Production has begun for the screen adaptation of best-selling book Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, which chronicles the near death experience that reportedly brought a 3-year-old boy face-to-face with Jesus Christ.
Filming started last week in Winnipeg, Manitoba, under Director Randall Wallace, who wrote the Academy Award-winning film "Braveheart" and directed "We Were Soldiers," "Secretariat," and "The Man in the Iron Mask." T.D. Jakes, pastor at the Potter's House in Dallas, and producer of the movie "Jumping the Broom," adds his weight to the film as a producer.
In 2003, 3-year-old Colton Burpo nearly died after his appendix burst. While in surgery, he reportedly went to heaven and saw Jesus. "It wasn't until four months after we got out of the hospital that we finally listened to our son," Todd explained, in a 2011 interview that has received over 13 million hits on Youtube.
"Jesus and some angels came and flew me up to heaven," Colton explained. He identified Jesus through the "markers" on his hands and feet. "I was in the throne room of God to start with, so I got to see what that looked like."
"God used people or things that I liked to calm me down," Colton said. While reportedly in heaven, Colton met Todd's grandfather, Pop, who was Todd's "most significant male role model" but died when Todd was six years old. "He's really nice," the revived boy told his father, "you used to play with him as a kid and work with him on the farm and shoot stuff with him." Speechless, Todd verified the story.
Colton also knew that he had two sisters, one of whom died in a miscarriage. "You had a baby die in your tummy," he told his mother Sonja. She asked, "How do you know you have two sisters?" He responded, "Well, she told me." Colton told his mother that his sister is "just waiting for you guys to come to heaven."
When Jesus reportedly told Colton he had to go back, the boy didn't want to leave. "Even though I didn't want to go back, he said that he was answering my dad's prayer," the boy explained.
The book, published in November 2010, has sold more than 8 million copies and has been translated into more than 30 languages. It has also spent more than two years on the New York Times paperback nonfiction best-seller list.
The film, set to be released around Easter 2014 by TriStar Pictures, will feature first-time actor Connor Corum as Colton, along with Thomas Haden Church ("Sideways") as family friend Jay Olson. Greg Kinnear ("Little Miss Sunshine," "You've Got Mail," Oscar nominated for "As Good as it Gets") will play the boy's father, Todd, while Kelly Reilly (Mary Watson in "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows") will play his mother, Sonja. Along with Jakes, another producer is Joe Roth ("Oz the Great and Powerful," "Alice in Wonderland").
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
'Noah' Previewed at Christian Conference by Director Darren Aronofsky
While attending the Echo Conference in Dallas, Texas last week, Director Darren Aronofsky previewed a sneak-peak video of his new biblical epic, "Noah," starring Russell Crowe and Emma Watson, which is set to be released in theaters in March 2014.
Before previewing the film, Aronofsky told the audience of Christian filmmakers and artists that he was first inspired to make a film about the biblical character of Noah in seventh grade, when he won an award for writing a poem about the scriptural hero, which he ultimately read in front of the United Nations.
Aronofsky said his experience with that poem "gave me the courage and spirit to be a writer. So Noah's very much been a patron saint in my life leading me toward my creative endeavors."
"I'm also excited that Hollywood has finally agreed to make the first biblical epic in almost 50 years," the director continued, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"It's been a long time since Bible movies were on the screen, and there's been a lot of advancements in technology and special effects, and maybe that's the reason why Noah's never been attempted on the big screen before, because of the size and scale of the deluge and all the different animals […] But now, finally, with Hollywood's help, we can actually do this and bring it to life," Aronofsky added.
The film will include Australian actor Russell Crowe playing the role of Noah, who in the Bible's Old Testament obeys God's command to construct an ark, and ultimately to save the remnants of life on earth.
Additionally, Emma Watson will star in the film as Ila, actor Logan Lerman will star as Ham, Jennifer Conelly will star as Naameh, and Anthony Hopkins will star as Methuselah.
Some critics are drawing a comparison between Aronofsky's "Noah," produced by Paramount Pictures, with the 2004 "The Passion of the Christ," a film directed by Mel Gibson. The film received several accolades and grossed $600 million during its theatrical release.
The success of a well-made biblical epic cannot be understated; Mark Burnett's "The Bible" miniseries broke cable television records when it premiered on The History Channel earlier this year, with its premiere episode drawing in 13.1 million viewers.
However, some, including film critic Brian Godawa, have remained skeptical of the upcoming "Noah" film, arguing that it seeks to serve more as an "enviro-disaster" film rather than an accurate retelling of biblical events. Godawa writes in a recent review that the film seeks to communicate an environmentalistic agenda that God is upset with man for his mistreatment of the earth.
