At The Movies

Lost World, The Age Rating: G Runtime: 97 minutes Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Standalone Franchise Position: N/A An expedition into an unexplored South American plateau discovers living dinosaurs, deadly dangers, and a world untouched by modern civilization. Ratings: My Rating: 6.5/10 The Dove Foundation: G (equivalent family suitability) IMDb: 5.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A TMDb: 5.8/10 Plot Summary: Professor George Challenger claims to have discovered living dinosaurs on a remote plateau deep within South America. After facing skepticism from the scientific community, he organizes a second expedition to prove his extraordinary claims. Joining him are journalist Ed Malone, adventurer Lord John Roxton, Professor Summerlee, helicopter pilot Manuel Gomez, and several others. Upon reaching the isolated plateau, the explorers encounter creatures believed extinct for millions of years, including dinosaurs, giant spiders, carnivorous plants...

Andromeda Age Rating: TV-PG Runtime: 4,950 minutes Studio: Fireworks Entertainment, Tribune Entertainment, Mace Neufeld Productions Country of Origin: Canada A starship captain from a golden age of civilization awakens three centuries after the fall of his government and embarks on a seemingly impossible mission: to restore order, hope, and justice to a fractured galaxy. Ratings: My Rating: 6.7/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 6.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 60% Metacritic: N/A TMDb: 7.1/10 Plot Summary: Captain Dylan Hunt commands the Commonwealth warship Andromeda Ascendant, one of the most advanced vessels in known space. During a devastating surprise attack that triggers the collapse of the Systems Commonwealth, Hunt and his ship become trapped near a black hole. Over 300 years later, Hunt is rescued to find the Commonwealth gone and the galaxy descended into chaos. Former member worlds have splintered into competing factions, piracy is widespread, and countless civilizations strugg...

Steel Age Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 97 min Studio: Warner Bros. Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Standalone Franchise Position: N/A A superhero action film starring Shaquille O’Neal as former military scientist John Henry Irons, who designs weapons that are misused by criminals and then builds a powerful steel suit to fight crime and protect his community in Los Angeles. Ratings: My Rating: 4.5/10 The Dove Foundation: PG-13 IMDb: 3.0/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 4% Tomatometer, 19% audience Metacritic: 28/100 TMDb: 3.0/10 Plot Summary: John Henry Irons, a weapons designer for the military, becomes disillusioned when his harmless-intended technology is turned into dangerous weapons used by criminals. He quits his job and returns to his Los Angeles neighborhood, where he constructs a high-tech suit of armor to take on crime and bring justice to his community while facing off against a corrupt adversary. Critics Review: Steel was widely criticized upon release for its weak plot, poor pacin...

Twilight Zone: The Movie Age Rating: PG Franchise: The Twilight Zone Franchise Position: Standalone Tagline: Four tales of suspense and terror, adapted from the classic television series. Ratings: My Rating: 7/10 Dove Foundation: PG (suitable for families with guidance) IMDb: 7.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 42% Metacritic: 45/100 TMDb: 6.5/10 Plot Summary: An anthology of four stories, each exploring strange, supernatural, or ironic situations. A couple experiences a nightmarish plane ride; a bigoted man is transformed into an African-American in 1940s America; a man obsessed with his dog finds himself in a terrifying alternate reality; and a trio of explorers encounters mysterious forces in the wilderness. The film blends suspense, moral lessons, and supernatural twists in the spirit of Rod Serling’s original series. Critics Review: The film received mixed reviews. Critics praised its ambition and the homage to the original series, but criticized inconsistent storytelling and pacing. John Lan...

Twilight Zone: The Movie Runtime: 101 minutes Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: The Twilight Zone Franchise Position: Film adaptation / Anthology A chilling and imaginative anthology that reimagines four classic episodes from Rod Serling’s legendary television series, blending science fiction, horror, and morality tales into a single cinematic experience. Ratings: My Rating: 7.2/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 6.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 60% Metacritic: 55 TMDb: 6.5/10 Plot Summary: Twilight Zone: The Movie consists of four segments directed by John Landis, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, and George Miller, framed by a darkly comic prologue and epilogue. The first segment follows a bitter, bigoted man who is transported into the bodies of the persecuted throughout history. The second tells of an elderly man in a retirement home who discovers a way to bring back the joys of youth. The third centers on a boy with godlike powers who traps people in...

