CULTURE: Here's What's New in Film, TV, Music, Books, and More!
Lingk's 9 Must
Read for 2010
(so far!)
To explore the rest of
our winter book line-up
visit our bookstore
at FE-Media.com.
This 3-part series represents what television does best. It opens a window
into real lives, exploring ways to improve our social relationships, cope with
emotional issues, and become more positive, resilient individuals. Hosted
by Daniel Gilbert, Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling
on Happiness.
EPISODE 1:
Family, Friends and Lovers: Information to help us navigate our relationships
with family, friends, and lovers.
EPISODE 2:
Facing our Fears: Information to help us understand and manage the
challenges in our lives.
EPISODE 3:
Rethinking Happiness: Positive strategies to help us build resilience and lead
fuller, happier lives.
WATCH THIS: This emotional Life (PBS)
NEW IN FILM
Babies
In theaters: April 16, 2010
Everybody loves… BABIES. This visually stunning new movie simultaneously
follows four babies around the world - from first breath to first steps. From
Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo, BABIES joyfully captures on
film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique
and universal to us all.
Extraordinary Measures
In theaters: January 22, 2010
“Extraordinary Measures” is inspired by the true story of John Crowley,
a man who defied conventional wisdom and great odds, and risked his
family’s future to pursue a cure for his children’s life threatening disease.
From his working class roots, John Crowley has finally begun to taste
success in corporate America. Supported by his beautiful wife Aileen (Keri
Russell) and their three children, John is on the fast track. But just as his
career is taking off, Crowley walks away from it all when his two youngest
children, Megan and Patrick, are diagnosed with a fatal disease. With Aileen
by his side, harnessing all of his skill and determination, Crowley teams
up with a brilliant, but unappreciated and unconventional scientist, Dr.
Robert Stonehill. Together they form a bio-tech company focused on
developing a life-saving drug. One driven to prove himself and his theories,
the other by a chance to save his children, this unlikely alliance eventually
develops into mutual respect as they battle the medical and business
establishments in a fight against the system – and time.
He can be seen: On the upcoming BET's 10th Annual Celebration
of Gospel, (taped at the famed Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles) to
be aired on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 8/7 C hosted by Comedian
Steve Harvey. Lawrence will be performing his #1 hits, "Back II
Eden" and "The Best Is Yet To Come". Be sure to watch!
We recently caught-up with a legend (in the making) to chat about
his Grammy and stellar nominated CD, his thoughts on the future of
Gospel music and what's playing in his Ipod these days! Full Feature
The guys at Disney want to inspire
one million people to volunteer a
day of service to a participating organization in their communities.
So they are celebrating these volunteers' good works by giving
each of them a 1-day, 1-theme park
ticket to the Disney Resort or Walt Disney World Resort, free. There's
no better time to make a dream
come true for others and let Disney make a dream come true for you!
To learn more be sure to visit
them at:
Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.
HOOPS FOR
HEROES
Dave Cummings— founder of Hoops For Heroes, a non-for-profit organization whose mission is
to pay tribute to
Veterans by providing financial support to
those that have
sacrificed for our
nation, (specifically
by raising money
for
the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund) Has come up with what
we think, is a simply
brilliant idea!
Here's how it works:
Cummings, will
attempt to make 1
million foul shots over
the next two to three
years, beginning on
Veterans Day 2009,
in exchange for
donations, which will
be forwarded to the
Fallen Heroes Fund.
“Every shot made
shall serve as a
reminder of the reverence due
those who have
honored us with their
selfless service to
this country. Every
dollar raised shall
serve to benefit those
who now suffer for
that sacrifice. To all
Veterans, though it
will never be enough,
this is our solemn
thank you.”
Dave Cummings
MUSIC
THE POWER OF ONE.
3-D TV
Mayor manufacturers—such as Sony, Panasonic and Vizio are set to unveil TV's with 3-D capabilities at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The innovation will coincide with an explosion in 3-D content with
films like Avatar and Alice in Wonderland to name a few. For the home ESPN and Discovery channel have begun producing 3-D programing. Still, many
are not convinced that Americans are ready to take the leap. So we thought we would ask?
...Even if it's available would you watch it?
Tech news
FutureMe.org
Earlier this month, you probably made New Years resolutions and set some
immediate and future goals for 2010. Care to seal the deal? Pay a visit to
futureme.org. Where after submitting your letter (or gentle reminder) to
your future self—effective let's say in a month, a year or a decade—the guys
at futureme.org will deliver a blast from the past to your in box on a date
of your choosing.
Sites we love!
PlanetGreen.com
PlanetGreen.com is filled with solutions-oriented tips and information
that
can help you make your life a little (or a lot) greener. Their eco-
minded community includes fan sites, articles about how to go green, and forums where users can interact. With expert advice and info from on-air personalities such as Annabelle Gurwitch, Emeril Lagasse, and Steve Thomas, plus a wonderful team of eco-savvy writers, Planet Green is a user's guide to
living mindfully on this big blue marble we all call home. Their experts will help you navigate the options for detoxifying your home, life, and planet - without the jargon or the guilt trips - so you can start being the change you wish to
see in the world. Passionate, positive, and always practical, Planet Green is
bursting with smart tips and inspiring advice.
