REEL FAITH IN POP CULTURE
A roundup of pop culture news from a Christian Worldview
Compiled by Leo Partible
(Week of March 23, 2005)
Reel Faith in Pop Culture is newsletter from FilmPR.com that compiles headlines and resources to inform the Christian community of the growing impact of Christians in pop culture. To get the full story click on the link.
For questions or comments about this bi-weekly newsletter please contact Leo Partible at leo@filmpr.com
Also visit his website at www.dpgvisions.com
QUOTES:
*New Superman director Bryan Singer calls the character ‘the Jesus Christ of Superheroes’
*Director John Woo on his original desire to be a minister
*Madeleine L’Engle on the desire of the artist
*Eugene Peterson the misconception of the dead church
HEADLINES:
*"Madison" movie starring Jim Caviezel set to premiere in Madison
*Disney’s Narnia – Pixie Dust and Christian allegory
*Female readers flock to Christian chick lit
*VHI Presents Religion: A Pop Culture History
*Hollywood begins to embrace its faith
*The amazing story of how Ashley Smith stopped Brian Nichols's killing spree
*Aging rocker Alice Cooper, wife find purpose in Christian charity
*MTV's 'Spiritual Windows' mix faith with rock 'n' roll
*Al Sharpton Proposes 90-Day Ban on Rappers Connected to Any Violent Acts
*Evangelicals and Catholics – the state of play
*Ex-Korn guitarist and Stephen Baldwin Plan Line Of 'Cutting-Edge Christian Products'
PRESS RELEASE: Act One extends application deadline
RECOMMENDED MUSIC: Day By Day
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
*THE WONDER OF HIS LOVE: A JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF GOD by Nancy Stafford (Multnomah Books)
*WHO NEEDS A SUPERHERO? by H. Michael Brewer (with a Forward by Leo Partible)
QUOTES
New Superman director Bryan Singer calls the character ‘the Jesus Christ of Superheroes’
Superman's the Jesus Christ of superheroes. He's basically the ultimate immigrant. He comes to our country, to America, as so many immigrants have done. He brings unique talents and a special heritage as so many immigrants do and yet he takes the ideals of our culture -truth, justice and the American way- and embodies them as his mantra. He combines those with his immigrant talents to protect the world. So it's sort of the American dream combined with a little bit of the myth, the concept of Messiah. There's a lot of that in the movie. It's not huge, not religious. But there's very much a hint of that. It's like 'X-Men' deals with a lot of tolerance, in a very sub-textual way. I think that 'Superman' deals a lot with saviors and things like that.
Director John Woo on his original desire to be a minister
"In high school, I already wanted to learn to make movies, but my first dream was to be a minister, because I got so much help from the church. But when I approached the missionary school, they didn't accept me because they found I was too artistic."
--John Woo, The New York Times
Madeleine L’Engle on the desire of the artist
The writer does want to be published; the painter urgently hopes that someone will see the finished canvas; the composer needs his music to be heard. Art is communication, and if there is no communication it is though the work had been still-born. Madeleine L’Engle
Eugene Peterson the misconception of the dead church
Frederick von Hugel said the institution of the church is like the bark on the tree. There's no life in the bark. It's dead wood. But it protects the life of the tree within. And the tree grows and grows and grows and grows. If you take the bark off, it's prone to disease, dehydration, death. So, yes, the church is dead but it protects something alive. And when you try to have a church without bark, it doesn't last long. It disappears, gets sick, and it's prone to all kinds of disease, heresy, and narcissism.
HEADLINES
Hollywood and some of its stars were expected to come to the city for a long-awaited debut of a movie partly shot in the Ohio River community six years ago. After a string of expected openings, the independent film "Madison," shot in 1999, should premiere in the community on April 16, The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., reported. Indiana native Bill Bindley wrote and directed the movie, which was set in 1971 and resembled "Hoosiers" in that it was about small-town values and an underdog. It stars Jim Caviezel _ "The Passion of the Christ" star _ and focused on a community-owned powerboat, Miss Madison, and its push to defy the odds to earn top prize during the city's annual powerboat regatta on the Ohio River. Caviezel, co-star Jake Lloyd _ Anakin Skywalker in "The Phantom Menace" Star Wars film _ and Bruce Dern were expected to attend the opening in the city across the Ohio River from Louisville, officials said.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/229048-2512-127.html
In a marriage of modern mythmakers, the Walt Disney Co. is marketing a film based on C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. And in doing so, Disney will take a page from Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, based on Lewis' novel for children and Christian allegory, will be released Dec. 9. For Disney, the Christian marketing campaign represents a sharp break with corporate policy. Apart from Disney World's annual Nights of Joy concerts, the film is the company's first undertaking with the religious community. For some evangelical leaders, it represents the effective end of their Disney boycott. The entertainment giant, which bills itself as a "Magic Kingdom," has carefully avoided religion for most of its history. Yet Disney has launched a 10-month campaign aimed at evangelical Christians to build support for Narnia, a $100 million, live-action and computer-generated animated feature it is co-producing with Walden Media.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Christian chick literature is a new genre of writing for and about single women in search of happiness and fulfillment in their lives. Christian women are buying these new books in droves. The “Today” show’s Natalie Morales reports on what this new fiction is all about. It all started with books like "Bridget Jones's Diary" by Helen Fielding, published in 1998 — women writing openly about their innermost hopes and dreams, thoughts and fears Chick lit is about young women but is for readers of all ages. And like the popular television series “Ally McBeal” and “Sex and the City,” it's a genre in which few thoughts are unexpressed.
