel like the old-school Where Are You? cartoons, but much of it has a more modern feel.

It's entertaining for what it is, and the animation is fabulous; the graphics are much better than any version of "those meddling kids" I've previously seen, even the What's New series. However, some lame soundtrack choices, especially an absurd song during a chase scene, messed things up a bit. I was also surprised to hear Fred say "dang" in one scene; while that's not exactly profanity, it's still stronger language than I'm used to in these cartoons. Fans of that insane Great Dane will likely enjoy this, but, unless you're a Scooby fanatic, I can only recommend renting this one.

Synopsis: Wolverine is facing psychological issues, and Professor X doesn't seem to be able to help. To work things out, Wolverine goes to a village in Japan, where he once lived years ago. Not long after arriving, he discovers that the villagers are under threat by the Silver Samurai, who rules all of the nearby villages with an iron fist. Wolverine is trying to give up his violent ways, but, the people in the village can't face their tyrannical ruler on their own. Will Wolverine be able to lead them to victory?

The Good: This is a bit different than usual, as it doesn't feature nearly as many mutants; regular characters such as Jean, Cyclops, or Beast appear only briefly, if at all. Much of the battling is done sans superpowers. Still, I enjoyed it.

The Bad: When a show starts to lose its original focus, it's usually a sign of the end; hopefully, it won't deviate too much in the remaining episodes.

Content Concerns:
Sex: Two brief kisses; a woman is called a "babe".
Nudity: Wolverine is seen shirtless about four or five times.
Language: Name-calling.
Violence: Action violence throughout, though the villagers do their best to defeat their nemeses without killing.
Drugs: None.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: Scary villains; emotionally intense flashbacks; Wolverine gets very upset at times.

Synopsis: Isadore "Izzy" Daniels (Corbin Bleu, High School Musical) is a local boxing champ; he has never been defeated in the ring. His neighbor Mary (Keke Palmer, True Jackson, VP) is on a Double Dutch team that is hoping to make it to the state championship...when one of the other girls jumps ship to another team. Izzy fills in temporarily, but finds that he has a penchant for Double Dutch. However, he is afraid of what would happen if his boxing champ father and especially his sworn enemy Rodney find out about his new hobby. Will Izzy lead them to the championship?

The Good: While I don't watch sports very much, I find that sports-themed movies, when done right, can be fun...and this is no exception. Positive elements abound: solving problems without violence, not allowing yourself to be stereotyped, honesty being the best policy, etc. The actors were great, and the sports action--both the boxing and the jumping rope--was fabulous. The soundtrack was fun as well.

The Bad: Nothing to complain about, really.

Content Concerns:
Sex: Guy and girl hold hands; guy is called a girl by a bully.
Nudity: Occasional slight midriff.
Language: Name-calling.
Violence: Some rough-and-tumble sports action in the boxing ring, but no blood or gore; a few scenes of bullying.
Drugs: None.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: Scenes of bullying; occasional emotional intensity.

Conclusion: Nobody makes telefilms quite like the Disney Channel, and this was a fun one. Even this non-sports-fan enjoyed it. You may not remember it after a while, but, you could do much worse when it comes to sports films.

Okay, so, a little personal history: Some years ago, I randomly came across the Alex Rider series while browsing the stacks at the library. I listened to the first book on audio, loved it, and reviewed it on Amazon. Some time later, that infamous shopping website recommended the Maximum Ride series to me because of my review. So, I soon checked it out...and loved it! In fact, the third book was so good, it got my adrenaline pumping while reading it on a family vacation! There had been talk of a movie franchise based on the books for a while, and I kept hoping to see a trailer or poster for it at the movies. I'd kind of given up hope until a month or two ago, when the big announcement that a film version had been released on iTunes came up on my Facebook news feed. I soon bought it, and finally got around to watching it yesterday and today.

What did I think? It was good...but, given the nature of the franchise, it could have been better. The acting was great, and the action sequences were wonderful...but, the ending was weird, and I'm not even sure what the final scene was supposed to mean. If there is a celluloid sequel, I hope that clears up whatever was implied there. If you're a fan of Max and crew like I am, you might enjoy this...but, people unfamiliar with the franchise may find some parts of the movie confusing.

Content Concerns:
Sex: One near kiss. 4/5
Nudity: Shirtless guy; Max wears both bare-midriff outfits and tops with slits in the sides that show off her bra throughout. 2/5
Language: One or two misuses of God's name; three or four uses of the d-word; one use of the h-word. 3/5
Violence: Sci-fi action violence abounds; multiple fisticuffs, explosions, etc., that result in the death of at least one character. Though intense, the violence is not bloody or gory, save for one bloody scene where a character is shot. 2/5
Drugs: None. 5/5
Frightening/Intense Scenes: An overall dark mood; scary humanoid monsters with fangs; a child is kidnapped; a man threatens a woman; emotional intensity; there's little in this film that isn't intense. 1/5

Score: 3.5/5