HOLLYWOOD (BP) – It’s that time of year again. The nominations for the 90th Academy Awards were announced earlier JAN. 23. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel will again host the 90th Academy Awards on ABC, March 4. The pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, with the awards presentation continuing into the wee small hours of the night. Arguably, there are reasons why you shouldn’t support the Oscars – but maybe there is one reason why you should. Last year, several Oscar acceptance speeches consisted of … [Read more...]
Steve McQueen film more than ‘celebrity salute’
NASHVILLE (BP) – “Steve McQueen: American Icon” premiered theatrically nationwide for one night only, Sept. 28, but will be back for an encore in nine Missouri theaters Oct. 19. This documentary isn’t just another celebrity salute. Rather, it’s a revealing biography of a tormented man seeking and ultimately finding redemption – through Jesus Christ. Viewing it, one can see God’s guiding hands at work. The new film about screen idol Steve McQueen (“Bullitt,” “The Towering Inferno,” “The … [Read more...]
A few suggestions for a late summer movie night
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) – The faith-based drama “The Case for Christ” is the true story of Lee Strobel, a Chicago Tribune investigative journalist who determined to disprove his wife’s newfound religious faith, only to discover that Christ and His resurrection were historical facts. Strobel, in the 2008 documentary “The Case for Faith,” took on two questions meant to debunk Christianity: “Why is Jesus the only way to God?” and “How could a loving God exist if there is evil and suffering … [Read more...]
MOVIES: Send Hollywood a message
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) -- Following a contentious election season, it's apparent that many Americans are tired of corruption and ineptness in our political system. Will this latest presidential election change Washington D.C. for the positive? We can hope and pray that it will. Now, when it comes to Hollywood, there is an opportunity for Christians and conservatives to send a message that could provoke change for the better. Many Christians want change in the entertainment capital. It's … [Read more...]
Hemingway, Sinatra & the Christian
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) – Ever since I can remember, I have been influenced and mesmerized by the arts. That said, I find it sad when creators such as musicians, writers or filmmakers fail to acknowledge the Creator. It pleased God to grant certain men and women extraordinary artistic ability, even knowing many would use their talents to glorify themselves rather than Him who formed the heavens and the earth. Despite this fact, I have often appreciated the gifts of those who don't seemingly … [Read more...]
Setting the world straight in 2016
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) – Political leaders, social activists and the entertainment industry are ballyhooing for extreme reform in this rather chaotic era, as if trying to reconstruct our nation ideologically. Sadly, I'm not sure the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election will get us into balance. Then what will? Hollywood plays to humanity's narcissism and love of gadgets, and a growing anger that seemingly calls for anarchy. Many of us who see the Bible as the inerrant Word of … [Read more...]
R-rated movies – a rising flood
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) – Five movies opened during the same weekend recently and, though of different genres, all were rated R. It seems to be a trend. Last year, of the nine Oscar nominees for Best Picture, only three escaped an R rating — and just barely. Perhaps “trend” is the wrong word, as this decades-old direction toward harsher content seems to have become the norm. It’s one thing to endure crudity or obscenity in our daily lives (work, school, walking past others at the mall) … [Read more...]
The four best family-friendly movies of 2015
Each year movie studios save the good stuff (well, comparatively) until the winter season, having bombarded us the first three months with product they have no faith in, then jamming the theaters during summertime with countless cape-wearing crusaders who battle nemeses for 140 minutes. True, the Marvel extravaganzas are all distracting enough, but without their computer-generated magic we’re usually left with weak storylines and colorless portrayals. I keep hoping we’re going to see the … [Read more...]