“It’s a voice that is relevant, that's contemporary, that's like an extended conversation with your best friend,” says Joan Marlow Golan of Harlequin Publishing. Those conversations concern men, money, weight and finding Mr. Right — topics that numerous writers of Christian fiction have recently taken on.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7273950/
Until a few years ago, religion and pop culture kept a safe distance from each other. Hollywood was reluctant to back movies and TV shows that treated religion seriously. Christian musicians were reluctant to make records that might compete in a godless pop marketplace. But in the changed landscape of the post-millennial, post-9/11 world, Hollywood seems to have found God, and men of the cloth seem to have found, in Hollywood, a chance to reach out to the masses in a way they never have before.In the half-hour documentary Religion: A Pop Culture History, VH1 charts the recent explosion of religion and pop, from the blockbuster movie The Passion of the Christ to Kanye West's hip-hop smash "Jesus Walks" to the aggressive marketing of Christian hard-rock bands to Hollywood's sudden interest in Kabbalah.
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/vh1_news_presents/89750/episode_about.jhtml
Historically, Hollywood and the religiously devout — the Christian community in particular — have not been in sync. There were protests in 1988 as Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" premiered and a profound distrust that led some evangelicals, like Billy Graham, to create their own world of entertainment. But now, in small ways, that chasm is being bridged.
"Most of the people in America that are evangelical Christians you'd love to have as friends, so cut us a little slack," says Larry Poland, who works as a Christian consultant to mainstream television and film executives. Poland is pushing his community to embrace Hollywood. "We not only light a candle, we don't curse the darkness, nor do we curse the people who create the darkness," he says. So, by that argument, what's going on right now is that Hollywood has found a way to do what a lot of churches and organized religions have been doing for years — take a good message, find a way to broadcast it to the people and it will find an audience. Few films have captured the audience's attention quite the way Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" did. "There was a hunger for this film, because it had been such a long time since anyone had made a serious and respectful religious picture," says Medved.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7258215/
On CNN on Monday afternoon Kyra Philips focused on the angle of the book, "The Purpose-Given Life," that Ms. Smith had shown Nichols. She had a local preacher on to tell us more about the book, and more about Christianity. It was informative, loving, a beautiful moment of television. The more the news played the testimony of Ashley Smith, the more each news show came to seem elevated, ennobled. The past few days the TV screen has been filled with some wonderful light. Ashley Smith is a national hero--a brave, resourceful single mother who has suffered in her life, and who at a series of pivotal moments did the right thing and the kind thing and helped a killer end a killing spree. Country songs will be written about her. She's going to enter our folk lore.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110006429
Aging rocker Alice Cooper, wife find purpose in Christian charity
Alice said he became a Christian about 14 years ago. Then after about four years, he said, "I just really wanted to find some way to do something to help people out, and this was the best way to do it. "Solid Rock organization, we have a big golf tournament and we have a big Christmas show, and that's what raises all the money. That gave us the money to help build this place. Isn't this great?" he asked, waving his arm to take in the Dilkon gym. "I love this. It gives them (youth) something to do. If they didn't have this place, they'd be out running around, and there's always somebody out there with something bad." In his message to the packed house, Alice said, "We deal a lot on drugs, gangs and guns. Every major city has that problem, and every Christian organization has to deal with that problem. So you're going to have to deal with those problems too.
http://www.gallupindependent.com/2005/mar/031405cooper.html
Has MTV found some religion? Last weekend, while I was spending quality time with Ashlee and/or Jessica Simpson on the music cable channel, a bunch of commercials flipped by, and I thought I saw something. Something strange. Out of place. It looked like a few seconds of footage taken in a room of Muslim men, bowing in prayer, with some funky Eastern-type music playing in the background.
