“Blue Miracle” Pulls in Movieguide’s Epiphany Prize

In addition to “Blue Miracle,” some other winners included Jennifer Hudson, “Dune,” “Boss Baby: Family Business,” and “A Quiet Place II”

“Blue Miracle,” a heartwarming film starring Dennis Quaid and Jimmy Gonzales. This movie is about an orphanage trying to overcome a storm-caused disaster by competing in a fishing tourney. Movieguide®‘s Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring Movie of 2021 was “Blue Miracle.” This faith-based, family-friendly film can be watched on Netflix.

Other winners were: “Dune” (Best Movie for Mature Audiences); “Boss Baby: Family Business” (Best Movie for All Ages); and “A Quiet Place II” (Faith and Freedom® Award). Actress/singer Jennifer Hudson won the Grace Prize for her role as Aretha Franklin in “Respect.”

The Movieguide® Award winners were announced on the Reelz Channel at a virtual Awards Gala on Easter Sunday, April 17.

“Blue Miracle” stars Dennis Quaid as a washed-up boat captain who partners with a guardian (Jimmy Gonzales) and his orphans for a chance to win a lucrative fishing competition that could save their orphanage. The film is based on a true story about the Casa Hogar orphanage in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and a 2014 tournament.

“One theme that always stood out the most to me, was James 1:27 in Scripture about true religion is those who take care of widows and orphans,” ‘Blue Miracle’ producer Trey Reynolds told Movieguide®. “[The film] is kind of a modern day story of how God’s heart is close to orphans and just the most vulnerable in our society.”

“Blue Miracle” Reviews

“Blue Miracle” earned an audience score of 72% on the Rotten Tomatoes website. Except for a few sourpusses, critics have been mostly laudatory of the Netflix film.

The Washington Post’s Ann Hornady, who gave the movie three out of four stars, wrote: “Thanks to the taste and shrewd judgment of director Julio Quintana, this funny, heartwarming movie provides just the right combination of adventure, character-driven humor, spiritual depth and inspirational uplift.”

The San Jose Mercury News’ Randy Myers wrote: “While it doesn’t deviate a bit from the faith-based cinematic playbook, director/co-writer Julio Quintana’s family drama, based on a true story, achieves what it sets out to do and tells an uplifting story.”

Movieguide’s Kairos Awards

Earlier, Movieguide® announced the winner of the Kairos Grand Prize for Spiritually Uplifting Screenwriting. Written by Stephanie Hutchinson, “Out of the Flames,” is about John Purvey, a persecuted member of English Bible translator John Wycliffe’s team in the 1300s.

As in previous years, the main sponsor for the $15,000 Kairos Prize® was Timothy Plan‘s advisor, Timothy Partners, Ltd. Timothy Plan is a family of Biblically Responsible Investing mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

“We are proud to be part of Movieguide®’s efforts to redeem the culture,” Timothy Plan founder and President Art Ally said. “It’s very gratifying to encourage writers who strive to create original, excellent, morally sound scripts. Like anywhere else, even Hollywood is not beyond the reach of God’s redemptive spirit.”

For more on the 2021 Kairos Award as well as the list of nominees, see the Timothy Plan blog post “Out of the Flames Wins Kairos Grand Prize for Screenwriting.”

The Kairos First Runner Up was “Tracks in the Snow,” by Sandi Hendrickson Esch. It’s a heart-warming drama about a young widow who falls in love.

The First Finalist of the Kairos Prize was “Watchful Dragons” by Robert Williams. It’s about the Christian conversion of famed writer C.S. Lewis, who had been an outspoken atheist but became the most famous Christian apologist of the 20^th century and beyond.

Redeeming the Culture

Movieguide® was founded in 1985 by Dr. Ted Baehr and his wife Lili, “to cultivate a better media landscape for their children and future generations.” Timothy Partners has been a longtime sponsor of the ministry.

For more on Movieguide®’s Movies That Inspire Awards, see “Jennifer Hudson, Blue Miracle, Dune Win Big in Movieguide’s Movies that Inspire.”