Miracles from Heaven fell 36% its second week despite it being Easter weekend, but remained in the Top 5 at the box office with $9.5 million. The big story of the weekend was Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Risen narrowly missed the top 10 with $900K to place 11th. The Young Messiah was #17 with $274K.
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2016
Monday, November 16, 2015
The 33 Opens in Top 5 at Box Office
The 33 opened in 5th place with $5.8 million. Headlined by Antonio Banderas, the Chilean miner drama didn't sufficiently leverage its solid, "A" CinemaScore, but at least those that saw it—73% of which were over 25—seemed to enjoy it.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Denzel Washington: "There's never been a time where God didn't direct, protect, and correct me"
Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington star of many hits including "Glory," "Remember the Titans," "The Book of Eli" and "Training Day" has sounded like a pastor when he took to the podium at recent events.
He made headlines as the guest speaker for Dillard University's graduating class this spring and encouraged graduates to "put God first."
The actor expressed similar sentiments last weekend at the Church of God in Christ's annual "We Care" Charities Banquet in St. Louis, Missouri where he testified of God's faithfulness, even when he has fallen short.
"There's never been a time where God didn't direct, protect, and correct me," Washington passionately attested. "There may have been times where I was less than faithful to Him, but he had faith in me."
Washington has maintained his faith throughout his successful mainstream career and has not shied away from sharing it, publicly saying that he reads the Bible every day.
While onstage at the "We Care" event, Washington vowed that from that point on in his life he would make a conscious effort to "get up and speak about what God has done" for him.
"Give thanks for blessings every day. Every day. Embrace gratitude. Encourage others. It is impossible to be grateful and hateful at the same time," he continued.
The member of Los Angeles Church of God in Christ continued with a public prayer that he frequently uses when speaking to groups.
"I pray that you put your slippers way under your bed at night, so that when you wake in the morning you have to start on your knees to find them. And while you're down there, say 'thank you,'" Washington implored.
According to FOX2 St. Louis, more than 1,000 people attended the "We Care" banquet, including gospel singer Cece Winans.
"Faith and optimism can add years to your life," Washington concluded in his address. "A bad attitude is like a flat tire. Until you change it, you're not going anywhere."
He made headlines as the guest speaker for Dillard University's graduating class this spring and encouraged graduates to "put God first."
The actor expressed similar sentiments last weekend at the Church of God in Christ's annual "We Care" Charities Banquet in St. Louis, Missouri where he testified of God's faithfulness, even when he has fallen short.
"There's never been a time where God didn't direct, protect, and correct me," Washington passionately attested. "There may have been times where I was less than faithful to Him, but he had faith in me."
Washington has maintained his faith throughout his successful mainstream career and has not shied away from sharing it, publicly saying that he reads the Bible every day.
While onstage at the "We Care" event, Washington vowed that from that point on in his life he would make a conscious effort to "get up and speak about what God has done" for him.
"Give thanks for blessings every day. Every day. Embrace gratitude. Encourage others. It is impossible to be grateful and hateful at the same time," he continued.
The member of Los Angeles Church of God in Christ continued with a public prayer that he frequently uses when speaking to groups.
"I pray that you put your slippers way under your bed at night, so that when you wake in the morning you have to start on your knees to find them. And while you're down there, say 'thank you,'" Washington implored.
According to FOX2 St. Louis, more than 1,000 people attended the "We Care" banquet, including gospel singer Cece Winans.
"Faith and optimism can add years to your life," Washington concluded in his address. "A bad attitude is like a flat tire. Until you change it, you're not going anywhere."
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Hugh Jackman Returning to His Christian Faith?
When he steps onstage to perform in the play "Broadway to Oz" in Australia this month, star Hugh Jackman plans to surrender his performances to God.
"Before I go onstage every night, I pause and dedicate the performance to God, in the sense of 'allow me to surrender.'" Jackman revealed to Parade magazine during an October interview.
The actor, who rose to international fame as Wolverine in the "X-Men" franchise, likens his relationship with God to that of Christian runner Eric Liddell in the film "Chariots of Fire." While Lidell's sport helped him connect to God, Jackman believes his live performances do the same.
"I'm a religious person. This is going to sound weird to you. In "Chariots of Fire" the runner Eric Liddell says, 'When I run, I feel His pleasure,'" he told Parade. "And I feel that pleasure when I act and it's going well, particularly onstage. I feel what everyone's searching for, the feeling that unites us all."
Jackman said he knew he wanted to be an actor after having a spiritual encounter at the age of 13.
"I'm a Christian. I was brought up very religious," he said. "I used to go to different evangelists' [revival] tents all the time. When I was about 13, I had a weird premonition that I was going to be onstage, like the preachers I saw."
In a 2010 interview with GQ Magazine, Jackman recalled his father motivating him in high school to strengthen his faith.
"I think it was during my high school years. Although I don't remember a specific moment, I certainly remember my father brought us up to believe a spiritual life was the only life to be had," the actor told GQ. "During high school is when being taught that and thinking it for myself came together."
Five years ago it seems Jackman adopted a broader vision concerning faith.
