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Down on the Funny Farm
Steve Oedekerk, the writer/director/producer of Barnyard, might be one of Hollywood's funniest guys. For Oedekerk, a Christian, it's all about the joy of making people laugh.
by Mark Moring | posted 08/01/06
An Animation Bug's Life
John Davis, director of The Ant Bully, was bitten by the animation bug when he saw a stop-motion movie as a kid. He's since gone digital, and looking to impart some life lessons through the lives of the little insects.
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 07/25/06
The 'Savior' Returns
Bryan Singer, director of the highly anticipated Superman Returns, says it makes sense to compare his protagonist to Jesus because, after all, "Superman is a savior."
by Mark Moring | posted 06/26/06
The Role of a Lifetime
Golden Globe winner Olivia Hussey always wanted to play Mother Teresa, and finally got her chance in 2003. Now, as the film hits DVD, Hussey discusses one of her favorite roles.
by Mark Moring | posted 06/13/06
From the Radio Stage to the Big Screen
Garrison Keillor has been telling stories on the radio for years via A Prairie Home Companion. Now he brings his yarn-spinning to a new movie by the same name.
by Carolyn Arends | posted 06/05/06
'Times are Very Dark'
Director John Moore, a self-professed "lapsed Catholic," says the time is right for a remake of The Omen, which he calls "an emboldened reaffirmation of the existence of God."
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 05/31/06
Low Budget, Big Success
Cory Edwards, director of the surprise hit Hoodwinked, knows how to make a good movie with limited resources. He's also a Christian … but don't look for a blatant evangelistic message in his flicks.
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 05/02/06
Sticking It … in Hollywood
After an all-star gymnastics career in college, Maddy Curley, a devout Christian, has landed her first major film role-in Stick It, a new movie about, yep, gymnastics.
by Mark Moring | posted 04/25/06
The Devil Made Him Do It
Daniel Johnston, whose songs have been covered by everyone from Beck to Wilco, has battled his inner demons for years. Just ask the filmmaker who documented his life story.
by Mark Moring | posted 04/11/06
Grooming Hollywood's New Talent
Booted from a convent for thinking outside the box, Barbara Nicolosi moved to Hollywood and founded a successful program to mentor Christian screenwriters—some of whom have earned their big break.
by Mark Moring | posted 03/21/06
Swept Away by DeMille
Since seeing The Ten Commandments as a young girl, Katherine Orrison has been a fan of the film and director Cecil B. DeMille, even writing a book about the making of the movie. Today, she provides commentary on a special new DVD release of the classic.
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 03/21/06
The McPassion of the Filmmaker
Rik Swartzwelder didn't like the way churches pitched The Passion from their pulpits a couple of years ago. So the young filmmaker made a biting satire about it—and you can watch it today.
by Mark Moring | posted 03/01/06
Clueless No More
Amateur filmmakers Heather Whinna and Vickie Hunter were fairly clueless about Christian rock music, but that didn't keep them from making a stirring documentary about the scene.
by Mark Moring | posted 02/21/06
A Black & White Movie
What happens when a rich, white megachurch meets a poor, African-American, inner-city congregation? The Second Chance, opening in theaters this week, takes a look.
by Mark Moring | posted 02/14/06
A Nanny With Sense … and Sensibility
Emma Thompson, perhaps best known for 1995's Sense and Sensibility, wrote and stars in what she now calls her proudest project, Nanny McPhee, opening this week.
by Mark Moring | posted 01/24/06
Death Worked Backwards
End of the Spear, a new film about the 1956 missionary martyrs in Ecuador, is similar to the Narnia story in some ways, says Steve Saint, son of one of the murdered men.
by Mark Moring | posted 01/18/06
Being Pocahontas
Fifteen-year-old Q'Orianka Kilcher really got into her first starring role as the young Native American.
by Camerin Courtney | posted 01/17/06
Christians in Hollywood: Now What?
