Top 10 Movies from 1996

Praise the Lord for THE PREACHER'S WIFE. When Pastor Henry Biggs comes to the end of his rope, an angel named Dudley falls out of heaven to help him. Containing strong Christian dialogue and prayers to Christ, it is flawed only by the "It's A Wonderful Life"-type angel. This cinematic device is counterbalanced by clear references to God's Laws, God's Grace, love, and faith in Jesus Christ. Movies don't get much better than this.

THE HUNCH BACK OF NOTRE DAME is a masterpiece extolling God's Grace -- a spectacular animation adaptation by Walt Disney Pictures based on the famous Victor Hugo novel. In this version, Quasimodo and the Captain of the Guard, Phoebus, team up with mutual love interest Esmeralda to fight the cruel terror of Judge Frollo. Although it has a strong, pro-Christian worldview, it may be too mature for small children. However, it is a "must see" for older children and adults.

101 DALMATIANS pushes all the right emotional buttons while upholding marriage and the sanctity of human life, as well as a high regard for animal life. Set in London, 101 DALMATIANS tells a familiar story, about two well-rounded singles who get together through their Dalmatians, only to have them stolen by Cruella DeVil. With some mild slapstick violence, it is a movie the whole family can enjoy.

HARRIET THE SPY wants to be a writer, and so she writes all sorts of observations about her friends in her notebook. One day, her classmates read her notebook and are offended at the comments about them. Harriet must learn how to say she is sorry. Aside from an unnecessary line endorsing white lies and some minor foul language, this movie is powerful morality tale.

SPACE JAM is a mix of live action and animation featuring the Looney Tune characters and basketball great Michael Jordan. When Bugs Bunny challenges a group of little aliens who have come to make slaves of the toons to a basketball game, only Michael Jordan can help the toons get out of a jam. Fast-paced, well-executed and moral, it has prayers and a church scene, but is marred by an all-too-believable seance scene.

THE WHITE BALLOON is a simple story of a little girl who wants a goldfish. Her encounters with various people as she first loses the money to buy it and then enlists their help in retrieving it delight the audience with warmth and charm. Told with color and positive qualities of family and community, it has no sex, violence, nor strong language.

MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND is another rollicking Muppet adventure which makes fun use of the whole cast of Muppet characters. The story of course follows the outline of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale. There is no real violence, but their is lots of adventure as well as silly, anachronistic, slapstick comedy. As in many Muppet adventures, this movie contains positive references to prayer, God and the Bible.

THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO is a faithful, live-action adaptation of the classic children's novel. Marred by some questionable plot devices including magic and lying, the movie nevertheless teaches many biblical principles, including the principles that lying is wrong, fame is not love and that other people are more precious than gold. Pinocchio learns these lessons as he travels a moral journey from puppet to human.

THE MIGHTY DUCKS hit the ice and silver screen again with a winner for the whole family. In D3, the Ducks join snooty Eaton Hall as the JV team. With a new coach and a domineering varsity team, the ducks have to grow up and pull together. There are three mild obscenities and a boy tries unsuccessfully to look up a cheerleader's skirt, but that is the extent of anything bad. D3: THE MIGHTY DUCKS is all that it is quacked up to be and more.

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH uses stop-motion animation, live-action and computer animation for a seamless mix of pure fantasy. It tells the story of James who escapes from his wicked aunts and travels to New York City inside a giant peach with a group of insect friends. Using a magical premise and including many scary scenes, it is a moral tale, but watch out for the magical pits.