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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 12:18PM EST on December 31, 2007
Author (and active myCCM member) Tricia Goyer is hosting a video trailer contest to promote her new teen nonfiction book My Life, Unscripted
(Thomas Nelson). You could win some fabulous prizes. Rules here.
Using the metaphor of screenwriting, My Life, Unscripted explores relationships in every teenage girl's life-with herself, her friends and enemies, her parents, guys, and with God.
Real-life scripts, screenwriting terms, and timely topics, make this
an interesting read for teen girls as they delve into their own inner
struggles and outward relationships. They'll also learn the importance
of "scripting" their own responses BEFORE challenging life-situations
arise, so they are able to think about, pray about, and consider how to
face these situations before the scene begins. By contrasting real-life
with TV or movies, teens discover they don't have to get caught up in
the drama.
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 11:22AM EST on December 31, 2007
The last week in January, blockbuster author John Grisham hits shelves with his first legal thriller in three years, The Appeal:
In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town’s water supply, causing the worst “cancer cluster” in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.
Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?
The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice ...
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 10:53AM EST on December 28, 2007
What recent Christian albums are you
listening to? Tell us what you like (or dislike) about it in 2-3
sentences PER ALBUM and you could see yourself in the February issue of
CCM Magazine!!!
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 4:25PM EST on December 24, 2007
Trade journal Christian Retailingreports that Christian publishers Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, and Tyndale House are starting to offer several titles through Amazon's new e-book reader, the Kindle. The full story runs in the Jan. 7 issue of Christian Retailing.
Speaking of Kindle, agent Chip Macgregor outlines the pros and the cons of the new device ...
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 11:37AM EST on December 20, 2007
This message is for fans of JEREMY CAMP: If you could ask him three questions, what would they be? If CCM magazine picks your questions, YOU could turn up in a future issue of the magazine!
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 3:45PM EST on December 19, 2007
According to the official press release, Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Some details:
* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute
two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will
distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.
* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive
Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line will manage the
production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.
* Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) Trilogy.
Said Peter Jackson, “I’m very pleased that we’ve been
able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new
chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a
legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share
that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are
delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to
thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the
common ground necessary to continue that journey.”
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 2:58PM EST on December 19, 2007
In case you missed the news at CMCentral, The Myriad was the big winner at the "MTV2 Dew Circuit Breakout." Follow the link for details: [NEWS] The Myriad Wins It!
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 2:47PM EST on December 19, 2007
Ministry tools help leaders connect journey of the Holy Family to the Christian life today
“While watching THE NATIVITY STORY, I felt I had a fresh encounter with the love of a living God. The theater became a holy place, and I worshipped with the wise men at the manger in Bethlehem, feeling renewed in my faith as I went home.”–Anne Graham Lotz
“THE NATIVITY STORY is compelling, interesting and entertaining!”–Dr. Ted Baehr, Movieguide® and the Christian Film & Television Commission
LOS ANGELES, CA–Journey back in history as the greatest story ever told is brought to life in the epic drama The Nativity Story, available on DVD from New Line Home Entertainment. The Nativity Story is an inspirational tale of extraordinary faith and love that chronicles the arduous journey of Mary and Joseph, a divine pregnancy and the miraculous birth of Jesus. As Christians worldwide focus on the Christmas season, The Nativity Story enables the faithful to recall the Lord’s humble beginnings and the symbolic connections between his birth, death and resurrection.
The Nativity Story captures the emotional resonance and spirituality of the time of Christ with the recreation of the sights and sounds of the Holy Land captured through breathtaking cinematography and an inspirational musical score.
With much of the filming done in Matera, Italy, the same location where The Passion of the Christ was shot, The Nativity Story captures the authentic feel of a land and people who lived 2,000 years ago. “This story means so much to people all over the world,” says director Catherine Hardwicke. “I hope audiences can relate to the film on a personal level and find some inspiration to get through their own challenges and difficulties.”
... (More)
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 2:29PM EST on December 19, 2007
WARNER HOME VIDEO’S NEW AND LONGTIME FAVORITE FAMILY CHRISTMAS CLASSICS FOR THE 2007 HOLIDAY SEASON INCLUDE FIRST-EVER BLU-RAY RELEASE OF THE POLAR EXPRESS, NEW TITLE A DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS, AND FAMILY FAVORITE HAPPY FEET
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Burbank, CA – With the Christmas season fast approaching, Warner Home Video has rolled out its 2007 White Christmas Promotion through Motive Entertainment’s faith-based marketing, bringing attention to new and long-standing Christmas classics, including some of the year’s best-loved releases. Great for Christmas gift-giving, The Polar Express single disc edition, A Dennis The Menace Christmas and Happy Feet are great family titles for this holiday season and holiday seasons for years to come.
