Hollywood Insight - Christian Movie Blog

"American Bible Challenge" Season 2 Finale Previews: Tasteless or Just Plain Funny?

Hannah Goodwyn — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:45:47 GMT

American Bible Challenge, the Game Show Network’s primetime Bible trivia show hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, ends its season tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Thursday, May 23rd). To promote the season’s closer, which features a performance by GRAMMY-winning duo Mary Mary, GSN has released two comedic finale previews.

Now, we don’t know for sure what kind of sense of humor God has, but we do know that he’s not some stuffy, old, bearded guy in the sky who rains down lightning bolts at us for fun. Some would even say the mere look of a duckbill platypus is evidence that He’s got a pretty good sense of humor.

Still, there’s debate about what’s funny and what borders on being sacrilegious. That discussion came to mind when watching these American Bible Challenge Season 2 finale previews.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, we’re reminded of the importance of our holy text and its importance even today.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (NLT)

No one can argue that God’s Word is front and center on this show. That’s great news as most TV watchers today, believers and non-churchgoers alike, probably have trouble with some of these Bible trivia questions. Plus, the contestants play to win money for their favorite charities. So, does the fact that it’s a game show about His story make a difference to God?

Ephesians 5:4 warns us against the sin of crude joking and foolish talk. But, Proverbs 17:22 encourages that “a joyful heart is good medicine.”

This is not to say making light of the Truth found in this historical and spiritual text, words many martyrs have died to preserve, is OK. There is a line, but has GSN crossed it?

Watch the finale previews and share your comments below.

"The Bible" Miniseries: A Look at Episodes 9 and 10

Hannah Goodwyn — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:39:44 GMT

HISTORY's The Bible miniseries concluded last night with a lead in to Revelation. Starting five weeks ago, the Mark Burnett and Roma Downey produced drama has taken us from Genesis to an aging apostle John living in exile on the island of Patmos. There, he writes the last book of our Bible.

In the first hour of last night's conclusion, families across America watched as Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Jerusalem, meets Jesus for the first time. A seeker of truth, Pilate is intrigued by the 'holy man'.

Pilate replies, “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. John 18:35-38

Found guilty, Jesus is tied to a post, whipped for our transgressions. This scene was less violent than expected given what Isaiah 52:14 says.

"But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man." (New Living Translation)

Though this scene stopped short of being nearly as gruesome as it could have been, it still portrays the excruciating pain Christ endured for us. In The Bible's "Passion" episode, we see the crowd chant, "Crucify Him!" Throughout the hour, we watch Jesus voluntarily ready himself for the lashes, pick up His cross and lay himself before the Roman guards commanded to kill him. We see His mercy when He asks God to forgive them "for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Taking on the sin of the world, Jesus satisfies the wages it requires of each of us -- our lives.

The second hour's depiction of Jesus' ascension and the Holy Spirit moving upon the disciples were incredible moments. This believer was glad to see them speak in tongues and heal in Jesus' name on a TV show. Watching the disciples, one by one, give their lives for the sake of Christ reminds us of the command to go and preach the Gospel. It's also a reminder to pray for those killed for the faith, past and present.

Risen from the dead, Christ redeems us all. His mercy is seen fully in the redemption of Paul. Originally called Saul of Tarsus (though not in the show), Paul persecutes Christ's followers before he's blinded by a vision of Jesus while traveling to the city of Damascus. In a moment showing the unification of believers, Christ asks a man Paul persecuted to bless him in His name. Here's that moving scene from last night's episode:

This epic miniseries took on an incredible task cramming the Bible into 10 hours of television. Mark Burnett and Roma Downey's labor of love is a testament to our God. They took the heart of the Bible and introduced it to a TV-watching culture. And The Bible will continue to bless millions through re-airs, overseas promotion and the release of the full series on DVD (this Tuesday). God bless it; and God bless them.

"The Bible" Miniseries: A Look at Episodes 7 and 8

Hannah Goodwyn — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 03:52:28 GMT

Last week's episode of The Bible left us with Jesus telling Peter in his fishing boat that they were going to "change the world". Tonight's episodes, starting with the first hour aptly titled "Mission", begin to show how Jesus' presence changed the course of history.

Executive producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey (who plays Mary, the mother of Jesus) summarize the ministry of Jesus. In it, we see Jesus feed the multitudes, heal a leper and paralyzed man. We hear the radical teachings of the Son of Man.

