Our "Goodness Reigns" film has been finished and shipped!

This is where I have been for about four days, hidden deep in the bowels of the editing room, putting together what we hope will be an award winning entry for the wonderful Goodness Reigns Catholic Film Competition.
Gabbi came up with our theme; Our Extra Special Missionary because Christina is a missionary of love just by being herself and teaching others to love and accept those with special needs, but in addition, her ability to love others and relate to God are extraordinary. We hope our film was able to do this justice in only 7 minutes. It was quite a challenge to these novice filmakers, we are no Franco Zeffirellis!
Here is the thumbnail Gabbi chose for our film, Our Extra Special Missionary.

We filmed, we worked, we prayed, and, today at 4:45 PM,  banged on the door to make the poor postmaster in our small town re-open 15 minutes past closing time, to get that all-important Jan 10th postmark to enter the contest.
WE DID IT! Many thanks to Fr Tito and Christina's special ed teacher Maura, to Irina and Josh for burning our photos into DVDs, we owe this to your cooperation.
Whew!
Gabbi went to adoration to thank Jesus, and I collapsed on the sofa, and thanked our little movie star, by giving her some long overdue attention.
We'll link to the film when its up on the site.

I saw "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" last night

And I can't tell you a thing about it. Not until the film opens on December 10.
Except this; make plans to see it with your entire family.
Its not to be missed.

View The Voyage of the Dawn Treader trailer

In a nod to the power of Christian filmgoers, the producers of the next film in CS Lewis "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" have pre-released the film's trailer to Christian media outlets.

We will be reporting to them the number of hits we achieve within the next 24 hours. Do your part and click here to view the trailer on my site Catholic Media Review and pass the link on to your friends.

Show Hollywood that the Christian audience which made "The Passion of the Christ" an international phenomenon has not diminished. Make your voice heard.

The Passion of the Christ and me; a love story

The Lent the Passion came out in theatres was a deeply spiritual one for me, because of the film, I saw it repeatedly and each time, I struggled with the urge to genuflect in the theatre aisle. It was a time when I connected with Jesus deeply, so deeply that the only time I can say that I am closer is when I am in His Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Each time the film would begin, I would whisper, “I am here with you, Jesus”.


I would pray for those in the theatre seeing it for the first time. When it came out on DVD, I showed it to as many adults and teens as I could, and consider it a staple of our family’s Lent.

I have seen VERY FEW violent films, in fact I think most of the violent films I have seen are directed by Gibson, and I refused to see “Apocalyto” since I was bitterly disappointed that Mel was taking all the money he made from the Passion and NOT making a pre-quel while Jim Caviezel was still young enough to play Christ. What a waste! SO much good came from The Passion that there was a book and film made about it.

The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal even had a petition to influence Mel to make a film of St Francis, to no avail.

My pastor was so moved by The Passion that he was worried. Being Irish, he said, “God is preparing us for a blow”. Didn’t the priestly scandal follow on the heels of this masterpiece of devotion?

The Movie Meme

1. Which actor do you think hasn't gotten the attention he/she deserves?
That's easy: Jim Caviezel who should be up to his eyeballs in decent film offers since "The Passion of the Christ", but he has virtually disappeared.
Has anyone seen him since "I am David"?

2. What is your favorite movie line?
Olympia Dukakis in "Fried Green Tomatoes" said, at Julia Robert's character Shelby's funeral "that which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger". Pithy yet so true.

3. What is the absolute worst movie you've ever seen?
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" hands down. Why that film had a devoted cult following is one of life's mysteries.

4. Is there a movie you hated when you first saw it and then later had to admit you were wrong?
I hated "Moonstruck" till I realized that the overacting was intented to mimic Italian opera, the central theme of the film. Once I got that, it has become one of my all time favorites.

5. What is your biggest guilty pleasure movie - the one you're ashamed you enjoy?
"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" you're not supposed to 'enjoy' exorcism movies, but it's good when the Catholics win for a change!

I will tag the following bloggers with this meme but if you want to participate, go ahead. I ask that you offer a link back here and that you tag three other people.
Consider yourself tagged:
Jean of Catholic Fire
Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii
Elizabeth of The Divine Gift of Motherhood

Update on offensive film: "Tropic Thunder"

Help The Arc Fight Offensive Portrayal of People with Intellectual Disabilities

Background

Tropic Thunder is an action/adventure/comedy scheduled for nationwide release on August 13 and promises to be one of the blockbusters of the summer. DreamWorks is the film's producer and Paramount is its distributor.
The premier will be held in Los Angeles, California on Monday, August 11.The film features popular actors Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black as self-absorbed actors filming a big-budget war movie on location. Through a series of freak occurrences, they are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying. Stiller plays Tugg Speedman, a fading action star who earlier failed in his bid for an Oscar as "Simple Jack," a man with an intellectual disability.