Godawa argues that the film gives viewers "an anachronistic doomsday scenario of ancient global warming. How Neolithic man was able to cause such anthropogenic catastrophic climate change without the 'evil' carbon emissions of modern industrial revolution is not explained."
Aronofsky has previously directed such box office hits as "The Wrestler," "The Fighter," and "Black Swan." His most recent work "Noah" is currently being filmed in Iceland and is scheduled for release in theaters on March 28, 2014.
The Echo conference, which took place last week in Dallas, is described as a "church conference for artists, geeks, and storytellers" seeking to explore creativity within the church, according to the conference's website.
Before previewing the film, Aronofsky told the audience of Christian filmmakers and artists that he was first inspired to make a film about the biblical character of Noah in seventh grade, when he won an award for writing a poem about the scriptural hero, which he ultimately read in front of the United Nations.
Aronofsky said his experience with that poem "gave me the courage and spirit to be a writer. So Noah's very much been a patron saint in my life leading me toward my creative endeavors."
"I'm also excited that Hollywood has finally agreed to make the first biblical epic in almost 50 years," the director continued, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"It's been a long time since Bible movies were on the screen, and there's been a lot of advancements in technology and special effects, and maybe that's the reason why Noah's never been attempted on the big screen before, because of the size and scale of the deluge and all the different animals […] But now, finally, with Hollywood's help, we can actually do this and bring it to life," Aronofsky added.
The film will include Australian actor Russell Crowe playing the role of Noah, who in the Bible's Old Testament obeys God's command to construct an ark, and ultimately to save the remnants of life on earth.
Additionally, Emma Watson will star in the film as Ila, actor Logan Lerman will star as Ham, Jennifer Conelly will star as Naameh, and Anthony Hopkins will star as Methuselah.
Some critics are drawing a comparison between Aronofsky's "Noah," produced by Paramount Pictures, with the 2004 "The Passion of the Christ," a film directed by Mel Gibson. The film received several accolades and grossed $600 million during its theatrical release.
The success of a well-made biblical epic cannot be understated; Mark Burnett's "The Bible" miniseries broke cable television records when it premiered on The History Channel earlier this year, with its premiere episode drawing in 13.1 million viewers.
However, some, including film critic Brian Godawa, have remained skeptical of the upcoming "Noah" film, arguing that it seeks to serve more as an "enviro-disaster" film rather than an accurate retelling of biblical events. Godawa writes in a recent review that the film seeks to communicate an environmentalistic agenda that God is upset with man for his mistreatment of the earth.
Godawa argues that the film gives viewers "an anachronistic doomsday scenario of ancient global warming. How Neolithic man was able to cause such anthropogenic catastrophic climate change without the 'evil' carbon emissions of modern industrial revolution is not explained."
Aronofsky has previously directed such box office hits as "The Wrestler," "The Fighter," and "Black Swan." His most recent work "Noah" is currently being filmed in Iceland and is scheduled for release in theaters on March 28, 2014.
The Echo conference, which took place last week in Dallas, is described as a "church conference for artists, geeks, and storytellers" seeking to explore creativity within the church, according to the conference's website.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Lauren Scruggs and Jason Kennedy Dating
Lauren Scruggs, the fashion blogger and model who almost lost her life in a plane propeller accident, has reportedly found love after the tragic incident with reports claiming she and E! News correspondent, Jason Kennedy, are dating.
The 25-year-old's story touched the nation in 2011 when it was revealed that she accidentally walked into a spinning plane propeller after viewing Christmas lights with a friend. Scruggs suffered horrific injuries during the accident, however her faith in God ultimately pulled the LOLO magazine editor-in-chief through and she is happily moving forward with her life.
Scruggs and Kennedy have been dating "for the past few months," but "it's very casual still," a source told Us magazine.
In August 2012 Scruggs opened up about her road to recovery after losing her left eye and hand and she revealed that the tragedy only reinforced her faith in Christ.
"Spiritually, I've just learned to live by faith and not by sight,'' Scruggs previously told "Today's" Savannah Guthrie. "Even though I've lost my left eye, I've just realized that the Lord has a strong purpose in it, and I need to use that.''
The devout Christian, who now wears a prosthetic eye, has made a miraculous recovery since the accident and she previously thanked the public for ongoing support.
