At The Movies

Title : Star Trek Year : 2009 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 11 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG-13 TV Parental Guidelines : TV-14 Total Runtime 127 minutes (2 hours, 7 minutes) Tagline “The future begins.” Main Cast Chris Pine – James T. Kirk Zachary Quinto – Spock Karl Urban – Leonard "Bones" McCoy Zoe Saldana – Nyota Uhura Simon Pegg – Montgomery Scott John Cho – Hikaru Sulu Anton Yelchin – Pavel Chekov Eric Bana – Nero Bruce Greenwood – Captain Christopher Pike Leonard Nimoy – Spock Prime Ben Cross – Sarek Winona Ryder – Amanda Grayson Reviews Overview J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009) rebooted the franchise with high energy, sleek visuals, and a young, bold cast. It’s a fresh start—literally, thanks to a time-travel plot that changes the course of the original timeline. We get a brand-new Kirk, Spock, and crew—but with the spirit of classic Trek still intact. It balances fan nostalgia with blockbuster flair. Even if you’ve never watched an episo...

Title : Star Trek: Nemesis Year : 2002 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise # : 10 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG-13 TV Parental Guidelines : TV-14 Total Runtime 116 minutes (1 hour, 56 minutes) Tagline “A generation’s final journey begins.” Main Cast Patrick Stewart – Captain Jean-Luc Picard Jonathan Frakes – Commander William Riker Brent Spiner – Lieutenant Commander Data / B-4 LeVar Burton – Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge Michael Dorn – Worf Gates McFadden – Dr. Beverly Crusher Marina Sirtis – Counselor Deanna Troi Tom Hardy – Shinzon Ron Perlman – Reman Viceroy Dina Meyer – Commander Donatra Kate Mulgrew – Admiral Kathryn Janeway (cameo) Reviews Overview Nemesis tries to deliver an epic showdown and deep emotional beats—but it’s a mixed bag. Picard faces off against Shinzon, a violent young clone of himself who was raised in darkness and now threatens the Federation with a massive weapon. The themes are there—identity, destiny, sacrifice—but the execution fa...

Title : Star Trek: Insurrection Year: 1998 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise # : 9 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG Total Runtime 103 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes) Tagline “The battle for paradise has begun.” Main Cast Patrick Stewart – Captain Jean-Luc Picard Jonathan Frakes – Commander William Riker Brent Spiner – Lieutenant Commander Data LeVar Burton – Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge Michael Dorn – Worf Gates McFadden – Dr. Beverly Crusher Marina Sirtis – Counselor Deanna Troi F. Murray Abraham – Ru'afo Donna Murphy – Anij Anthony Zerbe – Admiral Dougherty Gregg Henry – Gallatin Reviews Overview Insurrection feels like an extended Next Generation TV episode—but in a good way, if you're a fan of the series. The story pits Picard and crew against corrupt elements within the Federation who want to forcibly relocate a peaceful alien race from a rejuvenating planet. It's a quieter, more reflective film that deals with et...

Title : Star Trek: First Contact Year: 1996 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise # : 8 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG-13 TV Parental Guidelines : TV-14 Total Runtime 111 minutes (1 hour, 51 minutes) Tagline “Resistance is futile.” Main Cast Patrick Stewart – Captain Jean-Luc Picard Jonathan Frakes – Commander William Riker Brent Spiner – Lieutenant Commander Data LeVar Burton – Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge Michael Dorn – Worf Gates McFadden – Dr. Beverly Crusher Marina Sirtis – Counselor Deanna Troi Alfre Woodard – Lily Sloane James Cromwell – Zefram Cochrane Alice Krige – The Borg Queen Neal McDonough – Lieutenant Hawk Reviews Overview First Contact is often considered the best Next Generation film—and for good reason. It’s got intense action, sharp writing, and a truly terrifying villain: the Borg. The story splits between Picard’s personal struggle with revenge and humanity’s first steps into warp travel, making it both epic and personal. Time travel, phil...

