I investigated Christianity because of the positive changes I had seen in my wife

What he found caused him to turn to Christ and a life that has influenced millions through his writing. So far, three of his books have been turned into documentary DVDs that take the view on a journey of a discovery – a discovery of the God of the Universe, His Son, and a faith that can withstand the greatest onslaughts.

Was there a particular chronological order in which you wanted to produce these DVDs?

Lee:    Yes, initially, I wanted to do The Case for a Creator, which dealt with the scientific evidence pointing toward God. That’s sort of the central “God question.” (more…)

In an interview with me, Bill McKay, who also produced the film, said one of the goals of the film was to reach out beyond the Christian movie-goers and reach a secular audience with the story of Billy Graham. Christian film-goers can’t be blamed for the slow performance of this film if it wasn’t marketed strongly to them.  Theatrical distribution was limited to the Bible belt areas of the Southeastern part of the United States, where it was assumed the name of Billy Graham would be enough to draw an audience to see the film.

There are plenty of Christians who go to see films that they can stand to have multiple choices for films in one weekend. (more…)

Trailers were placed on the Internet, many of them with warnings that you shouldn’t watch the trailer if you aren’t over 18. AS IF! How many people do you suppose that stopped?

Does anyone besides me find it ironic that you can’t show a porn film in a regular theater, but you can show a film about people making a porn film? It reminds me of that innocuous little film that surfaced a few years ago. It was a nice little Christmas story called “Love Actually,” set in England around the Christmas holiday. Of the multiple storylines in that film, one was about a couple who met and fell in love - while being body stand-ins for porn actors.

Here’s what I don’t understand about the MPAA - House gets an R for its intensity, but films about people making porn films don’t get an NC-17?

By the way, the distribution company for “Zack and Miri” is the Weinstein Company, who brought us Miss Potter, The Great Debaters, and Hoodwinked. Word also has it the Weinsteins are also looking faith properties to distribute.

What caught my attention were the words from the book of Job that were being voiced over by Maura Tierney as her character, Abby, experienced her last day in the ER. From the opening shot in her now empty apartment to the closing frame with her husband (Luka Kovac) and their baby, verses of Job were read as poetry accompanying her day.

In the changing room at County, Abby pulls the Bible her mother gave her (more…)

• Eric Sherman - director, member of the Board of Trustees of the American Cinematheque
• Michael C. Donaldson - entertainment lawyer, author (”Negotiating for Dummies”)
• Brandon Paine - Director of Acquisitions for Shoreline Entertainment
• Carol Bidault l’Isle - international motion picture and television senior consultant
• Ted Sarandos - Director of content acquisition for Netflix since 2000
• Sam Toles - head of content acquisition for GAIAM
• Rusti Baker - manager of Motorola’s Media and Studio content provider relationships
• Irv Holender - distribution and licensing expert with 40 years’ industry experience in over 80 countries, with some of the biggest countries in the world
• David Rand
• Seth Willenson

This promises to be a very informative seminar with small break-out sessions offering the opportunity to learn from some very experienced people in the entertainment business. It should be a great investment.

I am a fan of great books, and have enjoyed the Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti books I’ve read. I try not to read them at night because I have a VERY vivid imagination and I want to sleep peacefully. I watched The Visitation because it’s based on a Frank Peretti novel. It was also filmed right here in our home town, my friends Bobby & Kevin Downes produced it, and one of the houses featured in the film belongs to my friends Jared and Sarah. (I try not to think about that when I’m watching their boys at night for them!) I also saw Thr3e (by Ted Dekker) when it was in theaters because Kevin had a role in the film and executive-produced it.

So last week when it was my birthday, what did I do? I watched horror films! I was sent a screening copy of House, which is based on a book co-written by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti. It’s intense. I won’t say more because I’m going to publish a review (more…)

It’s a reality show similar to shows like “Top Design” and “Project Runway” with one big difference. Chef Jeff recruited his trainess from at-risk young adults who are one step away from prison or living a life on the streets. He brought them into his catering company Posh Urban Cuisine, and is giving them the opportunity of a lifetime.

Rather than eliminate people each week, he’s trying to keep as many of his protegees as possible. He’s not showcasing his abilities, but encouraging his understudies. He’s not babying his crew along, but pushing them to be their best.

If you want to see somebody really using their skills and position to give back, check him out on Sunday evenings on the Food Network.

How do you take one of the most beloved book series and create films from them? Can you ever make something that will please readers who have imagined entire worlds in their minds? And just to keep things interesting, what if the author of this series is your stepfather?

I practically grew up in Narnia.

Facing the challenge of bringing The Chronicles of Narnia to the big screen is something perhaps only fit for the stepson of C.S. Lewis, Douglas Gresham. After his mother married C.S. Lewis, Douglas found himself living in the kingdom of Narnia. Now, many years later, he teamed with Walden Media to bring his stepfather’s magnificent works to life.

What qualities do you have that reflect the time spent with C.S. Lewis?

Douglas: I think probably almost all the qualities I have reflect him. It’s more that my vices reflect the time I didn’t spend with him. He was a lot more patient than I am. I find it much more difficult (more…)

Films will be scheduled on a first-come first-served sign up basis starting at 9:00 AM on the morning of the 5th. Anyone with a film, short or feature, they would like seen can sign up for the time slot of their choice. At the showings, the audience will be the ones to determine how much of the film they see.

After two minutes for the short, ten for the features, each film will be stopped and the audience asked to give their opinion. If 50% or more like the film and want to see it in its entirety, the film will continue. If less than 50% of the audience likes it, the film is stopped and that’s the end.

The audience is also being asked for something else: an offering. (more…)

His most recent book Against All Odds: In Search of a Miracle was written in conjunction with the docudrama TV series of the same title, which he also created and produced.

Why did God invest so much in Billy?

His most recent film Billy: The Early Years, a movie about the beginning of Billy Graham’s career, is scheduled for national release on October 10. We talked about Bill’s passion for research, his determination to tell the Billy Graham story, and the elements of a good movie.

How did you become involved in the Billy Graham film project?

Bill:  I did a documentary on Dr. Graham’s life 7 or 8 years ago, and (more…)