Christians in the Movies by
Christians in the Movies traces the arc of the portrayal in film of Christians from 1905 to the present. For most of the first six decades, the portrayals were favorable and even reverential. By contrast, from 1970 on, Christians have often been treated with hostility and often outright ridicule. This book explores this shift through in-depth reviews and commentaries on 100 important films, as well as briefer discussions of about 75 additional Christian-themed films. Peter E. Dans examines various causative factors for this change such as the abolition of the Hays Motion Picture Production Code; the demise of the Catholic Legion of Decency; and the associated profound societal and cultural changes. From a look at the real story behind the Scopes trial to portraits of actors, directors and writers most prominently associated with films involving Christians and Christianity, Christians in the Movies provides a great resource for those who wish to select films for showing at churches, universities or for personal viewing and critical examination of the recent cultural movements and thought.
Bible and Cinema: Fifty Key Films by
Movies which have drawn inspiration from the Bible, either directly or indirectly, have been extremely popular since the earliest days of cinema. Bible and Cinema: Fifty Key Films introduces a wide range of those movies, which are among the most important, critically-acclaimed and highest-grossing films of all time, including: The King of Kings Ben-Hur The Passion of the Christ Frankenstein Close Encounters of the Third Kind 2001: A Space Odyssey Apocalypse Now Monty Python's Life of Brian. Written by a team of international scholars, the fifty entries discuss the Biblical stories, characters or motifs depicted in each film making this book the ideal guide for anyone interested in the long-standing relationship between the Bible and film.
God on the Big Screen by
Film history meets church history through the ritual of prayers Moments of prayer have been represented in Hollywood movies since the silent era, appearing unexpectedly in films as diverse as Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Frankenstein, Amistad, Easy Rider, Talladega Nights, and Alien 3, as well as in religiously inspired classics such as Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments. Here, Terry Lindvall examines how films have reflected, and sometimes sought to prescribe, ideas about how one ought to pray. He surveys the landscape of those films that employ prayer in their narratives, beginning with the silent era and moving through the uplifting and inspirational movies of the Great Depression and World War II, the cynical, anti-establishment films of the 60s and 70s, and the sci-fi and fantasy blockbusters of today. Lindvall considers how the presentation of cinematic prayer varies across race, age, and gender, and places the use of prayer in film in historical context, shedding light on the religious currents at play during those time periods. God on the Big Screen demonstrates that the way prayer is presented in film during each historical period tells us a great deal about America's broader relationship with religion.
Produced by Faith by
Hollywood executive DeVon Franklin shows readers how to live and work their faith from nine to five, not just after quitting time. STRAIGHT FROM HOLLYWOOD comes a dynamic business model for building a thriving career without compromising your faith. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, shares how being bold about his Christian faith while being driven and ambitious has actually worked in his favor to help him excel in a high-profile, fast-paced, competitive industry. You are the movie. Produced by Faith parallels each step of the Hollywood filmmaking process with the faith-making process God uses to turn your career into a success. You will discover that it is possible to be both wildly successful and completely committed to God--and that you will be even more successful when you place your faith at the center of your career. You can unleash the power of your faith as your greatest professional advantage and use the compass of God's Word to guide you to your true passion and purpose in life. In this informative, inspiring book, DeVon reveals the secrets to maintaining your faith while advancing in your career. Here he shows you: * How to discover The Big Idea for your life * How to take your career to the next level * How to recognize the signs God sends you that indicate when it's time to movein a new direction * How to stand firm on your Christian principles without compromise * How to work with people who don't understand your beliefs * How to choose a profession, industry, or company that is in tune with your purpose DeVon says, "I know from my own experiences that if you will put your career in God's hands and trust Him, you can't account for all the ways He will bless you. When you step out in faith, He will open doors and bring you opportunities that will surpass even your wildest expectations. . . . If I have learned anything, it's this: To get where you want to go, you've first got to become the person God wants you to be."