"I'm a little broader in my thinking. ... Some people may think I've gone off track, I'm not sure. But for me, if you put Christ, Buddha and a few other people at a table together, I don't think they'd be arguing," Jackman previously told GQ. "I think there's an essential truth to most of those [religions] and that's probably what I believe in now. Ultimately, it's the idea that we are much more unified than we are separate, and that includes the religions we've created around the world — there is an essential truth there."
Even though the thespian was not identifying himself as a Christian in the 2010 interview, he was not opposed to it.
"My father is still a committed Christian," he previously told GQ. "I don't have any arguments with anything I interpret from that faith."
"Before I go onstage every night, I pause and dedicate the performance to God, in the sense of 'allow me to surrender.'" Jackman revealed to Parade magazine during an October interview.
The actor, who rose to international fame as Wolverine in the "X-Men" franchise, likens his relationship with God to that of Christian runner Eric Liddell in the film "Chariots of Fire." While Lidell's sport helped him connect to God, Jackman believes his live performances do the same.
"I'm a religious person. This is going to sound weird to you. In "Chariots of Fire" the runner Eric Liddell says, 'When I run, I feel His pleasure,'" he told Parade. "And I feel that pleasure when I act and it's going well, particularly onstage. I feel what everyone's searching for, the feeling that unites us all."
Jackman said he knew he wanted to be an actor after having a spiritual encounter at the age of 13.
"I'm a Christian. I was brought up very religious," he said. "I used to go to different evangelists' [revival] tents all the time. When I was about 13, I had a weird premonition that I was going to be onstage, like the preachers I saw."
In a 2010 interview with GQ Magazine, Jackman recalled his father motivating him in high school to strengthen his faith.
"I think it was during my high school years. Although I don't remember a specific moment, I certainly remember my father brought us up to believe a spiritual life was the only life to be had," the actor told GQ. "During high school is when being taught that and thinking it for myself came together."
Five years ago it seems Jackman adopted a broader vision concerning faith.
"I'm a little broader in my thinking. ... Some people may think I've gone off track, I'm not sure. But for me, if you put Christ, Buddha and a few other people at a table together, I don't think they'd be arguing," Jackman previously told GQ. "I think there's an essential truth to most of those [religions] and that's probably what I believe in now. Ultimately, it's the idea that we are much more unified than we are separate, and that includes the religions we've created around the world — there is an essential truth there."
Even though the thespian was not identifying himself as a Christian in the 2010 interview, he was not opposed to it.
"My father is still a committed Christian," he previously told GQ. "I don't have any arguments with anything I interpret from that faith."
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Family Christian Retail Chain To Produce ’90 Minutes In Heaven’ And Other Films
Family Christian Stores, the nation’s largest Christian retail chain, is getting into the movie business. Rick Jackson, the entrepreneur behind the chain, has formed Family Christian Entertainment. The company will produce two films per year, and gets underway by financing and teaming with Emmett Furla Oasis to produce 90 Minutes In Heaven. An adaptation of the bestselling book about a Baptist pastor who was pronounced dead after a devastating car accident — only to come out of it an hour and a half later fully recalling a vision of heaven — the film has been scripted and will be directed by Michael Polish. Hayden Christensen and Kate Bosworth will star.
Jackson said he has been a passive financier in six films with Randall Emmett and George Furla. He made his fortune founding Jackson Healthcare, the third-largest healthcare staffing company in the U.S. He once considered becoming a missionary, but was told by some fellow company creators that he’d probably screw that up, and would be best off focusing on what he was good at — making and giving away money. He’ll put up the budget for a film that will likely cost $5 million or $6 million. His share of the profits will go to charity. That makes him an anomaly in Hollywood, where financiers shriek when the do not make a return on a movie.
The move into production came after Johnson discovered that good wholesome movies sell strongly — the Family Christian chain sold $4 million worth of The Blind Side DVDs, he said — but there just aren't enough of those movies to go around.
90 Minutes In Heaven fits perfectly in that mold. The book was written by Don Piper, who in 1989 was on his way back from a minister’s conference when his car collided with a semi-truck that crossed into his lane. Thought to be dead, he lay covered with a tarp, but when a passing minister who’d been at the conference came to pray over Piper and sang to him, Piper recovered enough to sing along. His arm was severed, and his leg was hanging by a thread, and Piper endured a brutal recovery in which he didn't get out of bed for 13 months. After experiencing a warm cozy dream where he felt he was going to heaven before being pulled back, Piper was flat out angry with his maker because he was compelled to return and endure all the pain he went through to regain any mobility. After suffering silently, he wrote the book and went on to become an accomplished speaker, describing what he saw. The book sold 7 million copies, in 46 languages.
Emmett Furla Oasis is producing Silence, the Martin Scorsese-directed drama that is now in pre-production. Production starts January 26 in Atlanta on 90 Minutes In Heaven.
Jackson said he has been a passive financier in six films with Randall Emmett and George Furla. He made his fortune founding Jackson Healthcare, the third-largest healthcare staffing company in the U.S. He once considered becoming a missionary, but was told by some fellow company creators that he’d probably screw that up, and would be best off focusing on what he was good at — making and giving away money. He’ll put up the budget for a film that will likely cost $5 million or $6 million. His share of the profits will go to charity. That makes him an anomaly in Hollywood, where financiers shriek when the do not make a return on a movie.