"Simple Jack" is featured as a film-within-a-film, with Stiller sporting a classic institutional bowl haircut and bad teeth (see poster below). The film within-a-film's slogan is "What he doesn't have in his head, he makes up for in his heart." A satirical plot synopsis quotes a critic as saying that Speedman's Jack was "one of the most retarded performances in cinema history."
Status
A small number of disability advocates was able to screen the film on Friday, August 8. Their assessment of the film was that it was far worse than anything they could have anticipated. According to David Tolleson, the Executive Director of the National Down Syndrome Congress who attended the screening, "it provides real ammunition for cruelty" especially for the film's target audience of adolescent males. "Not only is the Simple Jack character highly central to the film's plot, it is portrayed in the most demeaning way," according to Tolleson.
In perhaps the single most offensive scene in the film, Matthew McConaughey, who plays a Hollywood agent, speaks to the film's main character who wants to adopt a child. "Well, at least you still have a choice. I'm stuck with mine," states McConaughey while pointing to a photograph of his teenage son who appears to have an intellectual disability.There has been mounting outrage from the disability community as the film's content is gradually becoming known.
For excellent coverage of the issue, see Patricia Bauer's Column and related posts. Hundreds of comments have been posted on the blog expressing outrage about the movie. Representatives of a number of national disability organizations, including The Arc's Executive Director Peter V. Berns, met with DreamWorks and Paramount studio executives in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, August 6. The purpose of the meeting was to express concerns, request a viewing of the film, and discuss possible solutions.
Take Action
Depending on negotiations with the studio executives over the weekend, The Arc and its coalition partners may be calling on its membership to take appropriate action.
Such action includes a protest at the premier in Los Angeles on August 11 and/or national boycott when the film is released on August 13. Stay tuned......

Mr Blue Sky available on DVD

In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, the Mr. Blue Sky movie is now available on DVD!
The story of Mr. Blue Sky (film) is a heart-warming love story, which is as much about hope for children born with Down syndrome as it is an inspiration for all children born with any intellectual or developmental challenges.
The main message of the film is: Social inclusion and acceptance for all individuals born
with any intellectual or developmental challenges.
By purchasing the DVD you will be partnering with us in both raising Down syndrome Awareness and also making a contribution as a portion of the proceeds of Mr. Blue Sky DVD will go back to the Down syndrome community in honor of our so LOVED children and their families.

To purchase DVD just go to the website and follow the link for BUY DVD. Mr. Blue Sky challenges society's barriers by presenting a fresh look at our preconceptions for defining people's lives.
''Mr. Blue Sky is a story that asks us to see all people as individuals capable of similar wants, needs, and accomplishments."

See my review of "Mr Blue Sky" here.

You make this world a better place award

Tonight we will watch the Academy Awards, but I think I have a more important award here. It's the "You Make the World a Better Place Award", given to me by Ruth over at Wheelie Catholic.
That is what some special mom bloggers do by telling us how much joy their children with Down syndrome bring them. They are trying to lower that awful statistic that 90% of these beautiful children are aborted before birth by their blogging, their mothering, and the joy on their faces. They are doing a fabulous job. The award goes to . .
Raising Joey for a great mixture of eduation and personality, this blog shows that Joey is one lucky little boy.
Gabi's world For creating a wonderful family around her lovely daughter, which extends to many of us in the blogosphere.
Pondered in my Heart for providing such wonderful photo essays of life in her home, we feel like we live there.

Since I AM a film critic, and we just watched the Oscars . . .
I have to make a film reference. It was films like these which help prepare me for special motherhood. Two of them, My Left Foot and Rain Man won Best Picture Oscars.
"Rain Man" Selish yuppie Charlie finds out he has an autistic brother Raymond who has been institutionalized, and they bond in a cross-country trip.
"Forrest Gump" Retarded and physically handicapped young man, shows how love and determination help him overcome the odds to become a great man.
"Places in the Heart" A blind boarder and a homeless black man help a struggling widow beat the odds and save her family in the midst of the Great Depression.
"The Miracle Worker"
Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing to scarlet fever, and is out of control, until special teacher Annie Sullivan takes her in hand.
"Radio"
Black young man with mental retardation becomes a special assitant to the town's high school football team, despite local opposition.
"I am Sam"
A mentally challenged man raises a dead friend's daughter and fights to retain custody of her as she grows up.
"My Left Foot" Christy Brown a victim of cerbral palsy writes of his childhood and youth in Ireland with his rough and tumble, loving family who help him discover his calling in life.
"The Ringer" Loser hard up for cash bets he can pretend he has a mental disablity and win the Special Olympics, till his fellow athletes teach him a lesson or two.

