Holy Post Media is excited to announce the launch of a new podcast, Curiously Kaitlyn, aimed at making theology accessible, meaningful, and fun for listeners of all ages. The podcast, hosted by author and theologian Kaitlyn Schiess, features a unique format: every week a kid asks a theology question – sometimes serious, sometimes silly – and Kaitlyn interviews a theological scholar to help answer it in a way that is easy to understand and engaging.
The goal of the podcast is to open up big theological ideas that can impact our lives, shape our view of God, and help us understand Scripture in a new way. By removing the academic and religious jargon often associated with theology, the podcast aims to make these important concepts more approachable and relatable for listeners of all backgrounds.
"We are thrilled to launch this new podcast that brings theology to life in a way that is both educational and entertaining,...
The goal of the podcast is to open up big theological ideas that can impact our lives, shape our view of God, and help us understand Scripture in a new way. By removing the academic and religious jargon often associated with theology, the podcast aims to make these important concepts more approachable and relatable for listeners of all backgrounds.
"We are thrilled to launch this new podcast that brings theology to life in a way that is both educational and entertaining,...
- 4/10/2024
- Podnews.net
There exist three Oscar categories where it’s possible to watch all nominated films in one shot – that’s shorts, Animated, Live Action and Documentary. Packaged into three feature length films presented by ShortsTV, the Oscar Nominated Short Films open in theaters today for a four-week run on about 650 screens in the U.S. and Canada.
It’s 19-year tradition popular with audiences and theaters. Each film is also “an event. Then you can go argue about who you think should win,” says ShortsTV founder and CEO Carter Pilcher.
Theater owners can screen any or all of the three compilations however and whenever they want from a traditional run to a one-week marathon before the Academy Awards on March 10.
Pilcher says the animated bundle tends to do the best historically, although the 2023 short called My Year Of Dicks nudged out some of the family audiences that love animation, giving Live Action the win.
It’s 19-year tradition popular with audiences and theaters. Each film is also “an event. Then you can go argue about who you think should win,” says ShortsTV founder and CEO Carter Pilcher.
Theater owners can screen any or all of the three compilations however and whenever they want from a traditional run to a one-week marathon before the Academy Awards on March 10.
Pilcher says the animated bundle tends to do the best historically, although the 2023 short called My Year Of Dicks nudged out some of the family audiences that love animation, giving Live Action the win.
- 2/16/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Producer Rob Reiner and director Dan Partland screened God & Country, a new documentary chronicling the rise of Christian nationalism, on Capitol Hill on Thursday evening.
The Oscilloscope Laboratories release, opening in theaters on Feb. 16, features a number of Christian thought leaders, including Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today and director of the Public Theology Project; social activist Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II; political commentator and author Charlie Sykes; political commentator and author David French; evangelical clergyman Rob Schenck; and VeggieTales co-creator and Holy Post podcast host Phil Vischer.
Reiner said in a video message that the project was “about a movement that’s on the rise in America called Christian nationalism. Now, I know what you are thinking, why is Rob Reiner, a Jew, producing a film about this subject? Well, it’s because I worry that this movement, in a quest for political power, is...
The Oscilloscope Laboratories release, opening in theaters on Feb. 16, features a number of Christian thought leaders, including Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today and director of the Public Theology Project; social activist Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II; political commentator and author Charlie Sykes; political commentator and author David French; evangelical clergyman Rob Schenck; and VeggieTales co-creator and Holy Post podcast host Phil Vischer.
Reiner said in a video message that the project was “about a movement that’s on the rise in America called Christian nationalism. Now, I know what you are thinking, why is Rob Reiner, a Jew, producing a film about this subject? Well, it’s because I worry that this movement, in a quest for political power, is...
- 1/12/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscilloscope Laboratories has snapped up U.S. rights to God & Country: The Rise of Christian Nationalism, a new documentary produced by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Rob Reiner (A Few Good Men). Featuring prominent faith leaders who shine a light on the dangerous implications of this growing movement, it’s slated for release in early 2024.
