Article from the Diocese of Orange Submitted by Armando M. Cervantes at http://orangeyoucatholic.com/blog/get-ready-year-biblein-movie-theatres How many times do we use movies as a way to engage the youth of today? Either you suscribe to using the culture to teach about morals and values and what Scripture and the church teaches. Or you shy away from the culture, hoping to instill in the younger generation a sense of distance from the "popular culture" and our faith. Well it seems the big studios are going to side with us in 2014, which seems to be a year of wonderful movies coming out. Below is a review from Jonathan Merritt who write on Faith & Culture for the Religious News Services (RNS) for some of the most talked about films coming out: “Son of God” | 20th Century Fox (February 2014) Reality TV pioneer Mark Burnett and his wife, actress Roma Downey, shocked the world last year when their History Channel series “The Bible” set cable TV records. Now, the Christian power couple has taken footage from that series and partnered with 20th Century Fox to create “Son of God,” a film about Jesus’ life that will doubtlessly attract churchgoing Americans. As the first film on this list to release, it may be helpful box office barometer for the others. “Noah” | Regency Enterprises (November 2014) A flood of publicity has already been created around the “Noah” film and its impressive $130 million budget. The cast includes Russell Crowe, as the sailor himself, as well as Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson. Darren Aronofsky of “Black Swan” fame directed the movie. If the trailer is any indication, it should be visually stunning while taking massive artistic liberties in creating details not found in the biblical narrative. Watch the Trailer. “Heaven is For Real” | Sony Pictures (April 2014) Though not technically a biblical movie, Sony Pictures’ “Heaven is For Real” must also be mentioned because it will likely riff on popular Bible themes such as heaven, Jesus, and salvation. The film is based on the New York Times bestselling book by the same name and stars Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilley, and Thomas Haden Church. This story of a little boy’s life-after-death experience is not so coincidentally scheduled to release just before Easter. Watch the Trailer. “Exodus” | 20th Century Fox (December 2014) Twentieth Century Fox has kept a tight lid on Ridley Scott’s “Exodus.” All we know is that the film is an adaptation of the biblical story of the ancient Israelite people’s liberation from Egypt. Christian Bale will star as Moses, and Sigourney Weaver will co-star. Critics won’t be able to help themselves from comparing the film to the 1956 movie “The Ten Commandments” starring Charlton Heston. The question will be whether this film can duplicate the classic’s box office success. “Mary, Mother of Christ” | Lionsgate Films (December 2014) The long awaited prequel to “The Passion of The Christ” is scheduled to arrive before Christmas after a long set of delays. The cast includes the late Peter O’Toole, Sir Ben Kinglsey, Julia Ormond, and 16-year-old Israeli newcomer Odeya Rush as the holy mother herself. The hefty cast combined with a serious budget from Lionsgate and the backing of several Christian notables (including mega-church pastor Joel Osteen who gets an executive producer credit) give this movie serious box office potential. ---------------------------- Thanks Armando and Jonathon! We will have to wait to see which will be rated G, PG or PG-13 for our teens, and which will be rated R for our younger and older adults to see.
1 Comment
Cindee Case
3/4/2014 06:38:59 am
So, "Son of God" was released this week -- have you seen it? If so, what did you think?
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
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