Media 2007 winners and Losers

Brent Bozell of the watchdog group the Media Research Center names the winners and losers of 2007 from a family values perspective at Catholic Exchange.
"Winners: Walden Media, which placed more well-made family-friendly movies in the cineplexes in 2007, from Bridge to Terabithia to the brand-new, critically acclaimed "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep."
Additional kudos to Walden Media from an unexpected source: The New York Times who reported that the two top favored films of 2007 by readers are Ratatouille and The Bridge to Terabithia.
Fox News called "The Golden Compass" a flop on their morning show, "Fox and Friends" today.
Families show that they are not easily deceived after all!

Is the tide turning toward a Culture of Life?

I want to begin my second thousand posts on a hopeful note. A new survey by ABC News found that Americans are 6% more pro-life than 6 months ago. I believe that the rash of pro-lifed themed songs and movies out there may have had something to do with it. The Romanian "Nine Months" movie, which won the Cannes Film Festival this year, "Waitress","Juno", "Knocked Up", "In the Wake of Choice", "Bella", and "Noelle". I can't think of another year with so many movies, though not officially pro-life which contained strong pro-life themes, perhaps even unintentionally.
There is a saying "politics is downstream from culture" which a friend gave me as his reason to work for a family-friendly media company, Walden Media. I'm beginning to see the wisdom in that, and it inspires me to keep writing this blog, and the many articles which keep getting rejected, but eventually find their way to this blog. We are making a difference, Catholic bloggers!
Let's hope it will in influence this year's presidential election. From the look of the performance of Governor Mike Huckabee in the polls, it may be that pro-life, pro-family, homeschoolers are influencing the nation in a big way.

"Amazing Grace" DVDto be released November 13

The long anticipated DVD release of Michael Apted's film, "Amazing Grace: The Story of William Wilberforce," is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, 2007. I have reviewed this important family film here.

The DVD includes a number of special features making it a valuable resource for small group discussion and classroom use. Due to its limited theatrical release, strong DVD sales are expected by the many who were unable to see the film last spring. We are working to set new records in DVD sales! This film is a keeper, a classic to have in one's film library.

Click here for an overview of the DVD.

The Faith of William Wilberforce

The Better Hour is a documentary which goes into depth about the faith of William Wilberforce. See the trailer here.
Over at Open Book, there is an intellectual discussion of the heritage of Wilberforce for Catholics. I learned that he was a supporter of Irish Emancipation. Makes sense, doesn't it that a man who couldn't bear the thought of humans in chains, wanted to free the Irish from famine, economic, and religious persecution as well. I also learned that three of Wilberforce's children became Catholics, and formed part of the Oxford Movement. That Pope Leo XIII's encyclical which formed the Church's social teaching for the 20th century, Rerum Novarum, was also influenced by Wilberforce.
What far-reaching effects his example has had on our society! No wonder "Amazing Grace" has had a fantastic opening! Don't miss this inspiring film.

Review of "Amazing Grace"

“William Wilberforce’s life and commitment is an example to all of us of the power of one man to change the course of human history,” said Traditional Values Coalition Chairman, Rev. Louis P. Sheldon. “His life was spent on the noble cause of ending the horrid slave trade in Britain – and his work inspired 19th century Americans to begin fighting against slavery in our own nation. He left a powerful legacy for all of us to emulate.”
On the 200th anniversary of the historic vote to end the slave trade in Great Britain, I saw "Amazing Grace", and learned history in a manner which was never taught in school. The nun who taught us US History in 11th grade told us, "you think of American history of John Wayne on his white horse, I'm going to tell you the REAL American history". She then began a course revealing the selfish motives, and personal flaws of America's leaders, such as the Thomas Jefferson's liaison with his slave, Sally Hemmings. The danger with teaching methods like this, so prevalent in education today, is that the student comes away quite cynical about human motivation, and has no positive role models.

In "Amazing Grace". William Wilberforce, the 18th century Member of the British Parliament, is presented as a war-weary champion of the oppressed, depleted in health and spirit. The film then flashes back to an exuberant 'Wilber', as he's known by his friends, in the springtime of his conversion to Christ. He's fascinated with the wonder of creation, and is carefully considering how to serve God best, when his good friend brings over some unusual dinner guests, who suggest that one can serve God and man by being active in the public square, using his influence in Parliament. They reveal to him in the horrors of the slave trade, and he's thrown into a crisis; he is aware that God is calling him to oppose the 300 member majority who favor, and profit from the selling of human beings. Although his abolitionist friends are faithful, his political friends are more fickle, causing him to lose heart just as the battle is about to turn in his favor. How he regains his sense of mission, and ultimately stops the trafficking in human beings from Africa, makes riveting viewing.
Wilberforce's struggle, a study in heroism, is an outstanding history lesson. Abraham Lincoln stated that every American schoolboy knows the name of William Wilberforce. This would be a healthier society if it were again true.
With the intensity of Ioan Gruffodd, who plays William Wilberforce, and the raw emotion of Albert Finney, who played John Howard the slave trader turned minister who wrote the hymn, "Amazing Grace", the story progressed in a manner that literally had me on the edge of my seat. Gorgeous cinematography, and historical detail added to the authenticity of the film

Take your older children(some frightening scenes of slavery and mild profanity) to see "Amazing Grace" and help them to find their voice for justice. According to the website, the struggle to end human trafficking is far from over; over 27 million men, women and children are still in slavery across the world. An outreach on the movie website will tell you how to get involved.

Biography of William Wiberforce as a follow up to "Amazing Grace"

To mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade, HarperSanFrancisco and Bristol Bay Productions have joined together to commemorate the life of William Wilberforce in the feature film, Amazing Grace, and in a companion biography, Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, written by Eric Metaxas. Eric is the author of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (but were afraid to ask). He is founder and host of "Socrates in the City" in New York City, where he lives with his wife and daughter. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post, Books & Culture, Christianity Today, Mars Hill Review, and First Things. He has written for Veggie Tales and Rabbit Ears Productions, earning three Grammy nominations for Best Children's Recording.

Who Was William Wilberforce?

Abraham Lincoln called him " the hero of every American schoolboy", he's the father of the anti-slavery movement, and was responsible for halting the British slave trade 200 years ago today, yet so many of us aren't familiar with his story, and remarkable faith.
Idle Speculations will enlighten us.
Now, go and see Amazing Grace, and learn some more about this true Christian hero!

Preview of "Amazing Grace"

Take a look at this riveting scene from the upcoming movie, Amazing Grace, based upon the faith and leadership of William Wilberforce, the British member of parliament who began the abolitionist movement which outlawed slavery in Great Britain, on February 23, 1807. In honor of the bicentennial of this event, the movie will open in theatres next Friday, February 23rd.
Here is a review by the International Herald Tribune: Europe.

Michael Medved- Nationally syndicated radio host"A movie that dazzles the eye, touches the heart, and stirs the soul. Elegantly crafted and superbly well-acted, AMAZING GRACE is a remarkably uplifting, substantive contribution to the popular culture -- and to our crucial understanding of freedom's history."

There is a promotional event, "Amazing Grace Sunday" to be held this Sunday, February 18th, in Christian Churches throughout the US and Europe, to sing the hymn, "Amazing Grace" and learn the history behind Thomas Newton, the slave ship owner, who had a conversion to Christinanity, became a minister and wrote the "Amazing Grace". The intention, besides promotion of the film and it's namesake hymn, is to pray for the end of racism and modern day slavery.