The film directed by five-time Emmy nominee Dan Partland (Intervention) looks at the implications of Christian Nationalism and how it distorts not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself. Featuring numerous prominent Christian thought leaders, the question it asks is, what happens when a faith built on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness grows political tentacles, conflating power, money, and belief into hyper-nationalism?
In addition to the always politically active and socially conscious Rob Reiner, producers included Michele Reiner, Steve Okin, and Jeff Okin. Among those offering expert commentary in the doc are political commentator and author David French; VeggieTales...
The film directed by five-time Emmy nominee Dan Partland (Intervention) looks at the implications of Christian Nationalism and how it distorts not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself. Featuring numerous prominent Christian thought leaders, the question it asks is, what happens when a faith built on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness grows political tentacles, conflating power, money, and belief into hyper-nationalism?
In addition to the always politically active and socially conscious Rob Reiner, producers included Michele Reiner, Steve Okin, and Jeff Okin. Among those offering expert commentary in the doc are political commentator and author David French; VeggieTales...
- 9/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired U.S. rights to Dan Partland’s “God & Country: The Rise of Christian Nationalism.” The film, which was produced by Rob Reiner, is set for release in early 2024. It features interviews with prominent faith leaders, who share their fears about this movement.
According to its official description: ‘”God & Country’ looks at the implications of Christian Nationalism and how it distorts not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself…[it also] asks this question: What happens when a faith built on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness grows political tentacles, conflating power, money, and belief into hyper-nationalism?”
The film features commentary from author David French; co-creator of “VeggieTales” and Holy Post podcast host Phil Vischer; pastor, author and Holy Post podcast host Skye Jethani; historian and author Kristin Kobes Du Mez; Christianity Today editor-in-chief Russell Moore; historian and author Jemar Tisby; U.S. Presidential Medal of Honor winner Sister Simone Campbell; social activist Rev.
According to its official description: ‘”God & Country’ looks at the implications of Christian Nationalism and how it distorts not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself…[it also] asks this question: What happens when a faith built on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness grows political tentacles, conflating power, money, and belief into hyper-nationalism?”
The film features commentary from author David French; co-creator of “VeggieTales” and Holy Post podcast host Phil Vischer; pastor, author and Holy Post podcast host Skye Jethani; historian and author Kristin Kobes Du Mez; Christianity Today editor-in-chief Russell Moore; historian and author Jemar Tisby; U.S. Presidential Medal of Honor winner Sister Simone Campbell; social activist Rev.
- 9/21/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
It’s easy (maybe even fun) to dismiss so-called “value-based media” on the basis that it’s sanctimonious, condescending, and inaccessible to anyone who might gain something from watching it. It’s even easier when it’s aimed at children, who tend to be more forgiving of material that is exceptionally poorly executed. But in a media landscape with clowns to the left and sermonizing to the right, VeggieTales is actually a refreshing addition. While other works of this nature tend to neatly divide its world into the righteous and the damned, VeggieTales endows its characters with a surprising dimension, and allows them to interact with the clearly established morals of the story in a recognizably human way. Even if the animation never quite equals the other talents on display, VeggieTales is a step in the right direction, and Jonah is a solid representation of that.
While driving through the...
While driving through the...
- 3/20/2011
- by Anders Nelson
- JustPressPlay.net
January is rarely the month of the year that comes to mind for quality family films, but the creative minds at Big Idea, home to the Christian-based animated VeggieTales franchise, buck that trend with the unspooling of Universal's The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie.
Following 2002's theatrical feature Jonah plus innumerable direct-to-video offerings and a TV series, Pirates scores with adventure, humor and a morality tale rather than a standard biblical message. Cannily riding the wave of Disney's blockbuster pirate trilogy, and borrowing heavily as well from Baum's The Wizard of Oz and others, this briskly paced voyage should bring the pre-tween set aboard.
