Christians in Cinema

Thursday, August 26, director Rob Reiner takes his promotional efforts to Facebook with a live chat featuring Madeline Carroll, the young leading lady of Flipped, his latest film. His story about first love set in the early 1960s will definitely resonate with adults, but may seem a little too naive for today’s teenagers.
Those of us [...]

Today I’m writing from Albany, Georgia, the home of Sherwood Baptist Church and Sherwood Pictures. The church, which has made 3 feature films (Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof), is in production on its 4th feature called Courageous.
Tonight we saw rough cuts of scenes and I can tell you it will challenge fathers in many [...]

Like Dandelion Dust, the first feature film based on a Karen Kingsbury novel is coming to theaters this September. Fans of the #1 USA Today and New York Times’ best-selling author have long clamored for her stories to be made into feature films, and they won’t be disappointed with this movie.
Academy Award® winner Mira Sorvino [...]

Have you seen the Capital One commercials? People facing financial disaster stave it off because they have a Capital One card in their wallet, protecting them from all kinds of harm.
I think it’s possible DVDs can help ward off disaster when they point us to truth for our lives. Some of my current favorites are:
The [...]

Inevitably, Christian filmmakers find each other, no matter where they live and work. Somehow their paths cross at a conference or film festival and they discuss their faith, their experience, and their latest projects.
Sometimes they even get to work together. The Courageous blog just posted an entry from May 19, and it’s a story about [...]

When your most recent film is a cowboy musical about the IRS (The Widow’s Might), how do you follow that up?
How about a movie about a boy detective who also writes novels? AceWonder: Message from a Dead Man is the latest from Heumoore Productions, and they’re filming in Tennessee right now. Sounds like a [...]

Sherwood Pictures, under the leadership of Alex and Stephen Kendrick, began filming their new movie Courageous in Albany, Georgia this week. The main cast members include Alex Kendrick, Adam Mitchell (from Fireproof), and ChristianCinema.com’s own Kevin Downes.
About the role, Kevin said, “I’m honored to be doing what I [...]

Why is it people like Jesus but can’t stand His followers? Why do they say Lord, Save Us From Your Followers?
What does the average person on the street really think of Christians?
If you knew what non-believers think about Christians, would you change the way you live out your faith?
Dan Merchant has created a phenomenal film [...]

Terri L. Bea, the writer and producer of the new movie Grandma’s Hands, announced the film’s premiere at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tickets for the two scheduled screenings are already sold out, so arrangements are in the works for more screenings.
The film is based on a screenplay Terri wrote, and [...]

Yesterday afternoon a group of friends got together to celebrate one of our birthdays by seeing the movie The Family That Preys. Tyler Perry wrote, produced, directed, and had a supporting role in the latest of his feature films.
He has a gift for telling engaging stories that get right to the heart of issues in [...]

Story. Last night’s Oscar® Awards proves that sometimes story wins out.
Over politics, over pet causes (text 1-800-Dolphins), over poor judgment on a producer’s part (even though Nicolas Chartier was banned from the ceremonies, his film took him a lion’s share of awards), and even over longevity (sorry, Meryl).
Since the day I saw it, I have [...]

Confess. You have an Oscar® party planned, don’t you? It’s time for the 82nd Academy® Awards, and your friends are coming over to watch with you. Maybe you have your own red carpet planned. What are you wearing? Who’s doing your hair and make-up? What jewelry will you sport?
War figures prominently in several films nominated [...]

Yesterday afternoon I broke down and went to see Avatar. I have been going back and forth about seeing it, and decided to accompany a friend to a matinee. I’m really glad I didn’t pay full evening price PLUS the cost of 3-D glasses.
I tried to like the film, really I did. I thought the [...]

Denzel Washington, one of Hollywood’s most successful and highly respected figures, stars in The Book of Eli, the story of a man of faith on a mission to protect the last copy of the Bible. America has suffered a catastrophic destruction and civilization and law have disappeared. Described as “a warrior by necessity,” Eli seeks peace. But if the book he carries, the hope for the future, is challenged, he will protect it fiercely. He’s a man who does what he must to survive and continue on his mission.

I know it’s kind of an oxymoron to mention “seeing” and “Blind Side” in the same sentence, but when it refers to the blockbuster Sandra Bullock movie, it all makes sense. This weekend, she made box office history with her role in The Blind Side. The film passed the $200 million mark (its running total [...]

It’s the day before Thanksgiving and I’m in a mellow mood looking forward to an extra long weekend. I have a copy of The Mysterious Islands on my desk and decided to pop it into my DVD player. I heard about it a few weeks ago from my friend Jon Erwin, who directed and co-write the film.
From the [...]

Last night during their Sunday evening service Sherwood Baptist (home of Sherwood Pictures) announced their next film title and theme. The leadership team of Senior Pastor Michael Catt, Executive Pastor Jim McBride, and Media Pastors Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick all stood on the platform to make the announcement.
Who would you want to see in [...]

I spent a few minutes on the phone the other day with Jeff Martin, executive producer of Lord, Save Us From Your Followers. They had a great run with a limited theatrical release, and are seeing a tremendous response at church screenings, and are now deciding what next steps to take.
We’ve talked about marketing before [...]

In two weeks The Blind Side, a powerful film based on a true story, is coming to theaters near you. It hits so many perfect notes in all the right places that it is sure to win audiences around the country.
You’ve probably already seen the trailers, and perhaps, like me, you wonder if all the [...]

You know you’ve made it if your film or show is spoofed by others. Actor Gary Moore regularly spoofs films made by Christian producers by inserting himself into the main character’s role and turning dramatic moments into comic ones.
Watch his take on Fireproof (called In-Law Proof), and Facing the Giants on YouTube. If you’re familiar [...]