The move into production came after Johnson discovered that good wholesome movies sell strongly — the Family Christian chain sold $4 million worth of The Blind Side DVDs, he said — but there just aren't enough of those movies to go around.
90 Minutes In Heaven fits perfectly in that mold. The book was written by Don Piper, who in 1989 was on his way back from a minister’s conference when his car collided with a semi-truck that crossed into his lane. Thought to be dead, he lay covered with a tarp, but when a passing minister who’d been at the conference came to pray over Piper and sang to him, Piper recovered enough to sing along. His arm was severed, and his leg was hanging by a thread, and Piper endured a brutal recovery in which he didn't get out of bed for 13 months. After experiencing a warm cozy dream where he felt he was going to heaven before being pulled back, Piper was flat out angry with his maker because he was compelled to return and endure all the pain he went through to regain any mobility. After suffering silently, he wrote the book and went on to become an accomplished speaker, describing what he saw. The book sold 7 million copies, in 46 languages.
Emmett Furla Oasis is producing Silence, the Martin Scorsese-directed drama that is now in pre-production. Production starts January 26 in Atlanta on 90 Minutes In Heaven.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Reese Witherspoon's 'The Good Lie' Tackles Civil War in Sudan, Persecution and Christian Faith
"The Good Lie" is an upcoming movie that tells the story of 'the Lost Boys' of Sudan orphaned by a brutal civil war then traveled as many as a thousand miles on foot in search of safety. A humanitarian effort largely led by churches would bring 3,600 lost boys and girls to America.
The film stars Academy Award Winning Actress Reese Witherspoon and "House of Cards" actor Corey Stoll and focuses on the journey of Christian Sudanese refugees from their homeland to America. It portrays their plight when fleeing from persecution and displays the difficulty when they attempt to blend in with American culture.
Witherspoon's character is based a real woman who took in four Sudanese boys during the conflict. The new trailer is geared towards a faith-based audience and highlights some of the Christian elements in the film.
"The Good Lie" is produced by Alcon, the same studio that brought "The Blind Side" and "Dolphin Tale" to theaters. Filming for the movie took place in Atlanta, Georgia.
It is scheduled to hit theaters on October 3.
The film stars Academy Award Winning Actress Reese Witherspoon and "House of Cards" actor Corey Stoll and focuses on the journey of Christian Sudanese refugees from their homeland to America. It portrays their plight when fleeing from persecution and displays the difficulty when they attempt to blend in with American culture.
Witherspoon's character is based a real woman who took in four Sudanese boys during the conflict. The new trailer is geared towards a faith-based audience and highlights some of the Christian elements in the film.
"The Good Lie" is produced by Alcon, the same studio that brought "The Blind Side" and "Dolphin Tale" to theaters. Filming for the movie took place in Atlanta, Georgia.
It is scheduled to hit theaters on October 3.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Hitmakers Behind Courageous and Fireproof Go Independent
The production team behind the hit movies, Courageous, Fireproof and Facing the Giants have launched a new production company.
With the support and blessing of their pastor, Alex and Stephen have expanded their movie making endeavors beyond Sherwood Baptist Church's walls. Kendrick Brothers Productions has launched an independent movie production company designed to partner with believers across the nation and help train the next generation of Christian filmmakers. The Kendrick brothers plan to make their next movie under this new paradigm.
Pastor Catt said, “Jim and I are blessed to call Alex and Stephen our friends and co-laborers for the Gospel. They will continue to live in Albany and be an active part of the ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church. We love these guys and are grateful for God sending them to our staff over a decade ago. It will be exciting for us to take the steps of faith required to see where God will take us. No matter what lies ahead, this has been an incredible ride for all of us. Our prayers are with them as they pursue future endeavors.”
In a recent update on their site, Stephen posted that filming will begin next week:
With the support and blessing of their pastor, Alex and Stephen have expanded their movie making endeavors beyond Sherwood Baptist Church's walls. Kendrick Brothers Productions has launched an independent movie production company designed to partner with believers across the nation and help train the next generation of Christian filmmakers. The Kendrick brothers plan to make their next movie under this new paradigm.
Pastor Catt said, “Jim and I are blessed to call Alex and Stephen our friends and co-laborers for the Gospel. They will continue to live in Albany and be an active part of the ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church. We love these guys and are grateful for God sending them to our staff over a decade ago. It will be exciting for us to take the steps of faith required to see where God will take us. No matter what lies ahead, this has been an incredible ride for all of us. Our prayers are with them as they pursue future endeavors.”
In a recent update on their site, Stephen posted that filming will begin next week:
Over the last five months we set up a production office, conducted online and live casting sessions, locked in our crew, and scouted the needed locations for the story. Every location is visually rich and completely fresh to us. God has provided an amazing cast of strong believers. Some are new faces to us, others you will recognize from our previous films, and there are a few surprises that many will recognize from the Christian ministry world. The Lord has also provided an excellent crew of Christian filmmakers and film-school interns. Many of them have been praying for God to open the door for them to work on a movie project that honors Him. Our production office is humming along. Lots of buzz. Tons of progress every day. We are very grateful that multiple pastors and churches are working together and surrounding this effort in prayer.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Is Louisiana the New Hollywood?