Like Jonah, the new film is framed by a contemporary story, but the framing is more polished than that first feature six years ago. Set "somewhere in the 17th century," we meet Prince Alexander and Princess Eloise, just as their ship is attacked by their jealous, peg-legged uncle Robert the Terrible and his pirates. A feisty Alexander is kidnapped, and, interestingly, he is held captive -- and contributes virtually nothing -- for the remainder of the story.
It is Eloise, with her Franklin Pangborn-like butler-sidekick Willory, who propels the entire action. Via a magic ball, three dinner-theater waiters in the present-day are plopped into the past to assist Eloise: timid Elliot (played by VeggieTales regular Larry the Cucumber), lazy Sedgewick (VeggieTales' gourd, Mr. Lunt) and unsung family man George (Pa Grape).
The five battle obstacles -- including the Island of Walking Rocks -- and encounter a few energetic musical interludes (the B-52's' "Rock Lobster" becomes a rousing closing-credits bonus video, "Rock Monster").
The crew features the usual Big Idea names. This time, co-founders Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer produce (with Paula Marcus), Nawrocki directed and Vischer scripted. Each man provides at least a half-dozen of the lead voices. Computer animation and tech credits overall are excellent.
THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE
Universal Pictures
Big Idea/Entertainment Rights Group
Credits:
Director: Mike Nawrocki
Screenwriter: Phil Vischer
Producers: Paula Marcus, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, David Pitts
Executive Producers: Mike Heap, Jane Smith, Terry Pefanis
Production designer: Charles Vollmer
Music: Kurt Heinecke
Editor: John Wahba
Voices:
George, Sedgewick, Willory, Sir Frederick, Mr. Hibbing, Bob the Tomato, Pirate Spy, Pirate Philippe Pea: Phil Vischer
Elliot, Pirate Jean Claude Pea, Theater Foe, Pirate Spy Sidekick, Pirate With Dummy, Rock Monster Father: Mike Nawrocki
Robert the Terrible, the King: Cam Clarke
Running time -- 84 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
Following 2002's theatrical feature Jonah plus innumerable direct-to-video offerings and a TV series, Pirates scores with adventure, humor and a morality tale rather than a standard biblical message. Cannily riding the wave of Disney's blockbuster pirate trilogy, and borrowing heavily as well from Baum's The Wizard of Oz and others, this briskly paced voyage should bring the pre-tween set aboard.
Like Jonah, the new film is framed by a contemporary story, but the framing is more polished than that first feature six years ago. Set "somewhere in the 17th century," we meet Prince Alexander and Princess Eloise, just as their ship is attacked by their jealous, peg-legged uncle Robert the Terrible and his pirates. A feisty Alexander is kidnapped, and, interestingly, he is held captive -- and contributes virtually nothing -- for the remainder of the story.
It is Eloise, with her Franklin Pangborn-like butler-sidekick Willory, who propels the entire action. Via a magic ball, three dinner-theater waiters in the present-day are plopped into the past to assist Eloise: timid Elliot (played by VeggieTales regular Larry the Cucumber), lazy Sedgewick (VeggieTales' gourd, Mr. Lunt) and unsung family man George (Pa Grape).
The five battle obstacles -- including the Island of Walking Rocks -- and encounter a few energetic musical interludes (the B-52's' "Rock Lobster" becomes a rousing closing-credits bonus video, "Rock Monster").
The crew features the usual Big Idea names. This time, co-founders Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer produce (with Paula Marcus), Nawrocki directed and Vischer scripted. Each man provides at least a half-dozen of the lead voices. Computer animation and tech credits overall are excellent.
THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE
Universal Pictures
Big Idea/Entertainment Rights Group
Credits:
Director: Mike Nawrocki
Screenwriter: Phil Vischer
Producers: Paula Marcus, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, David Pitts
Executive Producers: Mike Heap, Jane Smith, Terry Pefanis
Production designer: Charles Vollmer
Music: Kurt Heinecke
Editor: John Wahba
Voices:
George, Sedgewick, Willory, Sir Frederick, Mr. Hibbing, Bob the Tomato, Pirate Spy, Pirate Philippe Pea: Phil Vischer
Elliot, Pirate Jean Claude Pea, Theater Foe, Pirate Spy Sidekick, Pirate With Dummy, Rock Monster Father: Mike Nawrocki
Robert the Terrible, the King: Cam Clarke
Running time -- 84 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
- 1/11/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Seeing the green, Universal Pictures has nabbed the theatrical worldwide distribution rights for the family film The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything -- A VeggieTales Movie based on Big Idea's successful VeggieTale franchise. The CG film will be directed by Mike Nawrocki and written by Phil Vischer, the creative force behind the series. Vischer will also serve as executive producer through his Production Company, Jellyfish Labs. Big Idea's David Pitts will produce. The film will feature an original soundtrack by Kurt Heinecke. VeggieTales' second feature film follows the successful 2002 release of Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie, which grossed over $25 million theatrically. Since 1993, nearly 50 million VeggieTales videos have been sold.
It would take a fairly atheistic grump or vegetarian-hating carnivore not to get some enjoyment from this first feature adaptation of the popular "VeggieTales" children's cartoon home video series. "Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie" employs computer animation to good effect -- visuals are definitely superior to the straight-to-video releases -- for a musical whale-of-a-tale that should engage, inform and amuse parents as well as offspring.
Framing the age-old biblical tale of Jonah in the whale with a contemporary story works well. A van full of Veggies are eagerly on their way to a concert by Twippo, apparently a hugely popular children's entertainer in this very veggie world. As they harmonize, a distracted driver, Bob the Tomato, accidentally runs off the road.
Stranded at a rural seafood restaurant and awaiting a tow, the Veggies, which include Dad Asparagus and the bickering Junior Asparagus and Laura Carrot, meet a lazy trio of scalawag waiters, the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (and are proud of it). But it seems there was one instance, eons ago, when they did help a fellow named Jonah.
The film now turns back centuries to tell the tale of Jonah and the whale. Described in song as a special kind of mailman, a prophet spreading the word of God, Jonah is happily ensconced in the ancient Near Eastern land of Joppa, as we deduce from the catchy ditty "Message From the Lord", which includes the incredibly prescient verse "Don't do drugs; stay in school."
The principal conflict of the film comes down to the fact that Jonah is very content in his homeland, but when instructed from above to travel to Nineveh, a notoriously vile den of cheats and liars, he wavers. Jonah talks the pirates into setting sail for a far-off destination in the opposite direction. Divine intervention brings on nightmares and a churning storm, sending Jonah (and Khalil, a half-worm/half-caterpillar sidekick he has met on board) into the sea ... and the mouth of a gigantic whale.
Three days and nights of contemplation inside the whale cause Jonah to begin to see things the Lord's way. Eventually, he gets the message across to the Ninevites, even if he has not quite yet grasped the importance of forgiveness and mercy.
Computer animation is vivid and sharp, with rich colors compensating for the limited expressiveness artists faced when dealing with big-eyed vegetables. Particularly nice is the sepialike quality of the scene in which Jonah literally hops onto a map of the Mediterranean/Arabia region, providing young viewers with a handy biblical geography lesson.
"Jonah" is full of fun anachronisms that one now expects from children's animation, and this parable does not take itself so seriously as to have no sense of humor. If anything, the shtick flies fast and furious. The songs (composed by a combination of co-writer/directors Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki, plus Kurt Heinecke and David Mullen) are more than adequate for the youngsters in a homily sort of way, though the finale (led by the children's star, Twippo) underwhelms for all its glitz, with rather weak lyrics.
JONAH: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE
Artisan Entertainment
FHE Pictures in association with Big Idea Prods.
