Jesus Christ Superstar (Special Edition)
by Norman Jewison
from Universal Studios
Ted Neeley makes for a wimpy looking Jesus in Norman Jewison's screen adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice "rock opera," which was a smash on stage in the early '70s. Jewison (Other People's Money) adds some good exterior settings in the desert, but Lloyd Webber and Rice's dialogue-free story (everything is sung, as in a real opera), with its quasi-profundities about the inner demons of principal figures in the life of Christ, is the real hook. Yvonne Elliman sings the show's best-known song, "I Don't Know How to Love Him." --Tom Keogh
For The Bible Tells Me So
from First Run Features
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Seattle Interntional Film Festival, Dan Karslake's provocative, entertaining documentary brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture, and in the process reveals that Church-sanctioned anti-gay bias is based solely upon a significant (and often malicious) misinterpretation of the Bible. As the film notes, most Christians live their lives today without feeling obliged to kil anyone who works on the Sabbath or eats shrimp.
Through the experience of five very normal, very Christian , very American families - including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson - we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. With commentary by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, For The Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.
The Case for Christ
from Lionsgate Ent.
Based upon the Gold Medallion award-winning best-seller The case For Christ documents Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to faith through his two-year investigation of the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ.System Requirements:Run time: 71 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 012236217008 Manufacturer No: 21700
Godspell
by David Greene
from Sony Pictures
Comparing Godspell to its near-contemporaries Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair is unavoidable, but Godspell has developed its own unique following. With their thrift-store-meets-circus-performer garb, the characters in David Greene's adaptation of the popular off-Broadway production may look more like the hippies in Hair than the biblical personages of Superstar. But Godspell isn't really about the "Age of Aquarius," nor does it adopt a dark or operatic tone towards its subject matter, the Gospel according to Matthew. The mood is, instead, upbeat and uplifting (at least until the crucifixion sequence).
The film opens with youthful city dwellers from various walks of life dropping their activities to follow John the Baptist (David Haskell from the original New York production). They sing ("Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord") as he leads them into a fountain where they are (metaphorically) baptized. There they meet Jesus (Victor Garber). Frizzy hair and mime makeup aside, the handsome young Garber (Titanic, Annie) is convincing in his film debut. Once baptized, they follow him around various scenic New York locations, singing and acting out passages from the Scriptures.
The largely unknown cast is talented and charismatic, but the film is only fitfully engaging on an emotional level because only Jesus, John, and Judas (Haskell again) emerge as distinct characters. Stephen Schwartz's pleasing pop-rock score, however, helps to smooth over the rough spots, and Robin Lamont's hit version of "Day by Day" remains a highlight. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
VeggieTales - Heroes of the Bible - Lions, Shepherds and Queens (Oh My!)
from Big Idea
The first of two "best of" VeggieTales programs packs together 75 minutes of the Christian-lite group into one volume. The three stories here include "Daniel and the Lion's Den" from the first VeggieTales video, Where Is God When I'm Scared?, and complete programs of Dave and the Giant Pickle and Esther, the Girl Who Became Queen. All three tales illustrate the VeggieTales' creed at its best: entertaining stories from the Bible with a good deal of wackiness that make the lessons go down easy--for both kids and grownups. "Daniel" showcases the remarkable variety of original music the series produces, while Dave may be the quintessential VeggieTales episode. Each segment begins with energetic youngsters discussing the themes. --Doug Thomas
What do you get when you cross vegetables with classic Bible stories? You get courageous cucumbers, ambitious asparagus and heroes of epic proportions! VeggieTales Bible Heroes: Stand Up! Stand Tall! Stand Strong! is a 75-minute compilation featuring the following stories: - Dave and the Giant Pickle - Esther: The Girl Who Became Queen - Daniel and the Lions? Den