The latest batch of big-budget films set to be shot in Louisiana over the summer speaks to the state's success with its tax credit program.
Among planned shoots are "Fantastic Four," ''Terminator 5," ''Pitch Perfect 2" and "Jurassic World," the fourth film in the "Jurassic Park" series. The television series "NCIS: New Orleans" and "American Horror Story: Freak Show" are also being shot this summer.
The flurry of activity is encouraging entrepreneurs who provide services for production companies, in turn creating jobs. Louisiana ranked ahead of California — and anywhere else — in the number of live-action movie shoots in a study of 2013 releases from Hollywood's largest studios.
Louisiana offers tax credits of up to 40 percent of the money spent to buy, build and use movie production facilities.
Since the tax credit program began in 2002, services that have grown in the state include studios, sound stages, special effects, casting, costume rental, post-production and editing.
Louisiana's progress was demonstrated in a recent report by the permitting agency Film L.A. that examined the locations for shoots by the six major movie studios and five of the biggest independent studios. The agency said that 18 of the studios' 108 motion pictures released last year were shot in Louisiana, including "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," ''Dallas Buyers Club" and "Grudge Match."
California and Canada had 15 projects each, followed by Britain with 12 and the state of Georgia with nine.
"Now we represent about 14,000 jobs, up from roughly zero 10 years ago, and that's a pretty important thing for us to do," said Will French, president of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association.
French said TV production is also thriving in Louisiana. Among the newest is a pilot now filming in Shreveport called "Salem," based on the colonial-era witch trials.
Among planned shoots are "Fantastic Four," ''Terminator 5," ''Pitch Perfect 2" and "Jurassic World," the fourth film in the "Jurassic Park" series. The television series "NCIS: New Orleans" and "American Horror Story: Freak Show" are also being shot this summer.
The flurry of activity is encouraging entrepreneurs who provide services for production companies, in turn creating jobs. Louisiana ranked ahead of California — and anywhere else — in the number of live-action movie shoots in a study of 2013 releases from Hollywood's largest studios.
Louisiana offers tax credits of up to 40 percent of the money spent to buy, build and use movie production facilities.
Since the tax credit program began in 2002, services that have grown in the state include studios, sound stages, special effects, casting, costume rental, post-production and editing.
Louisiana's progress was demonstrated in a recent report by the permitting agency Film L.A. that examined the locations for shoots by the six major movie studios and five of the biggest independent studios. The agency said that 18 of the studios' 108 motion pictures released last year were shot in Louisiana, including "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," ''Dallas Buyers Club" and "Grudge Match."
California and Canada had 15 projects each, followed by Britain with 12 and the state of Georgia with nine.
"Now we represent about 14,000 jobs, up from roughly zero 10 years ago, and that's a pretty important thing for us to do," said Will French, president of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association.
French said TV production is also thriving in Louisiana. Among the newest is a pilot now filming in Shreveport called "Salem," based on the colonial-era witch trials.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Heaven Is For Real #3 at Box Office and Four Faith-Related Movies Sit in Top 20 for the Year
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was amazing in its opening weekend grossing $92 million.
Meanwhile, Heaven Is for Real, which finished third, beat expectations that had originally predicted the movie might make $40 million, upping its domestic total to nearly $66 million. Starring Greg Kinnear, it has passed Roma Downey and Mark Burnett's film by over $5 million.
Low-budget film God's Not Dead has continued to generate a steady profit following its March 21 release. The movie, which features Kevin Sorbo and Shawn Harper, has finished in the top 10 every weekend with the exception of the last.
For the second weekend in a row, it also finished higher than Darren Aronofsky and Russell Crowe's Noah. Domestically, God's Not Dead has made $55.56 million total.
Five months into 2014, the four faith-related movies sit in the top 20 of top grossing movies of the year with Noah in eighth, Heaven Is for Real in 12th, and Son of God in 16th respectively.
Meanwhile, Heaven Is for Real, which finished third, beat expectations that had originally predicted the movie might make $40 million, upping its domestic total to nearly $66 million. Starring Greg Kinnear, it has passed Roma Downey and Mark Burnett's film by over $5 million.
Low-budget film God's Not Dead has continued to generate a steady profit following its March 21 release. The movie, which features Kevin Sorbo and Shawn Harper, has finished in the top 10 every weekend with the exception of the last.
For the second weekend in a row, it also finished higher than Darren Aronofsky and Russell Crowe's Noah. Domestically, God's Not Dead has made $55.56 million total.
Five months into 2014, the four faith-related movies sit in the top 20 of top grossing movies of the year with Noah in eighth, Heaven Is for Real in 12th, and Son of God in 16th respectively.
Monday, April 28, 2014
God's Not Dead and Heaven Is For Real Quietly Surpass $50 Million at Box Office
After just two weeks, Heaven is For Real has already earned $52 million domestically at the box office while God's Not Dead has earned an equal amount in 6 weeks. Heaven Is For Real was the 3rd most popular film this past week, God's Not Dead was #11 and Noah, approaching $100 million was #14.
Monday, April 21, 2014
'Heaven Is for Real' Crushes Johnny Depp's Latest Bomb 'Transcendence'
Faith-based film Heaven Is for Real soared at the Easter weekend box office, earning a stellar $21.5 million from 2,417 theaters to bury big-budget Transcendence, which opened to a dismal $11.5 million from 3,455 locations.
