Sunday Mom: Movie Reviews
Join me each week as I review Christian children’s movies.
Auto-B-Good: Faith Builders
4 out of 5 Popcorn Kernels
Rating: NA
Genre: Cartoon
Actors: Dave Simmons, Heidi Fellner
Director: Gary Meyer, Charles Meyer
Studio: Rising Star Studios
Series: Auto-B-Good
DVD Release Date: May 9, 2011
Run Time: 132 minutes
Description
Welcome to the City of Auto, a place where cars and trucks come to life to bring fun and excitement on the road to excellent character. Each story is fuel-injected with valuable moral lessons on topics like courage, respect, responsibility, and friendship. Join Johnny, Izzi, EJ, Cali, and friends in ten adventures that are packed with thrills, laughs, and a meaningful faith message that will last a lifetime.
Auto-B-Good is a wonderful place for kids to explore and learn what it means to be upright in character. Each episode is built around an important core value and is hand-tooled with stories and songs that help children live out their faith through making good choices. So buckle your seat belt and hang on, the Auto-B-Good friends are ready to roll! Episodes include:
Growing Responsible (Responsibility)
Red Card to Respect (Respect)
Car Tune Pirates (Honesty)
Digging for Gold (Cooperation)
Movie 'FX' (Decency)
Breaking Par (Commitment)
Home Sweet Home (Gratefulness)
Scared-y Car (Friendship)
Bonus episodes:
Miles to the Rescue (Courage)
Road Rage (Self-Discipline)
Sunday Mom Review
I love this entire series. It is well written with amazing animation. The characters are well thought out. The music is catchy and every song has a great message.
All boys like cars and they will not be disappointed with the cars in the City of Auto. This video will also appeal to girls, as several of the cars are frilly and adorably girly. Even mom and dad will have fun identifying the make and model of each one—at our house, Google got a workout.
The Negatives: There really aren’t any. My only critique is that there is not enough Biblical content to make it appropriate for the Sunday school setting. It does have a strong faith message, but I prefer to use videos that reenact scripture.
I highly recommend this video for home entertainment for ages 2-6. In a home setting, I would give it 5 out of 5 popcorn kernels.
Growing Responsible (Responsibility): In this episode Cali sees the consequences of not acting responsibly.
Red Card to Respect (Respect): This episode is about having respect for others. It specifically addresses the subject of “trash talk” in sports. The overall Biblical theme is The Golden Rule.
Car Tune Pirates (Honesty)
Digging for Gold (Cooperation): In this episode everyone in the City of Auto works together to get Izzi to Vehicleville for a spelling bee. They touch on good sportsmanship and being kind to your competitor for the good of the game. There is a King David and Jonathan reference in the song that is refreshing.
Movie 'FX' (Decency): EJ watches a movie not recommended for cars under 18,000 miles. He picks up some bad habits from the movie star. He learns that even a little bit of indecent behavior can ruin who you are. He learns that it is important to be considerate of others. There is even a lesson in forgiveness with a song about Ephesians 4:32.
Breaking Par (Commitment)
Home Sweet Home (Gratefulness)
Scared-y Car (Friendship)
Bonus episodes:
Miles to the Rescue (Courage)
Road Rage (Self-Discipline
Sunday Kids' Review
2 year old: Watched the entire show without distraction.
4-year-old: Never grows tired of watching these episodes.
11-year-old: It wouldn’t be her first choice in videos, but enjoys watching when it is on.
17-year-old: Will watch an occasional episode if someone else has it on.
The Roach Approach (Bug Rangers): The Mane Event!
3 out of 5 Popcorn Kernels
Rating: NA
Genre: Cartoon
Actors: TobyMac, Nicolle C. Mullen, TD Jakes
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Series: Bug Rangers Series
DVD Release Date: August 23, 2005
Run Time: 38 minutes
Description
In this fun, animated adventure with a great message, Grandpa Lou takes the roach kids on a Roach Rangers camping trip and Flutter wants to prove to Squiggz and Cosmo that she, too, is fit to be a Ranger.