I now appreciate the fact that these films helped prepare me for the unexpected joys and challenges of special motherhood.
God bless great special needs mothers who share their joy in their blogs, and great filmakers who can express this joy of loving someone with special needs in film.

New movie to premiere Tuesday, Jan 8

It's a real-life dramatization of the story of Our Ladyof Guadalupe

Watch the trailer here.

Coming soon

"The Pirates Who Don't do Anything" see the trailer here.

New film whose star has Down syndrome

PRAYING WITH LIOR
Opens Theatrically on February 1st 2008
Part of a Growing Campaign to Raise Awareness aboutPeople with Disabilities in Faith Communities
Praying with Lior, the profoundly moving and entertaining documentary about an extraordinary family, a boy with Down Syndrome and his Bar Mitzvah will open theatrically in New York City at the Cinema Village on February 1st, and at the Laemmle Music Hall in Los Angeles on March 14, and other cities throughout the Spring. It will also have a special preview screening at the New York Jewish Film Festival on January 15, 2008.
Shot over three years and focusing on the months leading up to Lior's Bar Mitzvah in 2004, Praying with Lior draws a riveting portrait of a high-functioning, quick-witted, friendly and sincere boy, who, as he proudly approaches manhood, is simultaneously "retarded" and, according to his many admirers, a "spiritual genius." The film offers a wonderfully illuminating window into how disability can strengthen a family and a community. In extensive media coverage in Philadelphia where the film was shot, Praying with Lior has already been hailed for encouraging greater inclusion in faith communities for persons with disabilities.
Praying with Lior is not just a documentary film for diverse audiences. It's also the centerpiece of an ambitious outreach campaign to change the way people with disabilities are perceived and received by faith communities.
Over 54 million Americans are disabled. Less than half of our houses of worship are handicapped accessible. This number alone speaks to the abandonment of the disabled in faith communities. In a society that literally "worships" perfection and same-ness, individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities are dismissed and discriminated against everywhere. In the place where they should receive the most welcome and derive the most comfort -- their faith communities -- parents of children with special needs often hear "your child shouldn't be here."
Our goal for this film and outreach campaign is to create a sea change in the way we as a society value each individual. Lior's story presents a dramatic opportunity to demonstrate the contribution that every individual can make, no matter how "special" their needs are…or differently-abled. While society may view inclusion as the right or nice thing to do, Lior's example shows us that his presence actually enhances everyone else's religious experience. Lior's Bar Mitzvah is wonderful for him, but really, as one synagogue member says, "it's for us."
Almost nothing in our current culture has the power of film. In this climate, a film with humor, pathos, mysticism, and love about the impact of one youngster's spirituality, combined with a powerful outreach strategy can provide the impetus for enormous strides in understanding and systemic change. We hope that you will be part of our outreach campaign by spreading the word about this wonderful documentary.
I have asked to participate in the panel discussion after the Jan 15 showing in New York with the filmakers about the role of disabled individuals in the faith community. If I am invited, I will share my experiences here.

The Water Horse

Isabella wrote a story for "The Water Horse; Legend of the Deep" essay contest. We're going to the film's preview on Tuesday, and I'll review it before it's out on Christmas Day.

See the trailer here.

Memory Keeper's Daughter update

Raising Joey has an article about the upcoming film for Lifetime Channel, "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" which features characters with Down syndrome. We helped recruit an actress to play the baby girl for this movie, filming in Nova Scotia.
Here's a bit of the plot, from the best-selling book by Kim Edwards.
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter tells the story of a doctor who is forced to deliver his own twins during a paralyzing winter storm. The son is born healthy, but the daughter has Down syndrome.
Hoping to spare both his wife and himself the pain of a special needs child, the doctor asks his nurse to take the daughter to an institution. He tells his wife she died. However, the nurse doesn’t have the heart to abandon the girl, named Phoebe, and raises her on her own in a different city.

A video for Christmas:

I plan to order this film, which came out last year and is available on DVD.
It's called Christmas at Maxwell's, and looks Catholic-inspired. Here's a review from Peggy Moen of The Wanderer, who begins, "If you have time after going to see Bella in the theaters and watching It's a Wonderful Life at home, you might also want to see Christmas at Maxwell's, now available on DVD. "
Watch the trailer here.

Thank you to all who supported "Bella"

Bella had a great opening weekend, finishing first in income per theatre, at $7,928 per screen, according Laura Ingraham, who interviewed Eduardo Verastegui on her show tonight.She extrapolated that if "Bella" had the same number of theatres as Saw IV,( the big moneymaker this weekend which made $30 million) it would have made the same amount of money.

