A Return of Wholesome Movies

Hey, Hardliners!
I’m branching out and taking a stab at writing. Something I’m excited to share is my recent experience at the movies with my two boys.

Growing up, going to the movies was a big thing for me. I loved the excitement of the hyped-up commercials, the drama, and the action—with exaggerated explosions in the background. And, of course, the deep-voiced announcer who sounded like he’d been smoking 20 packs a day for 40 years. A bucket of popcorn and the family ready to finally witness the blockbuster hit of the summer. It was unbeatable.

In the past five years, though, I haven’t been as enthusiastic about going to see any movies, especially those targeted at me and my age group. Adult movies lately have been riddled with left-leaning propaganda, making them difficult to stomach, let alone pay money to watch. Which is why I took solace in children’s movies (I’m a big kid at heart, and they’re more interesting anyway).

But even they have been under fire by the woke army, with movie executives publicly proclaiming their intent to force gay characters into plots wherever they can. Then there’s the overuse of strong female leads paired with weak, dumb male sidekicks or husbands, along with poor messaging that goes against basic Christian values.

Thankfully, the majority of these movies ended in flops. Not only that, but there have been a few gems that have defied the woke onslaught. Even better, with some more recent children’s movies, I feel uplifted and hopeful that the storm is calming and may soon pass.

DreamWorks Studios has, for the most part, resisted the pressure to conform to woke politics (probably from watching the many disasters others have walked into). Their movie I watched recently, The Wild Robot, was an absolute gem.

* SPOILER ALERT:

In the movie a robot, lost on a remote island after a massive storm, is instantly introduced to the harsh reality of life or death in a wild forest environment. She explores the island, asking if the animals need help, which leads to her learning their language. Along the way, she’s beaten up by the local wildlife, resulting in the accidental death of a mother goose on her nest. When Roz realizes the goose is dead, she notices a chick still living in the remaining egg. Her goal then becomes raising the chick and preparing it to migrate south for the winter.

With the help of her new animal friends—and a lot of learning from everyone—they achieve this goal.

This movie deviates so far from the woke agenda that I was taken aback and thought, “How did this make it to market?”

Throughout the movie, Roz is portrayed as a loving, nurturing parent—not just any parent, but a mother. It’s something so beautiful and refreshing, especially in a time when traditional motherhood seems under attack. In a world where women are often celebrated for prioritizing independence over family, seeing motherhood as a central, positive theme was a breath of fresh air.

The story culminates in a relatable scene for every parent: Roz finds a broken robot, repairs it, and asks for advice, only to hear what every parent knows too well—she’s literally “making it up as she goes.” From there, she dedicates herself to raising her gosling, building a runway and shelter, and even asking a hawk for help. The movie ends with Roz making a self-sacrifice for the future of her child—a narrative that the media has neglected for far too long.

We need more stories like this—about a parent’s love, their willingness to make sacrifices, and their efforts to build a brighter future for their children. We need to be planting trees under whose shade we may never rest.

Some media companies, like Angel Studios, are already doing this. Angel Studios creates shows and movies with Christian, conservative values. The best part? They’re crowd-funded, with a voting system that allows patrons to decide which projects get made. This is a great step in the right direction, empowering parents to pick content that aligns with their values for themselves and their children.

With Trump now in office and the woke army in disarray, I’m excited to get back to my favorite family pastime. Break out the overpriced popcorn and sodas—movies are back!

Kevan Bradshaw