At The Movies

The Day the Earth Stood Still Runtime: 104 minutes Studio: 20th Century Fox Country of Origin: United States Language: English Franchise: N/A Franchise Position: N/A An alien named Klaatu arrives on Earth with a warning: humanity must change its destructive ways or face annihilation. As governments scramble to understand his message, a scientist and her stepson become the key to humanity's survival. Ratings: My Rating: 6.5 IMDb: 5.5 Rotten Tomatoes: 21% Metacritic: 40 TMDb: 5.5 Plot Summary: Klaatu (Keanu Reeves), a humanoid alien, arrives on Earth with a message for the United Nations: humanity must change its ways or face destruction. After being detained by the U.S. government, Klaatu escapes and seeks refuge with scientist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) and her stepson Jacob (Jaden Smith). As tensions rise, Klaatu's warning becomes a dire ultimatum: humanity must abandon its aggressive ways or face annihilation. The film explores themes of peace, tolerance, and the conseq...

Lady and the Tramp Runtime: 104 minutes Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: None Franchise Position: N/A A live-action reimagining of the 1955 animated classic, following Lady, a pampered Cocker Spaniel, and Tramp, a street-smart mutt, as they navigate adventure, romance, and the challenges of city life. Ratings: My Rating: ~6.8/10 The Dove Foundation: PG IMDb: 6.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 83% audience Metacritic: 60/100 TMDb: 6.7/10 Plot Summary: Lady lives a comfortable life in her home until she meets Tramp, a clever stray. Their budding romance takes them through city adventures, near-misses with danger, and lessons about trust, loyalty, and love. The story mirrors the original animated film while updating visuals with live-action animals and realistic sets. Critics Review: Reviews were mixed. Critics praised the performances of the animal actors and the faithful recreation of iconic scenes, but some felt the story lacked the charm and magic of the o...

Flubber Runtime: 93 minutes Age Rating: PG Release Date: November 26, 1997 Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Franchise: Flubber Franchise Position: 5th Absent-minded professor Philip Brainard (Robin Williams) invents a flying rubber-like substance called Flubber to save his college from financial ruin. Amidst his chaotic experiments, he juggles his romantic relationship with Dr. Sara Reynolds (Marcia Gay Harden) and confronts rival inventor Wilson Croft (Christopher McDonald). Ratings: My Rating: 6.5/10 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 5.3/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 24% (Critics), 81% (Audience) Metacritic: 38/100 Plot Summary: Philip Brainard discovers Flubber, a bouncing, flying substance that could save his college from financial disaster. He experiments with Flubber while navigating comedic mishaps, his love life, and corporate rivalry. The film blends slapstick humor, heartwarming moments, and the importance of balancing work and personal life. Critics Review: Mixed reviews. Robin Williams’s pe...

Yours, Mine & Ours Runtime: 88 Age Rating: PG Release Date: November 23, 2005 Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies, Columbia Pictures, Robert Simonds Productions Franchise: Yours, Mine and Ours Franchise Position: 2 A modern remake of the 1968 classic, focusing on a widowed Coast Guard admiral and a widowed handbag designer with large families who marry and face the challenges of blending their households. Ratings: My Rating: 6.0/10 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 5.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 14% (Critics), 57% (Audience) Metacritic: 39/100 Plot Summary: Admiral Frank Beardsley and designer Helen North, both with large families from previous marriages, marry and attempt to blend their 18 children. The film follows their comedic and heartfelt journey as they navigate the complexities of their new family dynamics. Critics Review: The film received generally negative reviews, with critics citing a lack of depth and over-reliance on slapstick humor. However, it was a comm...

King Kong Runtime: 187 minutes Rating: PG-13 Release Date: December 14, 2005 Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: King Kong Franchise Position: 7 Run time in minutes: 187 Tagline: There is Beauty in the Beast. Ratings My rating: 7.7 /10 Dove Foundation rating: Approved IMDb rating: 7.7 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 84% Metacritic rating: 81% Plot Summary Peter Jackson’s remake is a detailed and emotional retelling of the original King Kong story with modern effects and deeper character development. Critics Review Highly praised for visual effects, emotional depth, and epic storytelling. Christian Perspective The film can be seen as a tale of sacrifice, the power of love, and respect for creation. Family Friendliness Rated PG-13 for intense sequences; suitable for older children and adults.

