Evangelization Hollywood Style

I suppose that seeing is believing, at least this appears to be part of the rationale and timing for an upcoming December release:

(The Catholic Register) – The latest film in Hollywood’s fascination with Christ is about to hit the theatres. “The Nativity Story” will be released in early December just in time for the Christmas season.

Alliance Atlantis and New Line Cinema, which produced “The Lord of the Rings,” have teamed up with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) to promote the film. Canadian church leaders were invited to preview the film at private screenings across the country in late October and early November.

While nobody approached Canada’s Catholic bishops to promote the film, several Catholics have been invited to the EFC prescreening events.

Archbishop James Weisgerber of Winnipeg, the only Canadian bishop who had viewed the film as of last week, said he will not be promoting the film in any official way in his archdiocese.

But, Archbishop Weisgerber said, the film itself is delightful.

And here I was thinking all I had to look forward to was Charlotte's Web!

Get the whole story here

Comments

[H]

I'll probably skip both offerings, at least until they're out on video. Bishop Weisgerber says that to read the book (The Book -- Nativity story) is better, and that's usually what I do for any story. There is indeed much that is left out otherwise (and whereas I cry easily, I can go hide myself in the rough patches). The Jesuit who was interviewed, however, also has a good point: if we don't support the sweet and holiness-aimed movies, Hollywood will see it as a loss of revenue and go with the money films. Let us know how they were, DDW.

[ps]

"Bobby" is starting to look like a good movie; even the eldest of us were quite young when all that went down, and I haven't ever really looked back at that time from an adult standpoint, except for some books on JFK. Plus, I've always liked Emilio Estevez. He is (Catholic, anti-war) Martin Sheen's son, but took his mom's name. Apparently, all of Hollywood likes him, too.

H

[Gabrielle]

dear deacon dan (and readers here), an excellent review of this movie was written by Cdn. blogger T.O. of LAMLand here. T.O. is a student of theology in Toronto, Ontario, and was invited to a preview of the movie! I really think you'll enjoy reading her review.