Christians in Cinema

Since this next week is Independence Day, I’m looking at patriotic movies to see what I might want to watch on TV, rent, or see in the theater. These are films about U.S. history or the armed forces.
Here are mine in no particular order.

Independence Day – Wil Smith, aliens, and vintage airplanes all in one [...]

To the ordinary onlooker, this picture might seem like a conversation between two men on a construction site. It is. But the site is Noah’s Ark, and the men are Congressman Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) and God (Morgan Freeman). I’m not sure what they’re talking about, maybe box office results.
That’s the big news right now [...]

Saturday evening I joined three other voters (my two sisters and my teenaged niece) at the ballot box. We cast our votes for Evan Almighty by going to see the 9:40 PM showing at our local theater. The 89 minute-film seemed longer because we had stayed up late the night before and had a full [...]

What cost $170 million, holds 1200 animals and opens this weekend? If you guessed Evan Almighty, you’re correct! Let me first say that when someone wants to spend that much money to re-create a Biblical story (I’m not saying it’s Biblically accurate), I think it’s pretty cool. After all, any time equipment was rented, cast [...]

I made a quick trip down to Hollywood a couple of weeks ago to meet with a group of Judeo-Christian documentary filmmakers. Wow! What a mouthful that is! Kudos to Karen Meissner for coming up with a catchy nickname that’s easier to say: JC Doc Group. I was invited, along with Richard Propper, CEO and [...]

Last November, ChristianCinema.com released a David de Vos film called The Theory of Everything. One of the film’s central characters is a physicist (Victor Lundin) trying desperately to prove the existence of God by searching for the “God Particle” (envisioned at right). Very basically, it is a particle called the “Higgs boson” that could be [...]

Twice this week I have been disappointed by events and/or people that didn’t deliver what they promised. Let’s talk about the most recent. Last night On the Lot contestant Jason told everyone that he is a Christian. Then he said that because of his faith, he wanted to make uplifting movies without sex or violence, [...]

In just a couple of weeks, two significant events for Christian filmmakers and distributors will take place in Atlanta, Georgia. The International Christian Retail Show (ICRS), Christian retailers’ largest trade show, opens the week. Retailers and distributors from around the world, as well as authors and musicians, will gather for workshops, to exchange ideas and [...]

Everything that I’ve read about writing says a great headline is the way to attract readers. So, now that I’ve got your attention, I really do want to talk about sex. Please don’t close the browser, call our office, or call me any names until you read through this post.
It is rare in films to [...]

We have some help for you! There are some great books and resources available for writers who have great ideas for films, but need some help getting started. Here are just a few:

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting – by Robert McKee. This book is derived from his Story Structure seminar [...]

I read a recent posting by author Miralee Ferrell, who writes Christian novels. Her agent recently received a call from a major motion picture studio rep who really liked the story in her book. Recently, several Christian novels have had good success in being adapted for the big screen. (One Night with the King, [...]

I had a conversation with Ben, our DVD rental club manager, today. He and his wife have 4 kids, so when they decide to go to a movie, it’s a big investment for them. Ben’s decision is based on whether the film is one that is a “must-see” on a big screen. He listed Pirates [...]

In a recent conversation with Dean Batali, executive producer of “That 70’s Show,” he talked about his involvement with the Act One training and mentorship program for people wanting to break into mainstream film and television in Hollywood. They offer courses in screenwriting, directing, and executive development.
When Dean first came to Hollywood 15 years ago, [...]

Producer – Believers Among Us

Brad Wilson (producer of the “Believers Among Us” series), like the rest of our Featured Filmmakers, is a multi-talented individual who has had a unique career path. From the heart of Texas to the Big Apple of New York, and now living in Los Angeles, he’s moved in and out of radio, feature film production with major studios, and independent movie production. He is a charter member of the National Radio Hall of Fame of Texas.

The only Foley artist I knew growing up was the window dresser at the Foley’s Department store at the mall. When I see that roll across the screen, I wonder if it’s the woman who put the mannequins together for the displays.
While I sit here typing, I hear the click of the keys. It makes [...]

“Hypocrite” was first used in the English language sometime around 1350. Interestingly enough, it had its origins in theater. Its Latin and Greek origins referred to persons who assumed a part on the stage. In current usage, it’s used to describe someone whose professed beliefs don’t match up to their actions.
Who sets the standards for [...]

For Christians wanting to see good clean movies coming out of Hollywood, here’s one. It’s based on true events from actress Elisabeth Shue’s life, who played soccer on her brother’s high school varsity team after he was killed in an accident. But it’s not just about soccer. It’s also about a young girl wanting her [...]

Producer/Writer/Director/Cast & Crew – Holly’s Story

Located in Houston, Texas, Cross Wind Productions is not just a film production company. It’s also a mentoring and discipling ministry for youth who are interested in theater arts. Founded by Barbara Sundstrom, the organization has produced three films that depict some of the serious struggles facing youth today. Joining us today are two cast members from the award-winning Holly’s Story, Amy Harvey, the female lead, and Aaron House, who was assistant to the Director of Photography (DP). Holly’s Story has won the following awards: Adam Award for Best Youth Drama at the Sabaoth International Film Festival in Milan, Italy; a Platinum Remi at the Worldfest in Houston, Texas; a Silver Crown award from International Christian Visual Media.

There’s something great coming out of Hollywood! Jonathan Bock, founder and president of Grace Hill Media, joined forces to create ArkALMIGHTY.com. It’s a simple concept, really. Post a need if you have one, fulfill a need if you’re able to. It reminds me of the film “Pay it Forward,” where a young boy starts a [...]

Some critics of Christian movies decry them as “sanctified schlock” and accuse the filmmakers of lacking originality. That’s not limited to Christian films and filmmakers. When Fox announced a new show called “On the Lot,” my hopes were high for a show that really encouraged and rewarded creativity in filmmaking.
When I heard Mark Burnett [...]