"I don't know how to thank each one of you, properly, for so much love during this difficult incident in my life. My heart is so grateful beyond what I could ever imagine," Scruggs wrote in a statement posted on her website.
read full article
The 25-year-old's story touched the nation in 2011 when it was revealed that she accidentally walked into a spinning plane propeller after viewing Christmas lights with a friend. Scruggs suffered horrific injuries during the accident, however her faith in God ultimately pulled the LOLO magazine editor-in-chief through and she is happily moving forward with her life.
Scruggs and Kennedy have been dating "for the past few months," but "it's very casual still," a source told Us magazine.
In August 2012 Scruggs opened up about her road to recovery after losing her left eye and hand and she revealed that the tragedy only reinforced her faith in Christ.
"Spiritually, I've just learned to live by faith and not by sight,'' Scruggs previously told "Today's" Savannah Guthrie. "Even though I've lost my left eye, I've just realized that the Lord has a strong purpose in it, and I need to use that.''
The devout Christian, who now wears a prosthetic eye, has made a miraculous recovery since the accident and she previously thanked the public for ongoing support.
"I don't know how to thank each one of you, properly, for so much love during this difficult incident in my life. My heart is so grateful beyond what I could ever imagine," Scruggs wrote in a statement posted on her website.
read full article
Friday, July 26, 2013
From Gospel With Elvis to Drugs with Rock Stars
Mylon Le Fevre, the GRAMMY and Dove Award winner, is telling his own story for the very first time, in his autobiography, "Live Forever." .
"When I was 17, Elvis Presley recorded a song I wrote and from then on my life was a whirlwind ride of a rock and roll fantasy that you couldn't make up if you tried," says Le Fevre. "This is my story. From playing stadiums, coliseums and getting high with some of the biggest rock stars in the world to being strung out on heroin and cocaine and trapped in a seemingly hopeless pit of depression and loneliness, it's all here, the good, bad and the ugly. I did finally find what I was looking for, but it wasn't in drugs, money or fame. I found God."
Le Fevre was just 17 years old and in the Army when he wrote his first song, "Without Him." He was performing that song on stage at a Gospel convention in Memphis, when unbeknownst to him, Elvis Presley was there. Shortly thereafter, Presley recorded the song for his Grammy-winning, multi-platinum album, "How Great Thou Art," making Le Fevre a wealthy and famous teenager, nearly overnight. Le Fevre embarked on a rock and roll journey that he documents in "Live Forever" with more than 100 photos, many which have never been seen before.
Mylon Le Fevre was born into the pioneering Southern Gospel family, The Le Fevre's, and he spent some time as a member of the famed Stamps Quartet (1966-1968). He released a series of solo projects (1964-2003) for Columbia Records, Skylite Records, Atlantic Records and Star Song Records, and has recorded and performed with Eric Clapton, Elton John, Billy Joel, Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Little Richard, Steve Winwood, Mick Fleetwood and The Who, among others. In 2005, Le Fevre was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
"When I was 17, Elvis Presley recorded a song I wrote and from then on my life was a whirlwind ride of a rock and roll fantasy that you couldn't make up if you tried," says Le Fevre. "This is my story. From playing stadiums, coliseums and getting high with some of the biggest rock stars in the world to being strung out on heroin and cocaine and trapped in a seemingly hopeless pit of depression and loneliness, it's all here, the good, bad and the ugly. I did finally find what I was looking for, but it wasn't in drugs, money or fame. I found God."
Le Fevre was just 17 years old and in the Army when he wrote his first song, "Without Him." He was performing that song on stage at a Gospel convention in Memphis, when unbeknownst to him, Elvis Presley was there. Shortly thereafter, Presley recorded the song for his Grammy-winning, multi-platinum album, "How Great Thou Art," making Le Fevre a wealthy and famous teenager, nearly overnight. Le Fevre embarked on a rock and roll journey that he documents in "Live Forever" with more than 100 photos, many which have never been seen before.
Mylon Le Fevre was born into the pioneering Southern Gospel family, The Le Fevre's, and he spent some time as a member of the famed Stamps Quartet (1966-1968). He released a series of solo projects (1964-2003) for Columbia Records, Skylite Records, Atlantic Records and Star Song Records, and has recorded and performed with Eric Clapton, Elton John, Billy Joel, Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Little Richard, Steve Winwood, Mick Fleetwood and The Who, among others. In 2005, Le Fevre was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
C.S. Lewis at War
The team that brings you Adventures in Odyssey also produces the award-winning Focus on the Family Radio Theatre line of audio dramas.
Paul McCusker has written the screenplay for the next anticipated drama from Radio Theatre, titled "C.S. Lewis at War." Take a look at the official summary of this thought-provoking new drama:
Be on the lookout for C.S. Lewis at War from Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, to be released November 2013!
