Here are today’s Top 10 dispatches from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.<\/p>\n
1. Spider-Man movie producer dies.<\/strong> From The Wrap<\/a>: “Spider-Man” producer Laura Ziskin died Sunday evening.\u00a0She was 61 and had been battling breast cancer for seven years…She was best known for her work on the “Spider-Man” franchise, which brought in over $1.5 billion worldwide, making her one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood.”<\/em> 2. Book of Mormon<\/em> wins Best Musical Tony. <\/strong>From Hollywood Reporter<\/a>:\u00a0 Voters for the 65th annual Tony Awards demonstrated their faith in The Book of MormonSunday night, showering the irreverent buddy comedy about two unworldly missionaries catapulted from Salt Lake City to a poverty-stricken Ugandan village with nine wins, including best musical.<\/em> 3. Super 8 #1 @ b.o.<\/strong> From The Wrap<\/a>: “Super 8<\/a>,” produced by Steven Spielberg<\/a> and directed by J.J. Abrams<\/a>, grossed $38 million at the weekend box office, according to studio estimates, putting the $50 million sci-fi thriller about $10 million above pre-release forecasts…The movie with the no-name cast and a 12-year-old-kids-save-the-day story arc was reminiscent to many of Spielberg efforts including \u201cE.T.: The Extraterrestrial.\u201d It easily beat out No. 2 film \u201cX-Men: First Class<\/a>,\u201d which dropped about 53 percent from its premiere week and finished with $25 million.” 4. Field of Vision<\/em> ratings disappoint.<\/strong> From TV by the Numbers<\/a>: The Walmart\/P&G Family Movie Night advertising vehicle Field Of Vision<\/strong> scored just a 0.5 adults 18-49 rating, but based on previous such movies not much could have been expected, and presumably Walmart got its money\u2019s worth. 5. Chaos<\/em> grows.<\/strong> Also from TV by the Numbers<\/a>: The only other new episode on broadcast Saturday night, the continuing burn off of cancelled Chaos<\/a> <\/strong>gave off just a puff of smoke, with a 0.5 adults 18-49 rating, up a tenth from last week. 6. Can conservatives represent the values of both Ayn Rand and Jesus Christ?<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAlso read: When Laura Ziskin fought David Fincher over abortion joke<\/strong>. It you’re like me, you’ll end up respecting Ziskin more and Fincher less.<\/p>\n
\nSide Note:<\/strong> Joseph Smith, Jr.<\/a> had no comment. <\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Comment:<\/strong> Once again “family friendly” wins the weekend. <\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Comment: <\/strong>That’s not quite true. Some the the Walmart\/P&G films have done quite well in the ratings (i.e. Secrets of the Mountain<\/em><\/a>). <\/em>NBC might have done better with Field of Vision <\/em>had they actually made half an effort to genuinely promote it. Instead, the networks continue to act like “family friendly” is something to be embarrassed by rather than proud of.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Comment:<\/strong> This is actually a good old-fashioned espionage-with-humor caper show that CBS is burning off with little<\/del> no fanfare on Saturdays during the summer. The network would be wise to keep in eye on the trend line. They could have a sleeper hit on their hands.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n