The Tooth Fairy (2010)

The Tooth Fairy is a simple comedy about belief -- in yourself and in others. There is good sermon illustration on discouragement and encouragement. Look at the FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study for more discussion areas.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
The Tooth Fairy contains some hockey violence and mild language.

Theater Release Date: Jan 1, 2010      Genera: Comedy     Rating: PG

The Twilight Saga - New Moon (2009)

New Moon continues the Twilight Saga of vampire Edward and human Bella -- star-crossed lovers who separate when Edward fears for Bella's safety. Designed for young women, the film is filled with yearning, sighing, near-kisses, and romantic confusion with a bit of vampire and werewolf violence to jolt guys awake. As a film, it's not much, but youth pastors, in particular, ignore this phenomenon to their peril. If nothing else, the saga's popularity speaks to young women's desire for love, romance, protection, and self-sacrifice -- something in direct contrast with a pop culture addicted to easy sexuality, hooking up, a "whatever" sense of false confidence, and emphasis on self. Discussing why the books and films are so popular (even those who haven't read them know about them) could open up an otherwise potentially disinterested group to spiritual discussion. But there is danger here too.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
The Twilight Saga: New Moon contains vampire and werewolf violence, capitalizes on yearning teen sensuality, and has a disturbing take on how spiritual truths are discerned. Our FilmTalk card is not meant to be an endorsement of this film, but, since millions are seeing it, we created this tool to aid discussion.

Theater Release Date: Nov 11, 2009      Genera: Romance     Rating: PG-13

Paranormal Activity (2009)

Paranormal Activity takes the supernatural realm seriously. It is not a ghost story, it is the story of a woman who is stalked by a demon. It is worth asking people who have seen this film, if they were scared. If so, what scared them? Do they acknowledge that there is a spiritual realm beyond what they can see? Why did the main character seek out help from a psychic, from a Ouija board, and from his own bravado and physical strength, but ignored any supernatural help from God? Movies such as Paranormal Activity provide Christians with an opportunity to discuss the reality of the spiritual realm, and explain that God is sovereign over both the seen and unseen world. There is a real spiritual battle raging, and it is important to know which side you are on. Neutrality is not an option. If these are the kinds of discussions you would like to be having after a movie. Check out MovieMinistry's FilmTalk Small Group Bible Studies. They contain scene set-ups, questions about the movie and related Bible passages to drive after-film discussions straight to the Scriptures.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:

Theater Release Date: Oct 10, 2009      Genera: Horror     Rating: R

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a delightful family film. The visuals are spectacularly rendered (see it in 3-D if possible) and the voice talent is first rate -- particularly Bruce Campbell as Mayor Shellbourne. Look for our FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study to deal with issues such as greed, fitting in, the need for respect, and other important life issues that are a part of this winning comedy.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs contains some moments of peril, and a brief instance of vulgar language.

Theater Release Date: Sep 9, 2009      Genera: Animated     Rating: PG

Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)

I Can Do Bad All By Myself, another number one hit from Tyler Perry, demonstrates the destructive side of selfishness, and the availability of redemption, even for those who have fallen by their own hands. Better than just about any other director in Hollywood, Perry has the ability to show the intersection of the church and the world in a way that is realistic and powerful. A FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study is coming soon, as well as sermon illustrations.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself contains some profanity, violence, and an assault on a teenager.

Theater Release Date: Sep 9, 2009      Genera: Drama     Rating: PG-13

District 9 (2009)

District 9 is a thought-provoking film for adults that speaks directly to how we treat "the least of these" among us. The science-fiction element provides just enough distance to enable the audience to potentially see itself in the characters, and to face the dehumanizing prejudice that may lurk in each of us. Watch for our FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study coming shortly.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
District 9 contains profanity, violence, and related gore involving aliens. It is a metaphorical tale, but for adults only.

Theater Release Date: Aug 8, 2009      Genera: Science Fiction     Rating: R

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is no longer a film, it is a cultural phenomenon. The films continue to be well made with outstanding production values. See our FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study for ways to use this film to discuss obedience, vows, how evil tries to win us over, and more.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince contains intense sequences involving peril, mild sensuality, and fantasy magic.

Theater Release Date: Jul 7, 2009      Genera: Fantasy     Rating: PG

Public Enemies (2009)

Public Enemies is a very violent film that reflects on the criminal life of John Dillinger. However, it does have things to say about our culture's fascination with criminals, and, to some extent, a negative view of law enforcement. See our latest FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study for more topics.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Public Enemies contains strong, graphic gangster violence.

Theater Release Date: Jul 7, 2009      Genera: Biographical     Rating: R

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is only designed for the 3-D roller coaster effects. The story is minimal, mostly generic family issues, bland, and not much of note. There is a brief moment when Sid sees some unborn hatchlings when the sun shines through the shell, in a kind of ultrasound moment. The film might give you a chance to talk about what constitutes a family.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs contains innuendo and some rude humor.