Paul McCusker has written the screenplay for the next anticipated drama from Radio Theatre, titled "C.S. Lewis at War." Take a look at the official summary of this thought-provoking new drama:
Mere Christianity, one of the greatest Christian books of the twentieth century, was created as a series of radio broadcasts in a time of great conflict and adversity. England had gone to war with Germany. Injury and death impacted everyone. Day-to-day living was immensely difficult. Children were evacuated from London and sent to other parts of the country (Lewis himself took in a few). It was a time of strain, heartbreak, and weariness.
The leaders at the BBC knew the nation needed a moral underpinning to face the crisis and embarked on an aggressive program to provide it. So they commissioned some of the greatest Christian minds to step up. Dorothy Sayers and Lewis agreed to help. From Sayers came the classic radio series Man Born To Be King and from Lewis the now-famous Broadcast Talks that became Mere Christianity. This behind-the-scenes drama integrates the ideas Lewis explored in Mere Christianity with the very real impact of living out a Christian life in a period of trauma: the conflicts pressed hard against the times of grace, compassion, the love of Christ shown to neighbors, and the reasons to trust in God when the world screams otherwise. This Radio Theatre production also touches on the essentials the faith and worldview, not merely as an academic exercise, but as a true life experience.
Be on the lookout for C.S. Lewis at War from Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, to be released November 2013!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Bulloch Family Ranch a Hit for UP
UP scored the Network's best-ever series premiere rating with the July 17 debut of Bulloch Family Ranch. The reality series, about a Christian family's ranch that serves as home to troubled teens, nabbed a .46 total household rating, per Nielsen. The uplifting series represents "an alternative to most other scripted drama and reality," vice chairman, UP Brad Siegel tells Cynopsis.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Is the New Hollywood Movie ‘The Conjuring’ About a Demonic Possession Faith Friendly?
In Hollywood, “based on a true story” can mean many things. Typically, this label indicates that something is loosely based upon real-life happenings. But in the case of “The Conjuring,” a supernatural horror film that comes out on July 19, the truth is apparently embedded in the plot. TheBlaze recently interviewed Chad and Carey Hayes, 52, twin brothers who penned the script, to learn more about the cryptic elements touted within it.
What made the film most interesting was that the case was investigated in the 1970s, a time during which the Warrens, as paranormal investigators, didn’t have the technology or tools that are available today. In this case, it was mainly faith that the two demonologists were forced to rely upon as they purportedly battled a demonic presence.
“It gave us an opportunity to write a movie about two people who have God as their tool — and their faith in the Lord,” the screenwriters said, noting that it offered them a unique opportunity to invoke a higher power. “We could overtly put God first without having to dance around it.”
While some people may turn away from the film, dubbing it yet another vapid Hollywood attempt to essentially scare viewers, the Hayes brothers contend that there’s a deeper message embedded in the movie — one they want to overtly convey to viewers.
Only God has the power to save you; there’s nothing appealing about evil once it enters someone’s life. That’s the message that the twin screenwriters hope to show through “The Conjuring.” The Hayes brothers, who have been writing together since they were 16, are Messianic Jews who believe wholeheartedly in the Almighty. Their faith, interestingly, played a role in how they formed the plot-line for the film.
The brothers explained that the movie allowed them to show that the Perron family, which was not churchgoing, had a weakness when combating demonic spirits: A lack of faith. The screenwriters believe that “faith is your tool of protection” and they were able to insert these themes into the movie.
Read full article
What made the film most interesting was that the case was investigated in the 1970s, a time during which the Warrens, as paranormal investigators, didn’t have the technology or tools that are available today. In this case, it was mainly faith that the two demonologists were forced to rely upon as they purportedly battled a demonic presence.
“It gave us an opportunity to write a movie about two people who have God as their tool — and their faith in the Lord,” the screenwriters said, noting that it offered them a unique opportunity to invoke a higher power. “We could overtly put God first without having to dance around it.”
While some people may turn away from the film, dubbing it yet another vapid Hollywood attempt to essentially scare viewers, the Hayes brothers contend that there’s a deeper message embedded in the movie — one they want to overtly convey to viewers.
Only God has the power to save you; there’s nothing appealing about evil once it enters someone’s life. That’s the message that the twin screenwriters hope to show through “The Conjuring.” The Hayes brothers, who have been writing together since they were 16, are Messianic Jews who believe wholeheartedly in the Almighty. Their faith, interestingly, played a role in how they formed the plot-line for the film.