Jonah - A VeggieTales Movie
by Mike Nawrocki
from Lions Gate
Parents seeking kid-friendly, Christian entertainment can be comfortable letting their kids watch Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, which turns the characters from the biblical story of Jonah into a bunch of talking cucumbers, asparagus, peas, and other vegetables. When God instructs the prophet Jonah to go to the wicked city of Ninevah to spread His word, Jonah balks and tries to flee by ship--only to end up in the belly of a whale. When he finally consents to go to Ninevah, things don't turn out quite the way he expects. The VeggieTales team uses computer animation and upbeat musical numbers to express Christian themes, but they do so without being painfully didactic. The animation (and the humor) isn't as sophisticated as that in Toy Story or Shrek, and kids may find some elements of the story confusing, but this may provide an opportunity for parents and kids to discuss values. --Bret Fetzer
Veggie Tales: The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's
from Big Idea (Whv)
Meet Darby [Junior Asparagus] who more than anything else in the world just wants to have fun. When he learns about the Wonderful Land of Ha's - an amusement park with all the fixins - and its mysterious wizard who promises to make his dreams come true, Darby is determined to go. Darby decides that nothing is going to stop him and he makes a choice that will change his life forever. Will it be worth everything Darby has given up? Find out in this story of the prodigal son - an over-the-rainbow adventure that reminds kids everywhere that there's no place like home.
The God Who Wasn't There
by Brian Flemming
from Beyond Belief Media
Bowling for Columbine did it to the gun culture. Super Size Me did it to fast food. Now The God Who Wasn't There does it to religion.
Holding modern Christianity up to a bright spotlight, this eye-opening documentary asks the questions few dare to ask. "Did Jesus even exist?" is just the beginning for The God Who Wasn't There. Your guide through the world of Christendom is former fundamentalist Brian Flemming, joined by such luminaries as Jesus Seminar fellow Robert M. Price, author Sam Harris and historian Richard Carrier.
In addition to the film, which won the Best Documentary award at the 2005 Grassroots Cinema Film Festival, this feature-packed DVD includes:
-Special commentary tracks with Richard Dawkins and Earl Doherty
-Over one hour of compelling additional interview footage
-An in-depth Web-enabled slide show
-Music from the soundtrack
-Bios of all participants
This provocative DVD takes off the gloves and gives religion an unprecedented, no-holds-barred examination. So hold on to your faith. It's in for a bumpy ride.
Peter & Paul DVD
from Vision Video
This epic network television mini-series brings to life the precarious existence of early Christianity. The new movement is beset by violent opposition from without and constant turmoil from within. Two key leaders emerge--Peter and Paul--who struggle to keep the faith alive. This dramatic presentation follows the pair, together and separately, through three epochal decades. Included are the stoning of Stephen, the road to Damascus, their encounter in Jerusalem, their conflicts over how the word of Christ should be spread. Paul's travels to Asia Minor and Greece, Peter and Paul's clashes over Jewish law, and Peter's decision to follow in Paul's courageous footsteps. The drama concludes in Rome in approximately A.D. 64 with the beheading of Paul and the crucifixion of Peter under Emperor Nero.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
-Spanish Language track with or without English subtitles
-Closed captioning in English
-Biographical information on leading actors
-Chapter titles provided for easy scene access
Veggie Tales: Lessons from the Sock Drawer
from Big Idea
Join all the VeggieTales friends for Lessons From the Sock Drawer: A Collection of Veggie Shorts and Briefs - a special collection of 18 of the most entertaining and zany lesson-based shorts from everyone's favorite Veggies! When Bob and Larry get a letter from a little boy who has lost his hamster, they must find a way to cheer him up! Thankfully, Larry keeps "The Veggie Vault" in his sock drawer, so there's always a funny story close at hand. Co-hosted by the vault keeper Lutfi the sock puppet (who first appeared in VeggieTales Sumo of the Opera), Lessons From the Sock Drawer is filled with hilarity, music and over 70 minutes of silliness and will surely tickle everyone's funny bone while teaching a few lessons along the way.
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