Hi Raquelle Rusuel,
This Thursday is Thanksgiving. It’s an American feast day commemorating the first complete year of Pilgrim settlers in the New World. Friday is a celebration of America’s favorite pastime – shopping.
My favorite “Black Friday” story is from my pastor and his wife’s family. First they make comprehensive lists of wants and needs for everyone in the family, especially the children. Then they gather flyers, sale notices and coupons from local stores.
The two lists are combined and they decide where to purchase the various items. Then each adult is assigned a list, a store, and a budget. On “Black Friday,” they arrive at the stores as early as possible to complete their assignments. Armed with hot chocolate, lists, cell phones and maybe even a floor plan, they attack the day with gusto. You know what? They LOVE
it! They have a great time and get great bargains.
Personally, I’m a fan of taking it easy that day. I might be inspired to do some baking or make a list of Christmas gift ideas. When I have my list, I will probably do my shopping on the internet. It’s a great source of bargains and unusual gifts. I can even ship directly to the recipient if I want.
To help you get a good start on your Christmas shopping, we have a newsletter special. When you use the link in this newsletter to purchase from our website, we will pay your shipping charges. This is a great deal, so don’t keep it to yourself. Forward this newsletter to your friends and they can take advantage of this special deal too.
Be sure to pick up some of the Top Films of 2007 . Representing a cross-selection of the films on our site, they are popular and critical favorites. You can’t go wrong putting some of these in your family and friends’ stockings! And if you haven't gotten any of last year's Top Films, they are available and will make great gifts also.
Happy holidays from the screening room,
Angela Walker
ChristianMovieNews.com
This week's Featured Filmmaker is Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid."
Amazing Grace - DVD
Every song has its story. Every generation has its hero.
Amazing Grace, based on the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce, is directed by Michael Apted (The World is Not Enough, Coal Miner's Daughter) from an original screenplay written by Academy Award® nominee Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things).
Ioan Gruffudd plays Wilberforce, who, as a Member of Parliament, navigated the world of 18th Century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. Albert Finney plays John Newton, a confidante of Wilberforce who inspires him to pursue a life of service to humanity. Benedict Cumberbatch is William Pitt the Younger, England's youngest ever Prime Minister at the age of 24, who encourages his friend Wilberforce to take up the fight to outlaw slavery and supports him in his struggles in Parliament.
Elected to the House of Commons at the age of 21, and on his way to a
successful political career, Wilberforce, over the course of two decades, took on the English establishment and persuaded those in power to end the inhumane trade of slavery.
Romola Garai plays Barbara Spooner, a beautiful and headstrong young woman who shares Wilberforce's passion for reform, and who becomes his wife after a whirlwind courtship. Youssou N'Dour is Olaudah Equiano. Born in Africa and sent as a slave to the Colonies, Equiano bought his freedom and made his home in London, where he wrote a best-selling account of his life and became a leading figure in the fight to end the slavery of his fellow countrymen.
Special Features:
- Audio commentary with Director Michael Apted and Ioan Gruffudd
- How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace - this half-hour documentary provides an in-depth look at the making of the film and the story’s relevance to today
- Finding Freedom featurette - A tour of the
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center providing factual information about modern-day slavery practices.
- Interactive Discussion Tools and Study Guides - The discussion guides provide thought-provoking questions that can be printed out for use in classrooms or bible study groups.
- Music video of Grammy Nominee Chris Tomlin’s version of “Amazing Grace.”
The Theory Of Everything - DVD
Sometimes faith is all the proof you need.
2007 Crown Award Winner - Best Picture (Gold)
2007 Crown Award Winner - Best Evangelistic Film (Gold)
2007 Crown Award Winner - Best Drama over $250,000 (Gold)
Get this DVD in the Crown Drama Award Winners Collection and save!
Does God exist? Does science prove it or give us reason to doubt?
Doug Holloway (David de Vos), a family man on the verge of finacial and marital ruin, embarks on a journey to find his birth father, Dr. Eugene Holland (Victor Lundin). Dr. Holland is on a mission of his own - to prove the Holy Grail of physics - the Theory of Everything - that may prove the existence of God. His greatest challenge? Completing his quest before a
degenerative brain disease (CJD) claims his ability to reason. Soon the two journeys become one as the men struggle together to rebuild their family and find new hope in God.
A moving story of family, faith, and theoretical physics, The Theory of Everything will inspire you to "Envision the Possibilities."
Read our exclusive interview with writer/director/actor David de Vos
Industry Interview
Featured Filmmaker: Jodi Benson
by Angela Walker
Perhaps best known for her role as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” Jodi Benson has collected numerous awards and accolades during a career that spans more than 20 years in animated films, television, and stage. She has had multiple roles in Broadway shows (one of which garnered a Tony Award for her) as well as in various theaters in Los Angeles and Europe.
She has also appeared as the guest soloist at the Kennedy Center Honors, the Hollywood Bowl, and with symphonies all around the world. Currently, she is the resident guest soloist for the Walt Disney Company/Disney Cruise Line and resident ambassador for feature animation.
CC.com: Jodi, your newest role is in a live-action film. Would you tell us about the film and how you got your role in it?
