White Bird
Reviewed by Lorilee Craker
White Bird, based on the graphic novel by Wonder author R.J. Palacio, picks up the story of Julien, Augie’s bully in Wonder. Now in high school, Julien encounters his glamorous grand-mère, Sara, who tells her troubled grandson how she and her friends used to exclude another Julien, a boy with polio, in Nazi-occupied France. But soon the Nazis were marching into town, and Sara was in danger.
When Julien hides Sara in his family’s barn, the bullied one becomes the protector, and Sara begins to look at him with new eyes.
The story is mostly about the Julien and Sara of 1942, but when Grand-mère's narrative ends, her grandson must reckon with his own life and choices. White Bird shows that acts of kindness and courage make their own kind of history. (Rated PG-13 for some strong violence, thematic material, and language. In theaters now.)
The Science Behind Your Salad
Reviewed by Kristen Parker
If you’re curious about how the food on your plate is made, this podcast offers an insightful look into agriculture, food innovation, and sustainability.
The host, Jane Craigie, has a natural way of guiding conversations, making complex topics approachable and engaging. She has a strong interview style and connects well with a diverse group of guests from all parts of the globe. Her global approach helps ensure that each episode offers a fresh perspective. The variety of voices—from scientists to farmers to innovators—keeps the content interesting.
Some episodes focus on specific foods, such as coffee or tomatoes, but others branch out to address topics such as water security and sustainability.
This is a great listen if you’re interested in food innovation, sustainability, science, or food.
Receiver
Reviewed by Sam Gutierrez
Gisele Bündchen (Tom Brady’s former wife) said it after the New England Patriots lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI: “My husband cannot … throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.” Quarterbacks need someone who can catch the ball.
This streaming series goes behind the scenes of five top NFL receivers: George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers), Deebo Samuel (49ers), Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders), Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions). Executive-produced by Peyton Manning, the cameras follow these five professional players during the highs and lows of the 2023-24 season.
Christians will appreciate the theme of dedication, the interesting look into various expressions of faith (Christian and non-Christian), and the reflection on the motivations that drive these five top receivers. (Netflix; rated TV-MA for language)
Cottontail
Reviewed by Mary Li Ma
Bereavement is a strange thing. Even when family members grieve together, the journey doesn’t always bring everyone closer.
This movie tells the story of a Japanese widower, Kenzaburo, journeying to England to scatter the ashes of his late wife, Akiko, in Lake Windermere, mentioned in her favorite childhood book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. When the old man doggedly determines to set out for a foreign land, his son must follow. But even with his son traveling alongside him, Kenzaburo would rather ask strangers for help than face his son. Yet old memories are relived, and they are reminded how this family came to be—and how the love of Kenzaburo and Akiko came to be. The bond of love is strained, but “love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
(Streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV +, and other platforms. Rated 13+ for mature themes, including death and assisted suicide, occasional language, drinking, and smoking scenes.)
The Lowdown
The Independence of the Prosecutor: This book, written by a member of the Christian Reformed Church, dives deeply into the origins of the International Criminal Court. Laszlo Sarkany draws from interviews with key participants to analyze the negotiations that produced the novel institutional design of the court. (UBC Press)
For Fans of the Inside Out Franchise: Taking place between the events of Inside Out and Inside Out 2, Dream Productions is an all-new series about the studio inside Riley’s mind where dreams really do come true every night, on time and on budget. (Disney+, Dec. 11 )
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim: The story behind Helm’s Deep, the fortress at the center of The Two Towers film, is told in this anime fantasy. Starring Miranda Otto as Eowyn. (Warner Bros. In theaters Dec. 13)
Young Adult Edition of The Choice: In this young adult edition of the bestselling, award-winning memoir The Choice, Holocaust survivor and renowned psychologist Edith Eger shares her harrowing experiences and gives readers the gift of hope and strength. (Simon &Schuster, Oct. 1)