The Polar Express -- the dazzling classic and one of Warner Home Video’s all-time best-selling family DVD’s -- will be making its return for the gift giving season from Warner Home Video and Shangri-La Entertainment. The Polar Express is based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Joining the ranks of holiday classics such as It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Miracle On 34th Street and A Christmas Carol, The Polar Express has quickly become a cherished holiday film that families everywhere have made a part of their traditional holiday celebrations. Newly available in the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats, this Christmas favorite can now be enjoyed with even greater viewing quality.
Still available: The Polar Express Two-Disc Special Edition, which includes a making of a feature that explores how Tom Hanks and the brilliant special effects team created the five different characters; Chris Van Allsburg discussing how he conceived the idea for The Polar Express book; Josh Groban’s live performance of the Grammy® award winning original song “Believe,” which was also nominated for an Academy Award® and a Golden Globe®; two interactive challenges for children; a DVD-ROM weblink to the online world of The Polar Express and more!... (More)
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 4:07PM EST on December 18, 2007
ATLANTA, Ga. – December 18, 2007 – The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) will become “America’s Christmas Channel” when it flips the switch to around-the-clock Christmas programming featuring some of the biggest names in music starting this Friday, Dec 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Gospel Music Channel’s Merry Christmas Marathon will be ushered in by Christian music’s Female Artist of the Year giving her fans a feast of holiday music in the new original special Christmas at Union Station: Natalie Grant. The four-day, 100+ hour marathon of holiday music, performances and inspirational messages and wishes will climax with GMC’s Commercial-Free Christmas on Dec. 25.
Throughout the weekend, GMC will present Christmas music videos, concerts and specials by top artists in gospel/Christian and mainstream music. Among the hundreds of performers to be featured: Jeremy Camp, Ray Charles, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kirk Franklin, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Natalie Grant, George Huff, Jars of Clay, Mandisa, MercyMe, Kenny Rogers, Take 6, John Tesh, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Matthew West, Jimmy Wayne, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Lee Ann Womack, Wynona and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
We're giving away two Let It Snow, Baby...Let It Reindeer prize packs on Friday. The winners will receive the new Christmas CD, stickers and a poster.
On Friday we'll post a bulletin about this giveaway here on myCCM. The first two people to respond with their name and address will win the prize pack.
Thanks for being our peep and supporting our music. Watch for a myCCM bulletin from us on Friday!
For YOUR chance to get in on the fun, be sure to click here and add Relient K to your peeps now!
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 10:55AM EST on December 12, 2007
Historical And Moving Epic Stars Academy Award Winner F. Murray Abraham, Academy Award Nominee Max Von Sydow And Dolph Lundgren
CENTURY CITY, Calif. -- Academy Award-winner F. Murray Abraham (Amadeus), Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, The Punisher) and Oscar nominee Max von Sydow (Minority Report) star in a thrilling journey into the ancient Holy Land where a secret new faith will enthrall an empire, in The Final Inquiry, transcending to DVD Feb. 19 from Fox Home Entertainment. The film, directed by award-winning director Guilio Base (La Bomba), also starring Daniele Liotti (Mad Love) and Mónica Cruz (Last Hour). The Final Inquiry begins three years after the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Rumors that he is a prophet who has risen from the dead are inciting the people to rebel against the Roman Empire. In an effort to control the unrest, the Roman Emperor recruits a formerly exiled, clever and disenchanted investigator to disprove the story. As the search is aided by a beautiful, young Israeli woman and hampered by Governor Pontius Pilate, a proud, honest Roman hero is drawn deeply into a deep realm of love, honor and spiritual understanding. The Final Inquiry DVD includes a making-of featurette. ... (More)
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 11:56AM EST on December 11, 2007
"If you could ask your favorite band or singer three questions ... who is that artist, and what would those questions be?" Let us know, and you could appear in a future issue of CCM magazine!
