First Look: Kindness Returns in ‘White Bird: a Wonder Story’ with Helen Mirren, Gillian Anderson

June 23, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

Lionsgate released the trailer and images for its upcoming film, “White Bird: A Wonder Story,” from the bestselling author of the book and 2017 film “Wonder,” R.J. Palacio. The film stars Ariella Glaser, Orlando Schwerdt, Bryce Gheisar, with Gillian Anderson, and Helen Mirren and picks up after Julian (Gheisar) was expelled from bullying Auggie (Jacob Tremblay). His grandmother (Mirren) then relates her own story of struggle, courage, and acceptance. The trailer ties into the 2017 film, featuring scenes and focusing... Read more

Movies

Helen Mirren

Lionsgate Pictures

White Bird: A Wonder Story

Wonder

Tauren Wells Stays Focused and Hopeful with New Release ‘Joy in the Morning’

June 21, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Tauren Wells recently released his third project, “Joy in the Morning,” a pop-oriented album of faith and encouragement. Featuring songs such as the high-energy lead single “Fake It,” the solemn “Empty” and the hopeful title track, the collection offers an entry point for listeners of various ages and tastes. Wells first made a splash in the group Royal Tailor before embarking on his solo career, which got an early kickstart with an opening slot... Read more

Music

Christian Music

contemporary Christian music

Tauren Wells

Baz Lurhmann’s Elaborate ‘Elvis’ Showcases a Modern-Day Solomon Story

June 17, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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The King of Rock and Roll gets an elaborate and colorful new biopic in the spectacular new release, “Elvis,” starring Tom Hanks and Austin Butler and directed by Baz Luhrmann. The director, known for epic movies such as “Moulin Rouge” and “The Great Gatsby” frames Elvis Presley’s familiar rise-to-fame story with spiritual emptiness, deceit, and restlessness. Hank’s Colonel Tom Parker, the story’s narrator, assumes the role of villain, manipulating the teenage singer (Butler) to superstardom before trapping him into a... Read more

Kirk Cameron Shines the Spotlight on Homeschooling in New Fathom Events Release

June 13, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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Tonight and tomorrow night, Kirk Cameron is hitting the big screen once again through Fathom Events with the new documentary “Kirk Cameron Presents: The Homeschool Awakening.” The new documentary takes a look at parents choosing to educate their children at home, many of who were pushed to after the recent pandemic. In the documentary, 17 families are profiled who, like Cameron, opted out of public education. For the actor, best known for his roles in “Growing Pains” and “Fireproof,” homeschooling... Read more

Jon Favreau and Creators of New ‘Prehistoric Planet’ Series on Building a Virtual Time Machine

May 24, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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In the new AppleTV+ series “Prehistoric Planet,” which premiered this week, the natural habitat of dinosaurs is imagined using state-of-the-art computer graphics, pristine cinematography, and a stellar team of producers including Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton, and BBC Studios Natural History Unit (“Planet Earth”). The series is narrated by Sir David Attenborough and the score is provided by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. “Prehistoric Planet” imagines the unseen world of the dinosaurs in a variety of natural habitats, including coasts,... Read more

Television

Apple TV+

Jon Favreu

Award-Winning Vocal Group Rebrands as Avalon Worship, Releases New Praise Album

May 20, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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Veteran four-part vocal group Avalon, known for songs such as “Testify To Love,” “Can’t Live A Day,” and “Adonai,” has announced a new musical direction with a name change and the release of the new self-titled project, “Avalon Worship.” Janna Long, Greg Long, Jody McBrayer, and Dani Rocca-Herbert are drawing on their own experiences as worship leaders to lean into a new musical path. “For the past eleven years Greg and I have been staff worship leaders at a local... Read more

DeVon Franklin Talks New Audiobook ‘It Takes a Woman’ and BET Series ‘Kingdom Business’

May 19, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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Film producer and author DeVon Franklin (“Breakthrough,” “The Star,” “Miracles from Heaven”) pulls back the curtain on his home life in the new memoir, “It Takes a Woman,” streaming exclusively on Audible.com. The audio book contains conversations with his mother Paulette and other mother figures in his life, including his great aunts Nuna, Ida, Enis, Donna, and Sondra. The women comprised a “village of love” for Franklin and his two brothers, stepping in to provide guidance and support after his... Read more

Disney Star Leigh-Allyn Baker on ‘Family Camp’: ‘It Was the Best Film Experience’

May 14, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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In the new big-screen comedy “Family Camp,” Leigh-Allyn Baker (“Christmas in the Pines,” “Take Two for Faith”) stars as Grace Ackerman, a frazzled mom who seeks help for her family at a church-sponsored camp. Best known for her starring role in Disney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie”), the actress found the more intimate faith-based production a refreshing change from her years working on various Hollywood sets. In this exclusive interview, Baker explains what drew her to the role, working in the... Read more

With the Release of ‘Family Camp,’ The Skit Guys Break Through to a Larger Audience

May 13, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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Comedy duo The Skit Guys (Tommy Woodard and Eddie James) star with Leigh Allen Baker in the new film “Family Camp,” premiering in theaters this weekend. Set at fictional Camp Katokwah and directed by Brian Cates, the comical story centers on Grace (Baker), who pushes her imperfect family out of its comfort zone and into unusual situations. Woodard and James, who have been performing together since the 1980’s, make their feature length debut with the film, a longtime dream finally... Read more

Mandisa Opens Up About Dark Times in New Book, Releases Remix EP

April 29, 2022 By DeWayne Hamby

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GRAMMY and Dove-Award-winning artist Mandisa details her journey through depression in the book “Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Love.” The popular singer, who first rose to prominence on the reality competition “American Idol,” fell into a dark period following the death of a close friend years ago. Since then, as she spoke about this period, her story began to resonate with listeners, which in turn inspired her to share hope with more people.... Read more