The brothers explained that the movie allowed them to show that the Perron family, which was not churchgoing, had a weakness when combating demonic spirits: A lack of faith. The screenwriters believe that “faith is your tool of protection” and they were able to insert these themes into the movie.
Read full article
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
New Christian Reality Series Stars Appear on the Today Show
Rusty and Julie Bulloch appeared on the Today show to promote their new reality series, Bulloch Family Ranch. Their heart warming generosity and tough love are captured in the series.
If you think raising two kids can be tough, just wait until you meet the Bulloch family. For the last 16 years Rusty and Julie and their two kids have opened up their home to troubled teenagers in their community.
If you think raising two kids can be tough, just wait until you meet the Bulloch family. For the last 16 years Rusty and Julie and their two kids have opened up their home to troubled teenagers in their community.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Former NY Times Writer Virginia Heffernan Ridiculed for Admitting She's a Creationist
Former New York Times technology and culture writer Virginia Heffernan, who now writes for Yahoo! News, recently told the world she's a creationist and she has become a lightning rod for ridicule because of it.
"I am a creationist. There, I said it. At least you, dear readers, won't now storm out of a restaurant like the last person I admitted that to. In New York City saying you're a creationist is like confessing you think Ahmadinejad has a couple of good points. Maybe I'm the only creationist I know," Heffernan wrote in an article for Yahoo! News on Thursday.
In the article, she goes on to explain why she holds the view, tracing a reading experience spanning the Bible, Charles Darwin, Thomas Malthus, Stephen Jay Gould and Sam Harris.
Despite that exposure she says: "I still read and read and listen and listen. And I have never found a more compelling story of our origins than the ones that involve God. The evolutionary psychologists with their just-so stories for everything ("You use a portable Kindle charger because mothers in the primordial forest gathered ginseng") have become more contradictory than Leviticus."
Citing examples of the fickleness of social science theories, Heffernan argued: "The first books of the Bible are still hanging around. I guess I don't 'believe' that the world was created in a few days, but what do I know? Seems as plausible (to me) as theoretical astrophysics, and it's certainly a livelier tale. As 'Life of Pi" author Yann Martel once put it, summarizing his page-turner novel: "1) Life is a story. 2) You can choose your story. 3) A story with God is the better story,'" she ended.
In a withering critique of Heffernan's arguments, however, Gawker writer Hamilton Nolan noted: "We are not saying you're a bad person, Virginia, but you should probably expect that, from now on, when people read your musings on, say, the future of internet communications, they might stop, in a moment of gathering doubt, and recall that you are a science-phobic angel-believing climate change skeptic, and that therefore your dedication to facts is somewhat in question."
"This could, and should, erode your credibility, in the eyes of those elitist readers who value things that are based on 'evidence.' So kudos to you for being brave enough to admit to your own hilarious prejudices again common sense," he added.
"Don't agree with me? Okay. But there is no reason to call each other names over a difference of opinion. I am not stupid for taking God at His word," she added.
"I am a creationist. There, I said it. At least you, dear readers, won't now storm out of a restaurant like the last person I admitted that to. In New York City saying you're a creationist is like confessing you think Ahmadinejad has a couple of good points. Maybe I'm the only creationist I know," Heffernan wrote in an article for Yahoo! News on Thursday.
In the article, she goes on to explain why she holds the view, tracing a reading experience spanning the Bible, Charles Darwin, Thomas Malthus, Stephen Jay Gould and Sam Harris.
Despite that exposure she says: "I still read and read and listen and listen. And I have never found a more compelling story of our origins than the ones that involve God. The evolutionary psychologists with their just-so stories for everything ("You use a portable Kindle charger because mothers in the primordial forest gathered ginseng") have become more contradictory than Leviticus."
Citing examples of the fickleness of social science theories, Heffernan argued: "The first books of the Bible are still hanging around. I guess I don't 'believe' that the world was created in a few days, but what do I know? Seems as plausible (to me) as theoretical astrophysics, and it's certainly a livelier tale. As 'Life of Pi" author Yann Martel once put it, summarizing his page-turner novel: "1) Life is a story. 2) You can choose your story. 3) A story with God is the better story,'" she ended.
In a withering critique of Heffernan's arguments, however, Gawker writer Hamilton Nolan noted: "We are not saying you're a bad person, Virginia, but you should probably expect that, from now on, when people read your musings on, say, the future of internet communications, they might stop, in a moment of gathering doubt, and recall that you are a science-phobic angel-believing climate change skeptic, and that therefore your dedication to facts is somewhat in question."
