At The Movies

Star Trek: First Frontier Runtime: 105 minutes Rating: Not Rated Release Date: December 12, 2020 Studio: Kenneth Smith Productions Franchise: Star Trek Franchise Position: Fan Film Runtime: 105 minutes Tagline: Exploring the dawn of Starfleet's legacy. Expanded Plot Summary: Star Trek: First Frontier is a fan-made film that chronicles the early days of Starfleet in the 23rd century. The story follows Captain Robert April and his wife, Commander Sarah April, as they embark on the inaugural mission of the USS Enterprise. The film captures the spirit of exploration, challenges of command, and the pioneering zeal of Starfleet’s early officers. It explores the beginnings of interstellar diplomacy, crew dynamics, and the testing of new technology as humanity reaches deeper into space. Expanded Critics Review: While not an official Star Trek production, First Frontier has been praised by fans for its authentic portrayal of the Star Trek universe’s spirit and style. The film’s practical ef...

The American President Runtime: 115 minutes Age rating: PG-13 Studio: Warner Bros. Franchise: None Franchise Position: N/A Tagline: Love Changes Everything. Trailer link:  Cast List Ratings My rating: 8/10 Dove Foundation rating: Family Approved  IMDb rating: 7.6/10  Rotten Tomatoes rating: 85%  Metacritic : 70  Plot Summary This romantic political drama follows Andrew Shepherd, a widowed U.S. president, as he falls in love with Sydney Ellen Wade, an environmental lobbyist. Navigating the challenges of public office, personal grief, and political opposition, Shepherd strives to balance love and leadership. The story highlights themes of integrity, hope, and the personal sacrifices involved in public service. Critics Review The film was praised for its sharp script and heartfelt performances. It successfully blends romance with political drama in a way that feels optimistic yet realistic. Some critics felt the story idealizes politics, but most appreciated its...

Title: Abraham Lincoln Runtime: 78 minutes Age Rating: Approved Studio: Fox Film Corporation Franchise Name: None Franchise Position: N/A Tagline: The man who shaped a nation. Trailer: Not available Cast List Ratings My Rating: 6.5/10 The Dove Foundation : Not Rated  IMDb : 6.8/10  Rotten Tomatoes: Not Available Metacritic: Not Available Plot Summary A biographical drama depicting the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his political rise and leadership during the American Civil War. Critics Review The film was praised for Walter Huston’s performance and its respectful portrayal of Lincoln’s character, though some found it dated by modern standards. Christian Perspective The film portrays themes of justice, perseverance, and moral leadership that align well with Christian values, highlighting the fight against slavery and for human dignity. Family Friendliness Approved rating, suitable for general audiences including families, with historical content. Notable Scenes...

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024), PG-13, 2 hr 25 min Franchise: Planet of the Apes Franchise Position #10 Movie Tagline: “A new reign begins.” --- Trailer --- Main Cast Owen Teague – Noa Freya Allan – Mae Kevin Durand – Proximus Caesar Peter Macon – Raka William H. Macy – Trevathan Sara Wiseman – Dar Lydia Peckham – Soona Neil Sandilands – Koro Eka Darville – Silva --- Reviews Critics Ratings My Rating: 8/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb : 6.7/10 Rotten Tomatoes : 80% Metacritic : 66/100 --- Plot Summary Set generations after Caesar’s time, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes follows a young chimpanzee named Noa living in a tribal society where apes have inherited the Earth and humans have fallen into primitive silence. When his peaceful life is upended by a brutal new ruler—Proximus Caesar—Noa embarks on a journey that will challenge everything he believes about leadership, legacy, and the relationship between apes and humans. A new chapter begins in the struggle between p...

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), PG-13, 2 hr 20 min Franchise: Planet of the Apes Franchise Position #9 Movie Tagline: “For freedom. For family. For the planet.” --- Trailer   --- Main Cast Andy Serkis – Caesar Woody Harrelson – The Colonel Steve Zahn – Bad Ape Amiah Miller – Nova Karin Konoval – Maurice Terry Notary – Rocket Ty Olsson – Red Michael Adamthwaite – Luca Judy Greer – Cornelia Sara Canning – Lake --- Reviews Critics Ratings My Rating: 9.5/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb : 7.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes : 94% Metacritic : 82/100 --- Plot Summary In this gripping conclusion to the Caesar trilogy, the war between apes and humans reaches its peak. After suffering a devastating personal loss at the hands of a ruthless military leader known as The Colonel, Caesar embarks on a quest for justice. Struggling between his desire for vengeance and his responsibility as a leader, Caesar must lead his people to safety while facing the darkest challenges of his life. What follow...

