Kansas City upbringing: From books to movies and back again
When I was growing up in the 1970s in Kansas City (sometimes called “the buckle of the Bible belt”) my father, a Baptist minister, did not allow our family to go to ... Read More »
February Top 5: ‘Run the Race’ stands out among sports movies
Sports movies are never just about sports. In fact, the best ones present so many lessons about life and eternity that even non-sports fans will enjoy them. Such is the case with ... Read More »
Netflix raising prices in biggest increase ever
Enjoy Netflix? It’s gonna cost you more. The streaming giant is increasing prices for customer anywhere from 13 percent to 18 percent. It will be the biggest jump in prices since the ... Read More »
Shirley Boone dies, Pat says ‘change of address’
Shirley Boone, the longtime wife of singer Pat Boone, dedicated Christian as well as a philanthropist, has died. She was 84. She passed away on Jan. 11, surrounded by her four daughters, ... Read More »
Hulu’s new kid-friendly content tops family-friendly spotlight
A 2018 poll showed that nearly 60 percent of Americans watch streaming television, and most of them have Netflix. But Netflix’s dominance over streaming television could be changing soon. Disney will launch ... Read More »
‘Series of Unfortunate Events’ leads January streaming
January streaming options include many family films and a surprising series. My children aren’t allowed to watch horror movies. Or scary movies. Or anything that might possibly give them nightmares. I have ... Read More »
The 10 best family-friendly films of 2018
Let’s face it: It can be difficult to find films that the whole family can watch. Thankfully, though, there were quite a few family-friendly films released in theaters in 2018. Here are ... Read More »
Mary Poppins Returns stays true to innocence of the original
Disney’s latest reboot of the beloved classic Mary Poppins, brims with positive themes that can be seen in the lives of the characters and the songs they sing. Those themes include hope, ... Read More »
Why did Christian film ‘The Reliant’ get an R rating?
Christian movie insiders are questioning the actions of the Motion Picture Association of America after it gave Christian film “The Reliant,” starring Kevin Sorbo and other Christian celebrities, an R rating. Strangely, ... Read More »
‘At Eternity’s Gate’ explores complicated Vincent van Gogh
He had come to Arles to get away from the fog and colorless gray of Paris. But when Vincent van Gogh first arrives, it seems little better. Wind buffets the window, rattling ... Read More »
5 family-friendly shows for December
The commercialization of Christmas started in the early 1900s, grew out of control by the middle of the century, and has gotten only worse each decade since. Christmas now starts in October, ... Read More »
‘The Grinch’ reflects on true meaning of Christmas
The frozen wind whips, the snow seeps with wet trickles into his garishly green furry ankles, and the Grinch sucks his teeth in frustration on his icy mountain perch. They think their ... Read More »
4 Bible films top this month’s family-friendly spotlight
In our monthly series, “5 Family-Friendly Things,” we continue to spotlight five family-friendly entertainment choices on film, DVDs, streaming or television. Here’s our spotlight for November. Bible movies are a favorite in ... Read More »
Wonderful ‘Wonder’ leads November’s streaming lineup
Teaching children not to bully is a part of good parenting, but sometimes, it helps to have a good book or movie to make the case. Such is the case with Wonder. ... Read More »
Netflix to create new Chronicles of Narnia series
Netlifx announced on Wednesday plans to create new series and film projects based on C.S. Lewis’ beloved book series, The Chronicles of Narnia, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The late author’s most ... Read More »
5 family-friendly shows for October
This monthly series, “5 Family-Friendly Things,” spotlights five family-friendly entertainment choices on film, DVDs, streaming or television. Here’s our October picks. Darren Turner is a husband, father and seminary graduate who feels ... Read More »
‘Searching’ is a thriller with an urgent message
On a normal Thursday night, David Kim received a call from his daughter, Margot, informing him that she would be studying all night with a group of friends. The next day she ... Read More »
‘God Bless the Broken Road’ tackles faith and military
Fans of faith-based movies who also have a love for the U.S. military could be a bit busy in the next two months. That’s because three films with military themes are set ... Read More »
HBO drops porn from all its channels
In a huge victory for cleaner TV, HBO has removed its adult entertainment movies and television programs from both its channels and streaming services. The family entertainment watchdog group Parents Television Council ... Read More »
I-70 Drive-In Theater to close before winter
A Kansas City drive-in icon that provided entertainment to area families for decades will not reopen after the current season. The I-70 Drive-In theater will be shuttered by new owners B&B Theaters. ... Read More »
Operation Finale is a look at best, and worst, of humanity
World War II movies are their own genre but not many film stories are told from the Jewish perspective. “Operation Finale” (MGM) corrects that lack, giving us a story, begun during the ... Read More »
Brother of Chris Pratt talks about faith and talent
A talent for the arts clearly runs deep in the Pratt family’s genetics. Cully Pratt, Hollywood actor Chris Pratt’s older brother, recently revealed some fascinating details about the family’s creative genes — ... Read More »
Superhero ‘Black Panther’ leads September streaming lineup
We’ve grown accustomed to a superhero misbehaving in the Marvel and DC universes – whether that’s Iron Man acting like a playboy, Wonder Woman spending the night with a companion, or the ... Read More »
Ben Affleck in rehab after wife brings Bible to intervention
Ben Affleck is heading back to rehab after his estranged wife, Jennifer Garner, asked him to go amid the actor’s ongoing struggle with alcohol addiction. Garner appeared at the 46-year-old’s home, accompanied by ... Read More »
Crazy Rich Asians an updated Cinderella
Eleanor Young is not crazy. She’s also not to be trifled with. Just ask anyone who’s ever mistaken her quiet demeanor for passivity. Take, say, the manager of a posh London hotel ... Read More »