Transcendence marks the third big-budget bomb in a row for Johnny Depp after The Lone Ranger and Dark Shadows.
Captain America, staying at No. 1 for its third consecutive weekend, grossed $26.6 million from 3,825 locations to cross the $200 million mark domestically and hit $586.6 million worldwide in another major victory for Marvel Studios and Disney.
Fox's animated family film Rio 2 grossed $22.5 million from 3,975 locations in its second weekend for a domestic total of $75.4 million.
Heaven Is for Real, placing No. 3, is the latest Christian film to exceed expectations. Produced by influential pastor T. D. Jakes, director Randall Wallace and Hollywood veteran Joe Roth, Heaven Is for Real stars Greg Kinnear and earned an A CinemaScore. The drama did its biggest business in the country's Bible Belt, but appealed to mainstream audiences as well.
Easter weekend provided further evidence that 2014 is indeed the year of the Bible movies. Heaven Is for Real was one of three such titles populating the top 10 chart. Noah placed No. 9 with $5 million for a domestic cume of $93.2 million, while God's Not Dead came in No. 10 with $4.8 million, pushing its total to $48.2 million.
Heading into the weekend, no one expected the $12 million Heaven Is for Real to beat Transcendence, which cost a hefty $100 million to produce. Transcendence suffered from scathing reviews and a C+ CinemaScore.
Easter weekend saw two other new nationwide offerings -- A Haunted House 2 and Disney documentary Bears. Haunted House 2 placed No. 5 with $9.1 million from 2,310 theaters, half of the $18 million opening secured by the first film. Bears placed No. 11 with a less-than-expected $4.7 million from 1,720 theaters, the lowest opening of any Disneynature title.
Over the weekend, Frozen became the No. 6 title of all time worldwide with $1.129 billion in earnings, passing up The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($1.114 billion) and Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($1.123 billion). It has also passed up Ice Age 4 ($716 million) to become the top-grossing animated film at the international box office with $729.3 million.
Transcendence marks the third big-budget bomb in a row for Johnny Depp after The Lone Ranger and Dark Shadows.
Captain America, staying at No. 1 for its third consecutive weekend, grossed $26.6 million from 3,825 locations to cross the $200 million mark domestically and hit $586.6 million worldwide in another major victory for Marvel Studios and Disney.
Fox's animated family film Rio 2 grossed $22.5 million from 3,975 locations in its second weekend for a domestic total of $75.4 million.
Heaven Is for Real, placing No. 3, is the latest Christian film to exceed expectations. Produced by influential pastor T. D. Jakes, director Randall Wallace and Hollywood veteran Joe Roth, Heaven Is for Real stars Greg Kinnear and earned an A CinemaScore. The drama did its biggest business in the country's Bible Belt, but appealed to mainstream audiences as well.
Easter weekend provided further evidence that 2014 is indeed the year of the Bible movies. Heaven Is for Real was one of three such titles populating the top 10 chart. Noah placed No. 9 with $5 million for a domestic cume of $93.2 million, while God's Not Dead came in No. 10 with $4.8 million, pushing its total to $48.2 million.
Heading into the weekend, no one expected the $12 million Heaven Is for Real to beat Transcendence, which cost a hefty $100 million to produce. Transcendence suffered from scathing reviews and a C+ CinemaScore.
Easter weekend saw two other new nationwide offerings -- A Haunted House 2 and Disney documentary Bears. Haunted House 2 placed No. 5 with $9.1 million from 2,310 theaters, half of the $18 million opening secured by the first film. Bears placed No. 11 with a less-than-expected $4.7 million from 1,720 theaters, the lowest opening of any Disneynature title.
Over the weekend, Frozen became the No. 6 title of all time worldwide with $1.129 billion in earnings, passing up The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ($1.114 billion) and Transformers: Dark of the Moon ($1.123 billion). It has also passed up Ice Age 4 ($716 million) to become the top-grossing animated film at the international box office with $729.3 million.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Disney Is Tolerant of Many Things in Its Movies... Except Religion... 'Frozen' Songwriters Reveal
The husband and wife team behind the Oscar-winning Frozen said on Thursday that while Disney is open to bringing songwriters from diverse backgrounds, religion is the only thing that they have seen censored since they have worked there.
Speaking on NPR's Fresh Air show, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez told host Terry Gross that some of the preconceptions outside of the industry folks might have about Disney may not be exactly true.
"Disney is not this sanitized place that you might imagine it to be. I mean, they hired Ashman and Menken after they did "Little Shop of Horrors," which was sort of the Avenue Q of its day. It was very campy and very kind of...a little off-color and racy. And I don't think Disney has any problem with employing people who have done off-color stuff in the past," Lopez, who co-wrote the satirical Book of Mormon, said.
Anderson-Lopez noted, "It's funny. One of the only places you have to draw the line at Disney is with religious things, the word God."
"Yeah. You just can't," agreed her husband.
A confused Gross followed up with her guests, asking "You can't say the word 'God'?"
Lopez hesitated, "There was even a... well, you can say it in Disney, but you can't put it in the movie," which his wife affirmed.