Pop culture analyst Craig Detweiler says Christians are long past merely trying to get a foot in the door in the film industry. Now that they've got a seat at the table, where do they go from here?
by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 12/27/05
A Narnia Geek's Dream Come True
Perry Moore, a lifelong sci-fi and fantasy fanboy, has always wanted to see his favorite book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, made into a movie. Now it is—and he's the executive producer.
by Mark Moring | posted 12/06/05
Mr. Versatile
Dennis Quaid has played all sorts of roles, including recent family films like the brand-new Yours, Mine & Ours. Here, he identifies himself as a Christian, but also a "spiritual seeker."
interview by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 11/21/05
The Man in Black
Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, who play Johnny and June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, join director James Mangold to discuss the legend's life—and faith.
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 11/15/05
Ticket to Paradise?
Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad's new film—fictional, but true to life—follows the journey of two young suicide bombers. What motivates them? Abu-Assad says it may be more than meets the eye.
interview by Stefan Ulstein | posted 11/08/05
Narnia Comes to Life
Douglas Gresham has dreamed of seeing Aslan on the big screen since he was a little boy. Now that his dream is about to become reality, C. S. Lewis's stepson talks about the new movie, and his role in it. (Part 2)
by Mark Moring | posted 11/01/05
The Man Behind the Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis, author of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe—a feature film coming to theaters soon—was "the best Christian I've ever known," says Douglas Gresham, stepson to the famous writer. (Part 1)
by Mark Moring | posted 10/31/05
Churches Get Left Behind
The third film in the popular end-times stories will roll out this weekend not to theaters, but to churches—and more than 3,000 screens. We got the scoop from Peter Lalonde, who has produced all three movies.
by Mark Moring | posted 10/18/05
'A Certain Bit of Optimism'
Director Cameron Crowe doesn't apologize for avoiding cynicism in his films, including his latest, Elizabethtown, which he says he hopes "encourages people to be truly alive."
by Lisa Ann Cockrel | posted 10/13/05
Finding Their Way Home
Husband-wife filmmakers Lawrence David Foldes and Victoria Paige Meyerink bring two lifetimes of film experience to every movie they make. Finding Home is the story they've been waiting 20 years to tell.
by Carolyn Arends | posted 10/11/05
Narnia: 'The Pressure Is Insane'
So says Walden Media President Micheal Flaherty, who's feeling the heat to get The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe exactly right. But Flaherty promises audiences a "fantastic, faithful adaptation."
by Mark Moring | posted 10/04/05
Up to Par
Shia LaBeouf, who plays golf whiz kid Francis Ouimet in The Greatest Game Ever Played, says he learned that golf is the most "honorable" game in sports.
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 09/27/05
One Scary Performance
Jennifer Carpenter, who plays the title character in The Exorcism of Emily Rose, is so convincing in her role that colleagues on the set nervously joked that maybe she really was possessed. (She isn't.)
by Todd Hertz and Mark Moring | posted 09/06/05
Horror: The Perfect Christian Genre
Scott Derrickson, co-writer and director of the upcoming film The Exorcism of Emily Rose, says horror movies are an excellent way for a Christian filmmaker to address things of faith.
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 08/30/05
Of Mice and Lions
Anna Popplewell, who plays Susan in the upcoming Narnia movie, fell in love with Aslan when she first met him as a 7-year-old bookworm. But those mice at the Stone Table? Now that's a different story.
by Mark Moring | posted 08/02/05
Moviemaking with a Purpose
Comics are no laughing matter for Fantastic Four producer Ralph Winter, who will soon helm X-Men 3. Neither is his Christian faith.
by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 07/01/05
Debunking Jesus?
Director Brian Flemming, a self-described "atheist Christian," is trying to prove that the historical Jesus never existed in his new documentary, The God Who Wasn't There.
