Recommended Video Rentals For Summer Viewing
- BARBARA NICOLOSI
Summertime generally means more time to spend hanging out with family and friends. Heres a list of recent films now available on video or DVD that parents and kids can enjoy together and perhaps find what Joseph Conrad called that measure of truth for which they had forgotten to ask.
|
|
My Dog Skip
|
Chances are you missed most of these films in theatrical release only a few of them did anything at the box office but each of them is testaments to the fact that good films, and even great ones, are still being made today. The reason you dont see more of this kind of good film in theaters, is that you didnt go to see these films at the theater.
There is still time to send a message to the entertainment industry, however, by renting these on DVD or VHS. The industry does track rentals too.
Films For The Kids
The Iron Giant - Not just another animated kids movie, The Iron Giant earned accolades like, exquisite and perfection in filmmaking from a cross-section of film critics. Featuring the talents of Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick, Jr. and Cloris Leachman, the story here sets this project far ahead of The Quest For Camelot and The King and I which were financially more successful animated features from Warner Bros. The Iron Giant is about a young boy named Hogarth Hughes who befriends a 100-foot tall metal alien. Unable to finally evade the paranoid machinations of government agents, the giant responds with an act of unconditional love and self-sacrifice. Weaving thoughtful messages about friendship and non-violence into an exciting adventure, The Iron Giant will surprise and delight the whole family.
The Miracle Maker - The best of the millennial network specials on the life of Christ, this claymation import from Britain and Russia packs a high degree artistry and some unexpectedly elevated theology. Besides being absolutely Catholic in its sensibilities, the film works as entertainment. Younger children will appreciate the telling of the story of Jesus through the eyes of Jairus daughter. Adults will appreciate the all-star performances and effective weaving of cel animation and 3-D stop-motion photography. If a thing of beauty if a joy forever, than The Miracle Maker will surely enter the realm of classics.
My Dog Skip - Its Yazoo City, Michigan in 1942. While the world outside is engaged in the greatest military conflict of human history, a young boy is fighting his own battle for survival. Anguishing over their sons failure to make friends, Willies parents give him a terrier puppy for his 8th birthday. Based on the best-selling memoir by Willie Morris, My Dog Skip is a funny and heartwarming story about friendship and family. The excellent cast includes Frankie Muniz from FOXs Malcolm In The Middle, Kevin Bacon and Diane Lane. This movie impressed me with its insight and sensitivity. You and your kids will laugh and cry together, which is a good thing for families to do now and then.
This is Meaghen Gonzalez, Editor of CERC. I hope you appreciated this piece. We curate these articles especially for believers like you.
Please show your appreciation by making a $3 donation. CERC is entirely reader supported.
Acknowledgement
Barbara Nicolosi. "Recommended Video Rentals For Summer Viewing." Liguorian (June 2001).
This article reprinted with permission from Liguorian, One Liguori Drive, Liguori, MO 63057.
Liguorian is a general interest Catholic magazine written and edited for Catholics of all ages. Its purpose is to help readers better understand the gospel and Church teaching and to show how these teachings apply to life and the problems confronting them as members of families, the Church, and society.
The Author
Barbara Nicolosi is the Executive Director of The Story Institute at Azusa Pacific University and an adjunct professor of screenwriting at Azusa Pacific University and at Pepperdine University. She blogs at The Church of the Masses.
Copyright © 2002 Liguorian
