SUMMER MOVIE LIST

Animated Family Films

Over the Hedge
What separates you from opportunity? What are you hungry for? What will fill that longing in your belly? Food? Thrills? Comfort? Or is it something more? RJ the Raccoon discovers the answers to all these questions in the DreamWorks computer-animated comedy “Over The Hedge.”

Family Questions:  What happens to RJ when he gets greedy?  What happens when we get greedy for more than we need?  What does Jesus mean when he says “it is more blessed to give than to receive”?”
 
Ratatouille
Remy finds himself torn between his calling and passion in life or returning forever to his previous existence as a rat. He learns the truth about friendship, family and having no choice but to be who he really is, a rat who wants to be a chef.

Family Questions:  Remy wanted to be a chef but everyone said he could not because he was a rat.  What do you like most?  How has God made you special?

Barnyard
“Barnyard” is a lighthearted tale centering around Otis, a carefree party cow, who enjoys singing, dancing and playing tricks on humans. Unlike his father, Ben, the respected patriarch of the farm, and Miles, the wise old mule, Otis is unconcerned about keeping the animals’ humanlike talents a secret. But when suddenly put in the position of responsibility, the ‘udderly’ irresponsible cow finds the courage to be a leader.

Family Question:  How does Otis the cow ignore what he really should be doing?  Why is it important to take responsibility for our actions and face the truth?  Jesus said the “truth will make us free”.  What did Jesus mean by that?

Cars
The Christian path, by contrast, has been described more as a road, a journey. What lies at the end of that road is a goal, a promise, and one that we cannot see except by faith. To travel forward along a road like this is to change, to move forward from what we used to be, to what we will become. By traveling along this metaphorical and literal road, the character Lightning in “Cars” becomes a new person, literally allowing himself to be ‘baptized’ and changed by the community of Radiator Springs, complete with new paint job.

Family Questions:  How does pride cause Lightning McQueen’s problems?  How do you struggle with pride?  The Bible says that “pride causes us to fall”.  How does pride cause you to fall?

Films for Adult Reflection

Life as a House – Reconciliation and forgiveness (Rated R for nudity and language)
The Great Debaters – Self-leadership and justice
The Kid – Self-discovery
The Bucket List – Priorities
Resurrecting The Champ – Transformation
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia) – CS Lewis
Amazing Grace – Changing the world
School Ties – Prejudice and tolerance