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), PG-13, 2 hr 10 min Franchise: Planet of the Apes Franchise Position #8 Movie Tagline: “One last chance for peace.” --- Trailer --- Main Cast Andy Serkis – Caesar Jason Clarke – Malcolm Gary Oldman – Dreyfus Keri Russell – Ellie Toby Kebbell – Koba Kodi Smit-McPhee – Alexander Karin Konoval – Maurice Nick Thurston – Blue Eyes Judy Greer – Cornelia Terry Notary – Rocket Larramie Doc Shaw – Ash --- Reviews Critics Ratings My Rating: 9/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb : 7.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes : 91% Metacritic : 79/100 --- Plot Summary Ten years after the events of Rise, a deadly virus has wiped out most of humanity. Caesar now leads a flourishing colony of apes in the forests outside a devastated San Francisco. When a small band of human survivors reaches out in hopes of restarting a hydroelectric dam, a fragile truce is formed. But tensions escalate as distrust, betrayal, and ambition—especially from the vengeful Koba—threaten to ignite full-sc...

Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973), G, 1 hr 33 min Franchise: Planet of the Apes Franchise Position #5 Movie Tagline: “The final chapter in the incredible Apes saga.” --- Trailer   --- Main Cast Roddy McDowall – Caesar Claude Akins – General Aldo Natalie Trundy – Lisa Severn Darden – Kolp Lew Ayres – Mandemus Paul Williams – Virgil Austin Stoker – MacDonald Noah Keen – Teacher France Nuyen – Alma Richard Eastham – Mutant Captain --- Reviews Critics Ratings My Rating: 7/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb : 5.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes : 38% Metacritic : 40/100 --- Plot Summary Set years after the ape revolution, Battle for the Planet of the Apes follows Caesar as he struggles to maintain peace in a fragile new society where apes and humans coexist. When remnants of the human military resurface from beneath the ruins of the old cities, tensions rise. Meanwhile, internal conflict brews as the militant gorilla General Aldo seeks power. Caesar must navigate political, ethical, and m...

God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust (2024), PG, 1 hr 49 min Franchise: God’s Not Dead Franchise #: 5 (Chronological and release order) Tagline: When tyranny rises, will faith rise higher? Main Cast David A.R. White as Reverend David Hill Dean Cain as Marc Shelley Isaiah Washington as Congressman Daryl Smith Ray Wise as Senator Peter Kane Samaire Armstrong as Lottie Jay Scott Baio as John Wesley Charlene Tilton as Myra Starr Governor Mike Huckabee as Himself Newsboys (cameo)  Reviews  Synopsis  God’s Not Dead: Rise Up (2024) centers on Reverend David Hill’s unexpected decision to run for Congress after a respected incumbent steps down. As he campaigns, Hill faces tough opposition from political rivals determined to push religion out of government. The film explores the tensions between faith and politics during a time of civil and spiritual unrest, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in Christian values in the public sphere. It continues the series’ theme of encouragi...

Facing the Giants Year : 2006 Franchise : Kendrick Brothers Films Franchise #: 2 (following Flywheel, and preceding Fireproof) MPAA Rating : PG for some thematic elements Total Runtime : 111 minutes Tagline : “With God, all things are possible.” Main Cast Alex Kendrick as Grant Taylor (Head Coach) Shannen Fields as Brooke Taylor (Grant’s wife) Jason McLeod as Brock Kelley Bailey Cave as David Childers Jim McBride as Mr. Bridges Chris Willis as Larry Childers Reviews Synopsis Facing the Giants is about a high school football coach, Grant Taylor, whose life seems to be falling apart. His team can’t win, his job is on the line, and he and his wife are struggling with infertility. But when Grant surrenders everything to God—his team, his future, his failures—he starts coaching with a new purpose. The result? A season of miraculous transformation both on and off the field. Overview This movie is a faith-filled underdog story with a ton of heart. Think Remember the Titans, but with prayer a...

Courageous Legacy Year : 2021 Franchise : Kendrick Brothers Films Franchise #: 5 (re-edited and expanded version of Courageous—after Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and the original Courageous) MPAA Rating : PG-13 for some violence and thematic elements Total Runtime : 129 minutes Tagline : “Honor begins at home… and continues into the next generation.” Main Cast (Same as original cast, with new scenes added to show future character development) Alex Kendrick as Adam Mitchell Ken Bevel as Nathan Hayes Kevin Downes as Shane Fuller Ben Davies as David Thomson T.C. Stallings as T.J. Robert Amaya as Javier Martinez Renee Jewell as Victoria Mitchell Angelita Nelson as Carmen Martinez Reviews Synopsis Courageous Legacy is a special 10-year anniversary edition of the original 2011 film. But this isn’t just a remaster—it includes new scenes, a new ending, and flash-forwards that show what happened to the main characters years after the events of the original story. It’s still about fo...

