Ferrari (R) Opens on Friday, December 29 Starring: Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz, Shailene Woodley
A biopic of automotive mogul Enzo Ferrari, whose family redefined the idea of the high-powered Italian sports car and practically spawned the concept of Formula One racing.
The Boys in the Boat (PG-13) Opens on Friday, December 29 Starring: Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, Jack Mulhern
The triumphant underdog story of the University of Washington men’s rowing team, who stunned the world by winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The Color Purple (PG-13) Opens on Friday, December 29 Starring: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks
The extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond.
This is a list of films that I watched for the first time this year. Out of all the films I watched this year, these are the top ones.
The Christ Child: A Nativity Story (2019) Rated NR
This new depiction of the Nativity story recounts in beautiful detail the sacred events found in the Bible about Jesus’s birth over 2, 000 years ago.
Hardball(2001) Rated PG-13
A gambling addict and ticket scalper living an aimless life reluctantly agrees to coach a Little League team from the Chicago projects as part of a loan agreement.
Escape from a Nazi Death Camp (2014) Rated NR
The Nazi death camp at Sobibor was created solely for the mass extermination of Jews. But on October 14, 1943 the inmates fought back, in the biggest and most successful prison outbreak of the Second World War. Of the 600 inmates present on the day of the escape, 300 escaped. Around 50 survived the war and of that 50, only a handful are still alive. This is their last chance to reveal the true story of their escape.
The Donut King (2020) Rated NR
This documentary tells Ted Ngoy’s story that is one of fate, love, survival, hard knocks, and redemption.
No Sleep ‘Til Christmas (2018) Rated TV-14
A bartender and a businesswoman find they only have one thing in common; insomnia.
Amityville: An Origin Story (2023) Rated TV-MA
This limited series is the first-ever elevated look at the strange alchemy of mass murder, 1970s paranormal obsession, and the explosion of the horror film genre that gave rise to The Amityville Horror sensation.
A Small Light (2023) Rated TV-14
Follows the remarkable story of Miep Gies, a Dutch woman who risked her life to shelter Anne Frank’s family from the Nazis for more than two years during World War II.
Jesus Revolution (2023) Rated PG-13
The true story of a national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California.
How Saba Kept Singing (2023) Rated NR
A survivor of Auschwitz returns to explore his past, and unlocks a secret.
Tower(2016) Rated TV-14
Animation, testimony, and archival footage combine to relate the events of August 1, 1966 when a gunman opened fire from the University of Texas clock tower, killing 16 people.
Simba, having become king of the Pride Lands, is determined for his cub to follow in his paw prints while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored. Starring Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Release Date: December 27
Three Men and a Baby (2024)
Remake of the 1987 film where three bachelors find themselves forced to take care of a baby left by one of the guys’ girlfriends. Starring Zac Efron
Release Date: March 27
Wicked(2024)
The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Release Date: November 27
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Plot under wraps. Starring Djimon Hounsou, Alex Wolff, Lupita Nyong’o
Release Date: June 28
Freud’s Last Session (2023)
The movie’s story sees Freud invite iconic author C.S. Lewis to debate the existence of God. And his unique relationship with his daughter, and Lewis’ unconventional relationship with his best friend’s mother. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Goode, Jodi Balfour
Dives deep into the art of storytelling by examining the defining principles and inner workings of the greatest American classic films from the past century. Starring Howard Suber
Premieres Jan 4
Monsieur Spade (AMC)
The famous detective Sam Spade is now 60 and living as an expat in the south of France in 1963. Starring Clive Owen, Rebecca Root, Oscar Lesage
Premieres Jan 14
The Regime (HBO)
An authoritarian regime is about to unravel. Follows a story of one year within the walls of its palace. Starring Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Andrea Riseborough
Premieres Mar 3
Cash Cab Music (AXS)
In this series, contestants unknowingly climb into a cab and try to win money by answering music-themed questions correctly on the way to their desired location. Starring Adam Growe
Premieres Jan 8
Nine Lives of… (Vice)
Famous icons overcome crises – being canceled, screwing up, falling – and rebuild careers. Their untold struggles and rises captured; stories of surviving and thriving regardless of public perception. Starring Howard Stern, Hulk Hogan
In the 1870s, a young Harvard dropout seeks his destiny out West by tying his fate to a team of buffalo hunters led by a man named Miller. Together, they embark on a harrowing journey risking life and sanity. Starring Nicolas Cage, Fred Hechinger, Jeremy Bobb
Hitmen (NR)
Michael Hero, a powerful CEO, seeks vengeance for the murder of his grandson by offering a one-million-dollar bounty for the assassination of his grandson’s accidental killers, attracting the world’s leading assassins to the task at hand. Starring Eric Roberts, Daniel Caltagirone, Lois Brabin-Platt
The Other Zoey (PG-13)
Zoey Miller, a super smart computer major uninterested in romantic love, has her life turned upside down when Zack, the school’s soccer star, gets amnesia and mistakes Zoey for his girlfriend. Starring Josephine Langford, Drew Starkey, Archie Renaux
“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
As we come to the end of the advent season, I’ve always enjoyed the advent season as we look forward to the birth of our Savior, Jesus. This year as the world is in turmoil, it brings forth the other reason for the season – Christ’s return. The advent is so much more than just focusing on the birth of Christ. The advent symbolizes the “last days” in the coming of Christ’s return. The church is looking forward, just as the Israelites look for the Messiah at the end of the Old Testament and when they look for His redemption from Egypt. We now look not for the birth but for the return.
