Rebecca Grace

AFA Journal staff writer

September 2006 – 20th Century Fox aims new animated film at family audience|Twentieth Century gets a solid hit with its upcoming release of a light-hearted, yet inspiring, animated feature film about a 10-year-old boy named “Yankee” Irving who journeys from New York to Chicago in search of the great Babe Ruth. In Everyone’s Hero, Irving’s mission is to find Ruth and return his missing bat before the baseball season ends in disappointment for the New York Yankees. 

Along the way, Irving is joined by Screwie, a talking baseball, and Darlin’, a talking bat. The ball and bat befriend Irving, but it’s their conflicting personalities that bring just the right amount of humor to the film as the trio works together to overcome obstacles in their path.

The film, which includes the voice talents of Raven-Symone and Whoopi Goldberg, is rated G and is one to be enjoyed by the whole family, although young children will like it most. Intended as comedy, there are various instances of name calling throughout the film as well as several crude words and phrases that some parents may not appreciate. For example, “booger ball,” “butt,” “dad-gum,” “darn,” and “[getting hit] right in the twins.”

But overall, the message is a redeeming one and Irving, a baseball lover whose passion for the game far surpasses his athletic abilities, overcomes his underdog status and learns the importance of perseverance, commitment, love and family. He never stops swinging when challenges are pitched his way and because of this he becomes everyone’s hero. 

Church resource materials will be available at here. Everyone’s Hero is set to release September 15 in theaters nationwide. 

‘On the Farm with Farmer Bob’
Reading, writing and doing the right thing – that’s the message behind the new animated series, On the Farm with Farmer Bob. The Bible-based series combines laughs, livestock and literacy and features the voice talents of music sensations Randy Travis, Vince Gill and Amy Grant. 

Each episode, lasting approximately 30 minutes, centers on a key Scripture in which children are taught a Biblical truth through the daily antics of Porkchop the pig, Jenny the dog and Hercules the rooster, among other barnyard characters. “The Prodigal Pig” tells children to form an attitude of gratitude. “A Friend Planting Seeds, Is a Friend Indeed” teaches the importance of getting along with each other. “Cocka Doodle Doo the Right Thing” demonstrates the value of respect and the importance of doing what’s right at all times. “Lost: A Sheep Story” shows how special each child is in the eyes of God. Additional titles will be available in the future.

As a companion to the episodes, each DVD contains toe-tapping music and a variety of literacy-based bonus features designed to teach the basic skills of reading proficiency, alphabet knowledge, family involvement, letter recognition and letter and sound association through interactive learning. 

Mother Teresa
Golden Globe winner Olivia Hussey portrays the life-long journey of a beloved missionary in the recent DVD release of Fox Home Entertainment’s Mother Teresa. 

The biopic follows the trials and triumphs of Mother Teresa as she works relentlessly to bring love, charity, faith and hope to a dying world. She is seen as a heroine of humanitarian efforts and a modern-day saint, and these attributes come alive in the film as viewers are drawn emotionally into Mother Teresa’s life. 

While the film is uplifting and motivating, it is important to note that some scenes may be too intense for young viewers due to the poverty, suffering, gore and violence that are depicted. In addition, the film, which is not rated, contains some elements of which evangelical Protestants should be aware. For example, Mother Teresa:

• Says that she is “not going to convert anybody” and instead focuses on doing charitable deeds;
• Is referred to as “a daughter of the goddess of mercy;”
• Initiates an inconclusive discussion about karma and then follows it with a statement about her belief in providence;
• Says, “For me, there is no difference. A Christian must be a good Christian. A Hindu must be a good Hindu. A Muslim must be a good Muslim.”