{"id":276,"date":"2017-02-19T16:52:27","date_gmt":"2017-02-19T16:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/Fruits\/?page_id=276"},"modified":"2017-02-23T02:26:26","modified_gmt":"2017-02-23T02:26:26","slug":"on-the-red-carpet-at-the-25th-movieguide-awards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/on-the-red-carpet-at-the-25th-movieguide-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"On the Red Carpet at the 25th Movieguide Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Diane Howard, Ph.D.<\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

With all of the sex, violence and negativity that is commonly associated with today’s movies, it’s refreshing to know that there are producers, directors and actors who are still committed to creating material with a positive and faith-based approach.\u00a0 Movieguide<\/strong><\/em>\u00ae is the go-to source for movie reviews for families, and on this past February 10th, they hosted the 25th Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry<\/strong>. <\/em>The event, sometimes called \u201cThe Christian Oscars,\u201d the largest faith-and-values Awards show in the country, was held at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. This year was the Silver Anniversary of the Awards, and it gave viewers an opportunity to see the brightest movies from a faith-based audience perspective.<\/p>\n

The elegant Red Carpet<\/strong> featured representatives of the best family-friendly movies, TV and the entertaining, uplifting gala (singularly devoid of political rants and other offensive elements), and it was a taste of heaven.\u00a0 \u00a0Actor Terry Crews<\/strong> brought his energizing comedic strength to the Awards. The music by Olivia Newton John<\/strong> and Anthony Hamilton<\/strong> with Pastor Shirley Caesar<\/strong> was both energizing and inspiring.<\/p>\n

Prizes and grants were awarded to a wide range of excellent redemptive, family movies and TV programs. The event was, as always, a beautiful, classy, family-friendly show with the best of entertainment and honors for the best in redemptive, family movies and TV.<\/p>\n

I was able to interview producers, writers, directors, and actors on both the Red Carpet and at the various events surrounding the Awards Show. Kevin<\/strong> and Sam Sorbo<\/strong> were delightful, as always, to interview on the Red Carpet. Kevin gave an update on his upcoming movie “Let There Be Light,”<\/strong> <\/em>which his wife, Sam has written and Sean Hannity<\/strong> is producing.\u00a0 It is about an atheist who has a near-death experience and becomes a Christian. \u00a0It is due in theaters on Christmas Eve. Kevin also shared about his participation in a new audio Bible, Breathe Bible<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

David A. R. White<\/strong> and Andrea Logan White<\/strong>, who are always gracious on the Red Carpet, gave an update on Pure Flix<\/strong>‘s new, family, faith-friendly comedy show offerings and their new movie, “The Case for Christ<\/em>.”\u00a0<\/strong> This film is based on the true story about an award-winning investigative journalist and avowed atheist who applies his journalistic and legal skills to disprove the newfound Christian faith of his wife. However, he experiences unexpected, life-altering results. Brian Bird<\/strong> has written the screenplay based on Lee Strobel<\/strong>\u2019s book. \u00a0It features Faye Dunaway<\/strong> and is due in theaters April 7, 2017.<\/p>\n

Cyrus Nowrasteh<\/strong>, producer and director for “The Young Messiah,”<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 and Betsi Nowrasteh<\/strong>, writer for the movie, gave an update on their new project, “The Last Campaign”<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 (which has the same producers as “The Young Messiah”<\/em>). This new movie is about the personal redemption story of Robert Kennedy<\/strong> in 1968. Tracy Price<\/strong>, the producer, and the delightful Adam Greaves-Neal<\/strong>, who stars in the movie, <\/em>were with Cyrus and Betsi on the Red Carpet. Vivacious, spunky young Alyvia Alyn Lind<\/strong> brought sparkle to the Red Carpet as we discussed her joy in performing as the young Dolly Parton<\/strong> in Dolly\u2019s TV movies.<\/p>\n

Amy Reid<\/strong>, writer for the TV movie, “Pocahontas: Dove of Peace,” <\/em><\/strong>shared her process in getting the untold true story of Pocahontas<\/strong> from the American Indian Christian perspective.\u00a0 Anthony Hamilton<\/strong>, who later energetically performed on stage with Pastor Shirley Caesar<\/strong>, talked about the need for positive, uplifting movies. Kate Linder<\/strong>, veteran TV personality known for “Faith Hollywood TV,” <\/em><\/strong>and much more, mentioned how much she loved coming to the Awards Gala and what a pleasure it was this year to be an award presenter. \u00a0<\/strong>She talked about the need for positivity and family values in TV and movies and how they can entertain and educate at the same time. \u00a0Khaneshia “KJ” Smith, <\/strong>who is also a veteran TV actor known for “Queen Sugar” <\/strong><\/em>and more, talked about the need for more redemptive stories.<\/p>\n