King Kong Runtime: 125 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: March 31, 1977 Studio: Paramount Pictures Franchise: King Kong Franchise Position: 5 Run time in minutes: 125 Tagline: The Adventure is Bigger Than Ever! Ratings My rating: 6.8 /10 Dove Foundation rating: Approved IMDb rating: 6.8 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 61% Metacritic rating: 55% Plot Summary A modern retelling of the King Kong story where a movie crew discovers Kong on an uncharted island and brings him to New York. The film updates the story with contemporary settings and effects. Critics Review Mixed reviews but praised for its special effects and Jessica Lange’s performance. Christian Perspective Similar to the original, it carries themes about mankind’s relationship with nature and the consequences of exploitation. Family Friendliness Rated PG, suitable for family viewing with parental guidance for some intense scenes.

To Be or Not to Be Runtime: 102 minutes Rating: R Release Date: December 23, 1983 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 12 Run time in minutes: 102 Tagline: This time, the joke is on Hitler! Ratings My rating: 7.2 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 7.1 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 74% Metacritic rating: 67% Plot Summary A remake of the 1942 classic, this film follows a troupe of actors in Nazi-occupied Poland who become involved in espionage to outwit the Nazis through disguise and wit. Critics Review Generally positive reviews praised its smart comedy and timely political satire, highlighting Brooks’ ability to blend humor with serious themes. Christian Perspective Highlights courage against evil and the importance of standing up for what’s right. Some mature themes and language require viewer discretion. Family Friendliness Rated R for language and some mature content; best for adults.

Aladdin Runtime: 128 minutes Rating: PG Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Franchise: Aladdin Franchise Position: 2 Tagline: “The power of a wish. The magic of a friend.” Trailer link:  Cast link:  Ratings My Rating: 7.5/10 Dove Foundation Rating: Family Approved  IMDb Rating: 6.9/10  Rotten Tomatoes : 57%  Metacritic : 53  Plot Summary The live-action Aladdin retells the beloved animated classic with fresh performances and expanded character development. Aladdin (Mena Massoud), a charming street thief in the bustling city of Agrabah, discovers a magical lamp housing a wisecracking Genie (Will Smith). With the Genie’s help, Aladdin tries to win the heart of Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) while confronting the evil sorcerer Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), who seeks to seize power. The film enriches the story with new songs, deeper cultural elements, and spectacular visual effects while celebrating themes of self-discovery, courage, and friendship. Critics Review Critics...

West Side Story (2021), PG-13, 2 hr 36 min “A timeless story of love, rivalry, and hope—told through music and movement.” Trailer   --- Main Cast Ansel Elgort – Tony Rachel Zegler – María Ariana DeBose – Anita David Alvarez – Bernardo Mike Faist – Riff Rita Moreno – Valentina Corey Stoll – Lieutenant Schrank Brian d'Arcy James – Officer Krupke Josh Andrés Rivera – Chino Iris Menas – Anybodys --- Reviews Critics Ratings My Rating: 9/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb : 7.2/10  Rotten Tomatoes : 91%  Metacritic : 85/100 --- Plot Summary West Side Story is Steven Spielberg’s remake of the iconic 1961 musical, itself adapted from the Broadway production inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Set in 1950s New York City, the story follows two rival gangs—the white American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks—as their turf war collides with a tragic love story. When Tony, a former Jet, falls in love with María, the sister of the Sharks’ leader, tensions erupt into violence...

Never Say Never Again (1983), PG, 2 hr 12 min Franchise: James Bond (Non-Eon) Franchise #: N/A (Unofficial remake of Thunderball) Tagline: Sean Connery is James Bond. Back in action. Main Cast Sean Connery as James Bond Kim Basinger as Domino Petachi Klaus Maria Brandauer as Maximilian Largo Barbara Carrera as Fatima Blush Max von Sydow as Ernst Stavro Blofeld Bernie Casey as Felix Leiter Edward Fox as M Alec McCowen as Q (here, "Algernon") Reviews Synopsis Never Say Never Again brings Sean Connery back to the role of 007 one last time. Bond is pulled out of retirement when SPECTRE steals two nuclear warheads. As he tracks down the weapons, he crosses paths with the villain Largo and his lover Domino. Overview This film is a remake of Thunderball made outside the official Bond franchise due to a legal rights issue. While the story is familiar, Connery’s return gave the film buzz. The tone is more grounded and mature, though the action feels slower compared to modern Bond movi...