‘America’s Got Talent’ leads July family-friendly lineup

‘America’s Got Talent’ leads July family-friendly lineup

By Michael Foust
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist

I’m always looking for something to watch with my children that doesn’t involve animation, superheroes, princesses or sports stars.

Those four categories are great but they’ve slowly become my children’s go-to for entertainment.

My goal is to broaden their horizons beyond the typical child-themed stuff while staying within the family-friendly realm.

NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” fits that requirement — as long as my remote is always in hand.

The summer series, in its 14th season, is a televised talent show for any act, including singers, dancers, illusionists and comedians.

The winner receives $1 million and the chance to perform in Las Vegas.

Nine out of 10 acts are entertaining and even inspiring. The other ones — often dancers or comedians — are inappropriate and get skipped in my home.

“America’s Got Talent” leads this month’s family-friendly lineup.

The show was created by Simon Cowell (“American Idol”), who also serves as a judge alongside Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough. Terry Crews, a professing Christian, is the host.

Among this year’s new acts: a group of singing and dancing children from Detroit (the Detroit Youth Choir), a 12-year-old South Carolina girl who shocked everyone with her radio-worthy voice (Ansley Burns) and a military quartet that’s good enough to give you goosebumps (Voices of Service).

“America’s Got Talent” airs Tuesday nights. Replays are available through NBC.com and Hulu.

Also worth watching this month:

  • “Breakthrough” — The excellent faith-based film that opened in the top three and grossed more than $40 million is now available on digital platforms and on DVD/Blu-Ray/4K.

The film tells the miraculous true story of a boy who fell through a frozen pond and was thought dead until his mom began praying. His heart finally started beating again — 45 minutes after the accident.

Chrissy Metz stars as the mom. Rated PG for thematic content, including peril. It contains minor language (two instances each of h-ll and OMG).

  • “Good Sam” — Now on Netflix this feel-good film tells the story of a local television reporter who is searching for the mysterious “Good Samaritan” who is dropping bags of $100,000 on the doorsteps of strangers. News about this selfless action sparks other good deeds around the city.

“Good Sam” is a Netflix original and contains only two coarse words (and a kiss). Its message about selflessness and helping one another is much-needed in our society.

  • “Aliens and Demons” — Author and Bible scholar Michael Heiser examines modern-day UFO sightings, including the Roswell incident, from a biblical and scientific perspective. (If you’re curious he lands on the humans-are-alone perspective.) It’s fascinating, entertaining and Christ-centric.

Heiser is a scholar in residence for Logos Bible Software and previously taught at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. “Aliens and Demons” is available through FaithLifeTV.com.

  • “Dumbo” — Perhaps mainstream critics were split on this Disney live-action remake but moviegoers gave it an A- CinemaScore and it remains among the best family-friendly films of 2019.

The movie tells the story of a young elephant who overcomes the teasing about his larger-than-normal ears.

The film has a great lesson about disabilities and is now out on all home entertainment platforms.

Rated PG for peril/action, some thematic elements and brief mild language.

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Meet the reviewer

Michael Foust covers the intersection of faith and entertainment as a media reviewer for The Alabama Baptist. He also is the husband of an amazing wife and the father of four young children.