Beautiful Sharon Thomas<\/strong>, a Christian Indian Bollywood star, who is a well known star in India, was a shining light on the Red Carpet. \u00a0Jencarlos Canela<\/strong> who played our Lord Jesus Christ for “The Passion: New Orleans”<\/strong><\/em> and one of its executive producers, Adam Anders<\/strong>, were delightful on the Red Carpet. \u00a0They talked about the need for light, uplifting, and positive movies and TV.<\/p>\n

Veteran singer and actor, Pat Boone<\/strong>, featured recently in “<\/strong>God\u2019s Not Dead 2,”<\/strong> <\/em>was charming as always on the Red Carpet in a dazzling, sparkling jacket, which he teased that he had brought at an Elvis Presley<\/strong> garage sale. He said if anyone needed an 80-year-old man who was still able to learn lines, he might be available. Devielle Johnson<\/strong><\/em>, (“<\/strong>Time to Dance”<\/strong> <\/em>) was charming on the Red Carpet. De Von Franklin<\/strong> of “<\/strong>Miracles From Heaven”<\/strong> <\/em>was lovely, as always. He is producing now an animated family, adventure, fantasy movie called “The Star<\/strong><\/em>.”<\/strong> This movie, which is about a small but brave <\/em>donkey and his animal friends who become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas, is due in theaters November 10.
\n
\n<\/em>Evan Sayet<\/strong>, known for the “Politically Incorrect” <\/em><\/strong>TV series, talked of his current papers and speeches on how modern liberal thinking leads to wrong and evil. Serena Laurel<\/strong>, who is an actress and singer-songwriter, told of her new upcoming album, “Bird Song.”<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 It is an uplifting alternative rock collection.<\/em><\/p>\n

D.R. Fraley<\/strong>, film professor at Bryan College<\/strong>, introduced Walker Haynes<\/strong>, whose movie “Hamlet\u2019s Ghost”<\/em> <\/strong>was the first feature film received at his Broad Street Film Festival<\/strong><\/em>. The movie is about a modern Shakespearean actor who must travel back in time to confront enigmatic forces from the past and future. Veteran casting director and actor, Mark Fincannon<\/strong> (“The Blind Side” <\/em><\/strong>and much more), told amazing behind-the-scenes stories about the movie, “The End of the Spear<\/em>.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the Movieguide Awards Gala<\/em>, the Best Movies for Families<\/strong><\/em> nominations included the following:\u00a0 “Finding Dory,” “The Jungle Book (2016),” “Miracles from Heaven,” “Pete\u2019s Dragon (2016),” “Queen of Katwe,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” “Sing,” “T<\/em>rolls,” “<\/em>The Young Messiah,” <\/em><\/strong>and “<\/strong>Zootopia.”<\/strong> “Miracles from Heaven” <\/em>was the winning movie.<\/p>\n

The Movieguide Awards<\/em> nominations for Best Movie for Mature Audiences<\/strong><\/em> included: “Ben-Hur (2016),” “Captain America: Civil War,” “Eddie the Eagle,” “The Finest Hours,” “God\u2019s Not Dead 2,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Hail Caesar,” “Risen,” “The Silence,” <\/em><\/strong>and “Sully.”<\/strong> “God\u2019s Not Dead 2” <\/em>was the winner.<\/p>\n

