Looking for a movie to enjoy with the whole family? There are several terrific options right now.
NOW IN THEATRES
THE LION KING 3D
Pummeling all new releases at the box office last weekend, this 1994 Disney favorite is back on the big screen, this time in 3D and high-definition. Though I view 3D as a gimmick, Disney generally does an impressive job with their transfers, and the opportunity to view this timeless tale again in a movie theatre, with its terrific music, memorable characters, and glorious animation is just too good to pass up. Plus there are Gospel parallels aplenty. Rated G.
JOSEPH SMITH: PLATES OF GOLD
Part 1 of director Christian Vuissa’s planned trilogy about the life of Joseph Smith zooms in on the New York Years (including the translation of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the Church, and Joseph’s courtship with Emma) with an impeccable eye for historical and emotional detail. Dramatically and spiritually satisfying. Rated PG
NOW ON DVD
17 MIRACLES
The film I consider the best to come out of the Mormon Cinema movement, this surprise box-office smash by writer/director T.C. Christensen has already touched hearts and changed lives through its emotionally grounded portrayal of the Willie and Martin handcart companies. Now it’s available on DVD and Blu-Ray. If you’ve seen it, you know that this is a must-own. If you’ve not seen it, it’s time to find out what the hype is about. Rated PG.
COMING SOON TO THEATRES COURAGEOUS
The new movie from Sherwood Pictures, the Christian film studio that brought us Fireproof and Facing the Giants, Courageous focuses on the need for righteous, God-fearing fathers. Using a group of police officers as it’s central characters, the film explores Gospel and family themes. It is rated PG-13 for crime-fighting violence and related drug content (any movie with drug content is an automatic PG-13, even if drugs are accurately portrayed as evil and harmful as they are here), but promises to be as wholesome, faith-promoting, and uplifting as their previous features. Courageous opens nationwide on September 30, 2011.
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