Archive for the 'Movies' Category

Fireproof Roundup

Published at September 29, 2008 in Movies. 3 Comments

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I had hoped to see the movie Fireproof this weekend but could not find it in any of the local theaters. According to the news it did quite well, debuting at no. 4 over the weekend with a gross of $6.5 million dollars, the second highest debut this year for a film released on 1,000 screens or less.

Here are some links and reviews:

Christian Post: ‘Fireproof’ Debuts at No. 4

The movie, produced by church-based ministry Sherwood Pictures, tells the inspiring story of a fireman and his struggle to save his faltering marriage from ending with his newfound faith and with the help of the “Love Dare,” a 40-day spiritual guide that utilizes Scripture to reveal what true love is.

New York Times: Fireproof (2008)

“Fireproof” may not be the most profound movie ever made, but it does have its commendable elements, including that rarest of creatures on the big (or small) screen: characters with a strong, conservative Christian faith who don’t sound crazy.

Christianity Today: Fireproof (See also Peter Chattaway at FilmChat)

After a shaky start and a steady middle, the film ends on a genuinely moving note that didn’t quite have me in tears, but still got me where it counts, both times I saw the film. With this, the folks at Sherwood Baptist Church have made their most impressive movie yet.

Good News Film Reviews: Fireproof Rakes in the Cash

In my original view of the trailer I claimed this looked like “another groan-inducing, half-baked flick that begs to be ridiculed.” It still looks like that to me, but apparently I may be in the minority here.

Boundless: Watching Fireproof

You know what? Despite the film’s “poor production values,” I found my heart elevated by the story. I adjusted my expectations based on the limitations placed on the film crew because of the available expertise and technology, and was able to engage the story to my benefit. (Note: You must read this one for context. It is not what you think it is.)

So, have any of you seen Fireproof yet? What did you think?

Related post: Kirk Cameron: “I’ll Only Kiss My Wife”

Lego Wall-E Robot

Published at September 26, 2008 in Video and Movies. 0 Comments

Check out the amazing Lego NXT Autonomous Wall-E Robot built by a member of the Trossen Robotics Community Forums.

(Video length: 1:18)

Creator bazmark writes:

He is entirely made of Lego parts and Lego NXT Mindstorms Robotic System for brains, he is fully automated and animated and programed using Labview’s NXT-G software. I have built many prototype before coming to this final revision (wall-e rev.3)

Technical specs:
    - 1 Mindstorms NXT with rechargable pack,
    - 3 Lego NXT Servo Motors,
    - 4 Lego PowerFonctions motors,
    - 2 PF IR receiver,
    - 1 UltraSonic sensor,
    - 1 Sound sensor,
    - 1 InfraRed link sensor (HiTechnic),
    - 1 NXTservo module,
    - 1 mini RC servo (Mindsensors),
    - 10 AA batteries,
    - Lego parts mainly from the Bulldozer set #8275, and
    - other parts from various technic sets.

Related post: 6 WALL·E Video Vignettes

Kirk Cameron: “I’ll Only Kiss My Wife”

Published at September 24, 2008 in People and Movies. 3 Comments

The script for Kirk Cameron’s new movie, Fireproof, called for Kirk’s character to kiss the actress playing his wife in the movie. There was just one problem. Cameron refuses to kiss any woman except for his real-life wife.

“I have a commitment not to kiss any other woman,” the former child star of “Growing Pains” told Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford Monday on TODAY in New York.

To get around the conflict, the filmmakers employed a bit of movie magic, Cameron explained. They dressed his wife, actress Chelsea Noble, like the movie’s female lead and shot the scene in silhouette.

“So when I’m kissing my wife, we’re actually husband and wife honoring marriage behind the scenes,” Cameron said as Gifford and Kotb melted from the romanticism of the moment.

Fireproof opens in theaters this Friday, September 26th. You can learn more about the movie at the Fireproof website. Click here to find theaters and show times near you. (Note: Fireproof was made by the same group that produced Facing the Giants in 2006.)

Batman Gets Rid of a Bomb

Published at July 19, 2008 in Video and Movies. 6 Comments

Why so serious? Here is a classic scene from the 1966 Batman movie starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin.

“Some days you just can’t get rid of a bomb!”
(Video length: 2:33)

See related posts:

Batman The Dark Knight Lego and 1966 Trailers

Published at July 11, 2008 in Video and Movies. 2 Comments

I have been a Batman fan for as long as I can remember, so I am really looking forward to The Dark Knight, the follow-up to the Batman Begins movie from 2005. The Dark Knight comes out in theaters July 18. Here is the two-minute trailer for the movie, masterfully re-created with Legos. (Video length: 2:09)


 

And here is the trailer re-created with clips from the 1966 Batman
movie starring Adam West. (Video length: 2:07)

HT: Neatorama and Looking Closer

See related posts:

6 WALL·E Video Vignettes

Published at June 17, 2008 in Video and Movies. 1 Comment

Here are six video vignettes starring WALL·E the robot from the upcoming Pixar film, WALL·E.  WALL·E comes out in movie theaters on June 27.

                                            Magnet

 

                                          Headphones

 

Click below for four more WALL·E video vignettes (Hula Hoop, Bouncy Balls, Fire Hydrant, and Vacuum Cleaner).