The First Candle is the candle of Hope: We hope for Christ’s return. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5) Since Christ has left the earth after his resurrection, the world, continues to be lost and full of turmoil. We look forward to His second coming, to finish the prophecy. Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15) The word Hope as the world defines it is something wishful, something you have no control of whether it happens or not. In the Bible, Hope is defined as a certainty. Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13) We can hope for His return.
The Second Candle is the candle of Peace: We have the peace of the Lord’s kingdom now and in the future. Christ’s birth gives us a Peace that was not there before. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27) We have Peace because Jesus has come and left us a gift in the Holy Spirit as a helper. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26) He gives us Peace in the knowledge that He is ruling over the Earth. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
The Third Candle is the candle of Joy: We have joy because the Lord has come and given us Salvation. This candle is usually a different color than the previous two candles. It’s usually pink in color, mostly from the history where priests wear pink in the joy of a birth of a child. The advent falls on the same Sunday as Gaudete Sunday, when priests wear pink. This candle can also be called, Rejoice. As we Rejoice in the birth of Christ. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; (Philippians 4:4-5). The candle also represents the Shepherds as they were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth. Joy in the Bible is of extreme happiness, not just momentary, but long lasting. It’s another anticipation of what’s to come. Joy can only come from God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) Since, Joy comes from God, no one can take our Joy. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. (John 16:22) Thus, while we wait for Christ’s return we don’t need to despair, we have the Joy from Salvation through Him. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
The fourth candle is Love. Its color is the same as the first two candles. This candle represents Christ’s ministry; the greatest commandment. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36–40) Love is the whole of God; God is Love. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16) God created us in Love. We chose to sin by eating the fruit from the tree of Good and Evil. (Genesis 2-3) To redeem us back to Him (loving us so much), He sent His Son to earth to be crucified for us. Christ rose from death, conquering death, so we can be in fellowship with Him again. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) We have God’s Love even as sinners and His Grace when we receive the gift of His Love, in Christ, Jesus.
The last candle is the Christ candle. It’s lit on Christmas Eve and it’s usually a large white candle. The white represents the purity of Christ. Jesus was sinless as He was crucified. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. (1 Peter 2:22) This candle represents that the Old Testament is gone and Jesus has come with a new covenant. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) The candle represents that with Christ we have Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We cannot be Christians without Christ and His salvation. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5)
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, was written to in the Old Testament (Isaiah) as looking for the Messiah to come the first time. We can sing it today as we look for His return, the second coming of the Messiah.
Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire (PG-13) Opens on Friday, December 22 Starring: Sofia Boutella, Michiel Huisman, Ed Skrein, Djimon Hounsou
When a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius, they dispatch Kora, a young woman with a mysterious past, to seek out warriors from neighboring planets to help them take a stand.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (PG-13) Opens on Friday, December 22 Starring: Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death and wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. To defeat him, Aquaman must turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance in order to save the world from irreversible destruction.
Migration (PG) Opens on Friday, December 22 Starring: Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Caspar Jennings
After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, the Mallard family embarks on a family road trip, from New England, to New York City, to tropical Jamaica.
Anyone But You (R) Opens on Friday, December 22 Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp
Bea and Ben look like the perfect couple, but after an amazing first date something happens that turns their fiery hot attraction ice cold – until they find themselves unexpectedly thrust together at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.
