Music, Musical Stories, Redemptive, Family

In the Heights is a high-energy, American musical, dance film based on the stage musical by Quiara Alegría Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also appears in the film. The musical and dance performances are stunning. It is a delightful family movie. It follows the stories of the dreams of members of a community on a corner in Washington Heights, New York City. This captivating, heart-grabbing movie has wonderful themes of love for others, community, and family.

In Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, love in families and in the community triumph over materialism, greed, and hostility. The story is about the people of Whoville, who are full of joy as they prepare for Christmas. The Grinch who decides to steal to visit every home in Whoville to steal Christmas trees, ornaments, and gifts. This is a delightful movie with skillful animation and entertaining comedy. It incorporates Christmas carols that focus on the redemptive love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The beloved Dolly Parton film wins Movieguide award. 'Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love' was honored at the LA Gala.

This Disney musical is loosely based on the newsboys’ strike of 1899, when U.S. youth-led campaign successfully changed the way that Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst’s newspapers compensated child labor force of newspaper boys. Set in NYC at the turn of the century, a ragged band of teenaged ‘newsies’ dream of a better life that is far from the hardship of the streets. The cast in this high-energy production is outstanding. There are good songs and some of the best dancing on screen.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE is a heartfelt, uplifting film based on a true story that demonstrates the power of forgiveness and redemption between Bart and his one-time, abusive father. Performances are especially strong in this highly popular movie. This film tells the story behind the highly successful song by that same title. This engaging movie tells the amazing true story behind Christian band MercyMe’s iconic, history-making song I Can Only Imagine.

“A Week Away” shines joy and light, pointing the way to healthy, jubilant freedom, connection, and hope. When many have been in lockdowns, socially isolated in restrictive, sad situations, especially our young people (many of whom have been experiencing depression, loss of hope), this movie takes viewers through its young characters into the light of healthy outdoor sunshine, positive relationships, and gives joyful hope for the future. It is the first high-energy, dance musical of its kind.

Art and his band are now planning the 90th Anniversary touring stage show of The Light Crust Doughboys which is due for videostreaming and filming. As churches, organizations, areas, regions… reopen there are few events that will facilitate a unifying celebration of love, joy, unity and more that is so greatly needed today than this production. This 90th Anniversary Tour of the Light Crust Doughboys is sure to serve as an agent of redemptive healing, spiritual revival, and unified renewal.

Kenneth Branagh has directed this live action, update of “Cinderella” for Disney with some of the best actors. Popular British actor, Lily James, plays Cinderella. Australian actor Cate Blanchett is the Stepmother, British actor Helena Bonham Carter the Fairy Godmother, and Scottish Richard Madden the prince. In the movie, Cinderella’s mother tells her “I want to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer: Have courage, and be kind.”

ALADDIN is a delightful cinematographic, humorous, and musical treat starring Will Smith. This Disney, live-action movie is PG-rated and is entertaining for the whole family. Most importantly, it presents themes of the importance of honesty and integrity, which outshine magical and deceptive power. Because Aladdin wants to impress the Princess Jasmine, he has the genie of the lamp turn Aladdin into a prince; however, the princess rejects the false prince as she has rejected other suitors.

In MARY POPPINS RETURNS, Michael Banks and his sister Jane are now adults. Michael has children of his own, who are in desperate need of a nanny because they have lost their mother. This lovely movie encourages the value of family and the importance of imagination. This award-winning movie is full of delightful entertainment with spectacular dance numbers and sweet, endearing songs. It features Emily Blunt, who is delightful as Mary Poppins, along with Lin-Manuel Miranda and other stars.

The 2019 musical fantasy dance film, CATS, is based on the poetry collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939) by T. S. Eliot. These poetic tales are fanciful, poetic morality tales. After he became a Christian, Eliot wrote these poetic stories for his godchildren, one of whom may have given him the idea of "Jellicle Cats" from a mispronunciation of "Dearest Little Cats." Eliot, who won the 1948 Nobel Prize in Literature, was one of the key figures in the 1900's modernist movement.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is a charming, spectacular musical, dance movie with valuable themes about the following: healing conflict, finding reconciliation, showing kindness, discovering and giving real love, unconditional love... This original musical which is inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum tells the story of the visionary, P.T. Barnum, who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. P.T. Barnum played by Hugh Jackman, founder of the three-ring circus.

Amid life’s challenges, the movie based on a true story, I STILL BELIEVE, is a powerful reminder that in life’s storms, true hope can be found because is God is available to us, which is especially important in our suffering. I STILL BELIEVE is also an encouraging movie about the power of Love, how Love can change one life, and how one life can change the world. From the creators of I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, the Erwin Bothers’ I STILL BELIEVE is another inspiring story based on true events.

Buttons serves Kate Winslet’s Golden Hat Foundation, an autism non-profit organization.

Importance of Singing Hymns