Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
What are you giving this Christmas?
Well, well, well... is this time of the year again.In this year Christmas season, have you thought of giving to those less fortunate? There are many organizations that have Christmas projects already. One that really caught my eyes is actually Kids Care Kit from CBM. It gives something very practical to those in needs - a gift of education. It helps provide uniforms, school supplies and rebuild schools and better equip teachers.
Sounds good? Interested? You can order the kit online throught CBM: http://www.cbmin.org/web/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=89&vi=;1;;1&img=community
You will receive the kit within a week, or even better they may be able to drop of the kit directly at your door!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
《聖誕頌》 - 基督誕生的故事 - THE NATIVITY STORY
《號角》月報2006年12月
導演編劇皆基督徒相信大家對耶穌降生的故事並不陌生。在耶誕節期間，我們或許也參加過不少聖誕崇拜、音樂會、話劇甚至電影欣賞會，藉以紀念和慶祝主耶穌的降生。想不到，今次在Evangelical Fellowship of Canada 推動的「The Nativity Story」預映中，卻帶給我一些驚喜。
由「荷里活」製作的「The Nativity Story」，拍攝手法甚佳，導演和編劇都是基督徒，因此，故事骨幹十分忠於聖經。然而，加進去的創意、有趣和感人的情節，為電影更增添姿彩。至於選角方面也非常恰當，飾演瑪麗亞的Keisha Castle-Hughes （她十三歲在Whale Rider演出時，成為有史以來被提名「最佳女主角」的最年輕演員）；約瑟則由Oscar Isaac (歷作: Syriana)演出。戲中的化妝、服飾、場地設計，意味著十分徹底的歷史和文化研究。
美麗生命藝術電影
越看越覺它拍得很美，加上動聽的原聲配樂，互相襯托，更有詩意；而我相信最重要的是故事中掀起了一絲絲有深度的信息，包括信心、應許、良善、神的大愛---特別對那些被藐視、欺壓、無依的人，祂樂於向他們顯現，生在貧苦的家境中，與他們同行，與他們一起來經歷各樣的起跌。回家途中，這些信息一直留我腦海裏...
完場後，有一個簡短的答問環節，編劇Mike Green （歷作: Finding Forrester，The Rookie，Radio）分享了構思電影的來源、選角、約瑟的歲數，三博士來見主耶穌的時間等...有位觀眾分享到許多人在看Mel Gibson的「The Passion of The Christ」時，因耶穌受難、受死而流淚；同樣的，那天晚上也有一些觀眾，因看到耶穌誕生的故事而感動流涕。我心想，我們總可以跟其中一個角色有所認同，問題是哪一位？
總觀而言，這稱得上是一齣充滿美麗生命的藝術，也是一個「feel good」的假日電影經驗。
「The Nativity Story」於十二月一日在北美公映。Evangelical Fellowship of Canada正希望借這部電影來推動外展工作，設有團體優惠。請參閱http://www.cineplex.com/、http://www.empiretheatres.com/或致電1-800-313-4461 等查詢。
《聖誕頌》電影今年聖誕12月7日在香港公映
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
the beautiful, meaningful NATIVITY story
Official Trailer and On Set Interviews with Writer and Director:www.nativityresources.ca/videos.php
Having this unique opportunity and out of pure curiosity, I went to a movie screening of the upcoming “The Nativity Story” (www.thenativitystory.com, www.nativityresources.ca) organized by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The story about the birth of Jesus is surely nothing new to us. We celebrate every year with services, concerts, drama… and initially as I watched I have the same feeling about the movie, but in a very appreciated way: It’s filmed very nicely (Hollywood), yet written and directed by Christians. Story structure “pretty much” stick to the integrity of the bible and the gospel with some imaginations to makeup the rest of the details. Pretty good casting even though nobody you’ll know star in the movie (except maybe Mary), but amazing costume and set designs. Looks like very well researched too. I could only spotted one scene where I wasn’t truly convinced, but that scene was quite true to the Text. If you are going to see it, let me know if you know what scene I was talking about.
As the movie progresses, the cinematography and score becomes stunningly beautiful. The subtle (not preaching) messages within the storytelling continue to impact me afterwards as I drove back home. Several key elements that truly hit me: faith & believe, goodness, and God's love to everyone, esp. those who are despised, rejected, lonely and unloved.
I totally see a lot of reasons why we as Christians would want to see the movie. It’s a pretty good, actually in fact a “feel good” experience. What I don’t see though is why non-Christians would want to go see that movie? Well, unlike The Passion of the Christ, it’s not made by Mel Gibson, and it’s not controversial, it’s not in Aramaic, and it’s not violent at all. But the interesting point that a viewer shared at the Q&A is that many cried at “The Passion of the Christ” portraying the death of Jesus, and some cried at this screening portraying the birth of Christ too. I am sure though if we do watch it and recommend it to our non-Christian friends, may be they will consider. =)
After the movie ended, like a movie shown in Film Fest, we all applaud and had an unique opportunity to personally meet the screenwriter, Mike Green (like in Film Fest) where he answered audiences questions. He was actually the screenwriter for "Finding Forrester" and Disney's "The Rookie", humble brother. He answered questions on Joseph's age, Magi arrival... how it all began, casting etc. Overall is really a great experience.
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is organizing some campaigns and have set up deals with different theatre lines for group sales: www.cineplex.com or call 1-800-313-4461, www.empiretheatres.com, www.amctheatres.com.
I also have a promotional DVD (less than 7 min. long), if you wish to see it, just give me a shout!
Words from EFC and its marketing partner on the film:The Nativity Story has now been previewed by many and the comments that have come back have been excellent.
Let's get this info out to our churches and friends.
It is important for rating for a movie to be attended real well the first week it is out which is Dec 1 /06
Group attendance is the best way to see the movie, as prices are almost half of regular ticket price from about $5.00 to 7.50 per ticket Call 1-800-313-4461 for more info groups must be 20 people or more.
For resources go to call 1800-991-6011
www.outreach.com
http://www.nativityresources.ca/
or call us 604-581-1007 toll free 1-877-581-1007
Scholarships are being finalized this week
children up to age 17 years (in Canada) will be able to write an essay after viewing the movie to compete for 1 out of 10 scholarships. More info to come check web page www.thenativitystory.com
We will have bookmarks, brochures etc which we can send if you send us an email with your name and address for shipping
We have large banners (free) that you can hang outside your church would
you be interested?
Blessings and be blessed by "The Nativity Story"
www.thenativitystory.com
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