In a moment of faith testing, Jesus calls Peter to walk on water. It's this miracle and that of raising Lazarus from the dead that convince the disciples that Jesus is God's Son.

On this fourth night of The Bible, we also see what God's story has been leading up to - the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection. Episode 8, "Betrayal", dramatizes Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, his encounters with the Jewish priests and the last supper before Jesus' arrest.

At that meal, Jesus symbolically breaks bread and pours out wine, foreshadowing the beating he will take and the blood he will spill in payment for our sins, a custom believers practice today called communion.

Next week, on Easter Sunday, the last two hours of The Bible miniseries airs on HISTORY at 8/7c. Then, we'll see the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the beginnings of our Christian faith with the redemption of Paul (of Tarsus).

"The Bible" Miniseries: A Look at Episodes 5 and 6

Hannah Goodwyn — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 03:04:12 GMT

Jesus is here! HISTORY's new hit TV miniseries, The Bible, aired two new episodes tonight with the second hour of programming re-introducing America to the radical hope and love we have through the Son of God.

The first hour, titled "Survival", recounts the destruction of Jerusalem after King Zedekiah ignored the prophet Jeremiah's warnings. The Jews are led on a forced exile back to Babylon where they are enslaved by ruthless King Nebuchandnezzar. There, the faith of four faithful servants of God are tested. First, three friends of Daniel, a trusted servant of the king, are thrown into a fire when they refuse to bow down to the king’s statue. When their new ruler, Cyrus of Persia, decrees that prayer to God is forbidden for 30 days, Daniel openly disobeys. He's thrown into a den of lions for his crime, but God spares him. This miracle is what convinces Cyrus to let the Jews return to their Promised Land, making way for the Messiah to come.

In episode 6, "Revolution", The Bible introduces God's plan for the redemption of the world through Jesus Christ. During a time of great violence, a baby is born to a virgin named Mary in her husband Joseph's hometown of Bethlehem. During his first 30 years, Jesus' people are oppressed by Rome. A new governor called Pontius Pilate arrives in Jerusalem to squelch any rebellion. The time for revolution has come. Jesus enters his Father's will and mission first by being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.

After being tempted during 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus meets his first disciple, Peter. The Son of Man offers Peter a new life, the chance to be a fisher of men.

These are exciting scenes as this epic miniseries builds up to the purpose of Christ's time on Earth. The Bible continues next Sunday, March 24th on HISTORY at 8/7c.

"The Bible" Miniseries: A Look at Episodes 3 and 4

Hannah Goodwyn — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:16:49 GMT

Last night, HISTORY's The Bible miniseries, the No. 1 show of 2013, aired its third and fourth episodes, "Homeland" and "Kingdom". After a record-breaking first week, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey's TV drama dove into the stories of some of the most iconic biblical figures of all time.

In "Homeland", Joshua and his army walks around the fortified city of Jericho, watching it crumble as the Lord gives them the last obstacle to securing their Promised Land. But, as the Bible says, the enemies of Israel surround them. A 'judge' by the name of Samson is sent to drive these forces out of the land, to protect God's people. But, he is distracted by Philistine women, one of whom is named Delilah. She is the one the Bible says betrays him (Judges 16).

15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.” 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.

17 So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.”

18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. 19 After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. (NIV)

In Samson's story, we see that even in weakness, God can make us strong again. Samson's calling to destroy his people's oppressors is still accomplished with faith and trust in the Lord.

The story continues with the aging prophet Samuel arguing with the people. They want a king to unify them so they can defeat their enemies. They want an earthly king instead of relying on their Heavenly king, so God, through Samuel, anoints Saul as the first king of Israel.

When King Saul and his armies are confronted by the Philistine warrior Goliath, they quake in fear. It is a young shepherd boy named David, the one anointed by Samuel to become the next king, who slays the giant (1 Samuel 17).

This episode of The Bible changes how Samuel came upon David, one assumes for time sake. But, the timing of Psalm 23 (as seen in the following clip) is dramatically perfect. Young David wrote many beautiful psalms, praising God. Perhaps this is not when these lines were written, but it shows a young boy's incredible faith and trust in God in the face of a great enemy.