While Lopez and Anderson-Lopez refused to elaborate about Disney's religiosity, they freely shared about their inspiration for 'Let It Go.'
"Basically when this song came to us, we were on a little stroll through Prospect Park in Brooklyn near our house, and we both started to sort of improv what Elsa might be feeling like. So we stood up on picnic tables," said Lopez.
"We got very emo," continued Anderson-Lopez. "You know, we had been listening - we decided we didn't want this song to be a traditional Disney princess song."
"And actually it was Bobby who kept saying I feel like if I were a high school student, that this would be that moment that you had worked, and you'd studied, and you hadn't gone out, and then you just failed a test miserably. And what would that feel like? And he came up with the line," she added.
Gross later joked that parents "would probably prefer that their children sing [singing] 'hold it in, hold it in...'Like hold it back because sometimes you don't want kids to let it go because they're just going to be - they're so crazy as it is. Do you know what I mean? Like you want them to have a little bit of inhibition."
Anderson agreed with Gross' point but suggested a different message for the song that she saw as one she would share with her two children, who also sing on the Frozen soundtrack.
"That's true, but I think at the end of the day, letting - getting the message of don't allow fear or shame to keep you from being the person you should be, I imagine on a global level that's a good lesson for them to have before teenager-hood. If they've been living with fear and shame, and then it's really going to hit the fan."
Speaking on NPR's Fresh Air show, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez told host Terry Gross that some of the preconceptions outside of the industry folks might have about Disney may not be exactly true.
"Disney is not this sanitized place that you might imagine it to be. I mean, they hired Ashman and Menken after they did "Little Shop of Horrors," which was sort of the Avenue Q of its day. It was very campy and very kind of...a little off-color and racy. And I don't think Disney has any problem with employing people who have done off-color stuff in the past," Lopez, who co-wrote the satirical Book of Mormon, said.
Anderson-Lopez noted, "It's funny. One of the only places you have to draw the line at Disney is with religious things, the word God."
"Yeah. You just can't," agreed her husband.
A confused Gross followed up with her guests, asking "You can't say the word 'God'?"
Lopez hesitated, "There was even a... well, you can say it in Disney, but you can't put it in the movie," which his wife affirmed.
While Lopez and Anderson-Lopez refused to elaborate about Disney's religiosity, they freely shared about their inspiration for 'Let It Go.'
"Basically when this song came to us, we were on a little stroll through Prospect Park in Brooklyn near our house, and we both started to sort of improv what Elsa might be feeling like. So we stood up on picnic tables," said Lopez.
"We got very emo," continued Anderson-Lopez. "You know, we had been listening - we decided we didn't want this song to be a traditional Disney princess song."
"And actually it was Bobby who kept saying I feel like if I were a high school student, that this would be that moment that you had worked, and you'd studied, and you hadn't gone out, and then you just failed a test miserably. And what would that feel like? And he came up with the line," she added.
Gross later joked that parents "would probably prefer that their children sing [singing] 'hold it in, hold it in...'Like hold it back because sometimes you don't want kids to let it go because they're just going to be - they're so crazy as it is. Do you know what I mean? Like you want them to have a little bit of inhibition."
Anderson agreed with Gross' point but suggested a different message for the song that she saw as one she would share with her two children, who also sing on the Frozen soundtrack.
"That's true, but I think at the end of the day, letting - getting the message of don't allow fear or shame to keep you from being the person you should be, I imagine on a global level that's a good lesson for them to have before teenager-hood. If they've been living with fear and shame, and then it's really going to hit the fan."
Rick Santorum's Film Company to Release Movies to Churches Instead of Theaters
Former Senator Rick Santorum's film company announced on Monday that it would be distributing its movies not through the traditional box office but through churches.
EchoLight Studios, which released last year's adaptation of Max Lucado's The Christmas Candle, told Deadline that the studio made the decision as a strategic attempt to draw the masses into churches.
"We want to be a part of empowering the church to elevate its role as a cultural change agent," EchoLight President Studios Jeff Sheets said in a statement. "Our vision is not to create sermons wrapped in a movie but to create content that inspires, fascinates and incorporates a strong Christian worldview."
The Franklin, TN-based studio, which intends to release four films a year, wants both the film's message and financial profits to support churches. Consequently, EchoLight hopes to create movies which can also have a "strong ministry value as tools for the Church to use in their in-reach and outreach ministries," whose proceeds will partially "fuel the missional needs of the hosting local church."
Tickets for the studio's next film, One Generation Away, will go on sale on June 1. The studio will also re-release The Christmas Candle, which grossed $2 million over seven weeks last winter. Later this year, EchoLight will also release Hoovey, directed by Sean McNamara, who was also behind the camera in Soul Surfer.
Hoovey, starring Patrick Warburton and Lauren Holly and includes Disney Channel alums Cody Linley and Alyson Stoner, is based on the true story of a high school basketball player Eric Hoover Elliott diagnosed with a massive brain tumor.
EchoLight Studios, which released last year's adaptation of Max Lucado's The Christmas Candle, told Deadline that the studio made the decision as a strategic attempt to draw the masses into churches.
