Posted on February 4, 2015 at 8:00 am
Beliefnet’s Mandi Fornes has created a gallery of iconic movie moments, from “We’ll always have Paris” (“Casablanca”) to “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” (“Jaws”). And of course there’s this one:
And this one:
Be sure to check out the full gallery and make sure you and your family have seen them all!
Posted on February 3, 2015 at 5:33 pm
“Frozen” fans have a treat in store! A short “Frozen” sequel will be in theaters next month, shown before Disney’s new live-action “Cinderella,” opening March 13, 2015. You can get a glimpse of it here.
Posted on February 3, 2015 at 8:00 am
Fans of classic movie musicals will love Gotta Dance! The Art of the Movie Poster, a gorgeous new book from Lagoon Press. It is available both in spiral bound and spine and coil formats. The book is based on the exhibit of classic movie musical posters from the collection of Mike Kaplan. It features 102 lavishly colored images of dance movie posters from twelve countries — the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Argentina, Spain, Poland and Japan, representing represent the most vivid, enticing, and dynamic images for films like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “The Band Wagon,” and “Poor Little Rich Girl.” These posters are works of art in themselves, paying tribute to works of art featuring Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Shirley Temple.
Posted on February 2, 2015 at 10:35 pm
The new HBO Sampler feature allows consumers with an internet-connected Blu-ray device to watch full episodes of four different shows by simply loading their Blu-ray disc into the device and selecting “HBO Sampler” from the menu. Studios have long used home entertainment releases to introduce consumers to new programming, but the HBO Sampler enhances this feature as the content will be updated quarterly to reflect the latest hits from HBO and Cinemax.
On currently activated titles, consumers can use the HBO Sampler to watch the season 1 premiere episodes of Girls, Looking and Banshee, all of which are airing new episodes now. Also featured is the first episode of the critically acclaimed new comedy series Togetherness, from brothers Jay and Mark Duplass, which debuted on HBO in January and was recently renewed for a second season. Because the content is delivered via an internet-connected Blu-ray device, the sampler episodes will be updated quarterly across all activated titles to reflect current programming, giving consumers the chance to pop in their Blu-ray disc one more time to see what new HBO and Cinemax shows are worth checking out.
Posted on February 2, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Rabbi Evan Moffic’s latest book is What Every Christian Needs to Know about Passover: What It Means and Why It Matters
What would Jews and Christians be most surprised to learn about each other’s beliefs?
I think Christians will be surprised to learn some of the Jewish legends surrounding the exodus. For example, the story about the angels singing when God drowned the Egyptians, but then God telling the angels that the Egyptians are God’s children as well. Or some of the Jewish interpretations of why God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
I think Jews will be interested to know why many more Christians are holding seders and will be fascinating by some of the interpretations and meanings Christians draw.
Was there ever a time when Christians observed Passover or held seders?
Definitely in the first century where most Christians saw themselves as Jews. It faded away as Easter replaced it. But over the last three decades, as Christians have embraced Jesus’s Jewishness and tried to recover first century practices, more and more have been conducting seder.
Which of the traditions of the Passover seder were practiced at the time of Jesus?
It’s unclear. Certainly it was not the same kind of seder we do today. That was not finalized until after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E. But we do know communities and families held Passover meals in which special foods were shared and the Exodus story was told during the time of Jesus.
Are there any depictions of the Last Supper that include matzah or other symbols of Passover?
No. The last supper was definitely a Passover meal but not a seder—with its precise order and ritual foods that we understood today.
Which elements of the Haggadah are of most relevance to Christians?
The story of the Exodus. It is so universal. We all search for freedom in our lives—from addictions, from unhealthy relationships, from idols like success or perfection. Passover tells us God wants to grow and escape the narrowness that traps us.
Why do you call this a “holiday we share?”
Because the Hebrew Bible is part of Christian scripture as well. The Exodus is part of the Christian story as well. It is a story of redemption that Jesus certainly knew and whose meanings are universal.
Do some Jews express concern about sharing this celebration with non-Jews? How do you respond?
Absolutely. Some Jews feel Christians may be appropriating and misinterpreting a Jewish ritual. People have said to me, “How do you think Christians would feel if synagogues did some sort of communion or eucharist?” My answer is always the same. Yes, some people or communities could abuse the ritual and interpret it in ways that make the Jewish part of it irrelevant or superseded by Christianity. That’s why we need this book. It gives an authentic traditional Jewish interpretation that can educate and guide Christians in observing Passover in a meaningful way. It will prevent abuse rather than encourage it. And truthfully, we live in a free society. Our own religious sensibilities should not be threatened by those of others, even if they are deeply consistent with our own. The fact that others celebrate Passover in ways different than our own does not threaten the meaning and truth of our own.
What is the most important lesson you want readers to understand from your book?
Celebrating Passover can change your life. It can help you see your life as an ongoing journey to freedom and purpose. The story of the Bible is also the story of ourselves.