A major theme in the second episode, "Kingdom", is that God is interested in our hearts. King Saul claims to be God's servant, but he disobeys the Lord's commands. In an argument with King Saul, Samuel chides him for his pride.

"A king is never above his God!" - Samuel, The Bible

King Saul's lust for power rules his heart. Paranoid, he becomes obsessed with killing David, whom he thinks is out to take his throne. After Saul and his son Jonathan die, David does become king. And though his heart is also sinful, clearly seen in the sins he commits during his affair with Bathsheba, David seeks to please God.

This miniseries, in some instances, does take dramatic license. But at the end of the day, it is a television show. What's encouraging is that it's one that is showing a nationwide audience God's Word. It's making these stories about real people from our history relevant again. Burnett and Downey haven't watered down the message. And though last night's episodes were violent, this show is presenting a sometimes gruesome story in a way that older children and adults can handle it.

Thankfully, The Bible miniseries isn't a TV version of the felt, flannel board stories some of us remember from Sunday School. As we saw last night, David was a real man. He was flawed. Because of his lust, he killed a good friend. But, in repentance, David was forgiven and blessed by God. That is a life-changing story. One I'm glad to see on television.

"The Bible" Miniseries: A Look at Episodes 1 and 2

Hannah Goodwyn — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:34:47 GMT

With a warning of 'viewer discretion advised' (mainly for violence), Mark Burnett and Roma Downey's new TV miniseries, The Bible, matches what they described to me last week over the phone. This is not "grandma's Bible". The husband/wife producing team didn't want to make a "donkeys and sandals experience", but a real dramatic look at what the men and women of the Bible went through as they followed God. From the looks of the first two episodes in this 10-hour series, they haven't.

Tonight's episodes, "In the Beginning" and "Exodus", track the biblical history as recorded in the Book of Genesis. The thread that weaves through Noah and his Ark, a flashback to Adam and Eve's fall and the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt is God asking His people to trust in Him.

Boiled down to two hours, unfortunately, we lose the incredible story of Joseph. But, as the executive producers told me, this series is simply meant to be an introduction to the Bible, a taste of what the scriptures say. Well written, The Bible does cover a lot of ground, and these clips of God's story set the stage for what's to come.

Episode one, "In the Beginning", includes God's judgment upon creation through a great flood. It is through Noah that Abraham, the father of many nations, comes to be. A flawed man, Abraham wills to remain faithful to God. His ultimate test comes when he's asked to sacrifice his son, a moving foreshadow of God's own sacrifice as recorded in the New Testament.

"Exodus", episode two, reminds us that God does not abandon His people. His promise to Abraham is not forgotten by Him, even 400 years later. Through a discarded and homeless man named Moses, God frees His people from bondage. Their Promised Land is within sight.

Seeing these epic stories on television is an encouraging sight. I have faith that the best is yet to come.

Till next Sunday, at 8/7c on HISTORY, when Joshua and the Israelites march around Jericho.

For video clips, photos from The Bible, and more, visit CBN.com's Experience The Bible special section!

First Trailer Released for Mark Burnett’s "The Bible" Miniseries

Hannah Goodwyn — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:40:52 GMT

Before Christmas, Hollywood Insight gave you a first look at executive producer Mark Burnett’s new miniseries about God’s Word. The Bible is an epic 10-part miniseries that will give audiences a look the lives of Noah, Abraham, King David, Mary and of course the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Burnett (The Voice, Survivor), along with his wife/actress Roma Downey (Touched By An Angel), hopes this project will inspire the faithful to dig into the Bible more and enlighten unbelievers to what the book has to say.

In anticipation of The Bible’s premiere on The History Channel on Sunday, March 3, Burnett has released the miniseries' first trailer on YouTube.

Take a look at The Bible:

"Survivor" Producer Mark Burnett to Bring "The Bible" to Primetime

Hannah Goodwyn — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:50:07 GMT

Reality TV executive producer Mark Burnett, who brings us such shows as Survivor, The Apprentice and The Voice, has been focusing his creative efforts to produce a miniseries of biblical proportions.

Along with his co-producer and wife, actress Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel), Burnett is creating the 10-hour drama titled The Bible to share God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, with audiences of all backgrounds.

According to an article posted on The Wall Street Journal’s website, Burnett is quoted as saying, “160 million people go to church and talk about the Bible, but I want to really look at what’s in it.”

