King David likely would have enjoyed watching nature documentaries on television. After all, he’s the one who told us “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1) and that mountain peaks and seas fit in “God’s hands” (Psalm 95:4-5).
I’m guessing he’d particularly enjoy watching the new BBC documentary Blue Planet II, which examines ocean life. That’s because an amazed David wrote that God’s sea creation was “vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small”.
There is the sea, great and wide, in which are innumerable living things, both small and large animals. Ps. 104:25
Blue Planet II — a seven-episode series initially released in 2017 — begins streaming on Netflix Dec. 3, giving us a peek at some of those rarely seen “large and small” creatures David was referencing. It is a follow-up to the popular 2001 documentary Blue Planet.
The latest Blue Planet series includes the distinguished voice of host and narrator David Attenborough, along with a stellar soundtrack from composer Hans Zimmer to give it an other-worldly feel. Of course, it also includes a few references to evolution, but that doesn’t get in the way of incredible cinematography that will leave you wondering: How’d they get that shot?
The oceans, Attenborough tells us, cover 70 percent of the planet and “yet they are still the least explored.”
“Hidden beneath the waves, right beneath my feet, there are creatures beyond our imagination,” Attenborough says as he stands on a boat.
Among my favorite creatures in the series is the cartoon-like tusk fish, which lives among Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and travels each day to the edge of the reef to hunt for clams. Once it finds one, the tusk fish carries the clam in its mouth back to its home, where it bangs the shell against a rock-like object dozens and dozens of times until it cracks, revealing the meat inside. It’s a scene worthy of a Finding Nemo-like film — except that it’s real life.
The observation of God’s creation drove David to worship. That should be true of us, as well.
Also streaming this month:
For adults/teens
Nailed It! Holiday! (Netflix) — Ordinary people try to recreate edible masterpieces in this wacky and hilarious reality program. Rated TV-PG. Dec. 7.
Avengers: Infinity War (Netflix) — The Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther come together to fight evil. The good news: Infinity Wars doesn’t have the low-brow humor of the Guardians films. The bad news: It’s still quite violent, with some language. Still, it’s a fun movie and it has themes — including the lust for power — that can spark discussions. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references. Dec. 25
I Survived I Kissed Dating Goodbye (Amazon Prime) — Joshua Harris, the author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, tells what he thinks he got right and got wrong in his popular book. This faith-based documentary began streaming in November.
Valkyrie (Amazon Prime) — German officer Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) plots to kill Hitler in this 2008 thriller. It raises ethical questions that college and seminary students debate every day. Rated PG-13 for violence and brief strong language. Dec. 1.
For children
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (Netflix) — A young boy invents a machine that turns water into food. Chaos ensues. This 2009 animated film is a favorite in my home. Rated PG for brief mild language. (A character says h-ll hole.) Dec. 1.
Astro Boy (Netflix) — A scientist creates a robotic boy to replace his deceased son. Due to the theme and to mild violence, it may be more appropriate for older children. Rated PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language. (Note: the movie has a few potty terms and references to “stupid” and “idiot,” but I have never heard any coarse language.) Animated. Dec. 1.
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (Netflix) — This is Warner Brothers’ live-action version of the Jungle Book story. It originally was set to be released in theaters, but after Disney’s own version of the story became a box office hit, WB sold its movie rights to Netflix. (Yes, there were going to be two Jungle Book-type films in theaters.) I’d recommend screening this one before showing it to small children. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some bloody images and thematic elements. Dec. 7.
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and entertainment for more than a decade.