"We want to be a part of empowering the church to elevate its role as a cultural change agent," EchoLight President Studios Jeff Sheets said in a statement. "Our vision is not to create sermons wrapped in a movie but to create content that inspires, fascinates and incorporates a strong Christian worldview."
The Franklin, TN-based studio, which intends to release four films a year, wants both the film's message and financial profits to support churches. Consequently, EchoLight hopes to create movies which can also have a "strong ministry value as tools for the Church to use in their in-reach and outreach ministries," whose proceeds will partially "fuel the missional needs of the hosting local church."
Tickets for the studio's next film, One Generation Away, will go on sale on June 1. The studio will also re-release The Christmas Candle, which grossed $2 million over seven weeks last winter. Later this year, EchoLight will also release Hoovey, directed by Sean McNamara, who was also behind the camera in Soul Surfer.
Hoovey, starring Patrick Warburton and Lauren Holly and includes Disney Channel alums Cody Linley and Alyson Stoner, is based on the true story of a high school basketball player Eric Hoover Elliott diagnosed with a massive brain tumor.
Glenn Beck Plans to Make Movies
Glenn Beck is going Hollywood.
Nearly three years after leaving Fox News, the controversial conservative radio host and media entrepreneur is ramping up a film division at Mercury Radio Arts, the parent company of his popular radio show and digital media operation TheBlaze.
Beck tells The Hollywood Reporter he has been refurbishing The Studios at Las Colinas, a 72,000-square-foot facility in Irving, Texas, where such films as JFK and RoboCop and TV shows including Prison Break and Walker, Texas Ranger have been shot. "We're getting it ready for some big plans," he says of the property, which he purchased in June.
Beck says he is developing three original stories as theatrical films -- one set in ancient history, one in modern history and a third he considers "faith-based" -- and has optioned several other ideas, some of which could be adapted into VOD features. He adds that he has purchased rights to his 2008 best-seller The Christmas Sweater back from Sony and will turn the story into a movie for television or theatrical release.
Beck notes it's too early to specify budgets or potential financing partnerships, though he probably has leverage to attract interested parties, considering TheBlaze lands an estimated $40 million in revenue annually and he earns $20 million a year hosting the radio show, according to sources familiar with his business. He also declined to identify the Hollywood moviemaking talent he has hired so far.
"I bought a movie studio for a reason," he says. "I have every intent of finding great artists who will tell great stories that aren't typical. Everybody thinks they know who I am because of my stint on Fox -- that was two years of my life. I'm much more into culture than I am into politics, and that's where I intend on making my stand."
Beck says he has great respect for "artists who risk big," citing filmmakers Baz Luhrmann and even Darren Aronofsky as examples (despite having called Noah a "Babylonian chainsaw massacre" on his radio show). "Hollywood is missing this moment to reconnect with the American people because they don't speak the language," he says. "Some of it is out of spite -- they might not like people of faith."
read full article
Nearly three years after leaving Fox News, the controversial conservative radio host and media entrepreneur is ramping up a film division at Mercury Radio Arts, the parent company of his popular radio show and digital media operation TheBlaze.
Beck tells The Hollywood Reporter he has been refurbishing The Studios at Las Colinas, a 72,000-square-foot facility in Irving, Texas, where such films as JFK and RoboCop and TV shows including Prison Break and Walker, Texas Ranger have been shot. "We're getting it ready for some big plans," he says of the property, which he purchased in June.
Beck says he is developing three original stories as theatrical films -- one set in ancient history, one in modern history and a third he considers "faith-based" -- and has optioned several other ideas, some of which could be adapted into VOD features. He adds that he has purchased rights to his 2008 best-seller The Christmas Sweater back from Sony and will turn the story into a movie for television or theatrical release.
Beck notes it's too early to specify budgets or potential financing partnerships, though he probably has leverage to attract interested parties, considering TheBlaze lands an estimated $40 million in revenue annually and he earns $20 million a year hosting the radio show, according to sources familiar with his business. He also declined to identify the Hollywood moviemaking talent he has hired so far.
"I bought a movie studio for a reason," he says. "I have every intent of finding great artists who will tell great stories that aren't typical. Everybody thinks they know who I am because of my stint on Fox -- that was two years of my life. I'm much more into culture than I am into politics, and that's where I intend on making my stand."
Beck says he has great respect for "artists who risk big," citing filmmakers Baz Luhrmann and even Darren Aronofsky as examples (despite having called Noah a "Babylonian chainsaw massacre" on his radio show). "Hollywood is missing this moment to reconnect with the American people because they don't speak the language," he says. "Some of it is out of spite -- they might not like people of faith."
read full article
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Study: Movies Impact Religious Belief
According to a recent Barna Group study, practicing Protestants (those who have attended church in the last month and who agree their faith is important to them), are most likely to say a movie has affected their thinking on serious issues.More than one in five say they've seen a movie in the last two years that has made them think seriously about their religion or spirituality (22%). And an additional one in 10 say such a movie has caused them to change something they believed about Christianity (9%). Evangelicals, while more likely than the average adult to say a movie has made them think seriously about religion or spirituality (17% of evangelicals compared to 11% of Americans overall) are much less likely to say that such a movie has changed their beliefs about Christianity (less than 1% of evangelicals compared to 3% of all Americans).
