Two new family-friendly movies you probably haven’t heard of

OPINION:

Fall isn’t known as the season for new movies. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.

The Washington Times Higher Ground Partner Plugged In reviews two positive and inspiring new movies for the whole family that you can watch this weekend.

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Home Release: A Million Miles Away

We have no lack of heroes in the movies. After all, we live in an age of superheroes and superspies.

But folks like us? Those who don’t have super-strength and can’t turn invisible? Those who deal with petty job annoyances and familial responsibilities and real-world mess? Sometimes, it seems those heroes are missing from the screen.

Jose Hernandez is a real-world hero, one who has something to teach both kids and adults. With his father’s “five ingredients” in his back pocket and the love of his wife on his sleeve, Jose pushes to achieve his audacious, outlandish dream. And he does it not by dreaming alone, but through hard work. And work. And more work.

When Jose turns yet another application for NASA—this one in person—the astronaut accepting the application recognizes his name. He asks Jose what makes this application different.

“Over the course of the last 10 years, every academic, professional and personal decision I’ve made [has been] with the space program in mind,” he says. “I’ve gotten my master’s in electrical engineering. I’m a pilot now with over 800 miles under my belt. I have my scuba-diving certificate. I just ran the San Francisco Marathon, and I can speak Russian.

“I’ve applied 12 times,” Jose continues. “And, yes, I’ve been on the verge of giving up after each and every rejection. But you know what, sir? Here I am. So you can turn me down again if you want, but rest assured, I’ll be standing here again in a year.”

I’ve written reviews where I’ve sometimes criticized characters for chasing their dreams, no matter the cost. There’s nothing wrong with just being a good husband, a good father, I’ve said. There’s something to be said for sacrifice. And that is absolutely true.

But you know what? There’s something to be said for chasing your dreams, too. If no one did—if people always gave up on them—we’d have no astronauts, no statesmen, no football stars, no heroes. And A Million Miles Away reminds us that dreams require sacrifice, too—not just from the dreamers, but from those who love them.

In this movie, we learn that astronauts, when they go up into space, don’t go alone. They bring everyone who believed in them along for the ride.

A Million Miles Away is a great story with not just one inspirational message, but a crockpot full of them. This is one not to be missed.

Read the full review here. Watch the trailer:

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In Theaters: Camp Hideout

“Camp Hideout” is a standard-issue summer camp film about a jaded boy who breaks out of his shell when he sees that people really care for him.

For those who’ve attended a summer camp, what you see onscreen just might bring back a memory or two of your own time at camp — goofy gang members hopefully not included. And if you are wondering whether or not those vengeful gang members are just as gullible as Harry and Marv from “Home Alone,” really about the worst it gets is one threat about smashing in a child’s face with a rock.

And yeah, that threat is quite violent. But the movie’s content is otherwise pretty tame. It even takes a few moments to make a reference or two to a Christian belief — although these feel more like handwaved afterthoughts, which is a bit of a shame for a movie that takes place at a Christian camp.

All in all, no need to hide away from “Camp Hideout.”

Read the full review here. Watch the trailer:

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Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate, and impact the culture in which they live. Through our reviews, articles and discussions, we hope to spark intellectual thought, spiritual growth and a desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

Reviews written by Kennedy Unthank and Paul Asay.