Hoping to re-introduce believers to the Bible and introduce those who have never read God’s work to it, Burnett and Downey, who are both Christians, are working to see this ambitious project become a series families can watch together. Partnering with The History Channel, the five-part series is scheduled to start airing on March 3, 2013.

In anticipation of Christmas, Burnett and Downey are sharing a video clip of the Nativity scene from The Bible. Take a look:

The Voice judge and music artist Cee Lo lends his version of the Christmas hymn, "Mary, Did You Know?" to this clip highlighting the life and miracles of Jesus Christ as told in The Bible series.

I’ll be following this project as it continues to develop, and will post some of the insights Burnett and Downey shared with me recently about The Bible. Stay tuned for more!

Make Yours a 'Wonderful Life'

Hannah Goodwyn — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:43:00 GMT

George Bailey helps ring in the holiday season for many television-watching families. In fact, It’s a Wonderful Life airs 300 times every year. That’s 300 times viewers experience George Bailey’s search for significance, originally shared on the big screen via legendary director Frank Capra (It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington).

Starring James Stewart as George, It's a Wonderful Life has become a Christmas classic since its original theatrical release on December 20, 1946. This holiday favorite charms and delights with classic Christmas scenes, especially its ending, with the cast singing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing". But, It's a Wonderful Life also teaches us some very valuable lessons about faith, family and what's truly important.

As a young man, George has dreams. He longs for adventure. Leaving Bedford Falls, New York, behind is his plan, until circumstances prevent him from getting on that train out of town. Family life replaces his dream to see the world, and failures at his family’s building and loan business push him over the edge.

Haven’t seen It's a Wonderful Life in a while? Here's the trailer with clips that may jog your memory:

It’s no wonder generations have taken George’s story to heart. His story is one of insecurity redeemed by the love of his family and neighbors. At his lowest, George reaches out, looking for answers through prayer.

After this desperate prayer, George walks to the edge of a bridge and looks into the icy waters below just as an angel named Clarence falls from the sky -- to save him.

Seeing the world without him in it gives George a refreshed perspective on life and his importance in it. This is beautifully shown in the film’s last scene when everyone shows up at George’s house with money to help bail him out of financial trouble that could land him in jail.

It’s through his time with Clarence that George recognizes his worth and the impact he has made on his town. Each of us, to some degree, experience the same insecurity and disappointments. We have failed careers, marriages and unrealized dreams. What’s important to know is that we are loved by God. We are worth an angel intervention. We are worth His Son’s sacrifice, which we remember at Christmas because of His birth in the manger.

Let George’s troubles encourage you this Christmas season to relish in the time you have to celebrate with family and friends. We are all God’s children. Share that love with others this season; and realize it for yourself too.

"The Hobbit" Fans Celebrate Tolkien Week

Hannah Goodwyn — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:57:11 GMT

Most moviegoers know J.R.R. Tolkien's literary works from director Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films, starring Elijah Wood as Frodo, a hobbit who has to destroy a golden ring before evil can claim its power. True Tolkien fans know that before Frodo's adventure came Bilbo Baggins' story as told in the fantasy author’s 1937 children’s book, The Hobbit.

With that seminal work published on September 21, and Bilbo and Frodo’s fictional birthdays on September 22 (known as Hobbit Day), fantasy fans across the globe are honoring the English author this week. Tolkien Week has been in observance since the American Tolkien Society proclaimed it so in 1978.

It’s undoubtedly the films though that have put this author and his contributions to literature in the minds of millions. This December, the Academy Award-winning director is set to bring Tolkien’s prequel to The Lord of the Rings to theaters worldwide.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first installment in this new trilogy, follows the adventurous expedition Bilbo makes with 13 dwarves, including their proud leader Thorin Oakenshield, to retrieve a lost treasure. Tolkien’s story, as always, goes deeper than mere fantasy. As the one who introduced The Chronicles of Narnia writer and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis to a relationship with God, it is clear Tolkien's faith permeated his life and work.

“Living by faith includes the call to something greater than cowardly self-preservation.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

This is true for Bilbo’s fictional tale and life itself. Look inside the Tolkien’s work and you will see evil’s intention, greed’s reach and faith’s overcoming power.

In celebration of Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week, Jackson released this brand new trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. (Caution is advised as evil fantasy creatures, such as trolls and goblins—as described in Tolkien’s books, are shown in this preview).