Title : Star Trek: Generations Year: 1994 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 7 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG Total Runtime 118 minutes (1 hour, 58 minutes) Tagline “Two captains. One destiny.” Main Cast Patrick Stewart – Captain Jean-Luc Picard William Shatner – Captain James T. Kirk Jonathan Frakes – Commander William Riker Brent Spiner – Lieutenant Commander Data LeVar Burton – Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge Michael Dorn – Lieutenant Worf Gates McFadden – Dr. Beverly Crusher Marina Sirtis – Counselor Deanna Troi Malcolm McDowell – Dr. Tolian Soran Whoopi Goldberg – Guinan James Doohan – Scotty (cameo) Walter Koenig – Chekov (cameo) Reviews Overview Generations is the passing of the torch between Kirk’s original crew and Picard’s Next Generation team. It brings the two legendary captains together through a mysterious phenomenon called the Nexus, a realm of timeless joy. Meanwhile, a mad scientist named Soran is willing to ...

Title : Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Year : 1991 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 6 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG Total Runtime 113 minutes (1 hour, 53 minutes) Tagline “The battle for peace has begun.” Main Cast William Shatner – Captain James T. Kirk Leonard Nimoy – Spock DeForest Kelley – Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy James Doohan – Scotty George Takei – Captain Hikaru Sulu Walter Koenig – Chekov Nichelle Nichols – Uhura Christopher Plummer – General Chang David Warner – Chancellor Gorkon Kim Cattrall – Lieutenant Valeris Brock Peters – Admiral Cartwright Michael Dorn – Colonel Worf Grace Lee Whitney – Janice Rand Mark Lenard – Ambassador Sarek Charles Cooper – Klingon Ambassador Reviews Overview The Undiscovered Country is widely considered one of the best entries in the original Star Trek film series. It’s part space thriller, part courtroom drama, and part political allegory. The story centers on peace negotiations b...

Title : Star Trek V: The Final Frontier Year : 1989 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise # : 5 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG Total Runtime 107 minutes (1 hour, 47 minutes) Tagline “The Enterprise is back. This time, have they gone too far?” Main Cast William Shatner – Captain James T. Kirk Leonard Nimoy – Spock DeForest Kelley – Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy James Doohan – Scotty George Takei – Sulu Walter Koenig – Chekov Nichelle Nichols – Uhura Laurence Luckinbill – Sybok Todd Bryant - Captain Klaa Spice Williams-Crosby - Vixis George Murdock - God of  Sha Ka Ree Nimbus III David Warner – St. John Talbot (Terran Ambassador) Cynthia Gouw - Caithlin Dar (Romulan Ambassador) Charles Cooper - General Korrd (Klingon Ambassador) Reviews Overview The Final Frontier has a lot of ambition, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing. Directed by William Shatner himself, the movie explores big spiritual questions—like the search for God—but gets bog...

Title : Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Year: 1986 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise # : 4 ARC : Genesis Trilogy #3 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating: PG TV Parental Guidelines: TV-PG Total Runtime 119 minutes (1 hour, 59 minutes) Tagline “The key to saving the future can only be found in the past.” Main Cast William Shatner – Admiral James T. Kirk Leonard Nimoy – Captain Spock DeForest Kelley – Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy James Doohan – Montgomery “Scotty” Scott George Takei – Hikaru Sulu Walter Koenig – Pavel Chekov Nichelle Nichols – Uhura Catherine Hicks – Dr. Gillian Taylor Mark Lenard – Ambassador Sarek Jane Wyatt – Amanda Grayson Reviews Overview The Voyage Home is the lightest and most fun of the original Star Trek films—and it totally works. After the heavy emotions and loss of Wrath of Khan and Search for Spock, this time the crew goes back in time to 1986 San Francisco to save... whales. Yup—humpback whales. An alien probe threatens Earth in the 23rd century, and t...

Title : Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Year : 1984 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 3 ARC : Genesis Trilogy #2 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating: PG TV Parental Guidelines: TV-PG Total Runtime 105 minutes (1 hour, 45 minutes) Tagline “The needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.” Main Cast William Shatner – Admiral James T. Kirk DeForest Kelley – Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy Leonard Nimoy – Spock (uncredited appearance) James Doohan – Montgomery “Scotty” Scott George Takei – Hikaru Sulu Walter Koenig – Pavel Chekov Nichelle Nichols – Uhura Robin Curtis – Lieutenant Saavik Christopher Lloyd – Commander Kruge Merritt Butrick – David Marcus Mark Lenard – Sarek Reviews Overview The Search for Spock is a direct sequel to The Wrath of Khan and focuses on the crew’s desperate mission to recover the body—and soul—of their fallen friend. While the story doesn’t have the same explosive energy as its predecessor, it delivers heart, loyalty, and major consequences. It e...

Title : Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Year: 1982 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 2 ARC: Genesis trilogy #1 Total Runtime 113 minutes (1 hour, 53 minutes) MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating: PG TV Parental Guidelines: TV-PG Tagline “At the end of the universe lies the beginning of vengeance.” Main Cast William Shatner – Admiral James T. Kirk Leonard Nimoy – Captain Spock DeForest Kelley – Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy Ricardo Montalbán – Khan Noonien Singh James Doohan – Montgomery “Scotty” Scott George Takei – Hikaru Sulu Walter Koenig – Commander Pavel Chekov Nichelle Nichols – Lieutenant Uhura Kirstie Alley – Lieutenant Saavik Bibi Besch – Dr. Carol Marcus Merritt Butrick – David Marcus Reviews Overview The Wrath of Khan is often considered the best Star Trek film—and for good reason. It brings real emotional weight, a compelling villain, and sharp storytelling. Khan, a genetically enhanced tyrant from the original Star Trek series, escapes exile and seeks vengeance ...

Title : Star Trek: The Motion Picture Year : 1979 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 1 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating: Originally G, later often rated PG for mild thematic and sci-fi peril TV Parental Guidelines: TV-PG Tagline “The human adventure is just beginning.” Main Cast William Shatner — Admiral James T. Kirk Leonard Nimoy — Commander Spock DeForest Kelley — Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy Stephen Collins — Commander Willard Decker Persis Khambatta — Lieutenant Ilia James Doohan — Montgomery “Scotty” Scott George Takei — Hikaru Sulu Nichelle Nichols — Lieutenant Uhura Walter Koenig — Ensign Pavel Chekov Majel Barrett — Dr. Christine Chapel Reviews Overview Star Trek: The Motion Picture is the franchise’s first big-screen adventure, focusing on a mysterious and immensely powerful alien entity named V’Ger hurtling toward Earth. Admiral Kirk returns to command the Enterprise to investigate this threat. Unlike later Star Trek films, this one takes a slower, more philoso...

Overview The Ten Commandments (1956) is a classic biblical epic that tells the story of Moses—from being raised as an Egyptian prince to leading the Israelites out of slavery. Charlton Heston shines as Moses, and Yul Brynner makes a strong Pharaoh Rameses. Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, it’s a huge, ambitious film packed with spectacle, drama, and a respectful tone about faith and God’s law. It’s famous for its impressive special effects and memorable performances and is still a beloved Easter TV tradition. While the acting and pacing feel a bit old-fashioned compared to today’s movies, the core message about God’s power and deliverance is timeless. Overall, it’s a visually stunning and spiritually rich film with strong moral themes. Family Friendliness The Ten Commandments is a pretty family-friendly movie, especially for a film that’s more than half a century old. It’s rated G by today’s standards, so no worrying about bad language or inappropriate scenes. That said, it’s a long movie...

Overview Son of God is kind of like a greatest-hits version of Jesus’ life, pulled together from The Bible miniseries and edited into a full-length movie. It was directed by Christopher Spencer and produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey—so it definitely leans into the faith-based, reverent tone. Diogo Morgado plays Jesus, and the film follows the familiar path: creation montage, Jesus’ ministry, His miracles, the clashes with religious leaders, betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. It’s not a Hollywood blockbuster, and you can tell—it feels more like a really well-made church film than a cinematic epic. The storytelling is pretty straightforward and sticks closely to Scripture, which is a plus for many Christian viewers. But it can feel a little flat at times, and the pacing is uneven. Some scenes hit emotionally, especially during the Crucifixion, but others feel a bit rushed or overly dramatized. Visually, it tries to be epic, though a few of the CGI effects feel dated. Still, t...

Overview Paul, Apostle of Christ is a quiet but powerful movie that digs into the final days of the Apostle Paul’s life. He’s locked up in a dark Roman prison under Emperor Nero’s rule, and things are bleak. But Luke—played by Jim Caviezel—visits him regularly to write down his teachings and letters, even while Christians in Rome are being brutally persecuted. James Faulkner does a great job as Paul, giving him both grit and deep spiritual peace. The story unfolds in a thoughtful, kind of meditative way. It’s not action-packed, but it’s emotionally rich and grounded in Scripture. We get flashbacks to Paul’s past, some tense moments in the Christian underground church, and powerful conversations about faith, forgiveness, and hope—even in the face of death. It’s definitely not a light watch—it’s slow-moving, sometimes heavy, and pretty emotional. But for mature audiences, church groups, or anyone who wants to reflect on early Christian history, it hits home in a quiet but meaningful way....

