Then I got a DVR. Oh, the joys of multi-channel recording and watching! And recording on multiple networks without a TV Guide.

I discovered “Bones” quite by accident. I don’t even remember why I watched the first episode I did, but it caught my attention. You have two radically different approaches to crime-solving: the intuitive, inductive reasoning of a seasoned FBI field agent vs. the scientific, purely evidentiary fact-finding of the Jeffersonian Institution (a fictional top-of-the-line scientific laboratory).

The FBI is represented by Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), a former Army Ranger who is a devout Catholic. The Jeffersonian has a team of scientists, each with their own quirky abilities to find clues from skeletal remains. Their team is lead by Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel), an avowed atheist who simply sees no scientific evidence that God exists.

What has fascinated me is the numerous discussions about faith and God (more…)

As a father of 5 children and a resident of Chicago (home of the American Girl Doll company), Chris O’Donnell is very familiar with the American Girl Dolls. As an actor whose roles range from superhero to veterinarian, Musketeer to millionaire, he can obtain a seat in almost any restaurant, no matter how long the waiting list. The one exception? The American Girl tea room.

I want to try to show different sides of myself.

In “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” Chris plays Mr. Kittredge, the father of Kit (Abigail Breslin). When his automobile dealership goes out of business during the early days of the Great Depression, he goes to Chicago to try and find work to support his family.

This film deals with a serious subject matter, and one thing I noticed is that a couple of fathers left. How do you think this will affect little kids watching this film?

Chris:  I think kids will connect with it at different levels, depending on their personal circumstances; whether their family is going through foreclosure, or their dad is off in Iraq, or something else. What’s great about this film is it really is a “G-rated” movie, which is hard to find these days. If it is G, it’s either a cartoon or there’s some religious group behind it, and (more…)

Spend just a few moments talking with Eduardo Verastegui and you quickly learn that he’s a man with a mission: to make films that shed light on humanity, that educate, engage and inspire people. Bella is the first step in that mission.

I’m very happy and excited about the results, and very thankful to God.

Eduardo was kind enough to talk with me in the middle of a busy day promoting Bella. He had just flown to New York City from Mexico, where the film just premiered.

“My family had already seen the film before we did the Spanish captions. My mother, who doesn’t speak English, watched the film with tears streaming down her face. I was very excited to see her reaction when she saw the dialogue in her own language. She was so moved - that made me very happy.” (more…)

Though only 12 years old, Abigail Breslin has already taken Hollywood, and the rest of us, by storm. Her roles reveal her comic ability (Definitely, Maybe), a dramatic flair (The Ultimate Gift), and an ability to take command of a complex role within an adult story (Little Miss Sunshine).

Her leading men have ranged from Mel Gibson (Signs) to Gerard Butler (Nim’s Island), and she’s carried her weight with actresses like Catharine Zeta-Jones (No Reservations) and Kate Hudson (Raising Helen).

Her most recent role, Kit Kittredge, is one that millions of girls around the country can relate to, for she is one of the “American Girl” dolls come to life.

It was a lot of fun to get to work with so many kids.

“All of our stories are told through the eyes of our heroine; a nine-year-old girl who turns ten in the story,” says Ellen L. Brothers, president of American Girl and a producer of “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.” “In this film, you’re seeing the Great Depression through the eyes of a very confident nine-year-old girl. And that’s what makes this story so special.” (more…)

Born and raised in Virginia, Hilarie Burton is one of four children in a tight-knit family. Early on, she developed a passion for acting, so when she grew up, she went to New York to pursue her dreams. She got her start as a VJ on MTV, which lead to a guest role on an episode of “Dawson’s Creek.”

Quickly after, she landed the role of Peyton Sawyer on “One Tree Hill,” which lead to movies in films like “Our Very Own,” “Normal Adolescent Behavior,” and “Solstice.” Now she’s back in the South, living and working in Wilmington, North Carolina, renovating her home and learning to use power tools.

How did you get involved with The List?

I went in, met with the boys, we all fell in love, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Hilarie:  I lucked out! I was in the middle of the “One Tree Hill” season, and wasn’t looking for other work. I got a call from one of the producers of the film saying, “Hi, I’m calling to set up your appointment to meet with the director of  The List.

I said, “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about!” and she said, “Yeah, it’s this project that’s shooting in town. We’d like you to come in for it.”

I told her, “I’m not really supposed to look at other things, but (more…)

• A script-writing consultation with WGA Award-Winner Ken Rotcop, who has 39 years of experience as the head of 4 different studios
• A one-year subscription to MovieMaker Magazine
• A one-year membership for The Writer’s Building, an online network for serious scriptwriters
• An opportunity to pitch your script to Hollywood production companies, development executives and agents

Entry deadlines are:

• Early Bird: August 21st
• Regular: August 31st
• Final: September 12th

Complete details are available at the WiFi Wilmington website. The deadline is fast approaching, so get busy and send them your best work!

He focuses primarily on Dr. Ted Baehr of MovieGuide®,  a prominent film critic and reviewer. His argument with Dr. Baehr is that while he awards a film high points for production, he might also award the same film low points for its quality of worldview, creating a confusing system of ratings.

However, he brings up a point that applies to many film critics today.

I know the tendency among some Christian film critics to find the wheat, no matter how negligible, in any mountain of chaff can be taken to an extreme. They are members of what I call the “School of the Teachable Moment.” Graduates of the school are convinced that virtually any film, no matter how egregious, can be redeemed if only we will take the time to look for hints of spirituality—even when there are none.

An argument could be made that any expression of creativity has at its roots a spark of the divine. Where did creativity come from if not from God (more…)

Producers/Writers/Directors - C2 Series

Son of Christian music’s Michael W. Smith, Ryan Smith is setting his own course in the entertainment field. Ryan founded Seabourne Pictures with producing partner Mark Cowart with the objective of creating thought-provoking and engaging feature films. (Ryan, left, and Mark, right, work on a scene from C2: Relapse in Nashville, TN)

I think the responsibilities and our gifts overlap a bit.

Since the beginning of the company in 2005, Seabourne has produced various music videos and short films, while developing several feature film projects. On a busy summer afternoon, I had a conversation with Ryan and Mark about starting a film company, being the son of a music legend, and where the name “Seabourne Pictures” came from.

At what point did you each decide you wanted to be filmmakers, and what was your path to forming a company together?

Ryan:  When I was growing up, I wanted to be a Disney animator. Somehow along the way, it morphed into live action. When I was in high school, I started my own production company and (more…)

How did you get involved with the film? (The Imposter)

Jeff:        It’s kind of funny, because I was in no way looking for anything like this. I wasn’t searching for it, and it wasn’t even on my radar. I’ve never acted before in my life. I think I was in a church play or two when I was young. But I didn’t do any at school; I wasn’t in drama.

I had the time of my life with this movie.

I’m the kind of guy that when I watch movies, I get really into it. I find myself trying to think the kinds of things the character might think. Sometimes I’d wonder, “if I had to act like that, could I do it?” So I’ve thought about it, but (more…)

You can see the locations pinpointed on a map and then see pictures from the film at those locations. For example, go here  to see the location map for The Passion of the Christ.

Besides the locations, you might find story synopses, cast listings, and (more…)