Five of the greatest moments in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
December 13, 2013

 By Evy Baehr, Executive Managing Editor   1. Shermy:  “Every Christmas it's the same. I always end up playing a shepherd.”       2. Linus Van Pelt:  “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.”       3. Linus Van Pelt:  “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City o...

‘Black Nativity,’ an Unsung Masterpiece
December 11, 2013

By Dr. Tom Snyder, Editor The Christmas season is the best season for a lot of really great movies. This season, Disney’s wonderful animated work, FROZEN, is seeing some well-deserved accolades from both critics and moviegoers. However, there is another movie this season that has not received the acclaim that it so richly deserves – BLACK NATIVITY, starring the super-talented Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese Gibson, and relative newcomer Jacob Latimore. BLACK NATIVITY is a musical drama inspired by Langston Hughes’ play of the same name. It’s a brilliant, uplifting piece of filmmaking that highlights God’s Grace. It is entertaining, heart-rending, uplifting, amusing, and faith-filled. The story follo...

THE ULTIMATE LIFE DVD Giveaway!
December 10, 2013

THE ULTIMATE LIFE DVD Giveaway!   For a limited time, Movieguide® is giving away a free DVD copy of THE ULTIMATE LIFE starring Peter Fonda and Bill Cobbs! THE ULTIMATE LIFE is a family-friendly drama depicting one man’s journey from poverty to riches and the lessons he learned along the way. THE ULTIMATE LIFE is a well-made, fun, heartwarming sequel to the beloved movie THE ULTIMATE GIFT. Uplifting and fun, the movie gives a lot more background to THE ULTIMATE GIFT. It depicts how Jason’s grandfather developed his friendships, his business and the “Twelve Gifts” he passes onto Jason. The grandfather learns that success comes from hard work and being a leader of men. Most importantly, the movie teaches that family is the greates...

Portraying America’s Rust Belt: Behind the Scenes Lessons from OUT OF THE FURNACE
December 10, 2013

    By Carl Kozlowski, Contributing Writer Most movies are designed to provide escape for audiences wanting to take their minds off the sometimes harsh realities of life. In contrast, OUT OF THE FURNACE, actually shines an unflinching light on the lives of Russell and Rodney Baze, two fictional yet highly realistic and relatable brothers slogging their way through life in the dying steel town of Braddock, Pennsylvania. Rodney, played by Casey Affleck, is a soldier suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after serving four grueling tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. His brother Russell, played by Christian Bale, is struggling with plenty of other problems himself. He’s working hard days in the same steel mill t...

PARKS AND RECREATION – Separating Fact from Fiction
December 10, 2013

By Stephen Poppe, Contributing Writer It’s a low-point in American television indeed when I find myself turning to the comforting blue hue of the television guide station for relaxation. At least, I can be confident that it won’t denigrate my political beliefs or openly mock me as an ignorant conservative with some ridiculous caricature. In this TV culture which enjoys portraying Tea Party supporters as backwoods hicks and finds humor in repeatedly portraying Republicans as fat, white old men while ignoring ongoing scandals because of the political orientation of the current administration in the White House, I’m finding it harder and harder to watch television without repeatedly finding offense in the portrayal of the those who ...

Weekend Report December 6-8, 2013
December 09, 2013

December 6-8, 2013       Select a studio's button to see that studio's 2013 Report Card FROZEN warms up to first place for the weekend Disney Animation’s FROZEN passed THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE to take the weekend box office crown. In a very distant third was the one new movie of the weekend OUT OF THE FURNACE. Disney then capured the fourth and fifth spots with THOR: THE DARK WORLD and DELIVERY MAN.   FROZEN became the sixth animated movie in 2013 to pass the $100 million mark. It may even become the third to pass $200 million. Next year Pixar won’t be in the competition as they’ve postponed THE GOOD DINOSAUR’s release until 2015. ...

‘Duck Dynasty’ Stars Coming to the Big Screen!
December 09, 2013

By Peter Moorman, Staff Writer DUCK DYNASTY is coming to the big screen next year. Two stars of the popular A&E television series DUCK DYNASTY will make their big screen debut in the Spring of 2014. Willie Robertson and his wife, Korie, are featured in the new movie GOD’S NOT DEAD. GOD’S NOT DEAD is a new Christian movie about faith and the lengths one young man will go to defend his belief in God. The movie stars Kevin Sorbo from SOUL SURFER and the TV series HERCULES and ANDROMEDA, Shane Harper of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2, and features a concert appearance by Christian “superband” Newsboys. It also stars Dean Cain of LOIS & CLARK:  THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN. The Robertson family has been making waves this year ...

Ten Movies to Honor the Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
December 07, 2013

December 7, 2013 marks the 72nd Anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. To avoid WWIII America needs to have the strength and determination to deter those who would consider starting it. These movies show what happens when you lack the necessary resolve before you’re attacked but show incredible resolve once you’ve been attacked. They show the absolutely horrible price the world pays for appeasing tyrants. This list focuses on big budget movies made from 1957 onward. There were many great ones made prior to this, as well as many great smaller movies. Not necessarily in order of recommendation: 1. TORA! TORA! TORA! 1970 This 1970 movie deals directly with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tora! Tora! Tora! was the Japa...

Movieguide®’s Ted Baehr Meets Leaders in Washington
December 05, 2013

Date:  Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 Movieguide® Publisher Dr. Ted Baehr visited Capitol Hill Wednesday and met with several high-ranking officials to encourage them to transform the culture through Hollywood and the mass media. He visited Capitol Hill today with William J. Murray of the Religious Freedom Coalition and met with several Congressmen:  Sam Johnson of Texas, Steve King of Iowa, Randy Forbes of Virginia, and Louis Gohmert of Texas. The message was clear on each visit. The media creates the culture that elects the politicians. Dr. Baehr also spoke at Paul Weyrich’s luncheon at the Ebeneezer Coffee House next to the Capitol Building. In attendance was Rep. Eric Cantor, the second in command at the House of Representatives u...

Peter Jackson Shows Off New Zealand Sites, HOBBIT Props
December 05, 2013

Peter Jackson, director of the new HOBBIT trilogy, showed off some sights from his native land of New Zealand Saturday in Beverly Hills, along with some life-sized props and sets from the second part of the trilogy, THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG. The new movie is scheduled to reach theaters in the United States on Dec. 13. Movieguide® Publisher Dr. Ted Baehr met briefly with Jackson for a quick photo op and got a chance to invite him and his team to the 22nd Annual Movieguide® Faith & Values wards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry, set for Friday, Feb. 7, at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, Calif. Jackson wasn’t alone in presenting the life-sized props and huge photos of the New Zealand locations where THE H...