The Iron Claw (R) Opens on Friday, December 22 Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson
The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
American Fiction (R) Opens on Friday, December 22 Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Leslie Uggams, Erika Alexander
Thelonious ‘Monk’ Ellison’s writing career has stalled because his work isn’t deemed ‘Black enough.’ Monk, a writer and English professor, writes a satirical novel under a pseudonym, aiming to expose the publishing world’s hypocrisies. The book’s immediate success forces him to get deeper enmeshed in his assumed identity and challenges his closely-held worldviews.
When two girls disappear into the woods and return three days later with no memory of what happened to them, the father of one girl seeks out Chris MacNeil, who’s been forever altered by what happened to her daughter fifty years ago. Starring Leslie Odom Jr., Lidya Jewett, Olivia Marcum
What Happens Later (R)
Two ex-lovers get snowed in at a regional airport overnight. Indefinitely delayed, Willa, a magical thinker, and Bill, a catastrophic one, find themselves just as attracted to and annoyed by one another as they did decades earlier. But as they unpack the riddle of their mutual past and compare their lives to the dreams they once shared, they begin to wonder if their reunion is mere coincidence, or something more enchanted. Starring Meg Ryan, David Duchovny, Hal Liggett
On Fire (PG-13)
Inspired by true and harrowing events, an ordinary man finds his world suddenly torn apart as devastating wildfires rip through the surrounding countryside. With precious moments ticking by, he must flee with his son and pregnant wife if they have any hope of surviving the rapid forces of mother nature. Starring Peter Facinelli, Fiona Dourif, Asher Angel
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (R)
In 1969, a young Jud Crandall has dreams of leaving his hometown of Ludlow, Maine behind, but soon discovers sinister secrets buried within and is forced to confront a dark family history that will forever keep him connected to Ludlow. Starring Jackson White, Forrest Goodluck, Jack Mulhern, Henry Thomas
Rumble Through the Dark (R)
Set in the dark landscape of the Mississippi Delta, where a former bare-knuckle fighter must win one last fight to pay off his debts to the local mob boss and save his childhood home—the stakes nothing less than life or death. Starring Aaron Eckhart, Bella Thorne, Marianne Jean-Baptiste
Star Trek: Lower Decks – Season Four (NR)
A zany animated series featuring the least-known Star Trek characters imaginable. Featuring a silly support crew who must concentrate on getting their chores done on one of Starfleet’s least-important ships. All the while there is a multitude of crazy mishaps which happen around them. When you tune in to this show, you can certainly get ready to set phasers on “hilarious.” A perfect companion to the more serious nature of the live-action shows. Starring Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noel Wells
The Retirement Plan (R)
When Ashley and her young daughter Sarah get caught up in a criminal enterprise that puts their lives at risk, she turns to the only person who can help: her estranged father Matt, currently living the life of a retired beach bum in the Cayman Islands. Their reunion is fleeting as they are soon tracked down on the island by crime boss Donnie and his lieutenant Bobo. As Ashley, Sarah, and Matt become entangled in an increasingly dangerous web, Ashley quickly learns her father had a secret past that she knew nothing about and that there is more to her father than meets the eye. Starring Nicolas Cage, Ashley Greene, Thalia Campbell
The Wandering Earth II (NR)
Humans built huge engines on the surface of the earth to find a new home. But the road to the universe is perilous. In order to save earth, young people once again have to step forward to start a race against time for life and death. Starring Andy Lau, Wu Jing, Sha Yi
Token Taverns (NR)
The golden age of arcades may have been in the 80s, but decades later arcades are back and bigger than ever in the arcade bar. Arcade bars have been spreading across the globe; transporting old school gamers back to their childhood while bringing in a new generation of players. It’s Cheers for nerds, a place where every body knows your game. “Token Taverns” is a documentary exploring the growth of arcade bars and what this growing trend is all about. “Token Taverns” centers on 3 arcade bars and their owners over 2 years as they try to thrive and survive through a global pandemic. Starring Billy Mitchell, Stormy Daniels
Under the Boardwalk (PG)
Two crabs embark on an epic journey to get home after a storm sweeps them away. Their courage soon unites their families, paving the way for great summers to come. Starring Keke Palmer, Michael Cera, Bobby Cannavale
Wonka (PG) Opens on Friday, December 15 Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key
Willy Wonka chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time is proof that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (PG) Opens on Friday, December 15 Starring: Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey
A band of fearless chickens flock together to save poultry-kind from an unsettling new threat: a nearby farm that’s cooking up something suspicious.