"Thanks to the grassroots support of the Latino and faith community, Bella accomplished more than we expected, and we hope this is just the beginning,” said financier and producer Sean Wolfington of Metanoia Films. “We are so grateful for the support we’ve received thus far, and if we can maintain that support in the second week, Bella will have the momentum to reach millions of people with its message of hope and redemption.”

HT Citizen Link

We attended the film as a family on Sunday, after Mass and a cold hour at the pumpkin farm. I was thrilled to see the theatre half full on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and enjoyed seeing many familiar faces from the campus ministers to the Life Center crowd. We sat behind Fr Francis Nuss, one of my favorite priests, so I was concerned that Christina, age 5 would behave well enough to remain in the theatre. I need not have worried. She behaved so well, that I was able to completely enjoy the film that I had thought about frequently but hadn't seen for eight months. '

It was quite a unique and emotional experience, reminding me exactly why I felt such a stroung desire to share the good news that "Bella" was coming to theatres. I enjoyed the rich textures of the Mexican food, the varied songs in the soundtrack, which were perfectly suited for each scene, but, most of all, the sensitive dialogue dealing with one of the most inflammatory issues of our time, the right to life. Nina's dilemma was never trivialized into sound bites, her anguish over her painful childhood, anger over her absent lover's dismissal of fatherhood, and her anxiety over her ability to mother and support a child were realistically portrayed. Jose's response was a rare mixture of protectiveness and sympathy, he was a masculine man in the truest sense of the word, a much-needed role model in our fatherless times. The family was like mine, a mixture of explosive emotions and sustaining love, peppered with the right amount of good-natured teasing. I feel for anyone who hasn't got this type of New York-Latino family. There's nothing else like it.

I enjoyed the movie even more because I had read all the negative criticism of the film, and saw at once how baseless the criticisms were. "Bella" is a fine work of art and it's popularity will help show this to the world. Here are my most recent contributions to publicizing "Bella": thanks to Nehring the Edge Film Reviews, my review on Mercatornet was picked up by Reuters News Service and USA Today here and here.

Casting Call: Baby girl with Down syndrome wanted for TV movie on Lifetime Channel

Gail Williamson, mother of Blair, who is an actor with Down syndrome is an advocate at the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, and finds acting jobs in Hollywood for actors with Down syndrome. She worked with Chris Burke on "Life Goes On" and I met her in Hollywood at the premiere of "Mr Blue Sky".She sent me this casting call notice today.

We have an assignment!

Please help me out and forward this to anyone you know anywhere in the US and Canada that might have contact with a brand new Caucasian baby girl who has Down syndrome.

The book “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” is being made into a film for the Lifetime Channel. It is shooting in Nova Scotia in November.
They are looking for a baby girl born in October 2007 to appear in the film as the new born Phoebe. They only found one baby with DS born in Nova Scotia in 2007 and she is 6 months old. In Canada it is a law to screen every expectant mother for DS not just a guideline, scary isn’t it?I need to hear from any parent of a newborn who might want the opportunity for their little one to work in Nova Scotia in November 2007.
I would also consider older babies weighing under 8 lbs. I know from my son Blair being a preemie he didn’t hit 8 lbs until he was about 4 months old.I have an agent that would negotiate all the details making sure to get appropriate pay and travel for the family. Please have anyone interested contact me at the DSALA office at 818-242-7871 or they can reach me by email at gail@dsala.org.
Thank you for helping me with this search, and watch for the film on Lifetime next spring.

Animated Movie,"The Ten Commandments" coming to theatres soon

I loved the movie "Prince of Egypt" for it's powerful presentation of the Exodus of the Hebrews from slavery, and it's haunting music and powerful imagery. Two crucial scenes, however, were glossed over; the Passover Dinner, and the reception of the Ten Commandments.
A new movie, "The Ten Commandments" coming to theatres October 19, promises to cover at least the latter in greater depth. View the trailer here.
All I can say, without having seen the film, is, if ever there was never a better time in our history to have review of the Ten Commandments.

Here's a free downloadable Ten Commandments Resources Guide for all of you to share with your Pastor, your Youth leader or your child's Bible Class leader.

A dangerous film for our children

Dr Bill Donohue of the Catholic League on The World Over show last night (watch video) describes the upcoming film, The Golden Compass, to be released December 7, and why though seemingly innocuous, it poses a threat to our childrnen's faith and morality. Read more here.

Will Bella be showing near you?

Check this link for daily updates on which cities will be showing Bella. If you don't see your home town, call your local theatre, and urge them to show the Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award winning film, Bella.

Where was I this weekend?

Go over to Causa Nostrae Laetitiae to read about the most amazing weekend I have just returned from. That's why I haven't been writing.