HireMyMom.com
Started by Lesley Spencer Pyle after having her first child, HireMyMom.com
provides a new generation of women opting to leave corporate America
the opportunity for a more flexible work environment. HireMyMom.com
enables moms in transition to market their skills, experience and education
to businesses needing to outsource work in a variety of fields including:
administrative, research, writing, graphic design, editing, accounting, web
design, customer service, virtual assisting, coaching, sales, marketing,
public relations, bookkeeping, legal, desktop publishing, creative arts,
medical billing, ecommerce, strategic planning, database development,
payroll, human resources, etc.
Fatwallet.com
Sure, Fat Wallet's got a huge forum community helping us weed out the
bad deals and find the really hidden gems. Yeah, there's a big coupons data-
base too. Those are both awesome parts of Fat Wallet, but what gets us
really excited is... cashback shopping!
Get 1-50% cashback on purchases you make through Fat Wallet at
hundreds of partner stores. Okay, there's only a handful of stores with 20%
or more cashback, but there are plenty of huge stores that offer very nice
3-12% cashback on purchases made through Fat Wallet.
Our favorite cashback stores include Bloomingdale's (4% cashback),
Restaurant.com (20%), PETCO (8%), GoDaddy (12%), Shutterfly (7%),
Home Depot (6%), Orbitz (3.5%), eBay (1%), and Dell (3%).
Casting Crowns will be touring this spring on its headlining “Until The Whole
World Hears Tour”. The first half of the tour will feature special guests Kutless.
The second half will feature special guests Tenth Avenue North. All shows will
also feature Caleb. Tour audiences will experience multiple new songs from
the award-winning band's chart-topping new album "Until The Whole World
Hears". Fans can expect a fresh and powerful God-centered message from
lead singer and Pastor Mark Hall, while the band also revisits its blockbuster
catalog of crowd favorites like “Who Am I,” “Lifesong” and “Praise You in this
Storm.” For a list of city's, dates and times visit,
www.castingcrowns.comHot Ticket!
INSPIRATION!
NEW ON DVD
Must-see
NO GREATER LOVE
A compelling new film takes a real look at the
redemptive power of love.
Poignant... gripping, "No Greater Love", a new Lionsgate
DVD release, produced by Coramdeo studios in association
with Carmel Entertainment (Flywheel, Facing the Giants and
Fireproof), ushers in what we think will be the next wave
of faith-based films. In the film, childhood friends and high
school sweethearts, Jeff Baker (Anthony Tyler Quinn) and
Heather Stroud-Baker (played by Danielle Bisutti) were
inseparable soul mates. But soon after the birth of their
son, Heather spirals into a deep depression (compounded by
feelings of neglect and insecurity, heightened by Jeff's hectic
work schedule) and vanishes—leaving Jef, hurt and bewildered
to raise their infant son. Later, as the film fast forwards ten
years after his wife's disappearance, Jeff's world is dramatically
rocked when Heather shockingly reappears (a woman trans-
formed) in the most unusual place. . .
Written and Directed by Brad Silverman, "No greater Love"
delves into the real-life complexities of marriage and explores
themes of abandonment, forgiveness, obedience, love and hope. Here in a
recent interview, contributor Sheryl Taffe takes a look at the provocative new film—and shares from candid excerpts—Silverman's unlikely journey from Hollywood's fast-track and the lessons learned (by its cast members)
in the making of a powerful film. Listen in!
REVIEW
Set 30 years after a final war devastates what was once known as
America, the book of Eli takes audiences on a journey into the post-
apocalyptic world, this time, for a big dose of hope. In the film, Eli, a lone
warrior (played by Denzel Washington) travels by foot for three decades
to deliver a book he believes carries the answer to society's future.
The new feature film, directed by Allen and Albert Hughes (Menace II
Society, and Dead Presidents) is bold, imaginative and cinematically
appealing with just the right mix of non-stop action to satisfy those in
search of a great action/adventure. Washington provides yet another
outstanding performance as a strangely but believable machete-carrying
kung-fu-style-fighting, bible trotting messenger, who will stop at nothing
(including slicing of limbs) to deliver the infamous book to its destination—
somewhere out-west. Beyond all the customary fire power, the film
succeeds in its ability to present the classic match of wits and wills of
good versus evil between Eli (Washington's character) and Carnegie his nemesis (played by Gary Oldman) serving as a cautionary tale of man's
sometimes misplaced thirst for power. Certainly well worth the watch, Washington and Oldman, two power-houses in their own right, light-up
the screen and will keep audiences at the edge of their seats. See it!
Pamela Echols