"This could, and should, erode your credibility, in the eyes of those elitist readers who value things that are based on 'evidence.' So kudos to you for being brave enough to admit to your own hilarious prejudices again common sense," he added.
"Don't agree with me? Okay. But there is no reason to call each other names over a difference of opinion. I am not stupid for taking God at His word," she added.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Skillet Performs on Conan
Grammy nominated and platinum selling band Skillet rocked late night audiences last night with "Rise." The single is the title track off of their new album RISE which debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 last week and holds the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums Chart and Christian Albums Chart this week.
Watch Skillet's performance last night on CONAN
Watch Skillet's performance last night on CONAN
Friday, July 5, 2013
New 'Lone Ranger' Film 'Pagan'?
Gore Verbinski's "Lone Ranger" opened in theaters Wednesday. Verbinski, director of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, brought along a familiar face, well-known actor Johnny Depp. Despite Depp's appeal, however, the film has received sour reviews, and two prominent reviewers explained why.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Dr. Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film and Television Coalition and Editor-in-Chief of Movieguide, described the film's "strong mixed pagan, revisionist, politically correct worldview."
"The pagan elements triumph because you're looking at it from Tanto's point of view." He used "pagan" as a generic term for non-Christian, unidentified spirituality. "It's not Buddhism, it's not Hinduism, it's a mishmash."
"There's a lot of humor in the film, much at the expense of some of the Christians," he added, also mentioning the villain "who prays in the name of Jesus before he goes off slaughtering people."
But Baehr thinks that despite the film's flaw, he wouldn't go as far as saying the film is a "direct attack on Christians." "I don't think it's an evil film at all," he noted.
Paul Asay, senior associate editor for Focus on the Family's review blog, Plugged In, agreed with Baehr's criticism but hesitated to call the film "pagan." Noting the prominence of Tanto's perspective, he said, "you see a great deal more spiritism, animism, magic, and portent in everything he sees and does."
"Spiritism is not an unusual thing to see in movies these days – magical elements that don't exactly jive with Christianity," he argued. But when it came to Christianity, the "Lone Ranger" "felt a little bit mean."
"Most of the Christian characters are benevolently stupid or outright bad," Asay said.
While the film never explicitly says Tanto's animism is true, "his view is more persuasive than the Christianity presented here."
He argued the betrayal of the Lone Ranger tradition proved the film's most damning weakness. "I think that's the primary reason the movie doesn't work."
He noted that, in their original settings, neither the Lone Ranger nor Superman are characters that a modern American can identify with. "He is not meant to be a sort of flawed and frail character," Asay explained. "He is more of a template, an aspirational character."
"This is what goodness is like, the American character," he added. The Lone Ranger became the "embodiment of truth and justice in the rugged west."
"When you take away that aspirational heart of the Lone Ranger, you really are left with a guy in a mask," Asay argued. The original Lone Ranger "didn't wear a mask because he's becoming an outlaw," but for "a kind of modesty" – he didn't need praise.
The filmmakers "understood the legend behind the Lone Ranger, but I don't think they understood the character."
Read full article
In an interview with The Christian Post, Dr. Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film and Television Coalition and Editor-in-Chief of Movieguide, described the film's "strong mixed pagan, revisionist, politically correct worldview."
"The pagan elements triumph because you're looking at it from Tanto's point of view." He used "pagan" as a generic term for non-Christian, unidentified spirituality. "It's not Buddhism, it's not Hinduism, it's a mishmash."
"There's a lot of humor in the film, much at the expense of some of the Christians," he added, also mentioning the villain "who prays in the name of Jesus before he goes off slaughtering people."
But Baehr thinks that despite the film's flaw, he wouldn't go as far as saying the film is a "direct attack on Christians." "I don't think it's an evil film at all," he noted.
Paul Asay, senior associate editor for Focus on the Family's review blog, Plugged In, agreed with Baehr's criticism but hesitated to call the film "pagan." Noting the prominence of Tanto's perspective, he said, "you see a great deal more spiritism, animism, magic, and portent in everything he sees and does."
"Spiritism is not an unusual thing to see in movies these days – magical elements that don't exactly jive with Christianity," he argued. But when it came to Christianity, the "Lone Ranger" "felt a little bit mean."
"Most of the Christian characters are benevolently stupid or outright bad," Asay said.
While the film never explicitly says Tanto's animism is true, "his view is more persuasive than the Christianity presented here."
He argued the betrayal of the Lone Ranger tradition proved the film's most damning weakness. "I think that's the primary reason the movie doesn't work."
