Christians in Cinema

That’s the title of an article written recently by Dallas Jenkins, a friend and filmmaker. He makes great points like:

Why did it take Hollywood so long to acknowledge the Christian market?
Why can’t they replicate even half the success of The Passion of the Christ? (Everyone is asking that, because everyone wants to make the next […]

What movie do you think Jesus would go see this weekend? There are lots of choices right now, and an interesting collision of films, there are four films with strongly spiritual themes playing. FOUR! Can you believe it?
Would Jesus watch To Save a Life,  The Blind Side, The Book of Eli, or Legion, or none of […]

Perhaps the great success of James Cameron’s film Avatar is that he unwittingly emphasizes our need for God and relationship with Him.
A recent article on CNN’s Entertainment website highlights an unexpected phenomenon associated with the movie Avatar: Fans who long for the alien world Pandora feel depressed and suicidal because it’s unattainable. According to fans […]

Earlier today I received an email from Marti, who was wondering how to know what films to buy? She had a pretty specific idea of what kinds of films she liked, but found that the last few films she purchased from her last bookstore weren’t exactly what she wanted.
Last night, I had a conversation with […]

I just finished my reporting for the week. There are certain statistics I track and forward to upper management. They are very nicely displayed in a spreadsheet, complete with colored symbols and lines for easy deciphering. However, I cannot print them. Why? Because the particular software I’m using has a “Known issue” with printing charts.What? […]

“What’s in your wallet?” is the tagline of an oft-seen television commercial. It’s a question asked of credit card-holders, and if you answer with the correct company name, you can fend off certain doom from all types of enemies.
God posed a similar question to Moses when He spoke to him on Mount Horeb and called […]

A cultural anorexic is someone who starves themselves from culture thinking it will benefit them by bringing about a permanent change. The problem is that anorexics are damaging only themselves and their families. In other words, if you’re starving yourself from culture to try to change it, the only ones you’re affecting are yourself and […]

Friends over at Outreach ministries were involved in the production of a new Christian movie called To Save a Life. The story is about a popular high school athlete whose best friend kills himself because he thinks no one notices or cares about him. After his death, the athlete begins to examine his life and […]

I confess there are times I just want a good escapist film. I don’t want to sit and think about deep themes, or dig for meaning, or visualize what’s going on in the main characters’ back stories. I just want to be entertained, and like many women, I do like a good chick flick.
I have […]

What does success mean as a Christian filmmaker? What makes a Christian movie a success? Is it having a substantial box office (like Fireproof’s $36 million) and DVD sales record (millions of units sold)? Is it the response of the audience? Do the two go hand in hand?
I read a thought-provoking message from Shun Lee, […]

In addition to the networking, ICVM is a great festival because there’s always a fun outing planned. Designed to foster networking and deepening of relationships, the outings have included baseball games, trips to national parks, and golf games. (Well, if you’re Brad Mix’s friend, that is!)
This week we took the cog railway up to Pikes […]

I often read posts on different web groups asking, “Where are the Christian production companies and organizing groups?” or “Who is coordinating Christian actors and writers?” “Where can I go to work on a Christian film production?”
Those strike me as funny questions. Does anyone ask: “Where are the Christian banks?” “Where can I go to […]

My friend Greg Wright, who is Managing Editor of both Past the Popcorn and Hollywood Jesus, is also an ordained pastor. As an author, he’s written the books Tolkien In Perspective: Sifting the Gold from the Glitter (2003) and Peter Jackson in Perspective: The Power Behind Cinema’s The Lord of the Rings (2004).
He just wrote […]

Last week at the Gideon Conference, a roundtable discussion focused on this question. Do you make Christian films? Or are you a Christian making films? Are you a “Christian” filmmaker? How do you define yourself and the work you do?
Maybe you think it doesn’t make a difference, but it guides everything you do as a […]

A lot of buzz was generated about Mickey Rourke’s turn as Randy “The Ram” Robinson in The Wrestler. Many writers compared his performance and role to The Passion of the Christ (read blogposts here and here), implying that he was a Jesus figure in the story.
Jesus Christ has been portrayed literally and figuratively in film since images were first committed […]

I recently read two articles on the decline of Christianity. One, posted on CNN.com, refers to a survey about the religious identification of Americans, and states that “mainline” Protestant denominations are on the decline. The good news is that evangelicalism (as evidenced by growth in the numbers of people associated with mega-churches) is on the […]

Well known for their Incredible movie-making, Pixar could also be known for something else: their mighty men of faith. Director Andrew Stanton (Wall-E and Finding Nemo) has discussed his Christian faith and it’s believed that Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) is also a Christian.
In a blogpost for Christianity Today Movies, Peter Chattaway refers to an […]

Watching a well-made movie is like buying a new car: you walk around the outside - there’s something that visually appeals to you. Then you take it for a drive - how does it handle? Does it respond the way you hope it will, does it surprise you and drive better than you thought?
Then, you […]

Are you a MAC or a PC? Are you the cool guy with the casual clothes who doesn’t need to brag about his prowess, or are you the slightly dumpy guy who has to have corrective lenses and consistently apologize for your software’s poor performance?
Now there’s a new campaign in town: I’m a PC. On […]