Jodi: The film is really a salute to the wonderful characters
and magic of Disney’s animated films. A fairytale princess (Giselle) is about ready to marry her Prince Charming when a wicked witch casts a spell on her and sends her down a hole – into modern-day New York City. She is befriended by a divorce lawyer and his young daughter. Soon all of the fairytale characters arrive in New York City, and what results is a charming mix of fairytale and romance.
Kevin Lima, the director, was the character designer for “The Little Mermaid.” He is an animation guru and loves the Disney films and characters. So as an inside joke, he decided to put some of the princesses from the Disney movies into his new live action film. Paige O’Hara (the voice of Belle) and Judy Kuhn (the singing voice of Pocahontas) also have cameos.
He called me and asked if I wanted to do this, and I jumped at the chance. I’m Patrick Dempsey’s secretary. My character’s name is
Samantha, but he calls me Sam. I’m in two scenes; both with Patrick, and one with Amy Adams (Giselle). It was very fun to be part of the movie.
NOTE: "Enchanted" opens on over 3,500 screens around the nation this weekend. See your local theater for show times and locations.
CC.com: What differences did you find between live-action and animated films?
Jodi: In an animated film, you’re often doing your lines in isolation. You just go into a room, say your lines, and have a great time. You don’t have to think about how you look or what you’re wearing; you just have to think about your voice. There’s no real acting in animated films, the focus is on delivering your lines and
making sure they make sense.
In a live-action film, your voice is just part of the package. I went through wardrobe, hair, and make-up, and had to be conscious of how I walked, how I held myself, everything. It’s really almost the opposite of animated films, because everything is visible.
CC.com: You’re currently the Disney resident guest soloist. What does that mean on a day-to-day basis?
Jodi: It means that I do symphony concerts with classic songs from the Disney movies. I’m fortunate to travel around the world doing these concerts, because I love singing with a live symphony. My husband (Ray Benson) is also an actor/singer, as well as my manager, and I’m blessed that we get to perform together frequently. Once a month I go to represent Disney by singing in a live concert somewhere.
I love to
sing. It’s an extension of who I am as a person, and it’s a great way for me to worship. I’m so happy that I can use my opportunities to get out and encourage people. When I’m onstage singing and sharing songs, it’s an extension of the joy I feel. I try to lift people up and give them a happy moment with my music.
Most weeks, I also spend one afternoon a week in the studio. I’m recording voices for multiple shows, so we’re usually in and out of a session in 30 minutes to an hour.
CC.com: How did you win the part of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid?”
Jodi: I believe it was God-ordained. Several hundred people from all over (New York, Los Angeles, London) submitted recorded auditions for “The Little Mermaid.” The casting director and director considered just the voices. They didn’t
look at the pictures or resumes, just listened to the voices. They even told me that they didn’t really know what they wanted until they heard my audition, and that’s when they decided “She’s it!” They chose my voice, my tape.
That was 22 years ago, and it’s been a huge gift for our family, just wonderful.
CC.com: Tell us about your family, please?
Jodi: My husband Ray is my best friend. He introduced me to the Lord when I was 18 years old. Because of Ray’s influence in my life, I realized I needed that personal faith as well. I was seeking and working on my career at the same time. So my professional and faith journeys have been intertwined with my husband, and it’s been wonderful. We complement each other. Our moral compasses and values are really the same. Our strengths and weaknesses offset each
other very well, and the combination is strong.
Our son McKinley is 8 ½, and he’s a percussionist and pianist. Our daughter De***y is 6 ½, and she loves to dance and sing. They perform with us sometimes and really love it, but we’re certainly not pushing them into that arena. If they want to pursue it eventually, that’s great.
We tell them every day that God has given them each specific gifts that are great, and it’s their responsibility to develop and pursue them.
I’m home-schooling the kids and they each have one activity for the semester. We have lessons Monday through Thursday and piano lessons on Fridays. The weekends are spent with family and we go to church on Sunday. I’m very blessed to have a happy, healthy life with a great family, and I try to be salt and light wherever I go.
CC.com: What
encouragement and advice do you offer people who are interested in pursuing a career in entertainment?
Jodi: If you have a desire and really want to pursue it, you should just go for it! I tell people that you don’t want to get to your 50s and 60s and have regrets. So give it a go if you really feel like you want to do it, and that the Lord has gifted you.
But you have to really, really want to do it. You have to want it so badly that you feel like you’re going to scream if you don’t do it. You can’t do it for the money or security, because that’s not guaranteed. I really encourage them if they have a faith to get guidance from the Lord, because if you don’t seek him, it will be really hard.
My life verse is John 15:5. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me
you can do nothing.” People tell me, “You have a great voice and you can do this or that.” I really can do nothing, but God has given me specific gifts. It’s the only way I can get anything done.
CC.com: This is Thanksgiving week. What are your family’s holiday plans?
Jodi: We live in North Georgia, and we’re going to go see my brother and a big group of family for Thanksgiving. At Christmas, we usually stay home. My husband’s family is in Atlanta and they’ll come over in a big group. My mom will come down, and we’ll have a great time doing fun stuff: baking cookies, relaxing, singing and making memories.
CC.com: Jodi, thank you for the memories you’ve given us with “The Little Mermaid,” and best wishes for much continued success.
©2007 ChristianCinema.com
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