Top Films to Watch This Easter

It’s Spring Break here, but we’re home all week, so I’ve been stocking up on DVDs to entertain the kids. I can only do so many crafts and I’ve played Barbies so much I literally dream about them!

Anyway, We Bought a Zoo was just released on DVD & Blu-ray. Starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, the film is centered around a widowed father who moves his family to a struggling zoo and takes on the challenge of renovating it, instilling in his children life’s most important lessons in the process. It’s rated PG so the entire family can watch together! Below are a few more films that contain the theme of Easter or are family-friendly, to give you ideas on what to watch this holiday weekend, in addition to We Bought a Zoo.

• THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

Author C.S. Lewis brings about many religious overtones in his work – including in his famous Chronicles of Narnia. The first published book of the series – “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tells the story of four siblings who enter the magical land of Narnia through a portal in their wardrobe. With the help of an-all knowing lion, Aslan, the siblings learn of their destiny to help save Narnia. Though the literary works and film adaptations are generally regarded as fantasy, there are many parallels to the Christian ideology, such as Aslan’s representation of Jesus Christ. Aslan sacrifices his life to save one of the siblings but is then resurrected from the dead.

• LITTLE ANGELS

Best known for her role as angel “Monica,” in CBS’ “Touched by an Angel,” Roma Downey executive produces the animated DVD series, Little Angels. Created for pre-schoolers, Little Angels teaches educational skills such as ABCs and 123s. The series follow twins Alex and Zoe who are guided by eight little angels that watch over them, helping guide them through the many challenges they face in their young lives.

• IT’S THE EASTER BEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN

Debuting on CBS network in 1974, It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown, tells the story of the Peanuts Gang as they get ready for Easter through their own quirky and messy ways, even though Linus tries to convince everyone that the Easter Beagle will take care of everything. The network has continually air the film every year since it’s original airing.

• THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

In the 1956 epic film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, The Ten Commandments depicts the biblical story of the Exodus, in which Moses, as portrayed by Charleton Heston leads the Israelites out of Egypt and across the Red Sea and onto the based of Mount Sinai, where Moses receives the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments, which is narrated by DeMille, was the last film he ever directed.

• JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Jesus Christ Superstar is a film adaptation of the rock-opera of the same name by Andrew Lloyd Weber. Released in 1973, the musical centers loosely on the Gospels’ account of the last week of Jesus’ life, beginning with his arrival in Jerusalem and ending with his crucifixion. However, the film also highlights interpersonal struggles between Jesus and his traitor, Judas Iscariot that are not in the Bible.

Movie information provided by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.