The<\/strong><\/em> Movieguide Epiphany Award<\/strong> <\/em>nominations\u2014for best and most inspiring movie and television programs<\/em>\u2014included the following:\u00a0 “Ben-Hur (2016),”God\u2019s Not Dead 2,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Hail Caesar,” “Miracles from Heaven,” “Risen,” “The Silence,” “The Young Messiah,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (Season 3: Episodes 20-22: “Emancipation,” “Absolution,” “Ascension” ),” “The Bridge (Part 2),” “Dolly Parton\u2019s Christmas of Many Colors (Circle of Love),” “Operation Christmas,” “The Passion (New Orleans),” “Pocahontas (Dove of Peace),” <\/strong><\/em>and “A Time to Dance.” <\/strong>“The Young Messiah” <\/em>won the award for most inspiring movie<\/em> and “Dolly Parton\u2019s Christmas of Many Colors (Circle of Love)”<\/em> won the award for most inspiring TV program<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The Movieguide Bradley Foundation Faith and Freedom Awards<\/strong><\/em> for movie nominations included: “Captain America (Civil War),” “God\u2019s Not Dead 2,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Hail Caesar,” “Queen of Katwe,” “Sing,” <\/em><\/strong>and “Sully.” “Hacksaw Ridge” <\/em><\/strong>won the Foundation Faith and Freedom Award<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The Movieguide Bradley Foundation Faith and Freedom Awards <\/strong><\/em>for TV nominations included<\/em>:\u00a0 “Operation Christmas,” “<\/strong><\/em>Pocahontas:\u00a0\u00a0Dove of Peace,” “The Bridge Part 2,” “Dolly Parton\u2019s Christmas of Many Colors (Circle of Love),” “The Passion (New Orleans),”\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season 3: Episodes 20-22: Emancipation, Absolution, Ascension).”<\/strong> “<\/em>Operation Christmas” <\/em>was the winner.<\/p>\n

The Movieguide <\/em>nominations for Inspiring Performance Awards for Movies and TV<\/strong> <\/em>included: “Ben-Hur (2016)<\/em>,” Rodrigo Santoro; “God\u2019s Not Dead 2,”\u00a0 <\/em>David A.R. White and Melissa Joan Hart; “Hacksaw Ridge,” <\/em>Andrew Garfield; “H<\/em>ail Caesar,” <\/em>Josh Brolin <\/strong>and Robert Pike Daniel; “Miracles from Heaven,”\u00a0 <\/em>Jennifer Garner <\/strong>and Kylie Rogers; <\/strong>and “Risen,” <\/em>Cliff Curtis <\/strong>and Joseph Fiennes; “The Young Messiah,” <\/em>Adam Greaves-Neal; “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season 3: Episodes 20-22: Emancipation, Absolution, Ascensio),”\u00a0 <\/em>Natalia Cordova-Buckley; “The Bridge (Part 2),”\u00a0 <\/em>Faith Ford <\/strong>and Ted McGinley; “Dolly Parton\u2019s Christmas of Many Colors (Circle of Love),” Alyvia Alyn Lind, Gerald McRaney, Dolly Parton; “The Passion<\/em> (New Orleans),” Tyler Perry; <\/strong>and “A Time to Dance<\/em>,” Devielle Johnson.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Grace Awards<\/strong><\/em> were given for the \u201cmost inspiring performances in movies and television demonstrating God\u2019s grace and love toward us as human beings.”<\/em>\u00a0 Melissa Joan Hart<\/strong> won the award for best movie actress for “<\/strong>God\u2019s Not Dead 2″<\/strong> <\/em>and young Adam Greaves-Neal<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>for best movie actor for “The Young Messiah.”\u00a0 <\/em>Faith Ford<\/strong> won the award for best TV actress for “<\/strong>The Bridge (Part 2)”<\/strong> <\/em>and Devielle Johnson<\/strong> won for best TV actor for “A Time to Dance.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Lifetime Achievement Award for Communicating and Living the Good News<\/strong><\/em> was given to Pat Robertson<\/strong>, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network<\/strong>, the 700 Club<\/strong><\/em> and Operation Blessing<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Further, the $15,000 Kairos Prizes<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0were given at the event. The Kairos Pro Prize for Inspiring Screenplays by Established Filmmakers<\/strong> <\/em>seeks to promote positive change in the motion picture industry. The primary purpose of the prize was to further the influence of moral and spiritual values within the entertainment industry as a whole. Supported by Pure Flix Streaming<\/strong> <\/em>and established by Movieguide<\/em> in 2005, the primary purpose of the Kairos Pro Prize for Inspiring Screenplays by Established Filmmakers <\/em>is also to further the influence of moral and spiritual values within the film and television industries.\u00a0 Seeking to promote a spiritually uplifting, redemptive worldview, the prize was founded to inspire first-time and beginning screenwriters to produce compelling, entertaining, spiritually uplifting scripts that result in a greater increase in either man\u2019s love or understanding of God.<\/p>\n