Overview The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson, is a really intense and powerful look at the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life. It focuses a lot on His suffering, crucifixion, and sacrifice, using ancient languages like Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew to give it a very authentic feel. It’s definitely a deeply spiritual movie meant to make you reflect on Jesus’ passion and what His sacrifice means. The film is beautifully made and emotionally heavy—definitely not a light or easy watch. If you’re ready for a serious, sometimes hard-to-watch experience, it’s a moving meditation on redemption and sacrifice. It’s praised for its spiritual depth and raw realism but also criticized for how graphic the violence gets and some historical debates. For Christians, it’s a meaningful and powerful reminder of Christ’s love, but it’s best seen by mature viewers because of the intense scenes. The Dove Foundation doesn’t approve it for family viewing because of the violence, but they do recognize ...

Overview The Nativity Story is a calm, serious retelling of the Christmas story, directed by Catherine Hardwicke. It stars Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary and Oscar Isaac as Joseph, and it follows their tough but meaningful journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Along the way, it shows the political tension with King Herod, Mary’s quiet strength, and how prophecy unfolds right before their eyes. The movie plays it straight—very respectful, clean, and full of faith. It’s a great choice for Christian families, especially around Christmas. It’s not a flashy blockbuster, so some people might find the pacing a bit slow or the emotions a little muted—but that also makes it feel reverent and real. There’s a quiet beauty in how it handles things like trust, obedience, and spiritual calling. Critics had mixed feelings—many appreciated the intent and performances, but wished it had more dramatic punch. Still, for faith-based viewers or anyone looking to focus on the heart of the Christmas story, it’s ...

Overview Ben-Hur (1959) is one of those big, sweeping classic movies that actually lives up to the hype. Directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur, it’s a powerful story about betrayal, revenge, and ultimately—redemption. The whole thing is set in Roman times, and yes, it includes that legendary chariot race that still holds up even today. But beyond the action, the movie quietly weaves in the life and message of Jesus. He never speaks a word, but His presence completely shifts the story. It’s deeply spiritual without being preachy, and Judah’s journey from bitterness to forgiveness is really moving—it mirrors the heart of the Gospel. It’s nearly 3.5 hours long, so you’ve got to be in the right mood for an old-school epic, but if you are, it’s totally worth it. It won 11 Oscars for a reason. Honestly, if you’re into faith-based storytelling, strong moral themes, or just great cinema, Ben-Hur is a must-watch. Family Friendliness Ben-Hur (1959) is rated G, a...

Overview Tron: Ares is Disney’s next big swing at reviving the Tron universe, and this time the story’s all about a powerful AI named Ares (played by Jared Leto) making the leap from the digital world into the real one. That’s a pretty wild concept—basically, it’s humanity’s first face-to-face with a sentient program. You’ve also got Jeff Bridges back as Kevin Flynn, plus a solid cast including Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Gillian Anderson. Oh, and the soundtrack? Done by Nine Inch Nails, so expect moody, techy vibes. The movie promises flashy cyberpunk visuals, big action, and some deep ideas about AI and identity. But here’s the thing—it could go either way. It might be a smart, thought-provoking return to form… or just a cool-looking movie with not much to say. There's no trailer or reviews yet, so it's still a bit of a mystery. If you’re coming at it from a faith-based or thoughtful angle, there might be some interesting stuff to chew on—like morality in AI, or what makes us...

Overview Designated Survivor kicks off with a pretty wild premise—Kiefer Sutherland plays Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet guy who suddenly becomes President after an attack wipes out the entire government leadership. What follows is a mix of political drama, conspiracy, and crisis management as he tries to hold the country together and figure out who’s behind it all. The show shines early on with strong leadership themes, moral courage, and some solid character development. It’s got this hopeful, “let’s do the right thing” vibe, especially in Season 1. But by the time it hits Season 3 on Netflix, it gets a bit darker—there’s more swearing, some nudity, and heavier themes. It also leans into political backstabbing and moral gray areas more than it did at first. From a Christian or values-based lens, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. There are moments of integrity and hope, but there’s also content that requires discernment, especially later on. Critics loved the first season, but thought the ...