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 06/07/05
Kingdom Come
Director Sir Ridley Scott, a self-described agnostic, and leading man Orlando Bloom, discuss their new film about the Crusades, Kingdom of Heaven, opening in theaters Friday
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 05/04/05
'This Is Not a Documentary'
So says one of three scholars of Kingdom of Heaven, an epic film about the Crusades opening this week
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 05/03/05
From Film Neophyte to Movie Mogul
Before recently, Mart Green had never been in a movie theater, but he's the driving force behind two new films about the 1956 missionary martyrs in Ecuador—and the tribe that killed them.
by Mark Moring | posted 04/26/05
Documentary of a Hippie Preacher
A documentary about Lonnie Frisbee, a key figure in the Jesus Movement and the growth of Calvary Chapel, is making the rounds at film festivals. We talked to the director about Frisbee, who died of AIDS in 1993.
by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 04/19/05
Coming of Age
Former X Files star David Duchovny "grows up" to the silver screen in his directorial debut, about a young boy wrestling with life's realities in the process of becoming a man.
by Jeanne & Stefan Ulstein | posted 04/12/05
The End of the World As He Knows It
Scriptwriter David Seltzer has penned Revelations, a six-part series loosely based on the biblical account of the last days, for NBC television. It premiers tomorrow night.
by Mark Moring | posted 04/12/05
A Critic's Devotions
Matthew Kinne was a film critic for five years before he started writing a devotional book, Reflections for Movie Lovers—365 daily musings on the power of cinema.
by Mark Moring | posted 03/22/05
Movies with Morals
Versatile director Danny Boyle, the man behind Millions, has made some inventive films that are quite steeped in stories of morality. But he's a little reluctant to admit it ….
by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 03/15/05
Catching the Spirit
That's how rookie director Darren Grant describes part of the experience of filming Diary of a Mad Black Woman, which opened last week.
by Stefan Ulstein | posted 03/01/05
'He Was My Everything'
So says Michael Landon Jr. about his famous father, in whose footsteps he's following in many ways by making family-friendly fare. But he's also determined to avoid repeating his father's sins.
by Mark Moring | posted 02/22/05
Darkness and Light
The cast and filmmakers of Constantine consider the movie's meaning—for audiences, and for themselves.
by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 02/15/05
Puppy Love
AnnaSophia Robb, who plays the young girl in Because of Winn-Dixie, says her character just wanted to love and be loved. Leave it to an orphaned dog to show her how.
by Mark Moring | posted 02/15/05
Redeeming Black Films
Hollywood's black movies often depict negative stereotypes—gangs, violence—or revel in buffoonery, a la White Chicks and Soul Plane. But Michael and Christine Swanson are trying to change that, one film at a time.
by Mark Moring | posted 02/08/05
Family Values
Overworked, Bob Shallcross quit his job to reconnect at home. Now he's made a movie about that very thing—Uncle Nino, which opens in limited theaters this week.
by Mark Moring | posted 02/08/05
Just Call Him "Sir"
Ken Carter made headlines when he benched his high school basketball team for failing to make the grade, a story told in Coach Carter, opening Friday. We talked to Carter about the film and his journey.
by Mark Moring | posted 01/11/05
The Sound of Music
French director—and music lover—Christophe Barratier helmed his country's No. 1 movie last year, Les Choristes Now that it's coming to the U.S., we chatted with Barratier about his film.
by Mark Moring | posted 01/11/05
From Doubt to Belief
The Polar Express is the story of a doubting boy's journey to rediscovering childlike belief. It's also the story of screenwriter Bill Broyles, from the horrors of Viet Nam to the wide-eyed wonders Christmas.
by Mark Moring | posted 11/03/04
A Primer on Filmmaking
Is it possible to make a good movie for a measly $7,000? Yes. Shane Carruth proves it with his film debut, Primer, which is stirring up buzz-the good kind-at film festivals everywhere.
by Mark Moring | posted 10/22/04
The Movie Director Who Made Me a Priest
In a fascinating and sometimes off-the-wall interview, David O. Russell, director of I ♥ Huckabees, challenged my thinking—but not my faith—and gave me a clerical collar.
by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 10/05/04
Music Man
Director Sean McNamara, who grew up listening to and playing music, brought his love for tunes to the feature film Raise Your Voice, starring Hilary Duff and opening this week.
by Joan Brasher | posted 10/04/04
Jakes on the Loose
Bishop T. D. Jakes, whose best-selling book, Woman, Thou Art Loosed! is now a full-length motion picture opening this week, talked to us about the movie and its potential impact.
by LaTonya Taylor | posted 09/28/04
The Passion of the Musicians
For composer John Debney and vocalist/lyricist Lisbeth Scott, the creative talent behind the soundtrack to The Passion of The Christ, scoring the epic film was the experience of a lifetime.
by Mark Moring | posted 08/31/04
Benji's Back!
