DoveLogoBlueWebThe American lexicon is ever-evolving. In the old days, Webster added a few new words each year based on some term or expression that became popularized by a song lyric or slang. Today, new words and phrases are popping up daily, mostly due to technology and social media.

Three compound words that The Dove Foundation coined to identify various types of wholesome movies are, “family-approved,” “faith-friendly,” and “faith-based.” Each category is represented by a different Dove Seal. Distinguishing one category from another is relatively simple once you know the rules of the road. I’ve used movie titles below to help define them.

Dove-FamilyApproved-Seal-thumbFamily-approved films are often referred to by movie-goers as “wholesome” or “clean.” That oversimplification can sometimes lead to unexpected surprises, especially where the movie ratings are concerned. Since 1967, the MPAA has been using the inconsistent and often misleading ratings of G for “General Audience” and PG for “Parental Guidance.” These films are promoted as acceptable for family viewing.  However, the standards set by Dove Foundation are quite different from those used by the MPAA. Therefore, a number of PG films every year are identified by Dove as “not family approved.”

Dove family-approved movies cover a wide range, from values-oriented stories that have inspiring messages, all the way to pure entertainment-for-entertainment-sake. They come in many different genre’ including comedies, dramas, and adventures, but always presented in a way that is not offensive to discerning movie-goers.

Recent examples of a family approved films include; “Pete’s Dragon” suitable for all ages, is a re-make of a beloved 1976 fantasy film, which inspires a sense of awe and wonder. The live action, seamlessly mixed with CGI is so realistic that anyone might think a dragon named Elliot could really fly. The movie has many parallels to “E.T” by illustrating the importance of loyalty and commitment. Then there is, “Nine Lives,” a hilarious comedy for audiences ages 12 and up. It’s about Tom, a big mogul in business who can’t find time for his family. He grudgingly buys a cat for his daughter, and a bizarre turn of events finds Tom trapped inside the body of Mr. Fuzzypants, the cat. Valuable life lessons throughout this entertaining story include the value of family over work. Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner, and Christopher Walken are perfectly cast in this slapstick comedy.

Dove-FaithFriendly-Seal-thumbFaith-friendly entertainment refers to movies that have the same content standards as Family-approved with a focus on faith. There is a moral imperative at the core of the lead characters’ makeup that influences their choices. Those choices coincide with the beliefs of people of faith, generally the Christian faith. Christian entertainment can be found in three categories; 1) traditional “come to Jesus” movies which depict faith in terms of religious conversions or recommitments, 2) non-fiction biographies of people whose faith motivated them to extraordinary heights of achievement, and 3) stories taken from the Bible.

In 2004, trail-blazers, Alex and Stephen Kendrick, launched their careers in producing faith-friendly films while working as associate pastors at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. They felt led to tell stories with specific spiritual themes. One of the Kendricks’ first micro-budget movies, “Facing the Giants” became a mega hit and influenced filmmaking for years to come. With a budget of only $100,000, this “little giant” garnered over $10 million dollars at the box office. The success launched an entire era of faith-friendly films. The Kendrick brothers followed up with a succession of box office hits including, “Fireproof,” “Courageous,” and “War Room.”  The Dove Foundation announced its Faith-Friendly Seal of Approval in acknowledgement of the sizable market representing people of faith.

Another grouping of faith-friendly films are biographies of people of faith. Examples are British abolitionist William Wilberforce in “Amazing Grace,” or devout wife/mom and Good Samaritan, Leigh Ann Touhy in “The Blindside,” or Bethany Hamilton, the 11-year-old girl whose spiritual roots helped her overcome the loss of her arm from a shark attack in “Soul Surfer.

Dove-Faith-Based-thumbFaith-based movies are relatively recent entries on the scene, gaining in popularity among mainstream audiences. Some of the content in Faith-Based films is beyond the boundaries of Dove’s usual acceptable standards. Therefore, a CAUTION is included as part of this seal pointing to the objectionable behavior. Dove still believes these stories are worthy of an endorsement, since the negative issues are offset by the power of spiritual redemption, reconciliation, or repentance Three upcoming October movie releases are examples of Dove Faith-based Caution films. They cover hard-hitting contemporary issues like abortion as dealt with in “Voiceless”, or human trafficking as in “Priceless”, or underage drinking in the upcoming “I’m Not Ashamed” based on the inspiring true story and journal entries of Rachel Joy Scott, the first student killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999 (due in theaters October 21st).  Also included in the Faith Based Caution category are powerful redemptive bible-based stories like “The Passion of the Christ,” and “Son of God,” and extra-biblical stories of faith like “Ben Hur”.
Whatever your taste in entertainment, there is a wide range of wholesome movies from which to choose—from fun, entertaining escapes from reality to stories that inspire us and encourage our children to reach for higher ideals. Regardless of the category, you can trust The Dove Foundation’s Seal of Approval as the reliable symbol of wholesome entertainment.

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You can select from hundreds of Dove Approved films immediately via the digital streaming service at DOVE CHANNEL. Check it out!

Author: Dick Rolfe, CEO – The Dove Foundation