Overview The Day We Walked on the Moon is a 2019 documentary that takes you back to the Apollo 11 moon landing. It’s narrated by Mark Strong and features interviews with legends like Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, plus folks like Gene Kranz and even Brian May from Queen. They mix real footage, CGI, and personal stories to bring the big moment to life. It’s a clean, respectful, and visually solid watch—nothing edgy or controversial. While it doesn’t go super deep or get spiritual, it’s still inspiring. You get a real sense of what people can accomplish together, and it’s perfect for a thoughtful family movie night. Critics didn’t find it groundbreaking—some said it just recycles familiar stuff—but if you love space, history, or just want a feel-good reminder of human courage and teamwork, it’s totally worth checking out. Family Friendliness This documentary is rated TV-PG and super family-friendly—no bad language, no violence, nothing sketchy. It’s a clean, well-done look at one of th...

Overview Birds of Prey was a short-lived superhero show that aired in 2002–2003. It followed Batman and Catwoman’s daughter, Huntress, teaming up with Oracle (formerly Batgirl) and a teen telepath to protect Gotham after Batman disappears. It had a cool concept and strong female leads, especially Oracle, who was smart and brave despite being in a wheelchair. Fans of DC Comics might appreciate the nods to the Batman universe. That said, the show struggled with its tone and writing, mixing superhero action with supernatural and noir elements that didn’t always blend well. It only lasted 13 episodes before being canceled. While it had some good moments, the show leaned more into style than substance, and its murky morality, revenge themes, and secular vibe don’t make it a great fit for viewers looking for something uplifting or faith-aligned. Critics were split—some liked the attempt to highlight female heroes, but many thought it lacked focus. It’s interesting if you’re into DC deep cuts...

Overview The Big Bang Theory is a funny, long-running sitcom about a group of nerdy friends—mainly two super-smart physicists, Leonard and Sheldon—whose world gets shaken up when Penny, an aspiring actress, moves in next door. It starts out heavy on science and geek culture, then shifts over time to focus more on relationships, family, and personal growth. There’s a lot to like: clever jokes, fun characters (especially watching Sheldon grow), and a real celebration of learning and friendship. But it also leans pretty hard on sexual humor and casual views on relationships, which don’t always line up with Christian values. For faith-minded viewers, it’s a mixed bag—entertaining, but not always spiritually uplifting. Critics loved the show’s smart mix of science and heart, though some thought the later seasons got a bit repetitive. Still, fans kept watching and enjoyed the ride. If you do check it out, just use some discernment—especially if you’re watching with teens.   Family Friend...

Critical Review:  The Bible is a 10-hour television miniseries produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. It originally aired on the History Channel from March 3 to March 31, 2013. The series seeks to dramatize major events and figures from both the Old and New Testaments, using a combination of narrative storytelling and CGI effects to bring the Bible to life for modern viewers. It covers stories from Genesis to Revelation, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, King David, the birth of Jesus, His ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. The casting aimed to reflect cultural and historical realism, though some viewers criticized choices, particularly with Jesus being portrayed by a white European-looking actor, which many felt detracted from historical authenticity. Main Cast: Roma Downey as Mary, Mother of Jesus Diogo Morgado as Jesus Darwin Shaw as Peter Paul Brightwell as Malchus Sebastian Knapp as John Amber Rose Revah as Mary Magdalene Greg Hicks as Pontius Pilate Adrian Schiller as ...

Critical Overview When Batman: The Animated Series premiered in 1992, it shattered expectations for children’s animation. With its signature “dark‑deco” aesthetic—heavy shadows, stylized Gotham backgrounds—and strong noir storytelling techniques, the series elevated superhero animation to cinematic heights . Strong voice performances by Kevin Conroy (Batman) and Mark Hamill (the Joker) brought nuanced conflict and emotional weight to every episode. Episodes like “Heart of Ice” redefined Mr. Freeze’s origin and directly influenced his comic-book incarnation . Writers didn’t shy from mature themes—mental illness, domestic abuse (“Harley and Ivy”), redemption arcs (“Two-Face”, “It's Never Too Late”)—all while maintaining tasteful storytelling accessible to younger audiences . Despite some dated elements like limited racial representation (“Kyodai Ken”), the series remains a masterclass in tone, pacing, and thematic depth . A timeless benchmark for animated superhero storytelling—e...