The Core Runtime: 135 minutes Studio: Paramount Pictures Franchise: Standalone Franchise Position: N/A “The only way to save Earth is to go to the center of it.” Ratings: My Rating: 6.0 / 10 (average of IMDb 5.5, Rotten Tomatoes 41%, Metacritic 48, TMDb 6.0) The Dove Foundation: Not Rated (contains mild profanity and peril; not recommended for children) IMDb: 5.5 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes: 41% Metacritic: 48 / 100 TMDb: 6.0 / 10 Plot Summary: When the Earth’s core mysteriously stops rotating, the planet’s electromagnetic field begins to collapse, triggering catastrophic global disasters. Geophysicist Dr. Josh Keyes (Aaron Eckhart) and project leader Dr. Conrad Zimsky (Stanley Tucci) are recruited by the U.S. government to lead an unprecedented mission: travel to the Earth’s center in a specially designed vessel, Virgil, and restart the core using nuclear detonations. Joined by a diverse team—including pilot Major Rebecca “Beck” Childs (Hilary Swank), engineer Ed Braz (Delroy Lindo), and hac...

Tron: Ares Runtime: 135 minutes Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Country of Origin: United States Franchise: Tron Franchise Position: 3 A cyber-warrior must stop a rogue AI threatening to rewrite the digital and real worlds alike. Ratings: My Rating: 8.1/10 The Dove Foundation: PG-13 IMDb: 7.9 Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Metacritic: 74 TMDb: 7.8 Plot Summary: In a world where digital realms and reality overlap, Ares, a former security program, discovers that a rogue AI plans to dominate both the Grid and the real world. Tasked with stopping it, Ares navigates a series of high-stakes digital landscapes, encountering allies and enemies who test his courage and moral judgment. As the rogue AI's influence spreads, Ares must confront not only external threats but also internal questions about trust, integrity, and the essence of freedom in a digitized society. Critics Review: Critics praised Tron: Ares for its stunning visual effects, immersive world-building, and action sequences. Some noted the ...

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Runtime: 83 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: Frankenstein Franchise Position: 8 Franchise Entries (Chronological Order): 1. Frankenstein (1931) 2. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) 3. Son of Frankenstein (1939) 4. The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942) 5. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943) 6. House of Frankenstein (1944) 7. House of Dracula (1945) 8. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) Tagline: "Jeepers! The creepers are after Bud and Lou!" Ratings: My Rating: 7.5 / 10 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 7.1 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes: Critics 67% Metacritic: N/A TMDb: N/A Plot Summary: Baggage handlers Bud Abbott and Lou Costello inadvertently become entangled with Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), who, along with Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert), plans to transplant Dracula's brain into Frankenstein's Monster (Glenn Strange). Meanwhile, the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.) seeks to warn them of the impending danger. Amidst the chao...

Son of Frankenstein Runtime: 99 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: Frankenstein Franchise Position: 3 Tagline: "The black shadows of the past bred this half-man... half-demon!" Ratings: My Rating: 7.5 / 10 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 7.1 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes: Critics 67% Metacritic: N/A TMDb: N/A Plot Summary: Baron Wolf von Frankenstein (Basil Rathbone) returns to his father's ancestral castle with his wife Elsa (Josephine Hutchinson) and son Peter (Donnie Dunagan). Determined to redeem his father's tarnished reputation, Wolf discovers the comatose body of the Monster (Boris Karloff) and, with the help of the devious Ygor (Bela Lugosi), attempts to revive it. However, the Monster responds only to Ygor's commands, leading to tragic consequences as the villagers turn against the Frankensteins. Critics Review: "Son of Frankenstein" is often regarded as a significant entry in the Universal Monsters series. Critics have praised the film's a...

House of Dracula Runtime: 67 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: Frankenstein Franchise Position: 7 Tagline: "The Monster Returns to Life!" Ratings: My Rating: 6.5 / 10 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 6.1 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes: Critics 56%, Audience 29% Metacritic: 73 / 100 TMDb: 6.4 / 10 Plot Summary: Dr. Franz Edelmann, a scientist specializing in rare afflictions, is approached by Count Dracula and Larry Talbot (the Wolf Man), both seeking cures for their respective conditions. Edelmann successfully treats Talbot, but during an experiment involving Dracula's blood, he becomes afflicted with a split personality. Meanwhile, the Frankenstein Monster is discovered and brought to life again, leading to a series of tragic events. Critics Review: House of Dracula is often viewed as a transitional film in the Universal Monsters series. Critics have noted the film's shift in tone and style, with some praising its atmospheric direction and the performances of the cas...

