I’ve talked extensively about Mary Mother of Christ, but Origin is also producing a Fatima movie also to be written by Barb Nicolosi. Plus as I’m sure you’ve already read, there is a new Guadalupe film in development at MPower pictures:

The man who penned the screenplay for the racy 1992 thriller Basic Instinct is ready to tackle a subject of a higher power. According to Yahoo, Joe Eszterhas is writing a script based on the Virgin of Guadalupe. Yep, he’s going there. The Virgin of Guadalupe is a 16th century piece of art that features the impression of the Virgin Mary on a former peasant’s cloak. It can still be seen today in Mexico City, at the Basilica de Guadalupe.

Eszterhas has been well known for his notorious smoking and drinking habits back in the day, but when he was diagnosed with throat cancer he overcame his afflictions and found God. Therefore his jump from sinner to sanctified isn’t that far fetched. “This is a labor of love for me,” Eszterhas said. “I have been hoping for some time to write a film that is both entertaining and inspiring.” The untitled Guadalupe film is being written for Mpower Pictures, who also backed Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.

There’s also another Fatima film called the 13th Day allegedly to be released at some point this fall, but I don’t know too much about it so I can’t really comment on its content.

In other more girly news, the role of Joseph has finally been cast for Mary Mother of Christ. Diogo Morgado is a Portuguese actor that according to reports is very popular in Portuguese TV/film. I’ve never seen him in anything, but my oh my is he a cutie…I’m sure the Blessed Mother approves. LOL

I was at the Thread Show when it happened and was so busy with being unconscious and all I haven’t had the time to mention it…but there’s a couple of things I’d like to say publicly.

I absolutely condemn the murder of George Tiller and I hope the guilty party will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I was angry when I first heard the news, because this murder will have huge consequences for the pro-life movement, whether the killer is connected to the movement or not.

Certain individuals of a certain ideology are convinced that Christians and pro-lifers are secretly glad he’s dead. I’m not glad George Tiller is dead. I’m certainly not surprised he’s dead, but I’m not glad either. Any person who relishes in this crime needs to reevaluate their respect for the dignity of life. Being pro-life indicates a respect and reverence for ALL human life, not matter how small, how large, or how “bad.”

And one more thing…I wouldn’t be surprised to see George Tiller in heaven. That’s right, I wouldn’t. Our God is infinitely merciful beyond the human imagination; I don’t believe in putting God’s mercy in a box.

That’s all folks.

In other news, Stephen Officer of Catholic Media House contacted me to report that they are giving away free downloads of The Miracle of Life in either English or Spanish.  All you have to do is sign up for their newsletter.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.

He’s Just Not That Into You

One of my Family Theater girlfriends saw this film at a pre-screening and said that while it was funny, the message was a little off. I think I fully agree with that conclusion to a certain extent.

GiGi, played by Giniffer Goodwin, is “that girl” we’ve all known and loved. She’s cute, smart, and funny, but overanalyzes everything when it comes to dating. When Gigi meets Alex (Justin Long), a sarcastic bartender who dishes out free dating advice, Gigi changes the way she dates, taking into account that “he just might not be that into her.” Also interwoven into the film is the story of Ben and Janine (Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Connolley), a couple whose marriage is on the rocks due to a number of reasons including Ben making “friends” with the beautiful and single Anna (Scarlett Johanssen), Beth and Neil (Jennifer Anniston and Ben Affleck), a couple whose been together forever but just can’t seem to get married, and Connor and Mary. Connor is a real estate agent who pines after Anna, but just can’t seem to understand why the spark has been lost in their relationship (probably because she’s busy sexing married men.) Mary is a graphic designer whose storyline was somewhat lost on me and I thought the film could have done without.

I will admit the movie was funny. I went and saw it with one of my girlfriends and we were cackling the entire time (though nervously thinking, “Oh crap, do I do that?”) I also think it definitely told some truths about women in the dating game—overanalyzing, over emotionalism, etc. I’ve never read the book, but I’ve been told that the basic message is that if “he” doesn’t do “x” like calling you, he doesn’t like you. But what confused me about the film was that at the end, some of the storylines get wrapped in a pretty bow with the boy and girl skipping off into the sunset. It seemed a bit contradictory to me.

One big thing that I didn’t like (other than Scarlet Johanssen’s homewrecker character) was the message that “if he’s not having sex with you, he’s just not that into you.” The editing of the film is meant to copy the chapters of the book, and that message was titled in bold print across the screen for that portion of the film. It was actually applicable to the following scenes about Beth and Neil’s marriage, but as soon as I saw the title I couldn’t help but steam in my chair knowing that there were teenage girls sitting all around me who were taking that message as black and white truth. (Girls, that’s not true! I know this as fact!)

The film was funny, but your life won’t be missing anything if you don’t see it.

Coraline

I saw Coraline on a whim with some friends and had no idea what it was about, other than it was a Tim Burton film and it was supposed to be a kid’s movie. It’s not actually by Tim Burton, but from his former “Nightmare Before Christmas” teammate Henry Selick. In my opinion want started as children’s movie ceased to be so about 3/4ths of the way through, so please be discerning before you take your kids to see this film.