The Kairos Pro Award<\/em> went to Trisha Mammen<\/strong> for “The Prayer Box<\/em>.”<\/strong> Finalists included Billie Harris<\/strong> for “Helping Hands”<\/em> <\/strong>and Eric \u201cDoc\u201d Benson<\/strong> for “The Publication<\/em>.”<\/strong>\u00a0 The Kairos Prize for New Screenwriters <\/em>went to Ron Peer<\/strong> for “Donuts With Jerry<\/em>.”<\/strong> Finalists included Chris Philips<\/strong> for “Holiday in Heaven”<\/em> <\/strong>and Romeo Ciolfi<\/strong> for “The Great Surrender<\/em>.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

An annual box office analysis by an advocacy group in Hollywood catering to families has found once again that the most family-friendly movies with the most inspiring, cleanest content earn more money at the box office and on home video. The 2017 Annual Report to the Entertainment Industry<\/strong><\/em> by the pro-family advocacy group Movieguide<\/em> showed that most family-friendly movies averaged more than $78.77 million per movie in 2016 in America and Canada, but the least family-friendly movies with the most offensive, obscene, or anti-family, immoral content averaged only about $22.58 million. R-rated movies fared almost as poorly, averaging only $18.45 million per movie. The study extensively analyzed the content of the top movies released by the major studios in Hollywood earning $800,000 or more, including the major independent studios.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe evidence is abundantly clear,\u201d said Dr.\u00a0Ted Baehr<\/strong>, founder and publisher of Movieguide<\/em>. \u201cMoviegoers greatly prefer family-friendly movies.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noted that the Annual Report<\/em>, now in its 25th year, doesn\u2019t just examine family movies and cartoons for children, but also, family-friendly movies with the cleanest, most inspiring, and least offensive content.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people want to see good conquer evil, truth triumph over falsehood, justice prevail over injustice, liberty conquer tyranny, and beauty overcome ugliness,\u201d he added. \u201cThey also would like to take their whole family\u2014including their grandparents<\/em>\u2014to the movies more often.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study also found that movies released in 2016 with no sex, no explicit nudity and no foul language averaged much more money than movies with such content.<\/p>\n

The story was similar if you examine the Top 10 Home Video Sales in 2016<\/em><\/strong> (as of November 2016). For example, only one of the Top 10 Home Video Sales in 2016<\/em> was rated R, \u201cDeadpool.\u201d<\/em> The Top 10 Movies Overseas in 2016<\/em> <\/strong>fared just as well, with only one R-rated movie, the Chinese movie, \u201cThe Mermaid.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The most family-friendly<\/em> movies included such popular titles as \u201cZootopia,\u201d \u201cThe Jungle Book (2016),\u201d \u201cFinding Dory,\u201d <\/em><\/strong>the last \u201cHunger Games\u201d <\/em><\/strong>movie, \u201cThe Secret Life of Pets,\u201d <\/em><\/strong>and \u201cThe Good Dinosaur\u201d <\/em><\/strong>plus less successful titles such as \u201cPete\u2019s Dragon,\u201d \u201cWar Room,\u201d \u201cMiracles from Heaven,\u201d \u201cSing,\u201d \u201cRisen,\u201d \u201cGod\u2019s Not Dead 2,\u201d \u201cQueen of Katwe,\u201d <\/em><\/strong>and \u201cThe Peanuts Movie.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr.\u00a0Baehr presented these and other highlights from Movieguide<\/em>\u2019s 2017 Annual Report to the Entertainment Industry<\/em> at the gala event. Movieguide<\/em> has been analyzing the content of movies and comparing box office numbers since 1991. Last year, an InspireBuzz\/NRG<\/strong><\/em> survey of parents showed that Movieguide<\/em> is what one in three parents use to choose what movie they watch, making it the largest family review service.<\/p>\n

A one-hour presentation of the Faith & Values Awards<\/em> will be telecast Easter Sunday, April 16, on the REELZChannel<\/strong><\/em>. For more information about Movieguide<\/em> or CFTVC<\/strong><\/em>, visit www.movieguide.org<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/span> or call (805) 383-2000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

Pictured above: Dr. David Howard, Pat Boone, and Dr. Diane Howard on the Red Carpet. Photo courtesy of Dr. David Howard<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Diane Howard, Ph.D. With all of the sex, violence and negativity that is commonly associated with today’s movies, it’s refreshing to know that there are producers, directors and actors who are still committed to creating material with a positive and faith-based approach.\u00a0 Movieguide\u00ae is the go-to source for movie reviews for families, and on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-276","page","type-page","status-publish","czr-hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=276"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/276\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":321,"href":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/276\/revisions\/321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fruitinthedesert.com\/NewFruits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}