Credits:
Screenwriter-directors: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki
Producer: Ameake Owens
Executive producers: Phil Vischer, Terry Botwick, Dan Philips
Music: Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer
Songs: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Kurt Heinecke, David Mullen
Art director/concept supervisor: Joe Sapulich
Director of animation: Marc Vulcano
Supervising editor: John Wahba
Voices: Jonah/Twippo/Archibald Asparagus/Bob the Tomato/Mr. Lunt/Pirate Lunt: Phil Vischer
Larry the Cucumber/Pirate Larry: Mike Nawrocki
Khalil: Tim Hodge
Junior Asparagus: Lisa Vischer
Dad Asparagus: Dan Anderson
Laura Carrot: Kristin Blegen
Running time -- 83 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
Framing the age-old biblical tale of Jonah in the whale with a contemporary story works well. A van full of Veggies are eagerly on their way to a concert by Twippo, apparently a hugely popular children's entertainer in this very veggie world. As they harmonize, a distracted driver, Bob the Tomato, accidentally runs off the road.
Stranded at a rural seafood restaurant and awaiting a tow, the Veggies, which include Dad Asparagus and the bickering Junior Asparagus and Laura Carrot, meet a lazy trio of scalawag waiters, the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything (and are proud of it). But it seems there was one instance, eons ago, when they did help a fellow named Jonah.
The film now turns back centuries to tell the tale of Jonah and the whale. Described in song as a special kind of mailman, a prophet spreading the word of God, Jonah is happily ensconced in the ancient Near Eastern land of Joppa, as we deduce from the catchy ditty "Message From the Lord", which includes the incredibly prescient verse "Don't do drugs; stay in school."
The principal conflict of the film comes down to the fact that Jonah is very content in his homeland, but when instructed from above to travel to Nineveh, a notoriously vile den of cheats and liars, he wavers. Jonah talks the pirates into setting sail for a far-off destination in the opposite direction. Divine intervention brings on nightmares and a churning storm, sending Jonah (and Khalil, a half-worm/half-caterpillar sidekick he has met on board) into the sea ... and the mouth of a gigantic whale.
Three days and nights of contemplation inside the whale cause Jonah to begin to see things the Lord's way. Eventually, he gets the message across to the Ninevites, even if he has not quite yet grasped the importance of forgiveness and mercy.
Computer animation is vivid and sharp, with rich colors compensating for the limited expressiveness artists faced when dealing with big-eyed vegetables. Particularly nice is the sepialike quality of the scene in which Jonah literally hops onto a map of the Mediterranean/Arabia region, providing young viewers with a handy biblical geography lesson.
"Jonah" is full of fun anachronisms that one now expects from children's animation, and this parable does not take itself so seriously as to have no sense of humor. If anything, the shtick flies fast and furious. The songs (composed by a combination of co-writer/directors Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki, plus Kurt Heinecke and David Mullen) are more than adequate for the youngsters in a homily sort of way, though the finale (led by the children's star, Twippo) underwhelms for all its glitz, with rather weak lyrics.
JONAH: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE
Artisan Entertainment
FHE Pictures in association with Big Idea Prods.
Credits:
Screenwriter-directors: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki
Producer: Ameake Owens
Executive producers: Phil Vischer, Terry Botwick, Dan Philips
Music: Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer
Songs: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Kurt Heinecke, David Mullen
Art director/concept supervisor: Joe Sapulich
Director of animation: Marc Vulcano
Supervising editor: John Wahba
Voices: Jonah/Twippo/Archibald Asparagus/Bob the Tomato/Mr. Lunt/Pirate Lunt: Phil Vischer
Larry the Cucumber/Pirate Larry: Mike Nawrocki
Khalil: Tim Hodge
Junior Asparagus: Lisa Vischer
Dad Asparagus: Dan Anderson
Laura Carrot: Kristin Blegen
Running time -- 83 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
- 10/2/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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