He noted that, in their original settings, neither the Lone Ranger nor Superman are characters that a modern American can identify with. "He is not meant to be a sort of flawed and frail character," Asay explained. "He is more of a template, an aspirational character."
"This is what goodness is like, the American character," he added. The Lone Ranger became the "embodiment of truth and justice in the rugged west."
"When you take away that aspirational heart of the Lone Ranger, you really are left with a guy in a mask," Asay argued. The original Lone Ranger "didn't wear a mask because he's becoming an outlaw," but for "a kind of modesty" – he didn't need praise.
The filmmakers "understood the legend behind the Lone Ranger, but I don't think they understood the character."
Read full article
Purity Takes Front Stage in Virgin Tales
The new documentary movie, “Virgin Tales,” slated to air on Showtime later this month, follows the Wilson family, American Evangelical Christians who believe not only in waiting until their wedding night to have sex, but even to share their first kiss. "Virgin Tales" focuses on two years in the lives of the Wilson parents, founders of the Purity Ball, as they prepare their seven children for their vision of romance and marriage.
“It’s interesting not just with the physical aspect but also a psychological and certainly these days there is a political aspect to it,” director Mirjam von Arx told Foxnews.com. “I was astonished to learn how many people there are that are sharing their beliefs, and not only in America, but there is a movement gaining strength even aboard like in Europe. A lot of parents say their kids are a lot more conservative than when they were young.”
But it is not just the Wilson women who stay chaste until their "I Do's."
“With this family, they really held the men to the same standards, and they are sincere about doing the right thing and honor the women and keep themselves pure. I was very surprised,” von Arx added. “But we really wanted to do an observational film and I didn’t want to go and make fun of them or put my opinion on top and tell our audience what to think. I just wanted to observe and stay neutral, and force the audience to be exposed to this world and make up their own minds.”
“It’s interesting not just with the physical aspect but also a psychological and certainly these days there is a political aspect to it,” director Mirjam von Arx told Foxnews.com. “I was astonished to learn how many people there are that are sharing their beliefs, and not only in America, but there is a movement gaining strength even aboard like in Europe. A lot of parents say their kids are a lot more conservative than when they were young.”
But it is not just the Wilson women who stay chaste until their "I Do's."
“With this family, they really held the men to the same standards, and they are sincere about doing the right thing and honor the women and keep themselves pure. I was very surprised,” von Arx added. “But we really wanted to do an observational film and I didn’t want to go and make fun of them or put my opinion on top and tell our audience what to think. I just wanted to observe and stay neutral, and force the audience to be exposed to this world and make up their own minds.”
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Relient K's New Album Currently Tops iTunes Charts
Today is the day that GRAMMY-nominated Relient K releases their seventh LP project, Collapsible Lung (Mono Vs. Stereo), their latest in four years. The album debuts at No. 1 on the iTunes overall album chart, and is also reviewed on USA Today's Listen page, where they also premiered the bonus track, "That's My Jam" featuring Owl City, on its Listen Up page.
USA Today's review shares, "Frontman Matthew Thiessen always a savvy songwriter, has traded the group's animated pop-punk for more contemporary styles. There's a newfound sadness, too, one that sometimes resembles wisdom." To listen to "That's My Jam" on USA Today's Listen page, click here.
Fans will hear the new, and old, Relient K songs on tour with The Almost and The Rocketboys, as well as on select Vans Warped Tour dates.
USA Today's review shares, "Frontman Matthew Thiessen always a savvy songwriter, has traded the group's animated pop-punk for more contemporary styles. There's a newfound sadness, too, one that sometimes resembles wisdom." To listen to "That's My Jam" on USA Today's Listen page, click here.
Fans will hear the new, and old, Relient K songs on tour with The Almost and The Rocketboys, as well as on select Vans Warped Tour dates.
Skillet Sizzles at #4 on Billboard Charts, #1 on Rock Charts While August Burns Red Starts July at #9
Rock band Skillet arrives at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 with its eighth studio album,
"Rise," selling 60,000. It also launches at No. 1 on the Rock Albums and
Christian Albums charts. It's the group's first No. 1 on the Rock
tally, and second leader on the Christian chart.
"Rise" follows the lengthy chart success of the act's last studio effort, 2009's "Awake." It debuted and peaked at a career-high No. 2 on the Billboard 200 (68,000 debut) and ruled for 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart. Further, it spent 136 weeks on the Billboard 200 and has sold 1.1 million copies in the U.S. and 2 million overall.
