“The Apostle,” “Amistad,” “Air Bud” and “Flubber” are among the films to be honored by Movieguide, a publication known for its comprehensive family-oriented film and television reviews and commentaries.
The awards for filmmaking excellence will be presented at the sixth annual, Movieguide awards banquet March 18 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel in Universal City.
The winners of awards for films for families and children, are: “Air Bud,” starring Kevin Segers; “Anastasia,” starring the voices of Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer and Christopher Lloyd; “Cats Don’t Dance,” starring the voices of Scott Bakula, Jasmine Guy, Natalie Cole and George Kennedy; and “Flubber” which stars Robin Williams.
Movieguide judges also gave a vote of confidence to “Mr. Magoo,” starring Leslie Nielsen and to “Leave It To Beaver,” starring Cameron Finley and Christopher McDonald.
Adventure and historical films will also be given awards. They are: “Wild America,” starring Jonathan Taylor; “Jungle 2 Jungle,” staring Tim Allen and JoBeth Williams; “Mrs. Brown,” starring Judi Dench and Billy Connolly; and “Batman And Robin,” starring George Clooney, Chris O’Donnell and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Receiving Movieguide awards for family-friendly films made for mature audiences are: “Amistad,” starring Djimon Hounsou, Morgan Freeman, and Anthony Hopkins; “Paradise Road,” starring Glenn Close, Frances McDormand, and Pauline Collins; “The Apostle,” starring Robert Duvall; “Air Force One,” starring Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman and Glenn Close; “Ulee’s Gold,” starring Peter Fonda; “The Edge” starring Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin and Elle Macpherson; “The Rainmaker,” starring Matt Damon, Danny Glover, Jon Voight, Mickey Rourke and Danny DeVito; “Conspiracy Theory,” starring Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts and Patrick Stewart; “My Best Friend’s Wedding” starring Julie Roberts and Rupert Everett and finally, “Shall We Dance,” starring Kajoi Hakusho.
Dr. Ted Baehr, publisher of Movieguide, and founder of the Christian Film and Television Commission, said, “These movies are not only well-made, but they are also refreshingly free of excessive sex, violence and foul language.” He noted, however, that some of the ‘Ten Best 1997 Films for Mature Audiences’ may deal with strong subject matter and caution is advised.
“It is our prayer that the movie industry will make more and more recommendable movies and that they will remove all offensive elements in them,” Baehr added.
The award presentation ceremony will also include Baehr’s annual “Report To The Entertainment Industry,” and Movieguide’s $25,000 “Epiphany” prizes, donated by philanthropist Sir John Templeton, which will be awarded to one film and one television program that epitomize “outstanding work in creating inspiring entertainment, which results in an increase in either man’s love of God or understand of God.” Last year’s winners were CBS’s “Touched By An Angel” and the Buena Vista release, “The Preacher’s Wife.”
– E.P. News