Always ready with a great story, Grandpa Lou tells the tale of Daniel in the Lions' Den as they travel through a drain pipe, and the kids learn valuable lessons about faith, friendships, promise and standing up for their beliefs. With special guest voice-over by Bishop T.D. Jakes, and songs from 2005 Dove Award-winners Toby Mac, and Nichole C. Mullen, The Mane Event! is a film the whole family will enjoy from beginning to end!
Sunday Mom Review
This video was stunningly animated, and the score was beautiful. The endeavor to make it hip and fresh paid off. Kids will love these characters. Toby Mac’s and Nicole C. Mullen’s contribution to the soundtrack speaks (or sings) for itself.
The negative: Only part of the Bible story, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, was covered. Grandpa tells the Roach Rangers about what he witnessed from inside the lions’ den. His tale adds to the story’s theme (do what is in your heart even if everyone is against you), but does not cover enough of the Bible story to enhance a Sunday school lesson. It might also be a bit confusing, as they did take some creative liberties. The children might leave thinking that one of the lions was on Daniel’s side and the others were not.
It will definitely be well received by any child ages 3-8 in the home environment, as it is very entertaining.
Sunday Kid’s Review
2 year old: Watched the entire show without distraction but was frightened of the spider.
4-year-old: Loved the music and danced throughout the show.
11-year-old: It wouldn’t be her first choice in videos, but thought it was entertaining—loved the music.
17-year-old: Was not interested in watching.
Pahappahooey Island: What About Me!?
3 out of 5 Popcorn Kernels
Rating: NA
Genre: Puppet
Actors: Voice of Joyce Meyer
Series: Pahappahooey Island
DVD Release Date: August 18, 2009
Run Time: 67 minutes
Description
Two complete episodes of the acclaimed Children’s Series, featuring Joyce Meyer. Welcome to Pahappahooey Island, an adventurous land that combines furry friends, fun songs and colorful adventures with the best of Joyce Meyer’s classic messages for the whole family.
Includes TWO episodes:
-
What About Me?: Ali, Millard, Captain Hobbs and Hacksaw set off on a special treasure hunt, but evil Ichabone Slink has made them think only of themselves. Can Miss Ruby (voiced by Joyce Meyer herself) help the friends learn the best ways to work together?
-
Hide it in Your Heart : When some very important stuff begins to mysteriously disappear, Fernando and Guiseppe join their friends’ mission to find the culprits. Will they discover a safer place to keep their most precious possessions other than Millard’s fanny pack?
Sunday Mom Review
This video has great messages for kids. If you are looking for something fun and entertaining, this is the one for you. You can walk out of the room while the kids are watching it and not have to worry. The scenes did not drag on (like some children’s videos do) and kept their attention. The songs are cute and I loved the characters.
The negatives:
It is weak on Biblical content. God is vaguely referred to as “The Creator” and the Bible is referred to as “The Book with the Creator’s Word”. There is also a snake running around the garden trying to temp others into selfish behavior. With kids, I find that it is always best to be upfront and in-you-face obvious. It would not enhance a formal Sunday school lesson.
Overall it is a great life lesson video. I recommend it for entertainment in the home environment for children ages 5-8.
What About Me?
This episode is filled with life lessons: working together, following directions, helping others, watch out for your friends, temptation—just to name a few. The overall theme, “What about me?” is rarely tackled in today’s world, which thrives on egocentric behavior. I can think of several adults who could benefit from this lesson.
They allude to the treasure being “The Book with the Creator’s Word”, but never have that “Ah Ha!” moment when the characters discover that God’s Word is more valuable than any material treasure.
The protagonist’s sidekick has a strange obsession with burritos that surpasses silly and borders on weird and creepy. Although the boys in my house thought it was uproarious.