The Ghost of Frankenstein Runtime: 67 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: Frankenstein Franchise Position: 4 Tagline: "The Monster Returns to Life!" Ratings: My Rating: 6.5 / 10 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 6.1 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes: Critics 73%, Audience 66% Metacritic: 60 / 100 TMDb: 6.4 / 10 Plot Summary: After being driven from town, Ygor (Béla Lugosi) and the Monster (Lon Chaney Jr.) seek out Dr. Ludwig Frankenstein (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), the younger son of the original doctor. Ygor plans to have his brain transplanted into the Monster's body. However, Dr. Frankenstein's colleague, Dr. Bohmer (Lionel Atwill), has his own plans for the Monster's brain, leading to a tragic series of events. Critics Review: "The Ghost of Frankenstein" is often viewed as a transitional film in the Universal Monsters series. Critics have noted the film's shift in tone and style, with some praising its atmospheric direction and the performances of the cast...

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Runtime: 72 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: Frankenstein Franchise Position: 5 Tagline: "A Death Fight... Between Two Beasts!" Ratings: My Rating: 6.9 / 10 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 6.3 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes: Critics 60%, Audience 62% Metacritic: 60 / 100 TMDb: 6.4 / 10 Plot Summary: Larry Talbot, the Wolf Man, is resurrected when his tomb is disturbed. Seeking a way to end his curse, he seeks out Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. There, he finds Frankenstein's monster, who has been frozen in ice. Together, they encounter Elsa Frankenstein, the doctor's daughter, and a mad scientist who plans to use the monsters for his own gain. The film culminates in a battle between the Wolf Man and Frankenstein's monster. Critics Review: "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" is a significant entry in Universal's monster series, marking the first crossover between two iconic creatures. Critics have noted the film'...

Bride of Frankenstein Runtime: 75 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: Frankenstein  Franchise Position: 2 A sequel to the 1931 classic in which Dr. Henry Frankenstein is coerced into creating a mate for his original monster by the eccentric Dr. Pretorius. As the creature yearns for companionship, the tale explores themes of isolation and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Ratings: My Rating: 8.4 / 10 The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 8.0 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes: Critics 94%, Audience 87% Metacritic: 80 / 100 Plot Summary: Following the events of the first film, Dr. Henry Frankenstein survives his ordeal and is determined to abandon his experiments. However, Dr. Pretorius kidnaps Frankenstein's wife, compelling him to assist in creating a female companion for the Monster. The Monster, longing for companionship, is initially hopeful but is ultimately rejected by his intended mate, leading to tragic consequences. Critics Review: Bride of Frankenstein is widely regarded as one...

Frankenstein Runtime: 70 minutes Studio: Universal Pictures Based on a book: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley Franchise: Frankenstein  Franchise Position: 1 A driven scientist reanimates the dead, then abandons the being he creates — a creation that moves from innocence to tragic violence when rejected by the world. Ratings: My Rating: 7.8 / 10 (average of IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes audience 8.7, Metacritic 7.0) The Dove Foundation: N/A IMDb: 7.7 / 10 Rotten Tomatoes: Critics 94%, Audience 87% (audience → 8.7 / 10) Metacritic: 70 / 100 (7.0 / 10) Plot Summary: Dr. Henry Frankenstein, obsessed with overcoming death, assembles a humanoid from corpses and animates it during a thunderstorm. The creature, intended to be a new life, is frightened, confused, and mistreated. After being tormented by assistants and rejected by townspeople, it lashes out in violence. Tragedy escalates — including the accidental drowning of a child — culminating in a mob-driven climax a...

Batman Ninja MPAA Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 85 minutes Studio: Warner Bros. Japan, Kamikaze Douga, YamatoWorks Country of Origin: United States, Japan Franchise: DC Universe Animated Original Movies Franchise Position: N/A Gotham's protector becomes a samurai. Ratings: My Rating: 7.5/10 The Dove Foundation: Not Rated IMDb: 5.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 83% (Critics), 60% (Audience) Metacritic: Not Available TMDb: 6.5/10 Plot Summary: Batman Ninja transports Batman and his rogues' gallery to feudal Japan due to Gorilla Grodd's time displacement device. Stripped of his modern technology, Batman must adapt to the samurai era to confront the Joker, who has become a powerful warlord. As alliances form and betrayals unfold, Batman's ingenuity and martial prowess are put to the ultimate test in a battle for control over Japan. Critics Review: Critics have lauded the film's unique blend of anime aesthetics and traditional Batman storytelling. The fusion of Japanese culture with Goth...

