At The Movies

Batman: Soul of the Dragon MPAA Rating: R Runtime: 83 minutes Studio: Warner Bros. Animation Country of Origin: United States Franchise: DC Universe Animated Original Movies Franchise Position: 44 Tagline: A martial arts-infused Elseworlds adventure featuring Batman and his allies. Ratings: My Rating: 7.1/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 6.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 93% (Critics), 93% (Audience) Metacritic: Not Available TMDb: Not Available Plot Summary: Set in the 1970s, Batman: Soul of the Dragon presents an Elseworlds tale where Bruce Wayne trains under the tutelage of O-Sensei, alongside fellow martial artists Richard Dragon, Lady Shiva, and Ben Turner (Bronze Tiger). When their former master is killed and a mystical gate is opened, the group reunites to combat the cult Kobra, led by Jeffrey Burr, who seeks to harness the power of the serpent god Nāga. The film blends elements of martial arts cinema with superhero action, offering a stylized homage to '70s action films. Criti...

Bambi Meets Godzilla Runtime: 1 minute Rating: Not Rated Release Date: July 1, 1969 Studio: Jeffery Hale Films Franchise: None Franchise Position: 1 Run time in minutes: 1 Tagline: When innocence meets terror. Ratings My rating: 7.0 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.7 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: N/A Metacritic rating: N/A Plot Summary This famous short cartoon humorously contrasts the gentle, innocent Bambi with the destructive, towering Godzilla. The film quickly delivers a punchline where Godzilla stomps on Bambi in a shocking and darkly comic moment. Critics Review Praised as a cult classic for its minimalist animation and clever subversion of expectations, the short remains a memorable piece of animation history. Christian Perspective Though primarily a dark comedy, the contrast between innocence and destruction could be viewed as a commentary on the fallen world and the presence of evil. Family Friendliness Due to the quick, unexpected violent gag, it may not be suita...

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.

Dracula, Dead and Loving It Runtime: 86 minutes Rating: PG-13 Release Date: August 18, 1995 Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 10 Run time in minutes: 86 Tagline: The bite is back! Ratings My rating: 6.4 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 5.9 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 49% Metacritic rating: 48% Plot Summary A comedic take on the Dracula story, following the bumbling vampire Count Dracula as he tries to claim his latest victim. Full of slapstick and parody of classic vampire tropes. Critics Review Received mostly negative to mixed reviews, considered a weaker Brooks film. Critics felt the humor was less fresh and more predictable. Christian Perspective Contains vampire and occult themes, which some Christians may find objectionable. Overall light in tone, but supernatural elements may be concerning to sensitive viewers. Family Friendliness Rated PG-13 for some scary images and mild language. Suitable for older teens and adults.

Robin Hood: Men in Tights Runtime: 94 minutes Rating: PG-13 Release Date: July 9, 1993 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 9 Run time in minutes: 94 Tagline: The legend continues. Ratings My rating: 6.6 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.7 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 54% Metacritic rating: 56% Plot Summary A goofy parody of Robin Hood legends where Robin and his Merry Men fight the evil Prince John with slapstick and puns. Critics Review Mixed reviews; some enjoyed silly humor, others saw it as weaker than Brooks’ earlier works. Christian Perspective Mild language and some adult jokes; less suitable for younger viewers. Family Friendliness Rated PG-13 for language and mild suggestive content; better for teens and adults.

Spaceballs Runtime: 96 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: June 24, 1987 Studio: MGM/UA Entertainment Franchise: Mel Brooks / Spaceballs  Franchise Position: 8 / 1 Run time in minutes: 96 Tagline: May the schwartz be with you. Ratings My rating: 7.1 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 7.1 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 57% Metacritic rating: 51% Plot Summary Spaceballs is a 1987 sci-fi parody film directed by Mel Brooks. The story follows Lone Starr, a rogue pilot, and his half-man, half-dog sidekick Barf, who are hired to rescue Princess Vespa from the clutches of the evil Dark Helmet. Dark Helmet, under the command of President Skroob, plans to steal the air from the peaceful planet Druidia. Along the way, Lone Starr and Barf encounter comedic obstacles and characters, including the wise Yogurt, who teaches them the ways of the Schwartz, a mystical force. The film parodies popular science fiction franchises, particularly Star Wars, and is known for its slapstick humor and memo...

History of the World, Part I Runtime: 93 minutes Rating: R Release Date: June 12, 1981 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 7 Run time in minutes: 93 Tagline: You’ll laugh till your jaw falls off! Ratings My rating: 6.8 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.7 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 64% Metacritic rating: 56% Plot Summary Sketch comedy movie parodying world history from Stone Age to French Revolution, full of absurd and often crude humor. Critics Review Mixed reviews with praise for some sketches but uneven quality; now a cult favorite. Christian Perspective Contains crude and irreverent content; mocks historical and religious figures, may offend conservative viewers. Family Friendliness Rated R for language and sexual content; adult audiences only.

