A Publication Dedicated To Christian Film and TV Stars and Their Many Fans Volume 11 Number 2 This publication is going out to those who have expressed an interest in the great influence film and TV can have on Christianity. Published by Point North Outreach, Inc., a not for profit organization. Brian Bird reports that When Calls The Heart has been renewed by Hallmark for a Second Season, Story on Page 3 More Film, TV and Book News God's Not Dead Review Page 2 A Needed TV Renaissance, Interview with Brian Bird Page 3 Return to the Hiding Place, Interview with ReAnn Ring Page 7 The Ability To Love Never Dies, Review of My Dream Beside Me Page 9 Make a Joyful Noise, Column by Nancy Stafford Page 10 The Good Book, Review of an innovative Film Page 11 Having a Child's Heart, Interview with Ann Ault Page 12 Jenny L. Cote is back with Number 5 in her Epic Series Page 14 Coming Events: Western Film Fair and Gideon Page 15 Kerri Pomarolli Gives Us A Guide for Devotions & Survival, Review Page 16 Screenplay by New Writer wins Dove Award Page 16 Worth Seeing More Than Once very instrumental. The film also makes use of the Christian singing group, Newsboys, and they God's Not Dead too are significant to the plot. There was a glaring over sight in the last Pure Flix turned out a professional motion issue we need to correct now. Nothing was said picture that can stand with the best of the big about a great film that is still running, God's Not studios and is Oscar quality in our opinion. Dead. We have to rely on information given us Sadly when first released the theaters showing and what we find on the net and this is a film we the film were limited to 780. However, the should not have missed. reaction of the audiences and their demand We loved Kevin Sorbo's faith film What required many more theaters to be opened and If and was glad to hear about his latest. The even the naysayers among critics have had to theme covers a topic that has been a great admit it is a success. In the theater where we concern to us. Over the years we have read saw the film there was applause and finally a and seen on TV horror stories about what standing ovation. Something repeated in many many young Christians have had to put up theaters showing this film. People were invited at the end of the film to text all their friends with with on college campuses. Seeing that topic the news that “God's Not Dead”. Theaters so well handled in the film was an always warn you to have cell phones off, but as overwhelming experience. the credits rolled, cell phones in the theaters lit Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) is a young up as that message was being texted. Some like Freshman Christian needing a class in our film making friend Rusty Whitener added, philosophy for his major. Unfortunately “God's not even sick.” Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo) is a hardened One concern we consider unwarranted is atheist who wants his class to accept the idea that the film will be preaching to the choir. that God is dead. On the first day he demands While that is often a concern with faith films, each student to write and sign that statement on Christians should invite their non Christian paper. Josh refuses even though it jeopardizes friends and family members as their guests to his education, his relationship with others and attend a showing. A lot of questions are even his future marriage. Radisson challenges skillfully answered about God and Christianity. Josh to take a portion of three classes to prove It must be added that even the choir at times there is a God. It is quite a challenge and Josh needs reinforcement. We recommend that after has to use every resource possible against a the film finishes its theater run it should be teacher who says that the only god is he himself shown in churches, colleges and Bible Studies. in that classroom. Both do a superb job of It is worth seeing more than once. -The Editor acting, but they were not the only ones. Point North † Tidings Lest the reader be misled, this film is more Editor.........................................Dr.Fred R. Eichelman than a debate between a young Christian and a Special Correspondent.........................Nancy Stafford man who admits he hates God. There are Columnist............................................Kerri Pomarolli several very interesting side stories including a Printing.........................................DTS Reprographics Muslim student at risk because she believes in Publisher........................Point North † Outreach, Inc. Jesus Christ, a Christian girl whose mother is Advisory Board: Bootie Chewning, Jayne Crimin, dying of Alzheimer disease, a young man from Kathy Garver, Kim Headlee, Rebecca Holden, China who must weigh what he has learned from Richard Lyons, Ron McGehee, Caroline Munro, Josh against his upbringing and a young non Samantha Landy, Kerri Pomarolli, Laurie Prange and believer who finds she has cancer. Especially Grace Lee Whitney interesting is Reverend Dave (David A. R. Point North † Outreach, Inc. Board of Directors Carolyn Eichelman, Fred Eichelman, Rhonda White) who interacts with all of them while Fleming, Deanna Lund and Nancy Stafford dealing with problems of his own. We admit we Director Emeritus...............................Joyce Meadows at first wondered what part Willy and Korie Office: 545 Howard Drive, Salem, VA 24153-2167 Robertson (Duck Dynasty) would have in this (540) 389-9400 [email protected] film, however despite having short roles they are http://pointingnorth.com Point North † Tidings Volume 11, Number 2 2 season we feel we found the right mix of A Needed TV Renaissance emotion, adventure, romance and powerful life lessons. Now going forward we have to We have long been fans of films and TV series redouble our efforts to keep the tone consistent that Brian Bird has been responsible for and and entertaining, to continue exploring the recently had the opportunity to talk with him. relationships in the town of Coal Valley. To We also found that he has a legion of fans who explore some of the challenges a young teacher refer to themselves as “Hearties.” Kind of like has in teaching children in a small frontier town. the Trekkie movement and after talking with It doesn't have the modern-day conveniences, him found ourselves signing up. especially for her growing up in a wealthy family in a big city-and we hope to continue those themes. We hope to continue the theme of community. I think one of the things the audience has really appreciated, struck a nerve with them is the sense of community. This is a small coal mining town in 1910. It's a place where people who care about each other, who take care of one another, who reach out to one another in encouragement and comfort. We all have that capacity now, but our culture has become so fractured that we miss out on the opportunity to be good neighbors. We are all Daniel Lissing (Jack Thornton) and Erin walled off in our houses and we don't know what Krakow (Elizabeth Thatcher) When Calls is happening next door. That is why I love the The Heart, Hallmark series. community of Coal Valley as it represents the shared values of hard work and compassion for Ed.: You seem to have a great feel for history one another. Our goal for Season Two will be to films and TV series, something very evident continue the relationships, the powerful story in the successful When Calls The Heart. Do telling of a young school teacher trying to you especially enjoy period pieces? pursue her passion. Brian: I do actually. We owe much to our history collectively. We need to draw upon the lessons of the past and the wisdom of our forefathers. It is like medicine to the culture to go back to the virtues of the past and some of the teachings that have developed over the course of history to help us find our way as human beings. Sandra Elise Williams who starred as the Ed.: In regard to When Calls The Heart can Amish mother, Rebecca Lapp, in The you tell us what is ahead for the series? Shunning and The Confession films for Hallmark. We interviewed her a couple years Brian: As of this interview, we have literally ago. Her work in both were Emmy quality. just been informed that the Hallmark Channel has decided to renew the series for the series. Ed.: Your films The Shunning and The We finished Season One with twelve episodes Confession are also very special. We and in the case of television shows it takes a interviewed one of the main stars, Sandra little time to find a show voice. It is up to us as Williams who was outstanding. Why do you writers and producers to find the show's voice think audiences are so attracted to films? and there is a lot of trial and error. This first And when may we expect the third in this Point North † Tidings Volume 11, Number 2 3 trilogy by Beverly Lewis? I would be good at it, he gave me a couple books Brian: We talked to Beverly Lewis about this to read. He also gave me a couple scripts to too. She is really our creative partner in these read to learn format. At the time he was films, as we adapt her great novels.