Luxo Jr. — Pixar’s First Film Short Came out 29 Years Ago Today
Posted on August 20, 2015 at 10:51 am
Ever wonder why Pixar’s movies always begin with a desk lamp? Watch Pixar’s first computer-animated short, released 29 years ago today.
Contest: Win a DVD of the Football Drama “Catching Faith”
Posted on August 19, 2015 at 11:10 pm
I am pleased to have two copies of “Catching Faith” to give away. It is a faith-based story about a high school football star whose family is not as perfect as they seem. When he is caught drinking, he risks losing his place on the team and his reputation. His sister is so desperate to maintain her position as valedictorian that she compromises her integrity. The family faces a sad loss that adds to the distress and upheaval. But the tough times carry important lessons about sticking together, telling the truth, resisting peer pressure and what being on a team really means.
To enter the contest, send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Catching Faith” in the subject line and tell me your favorite football team. Don’t forget your address! (U.S. addresses only). I’ll pick a winner at random on September 1, 2015. Good luck!
Reminder: My policy on conflicts
New Christian Series for Kids: Galaxy Buck
Posted on August 19, 2015 at 8:00 am
From VeggieTales® and What’s in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer, Galaxy Buck – Mission to Sector 9 is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God.
“‘Galaxy Buck’ is a new take on a classic space adventure where we send intrepid explorers to boldly go where no man has gone before but they are adventures about faith,” said Vischer. “The purpose of ‘Galaxy Buck’ is really to teach kids what walking with Jesus looks like. We deal with themes like ‘I want to do something big for God’ and ‘I want to change the world for God.’ We’re trying to teach kids that while God will ask us to do things for Him – some of them big – even more important than that is just walking with Him. This is where the fruit of the Spirit comes from. It doesn’t come from working for God but walking with God.”
“Galaxy Buck” follows the journey of Buck Denver, an employee of The Galactic Mission Board, which exists to send explorers to carry the love of God to every corner of the galaxy. When Buck and his friends find themselves in the midst of an unexpected and important mission, they learn valuable lessons about their purpose in God’s big plan.
The series will feature new and innovative filmmaking techniques from Vischer, whose “VeggieTales®”sold more than 50 million videos, and the team at Jellyfish Labs. With miniature sets hand-carved primarily by Vischer, “Galaxy Buck” will combine CGI animation, miniature sets and live-action for a visually rich experience for viewers. As with the entire “What’s in the Bible?” cast, Vischer will continue to write and voice each character in the series.
The “Galaxy Buck” series is produced by Vischer’s studio Jellyfish Labs in partnership with Creative Trust, which previously collaborated on the successful “What’s in the Bible?” series. The first “Galaxy Buck” film will debut via digital format on JellyTelly.com in October and be available on DVD through retail stores the same month in partnership with Capitol Christian Distribution.
Trailer: Nick Nolte and Robert Redford Hike the Appalachian Trail in “A Walk in the Woods”
Posted on August 17, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Writer Bill Bryson came back to the US after 20 years in Great Britain and decided to reacquaint himself with his home country by walking the Appalachian Trail. And he took along a friend, or maybe a friend-ish, a cranky guy who was the only one who would come along, primarily because he had nothing else to do. In the grand tradition of other hiking sagas like Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
— but much funnier — he wrote A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Tonight on HBO: Show Me a Hero
Posted on August 16, 2015 at 3:28 pm
“Show Me a Hero” is a new miniseries on HBO from David Simon (“The Wire”) and Paul Haggis (“Crash”), starring Oscar Isaac (“Inside Llewyn Davis”). It is the story of racial, class, and political tensions in 1970’s Yonkers, New York, based on the book of the same name by Lisa Belkin
The title comes from F. Scott Fitzgerald, who said, “Show me a hero and I’ll show you a tragedy.” Wasicsko’s story did not end well. Maybe telling it now will help his idealistic vision come closer to reality.
Behind the scenes:
Simon and Haggis spoke about the show on CBS This Morning: