OPINION:
Karen Kingsbury’s Baxters series hits Amazon’s Prime Video — and for fans of the series, it hits home. “The Beautiful Game” shines an inspirational, if rough-edged, spotlight on the annual Homeless World Cup soccer tournament. This documentary into Moses’ life draws on Christian, Jewish, Islamic and purely creative interpretations, leaving us with a blurred version of biblical events.
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Read on to get Plugged In on what’s beyond the movie titles and trailers for faith-filled and family-first reviews from Focus on the Family’s Plugged In.
The Baxters – Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
From the outside, the Baxter family might seem a little too good to be true.
Just look at them, John and Elizabeth and their five grown, picture-perfect kids (Kari, Ashley, Erin, Brooke and Luke). Take a gander at one of their (many, many) family photos, and you’d assume that, growing up, the Baxter children rarely brought home a grade lower than a B+; that acne medication was unneeded; that curfews were reliably observed, vegetables reliably eaten. Yes, even the broccoli. The Baxters, you’d imagine, would play board games. Sing camp songs on long family road trips. And most especially, they’d pray together.
Yep, from the outside, the Baxters look like they did pert near everything right. And perhaps some of us — after a long day filled with failures and disappointments — might look at the family and wonder, “Why can’t my family be more like that?”
But here’s the thing: No family, no matter how convincing those smiles might be in those ever-attractive photos, escapes its share of trouble.
This is a TV series, so check back for reviews of each episode here. Watch the trailer here.
Testament: The Story of Moses – Streaming on Netflix
“Let my people go.”
Pharaoh may have seen Moses say it, but in Netflix’s “Testament: The Story of Moses,” it’s clear that Moses speaks for One who is much greater than he.
For 400 years, the Hebrews have suffered under the oppressive rule of Egypt — forced into slavery and servitude by pharaohs who worship false gods. To many of these slaves, the story of how Yahweh made a covenant with their patriarch, Abraham, to bless and prosper them is a distant memory at best. In truth, as the sweat rolls down their faces and Pharaoh demands the slaughter of their newborn male children, it seems that God has forsaken them.
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But God had done no such thing. In fact, God had revealed this very suffering and its outcome to Abraham long before.
“Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions” (Genesis 15:13-14).
And 400 years draw to a close, God prepares a man to be many things: a prophet, a deliverer, a lawgiver, a leader. Through Moses, God will display His glory and power, not only through crushing the Egyptians but also by saving His people.
And He will make for them a promised land in the land of Canaan.
This is a TV series, so check back for reviews of each episode here. Watch the trailer here.
The Beautiful Game – Streaming on Netflix
“The Beautiful Game” showcases the vision of the Homeless World Cup: supplying homeless people with a community and a purpose that will motivate and encourage them as they struggle to get back on their feet.
And the film accomplishes that goal wonderfully. On England’s team alone, we hear from each of Vinny’s teammates regarding what event, addiction or circumstance knocked them down. But whether such things were the result of poor decisions or completely out of their control, each team member has chosen to grasp this “second chance,” not only working to fix their own circumstances but also positively influencing their teammates’ circumstances, too.
So, in many ways, “The Beautiful Game” is a very encouraging Netflix exclusive. But it’s still one that’s rated PG-13 for brief nudity and some language, so families will want to take those issues into consideration before they decide to strap on their shin guards and watch this film together.
Read the rest of the review here. Watch the trailer here.
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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 Paul Asay and Kennedy Unthank.