Americans professing a faith other than Christianity are also more likely than average to think more seriously about religion or spirituality (18%) as a result of watching a movie.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
‘Soul Surfer’ Bethany Hamilton Delivers Powerful Message of Faith and Perseverance
The woman known as the “soul surfer” who lost her arm in a shark attack but went on to become a professional surfer said her faith in Jesus Christ carried her through the emotional pain and uncertainty she felt after her accident.
Bethany Hamilton told her story at the annual National Prayer Breakfast Thursday in Washington, D.C., for an audience that included President Barack Obama and members of Congress.
“I thought for a time I had lost more than just my arm,” said Hamilton, who was attacked by a 14-foot shark when she was 13 years old in 2003. “I [felt] as though my hopes and dreams to become a pro surfer and venture the world were stripped away.”
Hamilton, whose story was featured in the 2011 film “Soul Surfer,” said the experience has helped her grow spiritually.
“I have no regrets for the adversity that God has allowed me to go through,” she told the audience. “I am now honored to be a role model and inspiration to many young girls throughout America and the world — ultimately, to share the hope and salvation there is in Jesus Christ.”
Hamilton said that while some might be tempted to pity her, she views the 2003 attack and its resulting impact on her life as “something beautiful.”
Read full article
Monday, January 20, 2014
Kellan Lutz Watched ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Religiously to Prep for ‘Hercules’
Asked how he prepared to play the ancient mythical warrior in The Legend of Hercules, the star counted — among other things — his time spent on horseback during the shoot. “Riding a horse is a great workout for your legs, and for your core. And wielding the sword — I’m topless most of the time, so I’m able to do push-ups in between takes without sweating through the costume.”
Emotionally, Lutz credits his faith with helping him to connect to Hercules during some of the film’s more difficult scenes. “There’s a scene halfway through the movie that’s the crucifixion, where I ask my father Zeus for help. I’m a man of faith, so I would just religiously watch ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ and I’d use that.”
For Harlin, the story of Hercules had always been a source of fascination. “I grew up watching movies like ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Ben Hur,’ so to be able to make a movie like this, I think it’s every director’s dream.”
“If you look at all the modern comic book movies, they come from that mythology,” Harlin added. “And Hercules is the father of all superheroes.”
Emotionally, Lutz credits his faith with helping him to connect to Hercules during some of the film’s more difficult scenes. “There’s a scene halfway through the movie that’s the crucifixion, where I ask my father Zeus for help. I’m a man of faith, so I would just religiously watch ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ and I’d use that.”
For Harlin, the story of Hercules had always been a source of fascination. “I grew up watching movies like ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Ben Hur,’ so to be able to make a movie like this, I think it’s every director’s dream.”
“If you look at all the modern comic book movies, they come from that mythology,” Harlin added. “And Hercules is the father of all superheroes.”
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Kellan Lutz Watched ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Religiously to Prep for ‘Hercules’
Asked how he prepared to play the ancient mythical warrior in The Legend of Hercules, the star, Kellan Lutz, counted - among other things - his time spent on horseback during the shoot. “Riding a horse is a great workout for your legs, and for your core. And wielding the sword — I’m topless most of the time, so I’m able to do push-ups in between takes without sweating through the costume.”
Emotionally, Lutz credits his faith with helping him to connect to Hercules during some of the film’s more difficult scenes. “There’s a scene halfway through the movie that’s the crucifixion, where I ask my father Zeus for help. I’m a man of faith, so I would just religiously watch ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ and I’d use that.”
For the director, Renny Harlin, the story of Hercules had always been a source of fascination. “I grew up watching movies like ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Ben Hur,’ so to be able to make a movie like this, I think it’s every director’s dream.”
“If you look at all the modern comic book movies, they come from that mythology,” Harlin added. “And Hercules is the father of all superheroes.”
Emotionally, Lutz credits his faith with helping him to connect to Hercules during some of the film’s more difficult scenes. “There’s a scene halfway through the movie that’s the crucifixion, where I ask my father Zeus for help. I’m a man of faith, so I would just religiously watch ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ and I’d use that.”
For the director, Renny Harlin, the story of Hercules had always been a source of fascination. “I grew up watching movies like ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Ben Hur,’ so to be able to make a movie like this, I think it’s every director’s dream.”
“If you look at all the modern comic book movies, they come from that mythology,” Harlin added. “And Hercules is the father of all superheroes.”
Monday, August 12, 2013
Left Behind Film Has Major Casting News
Tisdale had a scheduling conflict and dropped out of the film. On Friday, producers took to the movie’s Facebook page to announce her departure, while wishing her the best as she prepares for a television opportunity. The other announcement, though, will likely excite some reality television fans and music enthusiasts.
Grammy-nominated singer Jordin Sparks has joined on as a character named “Shasta.” For now, the details surrounding her role are under wraps, but producer and scriptwriter Paul Lalonde shared a small tidbit of information about the character.
“She will be a passenger on a plane that the film’s main character Captain Rayford Steele (Nicolas Cage) is piloting,” he said on the film’s Facebook page.
As her fans know, Sparks has had a successful career in both music and films following her 2007 “American Idol” victory. She is the latest addition to a film that has Christian and secular media, alike, buzzing.
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
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