Theater Release Date: Jul 7, 2009      Genera: Animated     Rating: PG

My Sister's Keeper (2009)

My Sister's Keeper is a harrowing film about struggling for life and dealing with death. As a result, there is a lot to talk about in this film, such as: the nature of death, what comes after we die, and how each of us are unique. See the MovieMinistry FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study for My Sister's Keeper for more information.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
My Sister's Keeper contains profanity, some sensuality, and graphic scenes related to cancer and chemotherapy.

Theater Release Date: Jun 6, 2009      Genera: Drama     Rating: PG-13

Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Just what you would expect in a Michael Bay film -- lots of explosions, little story line. A weird spiritual moment occurs late in the film that might provide an opportunity for an after-film discussion, otherwise just some generic stuff about fulfilling your destiny. A "gee whiz" visual experience, but not much more.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen may be based on a children's toy line, but this adaptation has substantial profanity and sexuality.

Theater Release Date: Jun 6, 2009      Genera: Action/Adventure     Rating: PG-13

The Stoning of Soraya M. (2009)

The Stoning of Saroya M. is a brutal, haunting film. It is rated R for some profanity, but mostly for a particularly graphic scene that should be obvious, given the title of the film. The movie not only reveals the subjugation and abuse of women in post-revolutionary Iran, but is also an object lesson about the deadly progression of sin. See the free Bible Study for this film, posting soon.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
The Stoning of Soraya M. contains profanity, and very explicit violence toward women. Use great discretion.

Theater Release Date: Jun 6, 2009      Genera: Drama     Rating: R

The Proposal (2009)

The Proposal is a formula romantic comedy, where two unlikely people are thrown together and eventually fall in love. Not a lot to discuss, though Christianity is noticeable by its absence. One telling moment does speak to the need to withhold judgment of others, even when we think it is warranted, because we do not know what kind of battles others are fighting.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
The Proposal contains some vulgar language, some comic sensuality, and some side-shot nakedness (not explicit, designed to be funny, not titillating).

Theater Release Date: Jun 6, 2009      Genera: Comedy     Rating: PG-13

Year One (2009)

Do not, under any circumstances, see Year One. It is completely without redeeming value. The only thing worth discussing with anyone who has seen this pathetic film is the topic of sacrilege. The movie attempts to make eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, and Cain murdering Abel, funny. It mocks God. Makes Adam's daughter a lesbian and and his son a dimwit. This film failed in every way so irredeemably that I walked out after fifteen minutes. You have been warned. Avoid.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Year One is incredibly crass, very strong profanity, strong sexual references, how it missed an R-rating is a complete mystery.

Theater Release Date: Jun 6, 2009      Genera: Comedy     Rating: PG-13

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is very light fare. Capitalizing on the 2006 hit, this one mostly misses. Lots of slapstick, but not much to talk about other than the need to love what you do for work. Fun for kids, but ultimately forgettable.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian contains some mild peril and a little profanity.

Theater Release Date: May 5, 2009      Genera: Comedy     Rating: PG

Terminator: Salvation (2009)

Terminator: Salvation is a grim film, but it can spark conversations about what it means to be human and the limitations of war. For more information, go to the FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study that we have prepared for this film.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Terminator: Salvation includes lots of battle violence and some profanity.

Theater Release Date: May 5, 2009      Genera: Science Fiction     Rating: PG-13

Angels and Demons (2009)

Like the last adaptation of a Dan Brown novel, The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons takes shots at the church. Rather than focusing on outright heresies, however, this film explores the sometimes troubling historical relationship between the Church and science. As a result, opportunities abound for after-film discussions. See our FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study for key issues related to this fast-paced thriller.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Angels and Demons contains some disturbing images, violence, and some profanity.

Theater Release Date: May 5, 2009      Genera: Thriller     Rating: PG-13

Star Trek (2009)

This film has ministry potential in many areas. We are working to secure film clips, but in the meantime we have prepared a FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study to help you get the most out of this exciting film. Sure to resurrect the franchise, this is more than just a summer popcorn movie. If you will dive in, you will find some deep topics to discuss.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
Star Trek contains lots of intense action violence and a brief scene of sensuality.

Theater Release Date: May 5, 2009      Genera: Science Fiction     Rating: PG-13

State of Play (2009)

State of Play has a lot of political twists and turns. Thrillers, generally, do not yield a lot of ministry material, but there are a couple of areas worth noting. First is the idea that truth should take precedence over profit. The publisher wants to get the story out, but the writer advises caution until all the facts are in. Additionally worth addressing is the idea that just because we can do something doesn't always mean we should.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
State of Play contains profanity and violence.

Theater Release Date: Apr 4, 2009      Genera: Thriller     Rating: PG-13

17 Again (2009)

17 Again has good ministry potential for both adults and teens, dealing with such issues as teen sexuality, relationships between teens and parents, living without regrets, and getting a fresh start. See our FilmTalk Small Group Bible Study for detailed discussion questions. Sermon illustrations and clips are coming shortly.

Movie's Sermon General's Warning:
17 Again contains some profanity, a discussion about sex, and implied sensuality.

Theater Release Date: Apr 4, 2009      Genera: Comedy     Rating: PG-13