And then words appeared in the middle of the screen: "Rejuvenate: MTV." Maybe I was seeing things. It was late. I was tired. But then, at the next commercial break, another one of these dealies appeared. It was about 10 seconds long and showed gondoliers rowing in the canals of Venice, Italy, while a Latin-sounding man's voice said: "Your heart is where your treasure is, and you must find your treasure in order to make sense of everything."
http://www.suntimes.com/output/falsani/cst-nws-fals11.html
The Rev. Al Sharpton is putting in his two cents about the latest drama involving 50 Cent. The civil rights leader on Tuesday proposed a ban that would muzzle artists who are connected to any violent acts, denying them airplay on radio and television for 90 days. Though Sharpton did not single out 50 Cent by name, he told The Associated Press that a recent shooting linked to a feud involving 50 demonstrated the need for such a policy. "There's a difference in the having the right to express yourself and in engaging in violence and using the violence to hype record sales, and then polluting young Americans that this is the key to success, by gunslinging and shooting," he said. Whether or not that's been the key to 50's success, he's certainly having a lot of it these days.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment
In one respect, at least, The Lion and the Lamb is a landmark. It is the first book by a Roman Catholic scholar to find long-term significance in the project called Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT), a pie in which I am privileged to have a finger. ECT is the venture of an unofficial conservative group working to build a platform of unequivocal theological consensus, uncompromised and uncompromising, with a view to proper mutual appreciation leading to joint mission tasks. There has never before been anything like it in North America, though Le Groupe des Dombes in France is in some ways similar. Shea sees ECT's togetherness as starting something irreversible and epoch-making, as when cracking ice signals the reality of global warming. Whereas up to now conservative evangelicals and Catholics have on principle (as both communities would say) kept their distance, from now on there must be mutual respect, forward-looking dialogue, and an acknowledgment of common cause as they labor to beat back the secular modernity that seeks to outflank both of them.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2005/002/6.10.html
Ex-Korn guitarist and Stephen Baldwin Plan Line Of 'Cutting-Edge Christian Products'
Brian "Head" Welch may have severed creative ties with his former Korn bandmates following his conversion to Christianity, but he's found at least one new partner in the youngest of Hollywood's Baldwin clan. The born-again actor said that he and Welch have been talking about launching a line of "cutting-edge Christian products" in an attempt to give young people of faith some pop culture they can actually be proud of.Welch left Korn last month, noting that his newfound Christianity made it impossible for him to continue to play Korn's music and live the band's lifestyle (see "Brian 'Head' Welch Leaves Korn, Citing Moral Objections To Band's Music"). Since leaving the band, Welch has spent considerable time working with members of the Valley Bible Fellowship in Bakersfield, California, and has also sought out Baldwin, who went through his own very public conversion to Christianity.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/
PRESS RELEASE
Act One extends application deadline
ACT ONE has now extended the application deadline for its four-week summer screenwriting program through April 8. The ACT ONE: WRITING FOR HOLLYWOOD program, which takes place in Hollywood July 8 through August 6, prepares writers for careers in mainstream film and television. The WRITING FOR HOLLYWOOD faculty is made up of a volunteer corps of the industry's top writers and producers, including Dean Batali (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, That 70’s Show), Barbara Hall (Joan of Arcadia), David McFadzean (Home Improvement, What Women Want), and Ralph Winter (X-Men, Fantastic Four). The program is intensive, lasting four weeks, 30-40 hours per week, and covering: the craft of writing (story structure, genre, character, formatting, etc.); how Hollywood works (what writers need to know about “the industry”); ethical and spiritual issues writers must consider; plus screenings and discussions with some very special guest speakers. Go to www.actoneprogram.com for more information.
RECOMMENDED MUSIC
Day By Day
"Just Seem To Keep On Walkin!"
The Husband and Wife Duo of Darrell and Enora Day also known as Day By Day have spent many years in ministry and have weathered many storms. Their ministry has grown tremendously since their union on May 5th, 1995. It is their love for the Lord, as well as, their love for each other that is the driving force behind their music.
On August 20th, 2000, Day By Day was voted as one of the DFW Metro Areas "Top Ten Christian Artist" by 91.7 KVTT and Mastermedia Ministries, and recognized by Tom Dooley's syndicated show "The Journey". Since then, they have had the opportunity to minister with a host of Gospel Recording Artists such as, Donnie McClurkin, & Fred Hammond, at the Six Flags Gospelfest 2000 and Lashun Pace in 2001. They have also ministered at Cedric Bailey's "Praise In The Park" 2001-2003, The Dallas Harambe Festival, Kwanzafest, and 2 years in a row at The National Day Of Prayer Breakfast" at the American Airlines Corporate Center. Their debut CD entitled "Keep On Walkin" will be released to stores on April 29th and is currently available online at www.cdbaby.com and www.holyhiphop.com. This anointed CD contains 16 blistering and soul-stirring tracks that will definitely encourage your walk with God and edify your spirit. As you listen to their music, you will see their genuine relationship with the Lord unfold right before your eyes and with songs like "Reconnect Me, Udon'thave2go, and Joy Comes (In The Morning), you will truly be blessed and inspired to "Keep On Walkin".