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 10:56AM EST on December 11, 2007
Gospel Truth Magazinereports that BET's 8th annual Celebration of Gospel, hosted by comedian Steve Harvey, promises a lineup that includes Patti LaBelle, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, J. Moss, Israel and New Breed featuring T-Bone, and Shirley Caesar, among others. The event will be taped at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday (Dec. 15). It premieres on BET Jan. 27.
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 5:02PM EST on December 10, 2007
ATLANTA, Dec. 10, 2007 – Recent distribution agreements and
launches across multiple MSOs have driven Gospel Music Channel (GMC) past the
22 million household mark, the network announced today. GMC has added
more than 14 million cable subscribers in 2007, exceeding its projections and
making the nation’s only 24/7 Gospel/Christian music television channel the
fastest growing (non-launch) network of the year.
GMC’s latest distribution gains include launches by: Bresnan
Communications (MSO-wide throughout Colorado, Montana and Wyoming); Charter
Communications (Central and West Divisions); Comcast Digital Cable (New Jersey
Region); Cox Communications (Pensacola Region, FL.); and Time Warner
Cable (Northeast Ohio Division, Cleveland/Akron; Austin/Waco/Killeen, TX.)
“We were very ambitious in our projections for the channel’s
cable growth this year. To exceed those goals by nearly double reflects both
the strong desire of the cable operators to provide their customers with
positive, family-friendly and inspiring music television programming, as well
as a tremendous effort by our talented team,” said Charles Humbard, founder and
president, GMC. “We are grateful to our partners in the cable industry
for their strong support this year and look forward to new heights in 2008.”
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 1:34PM EST on December 7, 2007
CCM readers have been clamoring to hear more about Paramore -- and, apparently, so have Grammy members, as the group was among this year's nominations for Best New Artist. From the Nashville City Paper:
The nomination continues a solid surge from a group that began playing together in 2004, and released its debut All We Know Is Falling in 2005. But extensive touring over the past two years, coupled with enthusiastic raves in such publications as Spin, Kerrang! and NME has helped catapult the band, and their current releases Misery Business and Riot! have only furthered their visibility and popularity.
[snip]
Paramore and Swift will be vying for the award with British pop/soul singer Amy Winehouse (who has six nominations), as well as Canadian singer/songwriter Feist, plus R&B vocalist Ledisi.
The
Myriad has garnered a position as one of the top three contenders for this
years title for the “MTV2 Dew Circuit Breakout.” With hundreds of
thousands of votes in, The Myriad was just named as a final contender
taking one of the Top 3 sought after spots and is headed to the next
round to play live on-air in New York City.
As
a Top 3 Finalist, The Myriad will be flown to New York City during the
month of December to perform during the Dew Circuit Breakout Finale,
LIVE from Times Square, where the grand prize winner will be announced.
The winning band will be thrown back on stage to star in its very first
MTV music video for rotation on MTV and MTV2 and will be a contender
for MTV's Artist Of The Week. In addition, the winner will garner air
time on Discover & Download and Unleashed, where the latest, most
anticipated, most cutting-edge work from the biggest players in rock
and hip hop premiere on MTV2. Past winners of the MTV2 Dew Circuit
Breakout include Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard, Hellogoodbye, Halifax
and Thursday.
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 4:44PM EST on December 3, 2007
For the next two weeks, the Salem music sites are giving
away copies of the acclaimed film Midnight Clear, starring Stephen Baldwin and
based on a story by best-selling novelist Jerry Jenkins. To be eligible, just
click on over to the official myCCM profile and add it as your friend (click
"Add to Peeps"). That's it! Then watch for daily bulletins from
Midnight Clear for your chance to win! DEADLINE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
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Posted by: Sightings of Faith in Culture at 12:07PM EST on December 3, 2007
'Tis the Season for Christmas songs on myCCM -- just click on over to the following profiles and select the songs on the music player. Listen for free!
RYAN WILKINS "Little Drummer Boy (and banjo boy, too)" FREE DOWNLOAD!
SCOTT RIGGAN "Joy To The World" FREE DOWNLOAD! "Bethlehem" PSALTERBOOK "Three Kings" (instrumental)
BEBO NORMAN "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" "Go Tell It On The Mountain"
FRANK CALDWELL "Mamma's Prayer (a Christmas Story)" "Christmas Eve Ring"
The last week in January, blockbuster author John Grisham hits shelves with his first legal thriller in three years, 