Joe Camp, creator of the Benji films, brings the beloved pup back to the big screen after 17 years. He tells us all about it—and how his faith played a part in the process.
by Mary Lasse | posted 08/17/04
Teens Dig Donnie Darko
The film bombed in its 2001 release, but caught on as a cult favorite among teens and young adults, and is now being re-released to theaters. We asked several students what they like about the movie.
by Stefan & Jeanne Ulstein | posted 07/23/04
Fahrenheit 9/11 Emboldens Christian Filmmakers
Following the successes of Michael Moore and Mel Gibson, Christians in Hollywood are rethinking the "I'm a Christian who happens to be a filmmaker" approach to movies.
by Rob Moll | posted 07/15/04
Celebrating Life
That was filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg's goal for America's Heart and Soul, a marvelous new Disney movie opening July 2.
by Mark Moring | posted 06/25/04
Nicholas Sparks
The author of A Walk to Remember has another novel coming to the big screen: The Notebook, a beautiful love story opening next week.
by Mark Moring | posted 06/18/04
Mixed Reactions
Brian Dannelly, writer/director of Saved!, says he's getting all kinds of reactions—good and bad—from Christians regarding his controversial new film about life in a Baptist high school.
by Stefan & Jeanne Ulstein | posted 05/24/04
Kate Hudson
The daughter of Goldie Hawn—and stepdaughter of Kurt Russell—got a taste of motherhood while filming Raising Helen. After filming ended, Hudson learned that she was pregnant with her first child.
by Joan Brasher | posted 05/21/04
John Corbett
Best known for his roles in Northern Exposure, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and HBO's Sex and the City, John Corbett now plays a Lutheran pastor—and Kate Hudson's love interest—in his latest film.
by Joan Brasher | posted 05/21/04
Garry Marshall
The man who brought us TV's Happy Days and films like Pretty Woman now delivers another romantic comedy, Raising Helen, starring Kate Hudson—whose mom, Goldie Hawn, starred in another Marshall film, Overboard, 17 years ago.
by Joan Brasher | posted 05/21/04
An Affair to Remember
Scriptwriter and Calvin College grad Geert Heetebrij just released his first full-length film, a delightful romantic comedy called A Foreign Affair. We recently talked with him about the movie.
by Mark Moring | posted 05/18/04
A Good Yarn
After almost a decade playing James Bond, Pierce Brosnan welcomed the chance to do a romantic comedy for a change.
by Joan Brasher | posted 04/23/04
It's Not About Sex
Julianne Moore, co-star of the new romantic comedy Laws of Attraction, says the film is about the power of falling in love.
by Joan Brasher | posted 04/23/04
A Warm & Fuzzy Kevin Smith?
Well, not quite. But the normally crass writer/director toned it down for Jersey Girl, where the young father wears his heart on his sleeve.
by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 03/26/04
Mad Geniuses
A conversation with Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry, the brilliant minds behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which opens Friday.
by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 03/18/04
After Aragorn
In his first feature film since Lord of the Rings, Viggo Mortensen is an adventurous cowboy in Hidalgo, a yarn that doesn't get all the facts right. But that's just fine with this myth-loving leading man.
by Jeffrey Overstreet | posted 03/05/04
Understanding Judas
An upcoming TV movie gives us a glimpse into the mind of the man who betrayed Jesus. Charlie Carner, who directed the film, tells us all about it.
by Mark Moring | posted 03/04/04
Family First
Sarah Drew, an aspiring actress from Connecticut, made her big-screen debut in Radio. But no role will come before her family—or her faith.
by Joan Brasher | posted 03/02/04
'Dude, That Was Graphic'
Mel Gibson talks about The Passion of The Christ.
by David Neff & Jane Johnson Struck | posted 02/23/04
The Kid Grows Up
Haley Joel Osment, who saw dead people in The Sixth Sense, literally grew up on the set of Secondhand Lions.
by Joan Brasher | posted 02/20/04
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