Continue reading ‘6 WALL·E Video Vignettes’

Countdown to Caspian - Day 1 (Magic at the Station)

Published at May 1, 2008 in Narnia Countdown, Narnia and Movies. 7 Comments

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian opens in theaters on Friday, May 16. In order to whet your appetite, I will be counting down the fifteen days to the movie by sharing a favorite selection from each of the fifteen chapters of C. S. Lewis’ masterful book, Prince Caspian. (Warning: Plot spoilers ahead! But if you haven’t read the book, you should really read it before going to see the movie anyways!) Here goes — let’s count down to Caspian!

From Chapter 1: The Island

It was an empty, sleepy, country station and there was hardly anyone on the platform except themselves. Suddenly Lucy gave a sharp little cry, like someone who has been stung by a wasp.

“What’s up, Lu?” said Edmund — and then suddenly broke off and made a noise like “Ow!”

“What on earth — ” began Peter, and then he too suddenly changed what he had been going to say. Instead, he said, “Susan, let go! What are you doing? Where are you dragging me to?”

“I’m not touching you,” said Susan. “Someone is pulling me. Oh — oh — oh — stop it!”

Everyone noticed that all the others’ faces had gone very white.

“I felt just the same,” said Edmund in a breathless voice. “As if I were being dragged along. A most frightful pulling — ugh! it’s beginning aain.”

“Me too,” said Lucy. “Oh, I can’t bear it.”

“Look sharp!” shouted Edmund. “All catch hands and keep together. This is magic — I can tell by the feeling. Quick!”

Thoughts:  This is a great opening scene. Lewis wastes no time but pulls you right into the story, as effectively as the children are pulled into Narnia from the railway station. Get ready to enjoy the ride! (Thoughts? Comments? Do you have a favorite scene or quote from chapter one?)

All the Countdown Posts:  Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Click here for more Narnia and Caspian related posts.
Click here for Narnia sermon series.

Reepicheep - The Mad Max of Mice

Published at April 23, 2008 in Narnia and Movies. 0 Comments

Chronicles of Narnia | Prince Caspian | Reepicheep

Comedian Eddie Izzard plays the voice of talking mouse, Reepicheep, in the upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie. Izzard had this to say about his character:

I realized that he has always been recorded in a high, slightly camp voice because of the overt language that he uses and his chivalrous nature, but actually he is a murderous little so-and-so of a mouse. I see him as the Mad Max of mice.

You can read the whole interview with Izzard here.

Countdown to Caspian:

Click here for more Narnia and Caspian related posts.
Click here for Narnia sermon series.

Ben Stein Expelled Roundup

Published at April 19, 2008 in Science and Movies. 12 Comments

Updated with new links:

Ben Stein’s new movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, came out this weekend, and the reviews are all over the map. Here is a roundup of links both positive and negative, and somewhere in between!

The Good:

The Bad:

The Ugly:

Have you seen the movie? What did you think?

Behind the Scenes Video for Prince Caspian

Published at March 10, 2008 in Video, Narnia and Movies. 0 Comments

Check out the new behind the scenes video for the upcoming movie: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Behind the Scenes: “Prince Caspian: Return to Narnia”
(Video length: 2:46)

Countdown to Caspian:

Click here for more Narnia and Caspian related posts.
Click here for Narnia sermon series.

HT: NarniaWeb

Prince Caspian Movie Photos

Published at February 27, 2008 in Narnia and Movies. 0 Comments

Here are some sneak-peek photos from the upcoming movie: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian | Lucy on the Beach
                                          Lucy on the Beach
 

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian | Trumpkin on the Beach
                                        Trumpkin on the Beach
 

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian | Caspian Fighting a Telmarine
                                      Caspian Fighting a Telmarine

Want more? Head on over to NarniaWeb to view these photos and more in high resolution. And remember – the Prince Caspian movie is only away!

Click here for more Narnia and Caspian related posts.
Click here for Narnia sermon series.

“The Messiah” - An Islamic Film on Christ

Published at February 20, 2008 in Christ and Movies. 0 Comments

“The Messiah” - Iranian Film on Christ from Islamic Perspective “The Messiah” is a new movie from Iran depicting the life of Jesus from an Islamic perspective. Unfortunately, the Islamic perspective changes some crucial details concerning the person and work of Christ. Here are some excerpts from an interview between ABC’s Lara Setrakian and Iranian filmmaker Nader Talebzadeh:

LS: What are the key differences between Jesus through Islam’s eyes and Jesus through the traditional Christian perspective?

NT: We are talking about the same beautiful man, the same beautiful prophet, the same divine person sent from heaven. In the Koran, it emphasizes maybe three main points: about the birth, about the fact that he was not the son of God, and then, that he was not crucified. The rest is [the same] Jesus … the sermons, and the miracles, and the political situation …

LS: While production on this movie was happening, Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” came out. What did you learn from watching that film?

NT: We were almost finished filming when Mel Gibson started shooting. I saw the film, and it’s the first time the Gospel of John has ever been depicted. It was nice. But it was the wrong story. In my film, I respect that common belief with all the good intentions the Christians have … according to what Islam says. Yet, Jesus, at the night of the last supper, ascends to heaven [without being crucified]. A beautiful man, a beautiful prophet. Why should he be bloodied that way?

LS: What kind of response have you gotten from Christians? What kind of feedback and interchange has there been since the movie was released?

NT: Many thought this film is a good step for serious inter-religious dialogue. Many of them liked it — seeing the Koran-based ending. And I was very happy that the practicing Christians were very happy with the film. I have never found one case among practicing Christians who are offended [by the movie].

I am amazed that Talebzadeh says he did not find one practicing Christian who was offended by his movie that denies two of the most central beliefs of Christianity: that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for sin. Perhaps he needs to ask around a bit more.

HT: Neatorama

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