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Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 01/04/23

“I need you to let go of your fear. Let go of the guilt. Let go of whatever was an walk into what is.” – That line delivered by trainer “Little Duke” Evers to Creed (Wood Evers) to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) in Creed III could also serve as a pep talk to our battered culture as we begin 2023.

In any event, I’m looking forward to this sequel to the Rocky franchise and two earlier Creed films due to hit (as it were) the big screen (as in IMAX) on March 3rd. The movie also happens to be the directorial debut of Jordan who talks about his hopes for the film in the video below. Looks like winner.

Pure action. In case you’re under the false impression that the faith-based streamer Pure Flix offers nothing for guys looking for a good action movie, Love on the Rock is among this month’s offerings. The film stars David A.R. White as Colton Riggs, a retired detective whose quest to escape the pain of his past (including the loss of his wife) takes him to Malta where he runs smack into a secret plot to steal a medication that could cure all disease. Steven Bauer, Jon Lovitz and Jeff Fahey also star.

Also available on Pure Flix in January:

5000 Blankets
Cast: Anna Camp, Carson Minniear, Rob Mayes, Rod Hallett, Jason Coviello, Cindy Hogan, G. Michael Nocolosi, Jason Gaines
Synopsis: Inspired by a remarkable true story of a young boy and his mother whose lives are changed forever after his father disappears during a mental health crisis.
Journey of Faith
Cast: Corbin Bernsen, Lloyd Warner, Jeanne Cooper, Amanda Pays Bernsen
Synopsis: Documentary series following Corbin Bernsen and his film crew as they make a movie during a frigid winter in the  town of Kipling in in Saskatchewan, Canada.
No Vacancy
Cast: T.C. Stallings, Sean Young, Dean Cain, Jack Sochet, Kathy Searle, John Yoo, Sarafina King, Sallie Glaner
Synopsis: A jaded reporter demoted to a rural news bureau finds her cynicism slowly transformed when she befriends a recovering addict while working a story about a church struggling to purchase a motel to help homeless families. Based on a true story. (Read my review and interview with Dean Cain here.)
The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold of CS Lewis
Cast: Max McLean, Nicholas Ralph, Eddie Ray Martin, Richard Harrington, Amy Alexander, Tom Glenister, Hubert Burton, Michael Ward
Synopsis: The true story of writer C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia) who was also one of the most influential Christian apologists.
The Advocate
Cast: Nicole Abisino (also wrote, directed and produced the series), Chris Lindsay, Jim Chandler, David Sanborn, Sophiane Cineas
Synopsis: A suspenseful and faith-filled story of one Child Protective Service agent on a mission to use her God-given gifts to help children in danger.
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Finally…this one even surprises me. The #1 podcast in America is The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) which has held the coveted top position on Apple for 5 days and counting, ahead of major podcasts like Crime Junkie, Dateline NBC and NPR’s Up First. The Catechism podcast is a spin-off of sorts of the highly-successful The Bible in a Year podcast (also with Fr. Mike Schmitz) which debuted in the top slot in 2021 and has been downloaded 430 million times.

John W. Kennedy is a writer, producer and media development consultant specializing in television and movie projects that uphold positive timeless values, including trust in God.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

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