Produced by the Alcon Entertainment, the movie studio that made The Blind Side, the family-friendly movie tells the story of 11-year-old Sawyer who rescues a beached dolphin named Winter that was caught in a fisherman's trap in Florida, forming a unique connection with the animal.

Starring Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, Dolphin Tale was a suprise hit, making $70 million in the box office when it was released in more than 3,500 theaters in September, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.

Rated PG for some mild thematic elements, the film—suitable for children—was marketed to the faith-based community, especially home school group screenings. Connick portrays Dr. Clay Haskett, an animal doctor and a Christian in real life who runs the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla.

The movie received positive reviews. "Adversity abounds on both land and sea in a well-meaning if stridently heart-tugging film about overcoming challenges," the Los Angeles Times observed. Christianity Today magazine added: "Though overly schmaltzy, this is still a cute and inspiring true story for the whole family." MovieGuide magazine said that the movie "respects life and extols intelligent design." Focus on the Family's Pluggedin.com said noted that "it's one of those rare movies families can have fun wading through without fear of stepping on some sharp junk hidden just beneath the surface."

The single disc DVD retails for $28.99. Click here for more information on Dolphin Tale.

Seven Days in Utopia

The sports drama about a struggling young professional golfer who discovers the difference between success and significance made $4.3 million in the box office when it was released in 561 theaters in September, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.

In August, Zondervan released a movie tie-in edition to the film—which stars Academy Award-winners Robert Duvall and Melissa Leo. Cook was one of the screenwriters of the movie.

In the film, Texas golfer Luke Chisholm (Lucas Black) drops out of the sport after being publicly humiliated during a tournament. When Chisholm unexpectedly gets stranded in Utopia, Texas for a week, he meets an eccentric rancher and former professional golfer Johnny Crawford (Duvall) who teaches him not only about a better swing, but a better way of life.

The G-rated film was heavily marketed to the faith-based community, especially pastors' screenings. The producers created a grassroots campaign, which includes a ministry resource site.

The movie received some mixed reviews. "While corny at times, this sports drama is sure to find a welcoming audience with its down-home Christian message," The Hollywood Reporter observed. "An otherwise cornball, inspirational tale about finding God through golf, Seven Days in Utopia must be given full credit for coming up with something new in movies: To learn what happens at the end, you've got to go online."

The Orlando Sentinel noted that the film "treats its subject as if it's a tap-in for par, and thus, most of the best clubs were left in the bag." Variety added that the movie was "little more than a pleasantly passable Christian sports parable delivered as a sort of Texan golfer's version of The Karate Kid."

The DVD retails for $28.99. Click here for more information on Seven Days in Utopia.

The 1920s’ baseball drama Milltown Pride (7-27985-01410-4, $24.99) marks a return to feature-making for Unusual Films, the Bob Jones University (BJU) production group with a long history of movie work perhaps best known for releases Sheffey (1977) and The Printing (1991).

Setting the story of the prodigal son in the sports world, the movie follows Will Wright as he leaves his privileged background to pursue a baseball career by joining a local textile-mill team. 

His journey includes an encounter with real-life evangelist Billy Sunday, himself a former baseball star, who is portrayed in the film by scriptwriter David Burke. 

Filming took place in four states, including at a baseball field with stands dating back to the time period. “They were still in good-enough condition for us to use, though we had to shore them up a bit,” said Darren Lawson, producer. Cast and crew were largely drawn from the faculty and student body, though several hundred extras from the local community were drafted in for some scenes.

Lawson—who is also dean of the school of fine arts and communication at BJU—said that though Unusual Films had concentrated on children’s productions in recent years, “there has been such a resurgence in Christian filmmaking. We wanted to get back in the game.”

The film was intended to be encouraging “for anyone who knows someone who has lost his or her way, who has lost their focus on God,” said Lawson. 

“There is hope, just by turning back to God.”

Running 2 hours and 15 minutes, Milltown Pride is distributed by Vision Video. To order, call 800-523-0226.