Control (NR) Opens on Friday, December 15 Starring: Kevin Spacey, Lauren Metcalfe, Mark Hampton
British Home Secretary Stella Simmons drives home one night while engaging in an affair with the Prime Minister. A mysterious man remotely hijacks her self-driving car, forcing her on a rampage through London.
Concrete Utopia (NR) Opens on Friday, December 15 Starring: Park Seo-joon, Lee Byung-hun, Park Bo-young
Survivors from a massive earthquake struggle for a new life in Seoul.
Rainbows (NR) Opens on Friday, December 15 Starring: Michael Gibb, Larry Birkhead, Barry Jay Minoff
A stirring story that captures the glory of determination when a physically challenged young girl brings an abused, homeless female jockey, and an abandoned horse together for a ride of a lifetime and much more.
Pindam (NR) Opens on Friday, December 15 Starring: Easwari Rao, Srikanth, Srinivas Avasarala
A powerful spirit that had never seen the face of earth, starts to threaten the life of a six year old girl who is “speaking impaired” and also her family. It is up to “Annamma” (The only Demonologist in India) to rescue the family by finding out the real intention behind this spirit and its history.
Saved by a plane crash, Tarzan is blessed with special powers and protects his jungle with a city girl, Jane. Starring Giles Panton, Eden Gamliel, and Marci T. House.
This is not the Tarzan you grew up with. Somehow, he gets supernatural powers. His grandfather is leaning toward being evil. Jane isn’t sweet or gentle; she tends to kick ass and use technology, which I get – you have to update the story. However, thus doesn’t seem like an update; it’s more like a downgrade. Then there’s the update where the humans are bad, not just to Tarzan but to the environment. This just frustrates me. The animation isn’t the best; it’s not as good as other animations these days. This show just makes me wonder why they even green-lighted it. This is not worth the watch.
Maranatha Evangelical Free Church in Rice Lake Wisconsin asked me to film a series for the church. Here is the series…Maranatha’s Johnny Appleseed. If you enjoyed this series please like and share.
This is a video I did to highlight some of my pictures. The song is one of my favorite worship songs, Indescribable by Laura Story. If you enjoyed this video, please like and share.
Ferrari (R)
The Boys in the Boat (PG-13)
The Color Purple (PG-13)
The Christ Child: A Nativity Story (2019) Rated NR
Hardball 
Escape from a Nazi Death Camp (2014) Rated NR
The Donut King (2020) Rated NR
No Sleep ‘Til Christmas (2018) Rated TV-14
Amityville: An Origin Story (2023) Rated TV-MA
A Small Light (2023) Rated TV-14
Jesus Revolution (2023) Rated PG-13
How Saba Kept Singing (2023) Rated NR
Tower 
Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)
Three Men and a Baby (2024)
Wicked 
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Freud’s Last Session (2023)
The Power of Film (TCM)
Monsieur Spade (AMC)
The Regime (HBO)
Cash Cab Music (AXS)
Nine Lives of… (Vice)
Butcher’s Crossing (2022)
Hitmen (NR)
The Other Zoey (PG-13)
Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire (PG-13)
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (PG-13)
Migration (PG)
Anyone But You (R)
The Iron Claw (R)
American Fiction (R)
The Exorcist: Believer (R)![What Happens Later [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71tWJ9vsB9L._SY445_.jpg)
What Happens Later (R)
On Fire (PG-13)![Pet Sematary: Bloodlines [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51l0Hwh3voL._SY445_.jpg)
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (R)
Rumble Through the Dark (R)![Star Trek: Lower Decks - Season Three [Blu-Ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/718Z5EE0tPL._SY445_.jpg)
Star Trek: Lower Decks – Season Four (NR)![The Retirement Plan [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81xCaJoVZSL._SY445_.jpg)
The Retirement Plan (R)
The Wandering Earth II (NR)![Token Taverns [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610Y8x1qHJL._SY445_.jpg)
Token Taverns (NR)![Under the Boardwalk [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61bWuv+MrYL._SY445_.jpg)
Under the Boardwalk (PG)
Wonka (PG)
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (PG)
Control (NR)
Concrete Utopia (NR)
Rainbows (NR)
Pindam (NR)
Saved by a plane crash, Tarzan is blessed with special powers and protects his jungle with a city girl, Jane. Starring Giles Panton, Eden Gamliel, and Marci T. House.