THE KARATE KID (2010) is an entertaining, action-packed and touching movie about a young American boy in China who learns kung fu from a reclusive maintenance man so that he can enter a tournament to escape the ceaseless bullying of a group of cruel peers. THE KARATE KID contains a solid moral message about treating others with kindness and respect, but there are also propagandistic references to Eastern spiritual mysticism that requires special caution.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS re-introduces Alvin, Simon, Theodore, and their protective manager, David Seville, who tries to protect them from a big record mogul. ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS is very funny with a lot of heart and good family values celebrating Christmas.

In BLACK WIDOW, Natasha of The Avengers must find the man who headed the Soviet brainwashing program that stripped away her world years ago and free the other women trapped by the man’s evil trafficking ring. BACK WIDOW is action packed, with lots of jeopardy and a strong moral worldview with Christian, anti-communist elements, but it has some bloody fighting and foul language.

In ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, a fantasy comes true when a 12-year-old Little Leaguer suddenly acquires a pitching arm so good, the Chicago Cubs want him to play for them. A delightful comedy, ROOKIE OF THE YEAR should tap into the dreams of children of all ages and capture a sizable summer audience, although this otherwise wholesome movie regrettably contains a few foul words, some childish name calling and repeated exclamations (e.g., "Oh, my God!").

THUMBELINA is the Hans Christian Andersen animated tale about a diminutive-sized girl who yearns for a husband--just her size. Most children will love this timeless moral fairy tale about hope and fidelity.

MCFARLAND, USA is an inspiring sports drama starring Kevin Costner as Jim White, a coach who turns seven young Hispanic teenagers in rural California into competitive cross-country runners in 1987. MCFARLAND, USA is a terrific, moving story of perseverance, faith and sacrifice. A light caution is advised for brief foul language and some implied violence.

FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX is a well plotted, exciting action-adventure yarn about a plane load of disparate men who crash in the Mongolian desert. Much less foul language and some attention to detail could have made FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX one of the year’s better movies.

FLASH OF GENIUS stars Greg Kinnear in a tour-de-force performance as an outraged inventor fighting the big auto companies in Detroit after one of them steals his invention. Greg Kinnear gives a brilliant performance that captures the highs and lows, and ultimate triumph, of the little guy who takes on City Hall, but some foul language requires caution for children.

THE REMAINING is a story of what life may be like during the Apocalypse when the Christians have been taken up to Heaven. THE REMAINING is well written and well shot, with an intense pace, plus a strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview, but extreme caution is advised because of some intense violence and blood when a scary demon attacks and kills people.

WHEN WE LAST SPOKE is a faith-filled family drama and comedy about two sisters who go to live with their grandparents but, as adults, haven’t spoken to one another for 29 years. WHEN WE LAST SPOKE has some funny, dramatic moments and a strong Christian, moral worldview, but the movie could be better, especially the story structure, and the positive worldview and wholesome content are marred by a few New Agey comments about truth and destiny.

THE INVESTIGATOR is about an ex-police sergeant who get’s a job at a Christian high school that just might change his life. Other than some light obscenities and some slow moving scenes, THE INVESTIGATOR is a Christ-centered, heart-warming story about finding redemption and truth.