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (SNW) Years Aired: 2022–present Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 8th TV series in Star Trek franchise Episodes : 30 episodes across 3 seasons (as of 2025) MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines TV Parental Guidelines: TV-14 Total Runtime : ~26 hr 30 min Tagline “The frontier is waiting.” Main Cast Anson Mount – Captain Christopher Pike Ethan Peck – Spock Rebecca Romijn – Commander Una Chin-Riley Jess Bush – Nurse Christine Chapel Celia Rose Gooding – Ensign Nyota Uhura Christina Chong – Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh Melissa Navia – Lt. Erica Ortegas Babs Olusanmokun – Dr. Joseph M’Benga Paul Wesley – Lt. James T. Kirk (recurring/guest) Reviews Overview Strange New Worlds is a refreshing return to the episodic storytelling style of classic Star Trek, with a modern visual upgrade. It follows Captain Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise in the decade before Kirk. Each episode feels like a self-contained adventure—ranging from dramatic to humorous to mind-bendi...

Star Trek: Enterprise (ENT) Years Aired : 2001 - 2005 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 6th TV series in Star Trek franchise Episodes : 98 episodes across 4 seasons MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG to TV-14 Total Runtime:  71 hr 36 min Tagline “Before Kirk. Before Picard. It all began with Enterprise.” Main Cast Scott Bakula – Captain Jonathan Archer Jolene Blalock – Sub-Commander T’Pol Connor Trinneer – Chief Engineer Trip Tucker Dominic Keating – Lieutenant Malcolm Reed Linda Park – Ensign Hoshi Sato Anthony Montgomery – Ensign Travis Mayweather John Billingsley – Dr. Phlox Reviews Overview Enterprise takes place before the founding of the Federation, chronicling humanity’s early steps into deep space exploration. The show explores the challenges of first contact, diplomacy, and ethics without the support of advanced Federation principles. Captain Archer is a more hands-on, uncertain leader than his successors, making the series feel grou...

Star Trek: Voyager (VOY) Years Aired : 1995–2001 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 5th TV series in Star Trek franchise Episodes : 172 episodes across 7 seasons MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG Total Runtime: 129 hr 42 min Tagline “The journey home begins.” Main Cast Kate Mulgrew – Captain Kathryn Janeway Robert Beltran – Commander Chakotay Jeri Ryan – Seven of Nine Robert Duncan McNeill – Lieutenant Tom Paris Ethan Phillips – Neelix Tim Russ – Lieutenant Tuvok Garrett Wang – Ensign Harry Kim Jennifer Lien – Kes Reviews Overview Voyager follows the USS Voyager stranded far from home in the Delta Quadrant, forcing the crew to rely on each other and make tough choices. Captain Janeway’s leadership stands out as a strong female role model navigating unknown territory. The series balances episodic adventures with ongoing character arcs, exploring themes of survival, cooperation, and morality in isolation. While some episodes are uneven, many are compell...

Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) Years Aired : 1987–1994 Episodes : 178 episodes across 7 seasons Franchise: Star Trek Franchise #: 3rd TV series in Star Trek franchise MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines TV Parental Guidelines : TV-PG Total Runtime : 130 hours and 32 minutes Tagline “The adventure continues.” 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 – Lieutenant Worf Marina Sirtis – Counselor Deanna Troi Gates McFadden – Dr. Beverly Crusher Wil Wheaton – Wesley Crusher Reviews Overview TNG is where Star Trek truly blossomed into a major cultural force. Set nearly a century after TOS, it offers a more polished, thoughtful, and hopeful vision of the 24th century. Captain Picard leads a diverse crew on the USS Enterprise-D, exploring new worlds, ethical puzzles, and political intrigue. The show balances action and character d...

Title : Star Trek Into Darkness Year : 2013 Franchise : Star Trek Franchise #: 12 MPAA Rating / TV Parental Guidelines MPAA Rating : PG-13 TV Parental Guidelines : TV-14 Total Runtime 132 minutes (2 hours, 12 minutes) Tagline “Beyond the darkness lies greatness.” Main Cast Chris Pine – Captain James T. Kirk Zachary Quinto – Spock Karl Urban – Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy Zoe Saldana – Nyota Uhura Simon Pegg – Montgomery Scott John Cho – Hikaru Sulu Anton Yelchin – Pavel Chekov Benedict Cumberbatch – Khan Noonien Singh Alice Eve – Carol Marcus Peter Weller – Admiral Marcus Bruce Greenwood – Admiral Christopher Pike Reviews Overview Star Trek Into Darkness ramps up the action, emotion, and moral conflict. After an attack on Starfleet, Kirk and crew pursue a terrorist across the galaxy, only to uncover a conspiracy involving their own leadership. Benedict Cumberbatch shines as the villain, bringing a fierce and calculating edge to Khan. While the film looks amazing and moves at wa...

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...

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 ...