Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.
1. Christian retailer gets into movie-making biz. Family Christian Entertainment (FCE), the recently-launched sister company of Family Christian Stores, has announced its first project. Production of 90 Minutes in Heaven will commence January 26th in Atlanta. The film is based on the 2004 New York Times bestselling book (7 million-plus copies sold) about Pastor Don Piper’s 1989 near-death experience. Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns) and Hayden Christensen (Star Wars, Jumper) star. Michael Polish (Twin Falls Idaho, Big Sur) directs.
“We know our audience, we know the power of stories, and we plan to make at least two films a year,” says producer Rick Jackson. Jackson, along with two other investors is the co-founder of Family Christian Ministries, a non-profit holding company that owns Family Christian Stores, Family Christian Entertainment and the IDisciple app that, as its website states, “delivers sermons, devotionals, and music from hundreds of top Christian authors, speakers, ministries, and music artists to any device, anytime.” Family Christian Ministries reportedly gives 100 percent of the profits from its companies to Christian charities.
“In production… in quality, budgets and professionalism, the Christian and family markets are maturing, and we’re upping the ante again,” Jackson says, adding that Family Christian Entertainment is open to all sources for ideas–from developing original scripts to ideas that come in the door. “And we’ll stay true to the story,” he said. “When faith is a factor, it stays in.”
2. Upcoming Pure Flix film asks Do You Believe? The question is also the title of the film from the makers of last year’s surprise box office hit God’s Not Dead. Do You Believe? is set for theatrical release on March 20th. The ensemble cast includes Mira Sorvino, Cybill Shepherd, Sean Astin, Alexa PenaVega, Ted McGinley, Brian Bosworth, Andrea Logan White, Delroy Lindo, Madison Pettis, and Lee Majors.
Do You Believe? tells the story of several people whose lives unexpectedly intersect as they discover the healing power of faith in Christ. The God’s Not Dead writing team of Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon wrote the film which is produced by White, Michael Scott, Russell Wolfe, and Elizabeth Travis.
3. Surprised by Love surprises. Hallmark Channel’s first original movie of 2015 garnered a 2.3 household rating and 2.4 million total viewers. The film, which debuted on January 3rd, boosted Hallmark Channel to be the #1 rated and most-watched cable network among total viewers in its time period.
The film’s ratings success comes on the heels of Hallmark Channel’s most successful Countdown to Christmas campaign in the network’s history.
4. Growing Pains on UP TV. The family-friendly network has acquired all 166 episodes of the classic eighties series “Growing Pains” in a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. The show can now be seen in HD weekdays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (ET). Besides helping launch the careers of Kirk Cameron and, in its final season, Leonardo DiCaprio, notable guest stars during its seven-year run included Brad Pitt, Matthew Perry, Hillary Swank, Heather Graham, Dennis Haysbert, Candace Cameron Bure, Annette Funicello, Dick Butkus, Cuba Gooding Jr., Hank Azaria and many others.
Premiering in September 1985, Growing Pains centered on Dr. Jason Seaver (Alan Thicke), a psychiatrist who had moved his practice into his Long Island, N.Y. home so that his wife, Maggie (Joanna Kerns) could resume her career as a local TV reporter. As Maggie juggled work and home, Jason took care of the kids, including girl-crazy Mike (Cameron), bookish honors student Carol (Tracey Gold), and rambunctious younger son Ben (Miller). Fourth child Chrissy (Ashley Johnson) was born later as Maggie transitioned from TV news anchor back to home. A young Leonardo DiCaprio (I wonder what happened to him) was added to the cast in the last season as homeless teen who the Seavers take in.
UP Senior V.P. of Programming Sophia Kelley says “We are really excited to add Growing Pains to our weekday afternoon block and Tuesday primetime schedule. “This beloved comedy series is a great fit for our brand, and it is a timeless favorite for everyone who comes to UP for great family entertainment.”
5. The Singing Priest. Finally, I’m told that Father Ray Kelly has recorded his forthcoming debut album in his parish home in Oldcastle, Ireland. The Catholic priest captured the hearts of over 39 million people (and counting) with his soulful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah while presiding over a couple’s wedding ceremony.
In case you missed it:
Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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