Thursday, June 17, 2010

Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I'm so glad to see the third Narnia movie (Voyage of the Dawn Treader) making its way into theaters on December 10, 2010. As a high-profile marriage of Christian content and Hollywood artistry, the films made from C.S. Lewis' Narnia books represent an incredible opportunity for the church to catch the attention of the masses as we again pass through the intersection of culture and Christianity.

This time around, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie join forces once again with their royal friend Prince Caspian as they are whisked away on a mysterious mission to the Lone Islands, and beyond. On this bewitching voyage that will test their hearts and spirits, the trio will face magical Dufflepuds, sinister slave traders, roaring dragons and enchanted merfolk. Only an entirely uncharted journey to Aslan's Country – a voyage of destiny and transformation for each of those aboard the Dawn Treader – can save Narnia and all the astonishing creatures in it, from an unfathomable fate.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

In the World, Of the World, Until...

UPDATE 6/15/10: Samme was told that 713 people called into CBN and made a 1st time decision for Jesus after his segment ran on the 700 Club!

This is the testimony of a buddy of mine, Samme Palermo, which is being featured on CBN today (6/10/10). Samme enjoyed pleasure-seeking the night away as a DJ, but when his wife became a Christian, his life took a different turn. A great video segment about a great guy.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Gulliver's Travels Trailer

Here is the new trailer for Gulliver's Travels, starring Jack Black, due out December 22, 2010. By the look of the trailer, it appears 20th Century Fox is going for a family-friendly vibe. That's a good thing. If Hollywood did their job right, churches will be able to use the cultural impact of the film (or even merely the promotion of the film) to point to the Christian origins of the story - and thereby get a foot in the door to talk about Christianity.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Gulliver's Travels: Christian Classic

A new Gulliver's Travels movie is coming out in December. In this modernized version, Jack Black stars as Lemuel Gulliver, a free-spirited travel writer who, on an assignment in the Bermuda Triangle, suddenly finds himself a giant among men, when he washes ashore on the hidden island of Liliput, home to a population of tiny people.

Of course, Gulliver's Travels was written by Jonathan Swift, one-time Dean of St. Patricks, Dublin. The fantastical (and very entertaining) adventures are window-dressing for the cleric's satirical commentary on issues of faith and politics.

Coming in the same year as Alice in Wonderland, another Christian classic, 2010 is a banner year for church outreach opportunities that leverage the promotional efforts of Hollywood to impact our communities at the crossroads of culture and Christianity.