Hide It in Your Heart
This episode has one simple message: "Hide It in Your Heart". The characters learn to keep God’s Word in their heart, share it with others, and take it with them wherever they go. It is clearly communicated, complete with a catchy song.
Sunday Kid's Review
2 year old: Watched the entire show without distraction.
4-year-old: Was glued to the screen. My repeated attempts to gain his attention were completely ignored. In the end, he did ask, “Where is the treasure?” So, that message didn’t get through.
11-year-old: Thought it was entertaining, but thought the burrito thing was “lame” and distracting from the storyline.
17-year-old: Could not even be bribed to watch.
Buck Denver Asks...What's In the Bible 1
4 out of 5 Popcorn Kernels
Rating: NA
Genre: Live Action/Puppet
Actors: Buck Denver
Directors: Phil Vischer
Series: What's in the Bible Series
DVD Release Date: September 27, 2011
Run Time: 56 minutes
Description
Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? Volume 1 is the first installment of the 13-DVD series from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer. In his first new project since VeggieTales, Vischer has set out to teach kids (and parents!) the story of the Bible – God’s great rescue plan! We know the stories of Moses, Noah, David, and Jesus, but in this groundbreaking new series, we learn how they all fit together to tell one big, redemptive story. Vischer’s signature wit shines through with his all-new cast of characters, fast-paced flash animation, and catchy tunes. This is one journey through the Bible you won't want to miss!
Volume 1 In the Beginning Includes TWO 25-minute episodes:
- What Is the Bible? - How is it put together? Laugh your way to a better understanding of the structure and purpose of the world’s most important book.
- Who Wrote the Bible? - Explains how the Bible was inspired and how Genesis sets the stage for the rest of the Bible and all of history!
- Bonus Short: Quacky’s Questions: What is Kindness?
Sunday Mom Review:
This DVD is entertaining and filled with strong, accurate, Biblical content. It is packed full of amazing information. It is a great educational tool. We all learned something.
The puppets are cute and the songs are catchy. I challenge you to find another movie where a pirate puppet explains the apostolic succession! The characters are fun and silly, but do not distract from the Biblical message.
The negatives: Most of the characters speak fast and with a strong accent, which was difficult for the little one’s to understand. Those who were not bored did not quite get the message. I would put the actual age range for this series at 7-12. There is also a little boy puppet who makes some snarky comments to his mother. I understand that it is intended to be humorous, but it seemed a little disrespectful.
Overall, it is well made. I own this entire series. This movie would make a great addition to any Sunday school or children’s worship curriculum.
What Is the Bible?
This is the best video I have seen for explaining the who, what, where, and how of the Bible. It breaks down very complicated subjects into the simplest terms. That being said, as it is a very complicated subject, I recommend this one for the 10 years old and up crowd. It is entertaining and the 3-10 year olds will enjoy it, although, they will not fully grasp the content. In this age range, the most you can expect is exposure to the topic.
Who Wrote the Bible?
This episode covers who wrote the Bible, how the different books are classified, and the primordial history portion of Genesis (Chapters 1-11). It is a broad overview of the stories in Genesis. It provides a timeline of events that allows the viewer to see the “Big Picture”. It includes creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Able, Noah, and the Tower of Babel. If you are looking for a detailed accounting of these stories, this is not the video for you.
Quacky’s Questions: What is Kindness?
This is an adorable animated short about Quacky the duck’s quest to discover the meaning of kindness. I highly recommend this episode for ages 3-8. It would make a great addition to a lesson on the Fruits of the Spirit.
Sunday Kid’s Review:
2 year old: It caught his attention, but he wondered away after 6 minutes.
4-year-old: He thought it was HILARIOUS, although, he did not quite understand it.
11-year-old: She thought it was both entertaining and informative.
17-year-old: He learned things he did not know (like “What’s the Septuagint?”) Although, he thought the singing was “lame”.
