SEE BARB IN PITTSBURGH! Because of an upcoming confluence of business engagements in the heartland, I will be able to squeeze in a speech at the St. David’s Christian Writers Mini-Conference on April 17, 2004. I used to do a lot more Christian Writers Conferences – they were the first ones who started inviting me to teach seminars and give speeches – but as my schedule has loaded up, I have had to pass offf most of these events every... Read more

SEE BARB IN PHILLY! BARB NICOLOSI ON MEL GIBSON’S THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST On April 23, 2004 at 7:30 PM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the International Institute for Culture is hosting a lecture on the significance of The Passion of The Christ. In terms of the climate of the entertainment industry, the film has the opportunity to usher in a new wave of projects that will present religious subjects in a positive light. The film also sets a new benchmark... Read more

ON “THE ECONOMY” OF ARTISTIC GRACE Probably my favorite phrase from theology is “the economy of salvation.” Referring to God’s creation and management of the world, and particularly His plan for salvation accomplished through the Church, the word comes from the Greek oikonomia (economy), literally, “management of a household” or “stewardship.” I just like that metaphor of God, CEO, Universe, Inc., parsing out graces and private revelations, inspiring charisms and investing gifts of grace and nature inj them, folding other... Read more

TPOTC: MEGA-HIT PERSPECTIVE In four weeks and five days, The Passion of the Christ had racked up domestic box-office total of $315,152,778. Just to put that in perspective, the elfen mega-hit Return of the King racked up $374,556,572 domestic in 14 weeks and 5 days. If TPOTC has a huge week next week, as it seems like it will, it will surpass ROTK in half the time it took ROTK to rack up its once unbelievable numbers. Just in case... Read more

AND JUST WHO CALLED YOU YESTERDAY? So, there I am yesterday, shouldering my daily office burden of basically trying to see if there is indeed a wood surface under all of the papers that are piled on my desk. My assistant, Anthony, has taken to putting “really important” phone messages and reminders on neon yellow and hot pink post-its and sticking them to my computer monitor. So, everyday, my computer looks more and more like a spring flower blossoming into... Read more

LAP-TOP HELL The continuing saga…. I have spent the last month seriously flirting with the idea of apostasizing from PC’s and becoming a MAC-ford Wife. I actually got myself into an Apple dealer – although one in Santa Monica so no one from my neighborhood might see me going in, and then spent an hour or so trying to decide if I could be happy with a computer with a cover that looks like standard kitchen appliance. And then came... Read more

AYUP.. SO LIKE I WAS SAYIN’, YOU CAN TAKE THE SCREENWRITAH OUTA NEW ENGLAND, BUT… Take the quiz: “Which American City Are You?”BostonYou are under-world power and old-world tradition. You get the job done and it’s better if nobody asks how. Read more

LATIN AMERICA TPOTC WATCH From yesterday’s Hollywood Reporter… “Passion” was playing in 15 markets – having debuted in five this weekend – and was No. 1 in every market, grossing a robust $8.8 million. 20th Century Fox is distributing “Passion” in Latin AMerica and has reaped an estimated $25.1 million so far.” The Reporter also predicted that the movie would see a “significant boost” during the upcoming Easter holidays. Let us hope so. I know we here in the Church... Read more

MEMO TO COEN BROTHERS: CRIME HAS PAID ENOUGH ALREADY I am a fan of the Coen brothers films. Several of their movies have touches of brilliance in them – Barton Fink, Hudsucker Proxy, Raising Arizona – and Fargo is on my list of greatest films ever. But somebody has to say it. They have finished for a decade or so with crime doesn’t pay movies. They keep rehashing the same story, without adding anything new to it. People can get... Read more

IT’S ANOTHER EMILY MONDAY! #105 He fumbles at your Soul as Players at the Keys, before they drop full Music on – He stuns you by degrees! Prepares your brittle nature for the Ethereal Blow – By fainter Hammers – further heard – Then nearer – Then so slow your Breath has time to straighten – Your Brain to bubble Cool – (Then) Deals One imperial Thunderbolt – That scalps your naked Soul! When winds take Forests in their Paws... Read more