High Anxiety Runtime: 89 minutes Rating: R Release Date: June 23, 1977 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 6 Run time in minutes: 89 Tagline: The ultimate Hitchcock parody. Ratings My rating: 6.9 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.7 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 77% Metacritic rating: 54% Plot Summary A psychiatrist with a fear of heights investigates strange events at a mental institute, spoofing Hitchcock thrillers with classic Brooks humor. Critics Review Mixed to positive reviews; praised for parody but less energetic than earlier works. Christian Perspective Some adult themes and language; offers humorous yet exaggerated look at mental health. Family Friendliness Rated R for language and adult situations. For mature viewers.

Silent Movie Runtime: 83 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: July 15, 1976 Studio: Paramount Pictures Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 5 Run time in minutes: 83 Tagline: The funniest silent movie ever made. Ratings My rating: 6.5 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.3 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 75% Metacritic rating: 41% Plot Summary A mostly silent comedy about filmmakers trying to save their studio by making a silent movie. Full of slapstick and visual gags paying homage to early cinema. Critics Review Mixed at release but now appreciated for nostalgia and inventive visual comedy. Christian Perspective Clean humor with little objectionable content. Lighthearted and family-friendly. Family Friendliness Rated PG; suitable for families and children who enjoy slapstick.

The Producers Runtime: 88 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: December 19, 1967 Studio: Embassy Pictures Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 1 Run time in minutes: 88 Tagline: The riskiest thing ever attempted... a guaranteed flop! Ratings My rating: 8.2 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 7.3 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 91% Metacritic rating: 81% Plot Summary A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer teams up with a nervous accountant to create the worst play ever. Their plan is to collect extra investment, sabotage the show, and make money off the flop. But the play unexpectedly becomes a smash hit, turning their scheme upside down. Critics Review Widely praised for its clever script and sharp satire, The Producers was initially controversial but became a cult classic, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Critics love its wit and performances. Christian Perspective The film deals with themes of greed and dishonesty, which clash with biblical teachings about i...

Young Frankenstein Runtime: 105 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: December 15, 1974 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 4 Runtime in minutes: 105 Tagline: The Legend Lives Again! Ratings My rating: 8.4 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 8.0 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 94% Metacritic rating: 84% Plot Summary In this loving parody of classic horror films, a descendant of Dr. Frankenstein inherits the family estate and decides to continue his grandfather’s experiments, leading to hilarious and spooky adventures. The film masterfully blends slapstick comedy with classic horror elements. Critics Review Young Frankenstein is celebrated for its brilliant comedic timing, clever script, and respectful parody of the horror genre. It remains one of Mel Brooks’ most beloved works. Christian Perspective Though primarily comedy, the film contains little objectionable content. It mocks superstition and encourages rational thinking, which can align with Christia...

Airplane II: The Sequel Runtime: 84 minutes Rating: PG Studio: Paramount Pictures Franchise: Airplane Franchise Position: 2 Tagline: “We’re still not sure what it was, but it sure scared us.” Trailer link:  Cast link:   Ratings My Rating: 7/10 IMDb Rating : 4.8/10  Rotten Tomatoes : 23%  Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary Airplane II: The Sequel continues the absurdist comedy of the original but takes the action into space. When a computer-controlled space shuttle called the Mayflower 1 malfunctions, the same reluctant hero, Ted Striker (Robert Hays), must again overcome his fears to save the day. Filled with similar parody humor, slapstick, and sight gags, the film spoofs sci-fi and disaster tropes but was generally less well received than the original. Despite mixed reviews, it offers moments of fun and extends the franchise’s quirky style into outer space. Critics Review Critics largely view Airplane II as a pale shadow of the original’s lightning-fast wit and inventive...

Airplane! Runtime: 88 minutes Rating: PG Studio: Paramount Pictures Franchise: None Franchise Position: N/A Tagline: “From the creators of The Kentucky Fried Movie.” Trailer link Cast link Ratings My Rating: 9/10 IMDb Rating : 7.7/10  Rotten Tomatoes : 97%  Metacritic : 72  Plot Summary Airplane! is a classic spoof comedy that hilariously parodies disaster films, especially those about airplane crises. When the passengers and crew of a commercial flight fall ill due to food poisoning, a traumatized ex-fighter pilot named Ted Striker (Robert Hays) must overcome his fears to land the plane safely. Filled with absurd visual gags, rapid-fire jokes, and deadpan delivery, the film lampoons everything from melodramatic dialogue to slapstick physical comedy, all while delivering a surprisingly heartfelt story about courage and redemption. Critics Review Critics universally praise Airplane! as one of the greatest comedy films ever made, applauding its sharp wit, clever parody, and...

Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), G, 1 hr 35 min Franchise: Planet of the Apes Franchise Position #2 Movie Tagline: “The bizarre world you met in ‘Planet of the Apes’ was just the beginning…” --- Trailer   --- Main Cast James Franciscus – Brent Kim Hunter – Zira Maurice Evans – Dr. Zaius Linda Harrison – Nova Charlton Heston – Taylor Paul Richards – Mendez Victor Buono – Fat Man Don Pedro Colley – Ongaro David Watson – Cornelius (replacing Roddy McDowall) Gregory Sierra – Verger --- Reviews Critics Ratings My Rating: 7/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb : 6.0/10 Rotten Tomatoes : 45% Metacritic : 50/100 --- Plot Summary In this direct sequel to Planet of the Apes, astronaut Brent crash-lands on the same future Earth in search of Taylor. As he and Nova journey through the wastelands, they discover a hidden underground society of mutated humans who worship an ancient nuclear bomb. Meanwhile, the ape society is preparing for war. With Taylor eventually reappearing, the fate o...

Somewhere in Time (1980), PG, 1 hr 43 min Franchise #: N/A (standalone romantic fantasy) Tagline: "Love transcends time—even across decades." Trailer   --- Main Cast Christopher Reeve as Richard Collier Jane Seymour as Elise McKenna Christopher Plummer as William Fawcett Robinson Teresa Wright as Laura Roberts Bill Erwin as Arthur Biehl (elder) Susan French as Older Elise George Voskovec as Dr. Gerard Finney Sean Hayden as Young Arthur (1912) Bill Macy as Critic Tim Kazurinsky as Photographer Don Franklin as Tourist --- Reviews My Rating 7/10 Dove Foundation No rating listed IMDb 7.2/10  Rotten Tomatoes 52%  Metacritic 29/100 --- Plot Summary Playwright Richard Collier becomes fascinated by a vintage photograph of the actress Elise McKenna. After meeting an elderly woman who mysteriously encourages him to “come back to me,” Richard hypnotizes himself to travel back to 1912. There, he meets and falls in love with Elise, battling her protective manager and the boundaries o...

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), PG, 1 h 58 min Studio: Lucasfilm / Paramount Pictures Franchise: Indiana Jones Film Series – Entry #2 of 5 Tagline: Fortune and glory… or endless danger. Trailer (YouTube) --- 🎬 Extended Main Cast Harrison Ford – Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. Kate Capshaw – Wilhelmina “Willie” Scott Ke Huy Quan – Short Round Amrish Puri – Mola Ram Roshan Seth – Chattar Lal Philip Stone – Captain Blumburtt Roy Chiao – Lao Che David Yip – Wu Han Raj Singh – Maharajah Zalim Singh Pat Roach – Thuggee guard --- ⭐ Reviews My Rating: 8/10 The Dove Foundation: Not approved (due to violence and occultism)   IMDb: 7.5–7.6/10 (based on user reviews)   Rotten Tomatoes: 77% critics, 82% audience   Metacritic: 57/100   --- 📖 Plot Summary In 1935, Indiana Jones escapes from Shanghai with nightclub singer Willie Scott and young sidekick Short Round. They crash-land into a small Indian village, where desperate villagers plead for hel...

Casino Royale (1967), PG, 2 hr 8 min Franchise: James Bond (Non-Eon) Franchise #: N/A (Unofficial parody/spoof) Tagline: The new 007 has something to prove. Main Cast David Niven as Sir James Bond Peter Sellers as Evelyn Tremble Ursula Andress as Vesper Lynd Woody Allen as Jimmy Bond Orson Welles as Le Chiffre Joan Collins as Mata Bond Daliah Lavi as Fatima Barbara Bouchet as Miss Moneypenny Terence Cooper as Cooper Reviews Synopsis This Casino Royale is a wild comedy spoof of the James Bond franchise, featuring multiple men claiming to be James Bond trying to stop the villain Le Chiffre. It’s a chaotic mix of slapstick, satire, and farcical scenarios that poke fun at spy tropes. Overview Far from the serious tone of the official Bond films, this version is more of a zany comedy. It’s filled with absurd humor, exaggerated characters, and a star-studded cast playing offbeat roles. It has a cult following but can feel disjointed and uneven. Family Friendliness Rated PG, but the humor and...