To pre-order a CD go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/daybyday
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
The Wonder of His Love: A Journey Into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford (Multnomah Books) ISBN: 1590523253
Imagine what life would be like if you began to grasp the depth of God’s passionate love for you. It would change you. It would calm your fears, transform how you see yourself, and ignite you with love for Him and others. In thirty-one stirring reflections, Nancy offers a fresh glimpse into the many facets of God’s love, then invites you to venture deeper into the mystery and majesty of His love, to embark on a never-ending journey into the heart of God. “I want you to know”, says Stafford, “that the God of the universe is wild about you, enthralled with you, completely consumed with love for you. So come...experience the wonder of His love.”
From Publishers Weekly:
"What difference would it make in your life if you spent the next month or so thinking about the love of God?" asks Stafford, host of a television beauty show and former star of such programs as "Matlock" and "St. Elsewhere." In 31 daily meditations, Stafford calls upon the beauty of nature as well as the sacrifice of Christ to persuade readers of God’s inexhaustible love for them. Drawing upon various writers, but especially Inklings such as C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton and Charles Williams, Stafford makes her way through the glory and the transformative power of God’s love. Her writing style is dramatic and showy, yet conversational. Readers will appreciate her patient meditation on Christian freedom, and her perceptive understanding of the gap that exists between knowing one’s sins are forgiven and being able to feel forgiven.
Order from Amazon (ISBN: 1590523253):
http://www.amazon.com/
WHO NEEDS A SUPERHERO? by H. Michael Brewer (with a Forward by Leo Partible) (Baker Books)
Christian audiences need a resource that will help them understand the Biblical themes presented in the comic book inspired films and television shows such as The Incredibles, The Matrix, Spider-Man, The X-Men, Smallville, Buffy The Slayer, Blade, The Hulk, Daredevil, Unbreakable, Hellboy, The Punisher, The Road to Perdition, Ghost World, From Hell, American Splendor, and the upcoming Elektra, Batman Begins, The Fantastic Four, Star Wars Episode 3: The Revenge of the Sith, and the new Superman film.
Order from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/
RESOURCES:
The following is a list of resources to keep you informed of the latest news regarding Christians involved in the mainstream culture.
Mainstream Entertainment News
Ain’t It Cool News
www.aintitcoolnews.com
Cinescape
www.cinescape.com
Coming Soon
www.comingsoon.net
Dark Horizons
www.darkhorizons.com
Media Sharx
www.mediasharx.com
Box Office Grosses
Box Office Mojo
www.boxofficemojo.com
Box Office Report
www.boxofficereport.com
TV Ratings
The Futon Critic
www.thefutoncritic.com
Media Week
www.mediaweek.com
Zap2It
www.zap2it.com
Mainstream Blogs
Matt Drudge
www.drudgereport.com
Movie Reviews (national roundup)
Rotten Tomatoes
www.rottentomatoes.com
Christian perspective
Christian Online Magazines (Pop culture, entertainment & politics)
CBN
www.cbn.org
Christian Post
http://www.christianpost.com
Christianity Today
www.christianitytoday.com
Cornerstone
http://www.cornerstonemag.com/
Faith N’ Film
www.faithnfilm.com
Fuse Magazine
www.fusemagazine.net
Relevant Magazine
www.relevantmagazine.com
Movie Reviews
Hollywood Jesus
www.hollywoodjesus.com
Movieguide
www.movieguide.org
Crosswalk
www.crosswalk.com
Christians in Mainstream Music
Rock Rebel
www.rockrebel.com
The Emerging Church and pop culture
The Ooze
www.theooze.com
The Voice Behind
www.brewingculture.com
National Columns
Terry Mattingly
http://tmatt.gospelcom.net
Chuck Colson
www.breakpoint.org
Christian Blogs (pop culture, politics, and faith)
Terry Mattingly, Douglas LeBlanc, and Jeremy Lott
http://www.getreligion.org
Steve Beard
www.thunderstruck.org
Barbara Nicolosi
www.churchofthemasses.blogspot.com
Evangelical Outpost
http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/
Intersectionz
www.intersectionz.blogspot.com
Urban Legends
Truth Miners
http://www.truthminers.com
Christians in the Hollywood Mainstream (Organizations)
Act One Program
www.actoneprogram.com
Hollywood Connect
www.hollywoodconnect.com
Intermission
http://www.inter-mission.net
MasterMedia
http://www.mastermediaintl.org
168 Film Project
www.168project.com |