Emerald City Runtime: 636 min Studio: NBC Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 13 Format: Miniseries A darker, modern reimagining of the Land of Oz, following Dorothy Gale as she is transported from Kansas to Oz and becomes entangled in political intrigue, battles for power, and the struggle between good and evil. Ratings: My Rating: 7.1 The Dove Foundation: TV-14 IMDb: 6.4 Rotten Tomatoes: 76 Metacritic: 64 Plot Summary: Dorothy is swept away to a war-torn Land of Oz, where she discovers that the magical world is rife with political corruption and powerful enemies. Aligning with unlikely allies, she seeks to understand her mysterious role in Oz and confronts the tyrannical Wizard while facing her own inner challenges. The series explores themes of identity, loyalty, and moral responsibility. Critics Review: Critics praised the miniseries for its darker, more mature take on Oz, strong performances, and high production value. Some noted that the plot was complex and occasionally ...

Tin Man Runtime: 210 min Studio: Sci Fi Channel Franchise: Wizard of Oz Franchise Position: 8 A reimagined, darker miniseries set in the Land of Oz, following DG, a young woman who discovers her true identity and destiny. She teams up with a mysterious Tin Man and other allies to overthrow the oppressive sorceress Azkadellia. Ratings: My Rating: 7.3 The Dove Foundation: TV-PG IMDb: 7.0 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary: DG, a young woman from Kansas, is transported to the fantastical Land of Oz. She learns she is the long-lost daughter of a royal family and becomes embroiled in the struggle against Azkadellia, a tyrannical sorceress. Along the way, she allies with the Tin Man, Raw, and Glitch to reclaim the land and restore balance. The miniseries explores themes of identity, courage, and the battle between good and evil. Critics Review: The miniseries received praise for its imaginative reimagining of the Oz universe, dark tone, and production design. Performances and ...

Lilo & Stitch Runtime: 94 min Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Franchise: Lilo & Stitch Franchise Position: 7 A lonely Hawaiian girl befriends a mischievous alien who is being pursued by a galactic lawman.  Ratings: My Rating: 8.1 The Dove Foundation: PG IMDb: 7.5 Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Metacritic: 77 Plot Summary: Lilo, a spirited Hawaiian girl, befriends Stitch, a mischievous alien being pursued by a galactic lawman. Together, they embark on adventures, learning about friendship, responsibility, and the importance of family.  Critics Review: Critics praised the film for capturing the essence of the original animated classic while introducing new elements. The performances, especially that of Maia Kealoha as Lilo, were highlighted as standout features.  Christian Perspective: The film emphasizes values such as compassion, loyalty, and the importance of family. Lilo's care for Stitch reflects Christian principles of love and stewardship. Family Friendliness: Rated PG; s...

Stitch & Ai Runtime: 1,440 min Studio: Planet Nemo Animation, Disney Television International China Country of Origin: China Franchise: Lilo & Stitch Franchise Position: 8 In this Chinese animated series, Stitch ends up in Shanghai, where he meets a young girl named Ai. Together, they navigate challenges, capture experiments, and form a strong bond while exploring Chinese culture and customs. Ratings: My Rating: 7.0 The Dove Foundation: TV-Y7 IMDb: 6.5 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary: Stitch arrives in Shanghai and meets Ai, a bright and resourceful girl. As experiments escape and create chaos, Stitch and Ai work together to recapture them while learning about responsibility, friendship, and teamwork. The series emphasizes cultural learning and the power of compassion. Critics Review: The series received positive reviews for introducing the franchise to a new cultural setting while keeping the charm of the original characters. Critics appreciated the education...

Leroy & Stitch Runtime: 79 min Studio: Walt Disney Television Animation Franchise: Lilo & Stitch Franchise Position: 5 The series finale follows Lilo and Stitch as they confront Dr. Hamsterviel and his new experiment, Leroy. The heroes must stop Leroy’s chaos while capturing the remaining experiments and restoring peace to Hawaii. Ratings: My Rating: 7.4 The Dove Foundation: PG IMDb: 6.7 Rotten Tomatoes: N/A Metacritic: N/A Plot Summary: Dr. Hamsterviel creates Leroy, a clone of Stitch designed to cause mass destruction. Lilo, Stitch, and their friends must stop Leroy and ensure all the experiments are safely contained. The story focuses on teamwork, moral decision-making, and the importance of family and friendship. Critics Review: The finale was praised for wrapping up the series’ storylines and maintaining the franchise’s emotional heart. While less cinematic than the original films, it successfully conveyed lessons of responsibility and ethical behavior. Christian Perspecti...