The film follows a girl named Coraline, a young tween who moves into a creepy house complete with creepy neighbors in the country with her parents. Coraline’s parents are gardeners/writers and are about as painfully boring as movie parents can get. In her effort to escape her life, Coraline discovers a secret passageway in her home that leads to an alternate reality of her heart’s desire—cool parents, a cool house, etc. Every night, Coraline waits until her real parents go to sleep and then crawls through the passageway to hang out with the parents that understand and love her. Eventually this “Stepford” reality turns sour when Coraline’s fake mother turns possessive and evil. Coraline narrowly escapes, but only to find that her fake mother has kidnapped her real parents. The rest of the film follows Caroline’s very clever and brave moves to save her family and the souls of the children that her fake mother has claimed over the years.

First of all, given that it is a Burton-esque film it’s pretty freaky deaky and some parts scared the crap out of me (and I’m 20.) It’s very dark, which may give some kids nightmares. I liked the overall message about family, but again there are a few parts (including a half-naked woman in a thong with pasties on her breasts) that may not be appropriate for children.

On the plus side, if you are an adult, GO SEE IT. I have never seen animation like this before in my life. It was brilliant and you need to see it on the big screen to get the full effect. The story was a little slow in parts, but I am quite sure this film will be receiving a number of awards for the absolutely ingenious special effects.

Fireproof

I finally saw Fireproof….at a spa in Santa Monica while I was getting my nails done no less. It wasn’t as bad as I originally thought, but it was still painful to watch in some areas.

I don’t really know what else to say other than I know people are going to be mad that I’m not ranting and raving about it.

Taken

Finally…a Hollywood film that brings the horrible sex trafficking business to light. The film does a great job in this respect, showing that “it’s just business” to these men that kidnap, drug, and sell girls internationally for sex.

I enjoyed the film, but if you can’t suspend disbelief that a 60-something-year-old man could take down 20 guys singlehandedly without a gun…then you’re not gonna like it.

It’s okay Liam Neeson…I still think you’re badass. LOL.

The Namesake

I’m in the process of watching this movie about a first-generation Indian American for my Film and Spirituality class.

I haven’t seen the end yet, but it’s a beautiful film about family and racial identity I suggest you put in the NetFlix queue.

The Mission

Can you believe I just saw this film for the first time a few weeks ago? I know, I know…I should be banned from any other Catholic film discussion.

I wasn’t sure if I would like it, and to be honest I can’t say I super-enjoyed it. Critically speaking, it was a great film, it was just a little too doomsday for me. Shots of children with bullets through their heads is a but much for me. Jeremy Irons was awesome though. The climax scene where he walks before the congregation with the Eucharist exposed is epically Catholic.

Cinema Paradiso (The Italian Director’s Cut version)

Another classic I just saw for the first time recently, about the life and times of Salvatore “Toto” Di Vita, a filmmaker profoundly influenced by his mentor, a film projector operator. This coming-of-age film has the best bits of Italian culture mixed in with Catholicism, a love story, and clips of wisdom from classic films. Awesome movie. I LOVED it. If you rent it, I would suggest the Italian version over the American release which has a completely different watered-down ending.

“The Watchmen” review coming soon…

Aloe Entertainment has put together its New Testament ensemble for “Mary, Mother of Christ.”

Camilla Belle (”10,000 BC”) will star as the titular character and will be joined by Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the dual roles of Gabriel and Lucifer and Peter O’Toole as Symeon. Al Pacino and Jessica Lange are in talks to play Herod and Anna the Prophetess.

Mary Aloe is producing along with Dune Films (“Hidalgo,” ”Prince of Persia”). Argentine helmer Alejandro Agresti (“Valentin,” “The Lake House”) is directing the film, which begins lensing in Morocco in May.

MGM plans to release the film wide in 2,000-plus theaters April 2, 2010, which coincides with Good Friday. Media 8 Entertainment will handle international sales and distribution for the film and will introduce the project at the European Film Market in Berlin. Mike Dolan is exec producing. Source

Given that I am interning at one of the partnering companies …and there’s the little fact that the film won’t start production for a few more months, please believe me when I say that video is not a trailer and is not associated with the company or the film.

I saw Barb Nicolosi last night and she was throughly concerned about the posting of this video, as well she should have been. I took a look at some of the comments circulating about the video, and I want clear up some rumors.

1. This production is not the run of the mill cheesy Christian movie. I have watched a number of people work extremely hard to make sure that the cast is A-list, the script is superb, and that the budget of the film will allow us to make a film our Mother will be proud of.

2. This production is not a copy cat of the Passion of the Christ, despite the Passion writer being on the project.

3. I have read the script. It’s beautiful and based wholly on Scripture and the Catholic Tradition handed down to us by the apostles. It is not “Protestant” in nature as some people have alluded.

4. MGM is the distribution company, not the production company. This goes into #3, but I want to make it clear here that the production companies, and therefore the people making the film, are all Catholics or Christians 100% devoted to helping this movie get made.

The fact that people were willing to dismiss the film THAT HAS NOT STARTED PRODUCTION was really disappointing. People complain about anti-Catholicism in film and media, but when a group of incredibly faithful Catholics work day and night to make a positive film that will actually be good…well…you behave poorly.

Feel free to ask me questions. If it’s legally possible for me to answer them I will.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.