Another rock act, August Burns Red, bows at No. 9 with "Rescue & Restore" (26,000).
"Rise" follows the lengthy chart success of the act's last studio effort, 2009's "Awake." It debuted and peaked at a career-high No. 2 on the Billboard 200 (68,000 debut) and ruled for 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart. Further, it spent 136 weeks on the Billboard 200 and has sold 1.1 million copies in the U.S. and 2 million overall.
Another rock act, August Burns Red, bows at No. 9 with "Rescue & Restore" (26,000).
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Former Football Star Turned Actor Brian ‘The Boz’ Bosworth Talks New-Found Christian Faith
Brian “The Boz” Bosworth might be most remembered as an outspoken, often controversial all-American linebacker who rose to fame after being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 1987, but when his football passion was sidelined a few seasons later with a career-ending shoulder injury, the young star embarked on a totally different path personally and professionally.
A new side of Bosworth emerged when he scored the leading role in the religious movies “Revelation Road,” released earlier this year, and the upcoming “Revelation Road 2,” which hits theaters in July. The filming experience, Bosworth said, turned him into a religious man.
“It’s not that I didn’t know God or didn’t have a relationship or an understanding of God. I knew the Lord, I just hated him. There was a feud and a grudge match because I felt He broke a promise we had and broke my trust. I would choose to ignore Him,” Bosworth told FOXnews.com. “[In my football days] ‘The Boz’ was born, my pride became more than my agreement with God. That was me telling Him I didn’t need Him anymore, and being boastful of all the gifts I had. You have to be humble and ask Him for courage and wisdom, but I put me first and God last. I allowed people to guide me and my arrogance. [I used] my ignorance to play through the pain and getting a call that my career was over started my feud with God.”
This year, while promoting “Revelation Road,” the former footballer said he began to notice gentle reminders of God’s presence throughout his life.
“I got saved,” Bosworth said simply.
The epic, end-of-world adventure film – produced by Pure Flix Entertainment – is set in a small California town. The story focuses on a brutal biker gang that robs a local convenience store and has internal grapples with faith.
“Audiences can expect a chance to reflect on where they currently are in their journey, in their individual life.” Bosworth continued. “What we see in the film is a slice of life in a regular town, in a regular place with all the evil around them. Your heart is a great navigation tool as to the directions to God.”
But unlike most who come to Hollywood with stars in their eyes, Bosworth never intended to lead an acting career.
“I never wanted to be an actor. It was always my agent’s dream. My dream was to play football and it’s what God gave me the talents to do, but I screwed that up,” he added. “I didn’t know how to act really, and no one wants to do something they don’t have a passion or training for… I have made some horrible movies and I don’t know if I will do another movie, but I am so grateful that this one came.”
Read full article
A new side of Bosworth emerged when he scored the leading role in the religious movies “Revelation Road,” released earlier this year, and the upcoming “Revelation Road 2,” which hits theaters in July. The filming experience, Bosworth said, turned him into a religious man.
“It’s not that I didn’t know God or didn’t have a relationship or an understanding of God. I knew the Lord, I just hated him. There was a feud and a grudge match because I felt He broke a promise we had and broke my trust. I would choose to ignore Him,” Bosworth told FOXnews.com. “[In my football days] ‘The Boz’ was born, my pride became more than my agreement with God. That was me telling Him I didn’t need Him anymore, and being boastful of all the gifts I had. You have to be humble and ask Him for courage and wisdom, but I put me first and God last. I allowed people to guide me and my arrogance. [I used] my ignorance to play through the pain and getting a call that my career was over started my feud with God.”
This year, while promoting “Revelation Road,” the former footballer said he began to notice gentle reminders of God’s presence throughout his life.
“I got saved,” Bosworth said simply.
The epic, end-of-world adventure film – produced by Pure Flix Entertainment – is set in a small California town. The story focuses on a brutal biker gang that robs a local convenience store and has internal grapples with faith.
“Audiences can expect a chance to reflect on where they currently are in their journey, in their individual life.” Bosworth continued. “What we see in the film is a slice of life in a regular town, in a regular place with all the evil around them. Your heart is a great navigation tool as to the directions to God.”
But unlike most who come to Hollywood with stars in their eyes, Bosworth never intended to lead an acting career.
“I never wanted to be an actor. It was always my agent’s dream. My dream was to play football and it’s what God gave me the talents to do, but I screwed that up,” he added. “I didn’t know how to act really, and no one wants to do something they don’t have a passion or training for… I have made some horrible movies and I don’t know if I will do another movie, but I am so grateful that this one came.”
Read full article
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