Christians in Cinema

My new tagline is: “Making a difference one review at a time” or maybe “Making a difference one word at a time.”

I am frequently invited to attend Los Angeles press junkets to preview films and participate in press conferences, round tables and one-on-one interviews. Studios set those up to get media coverage in the week preceding the release of a new film and to get as much press as possible.

Two weeks ago I saw “New in Town,” starring Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr., with really strong supporting role performances from Siobhan Fallon Hogan and J.K. Simmons. When a publicist asked for my reaction, I told her I thought it was an enjoyable film, friendly to Christians (the name of Jesus is used three times, and NOT in vain!), and entertaining.

BUT I had two objections. One is a little storyline that is unnecessary and not in the best of taste (there are actually a couple), and the other was Renee Z’s use of objectionable language.

Just received news that Gold Circle and Lionsgate re-edited the film, cutting out a lot of her language, gaining a PG rating (instead of PG-13) and making it “more accessible and acceptable to the entire family.” That in direct response to what the handful of reviewers from Christian outlets said at the screening.