steckle.com :: my corner of the web

At least that's what a recent study found...

A new study by The Nielsen Company shows that PG-rated movies with less profanity made more money at box offices across the United States. The study cross-referenced box office figures for 400 films in wide release from the fall of 2005 to the fall of last year.

My wife won't watch many movies that are PG-13 or R so it's disappointing when browsing the local video store just how few PG or G movies there seem to be. It does seem that Hollywood just keeps spitting out trash and not taking the box office numbers into account. I remember driving by the Horizon Theaters one night last summer and every movie there was PG-13 or R. I know the mall theaters generally cater to the kids movies, and the Horizon more teen and adult, but still, it really seemed pathetic.

Read Appeal, success of PG movies apparently falling on deaf ears in Hollywood at OneNewsNow.com

Then go rent or buy Facing the Giants. I just watched it and it was great. There aren't many movies these days that have a great message and are geared towards the family, but this one is. No sexual content, no violence, and no swearing certainly doesn't mean no entertainment!

Here's the synopsis...

In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.

However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.

With God, all things are possible…

I give it two thumbs way up! Seriously do yourself a favor and go watch this movie!

The movie was made by the members of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia with alot of hard work and prayer. While I don't share all their views in regards to religious beliefs, they are delivering a Christian message into our society, and that's a very good thing!

Visit the official site at FacingtheGiants.com

We haven't been there yet this year, but chances are good at some point we might make a road trip down to the famous Cherry Bowl Drive-In. It's a blast for the kids as they get to play on the playground, eat popcorn and cotton candy, and watch a movie from inside the van! They love it, it's affordable plus how many times do you ever get to see a giant chicken?

Photo by Neal Carter

Click the link below to read an article and view photos...

Read Freeze Frame - Cherry Bowl Drive-In preserves a time gone by in the Record Eagle

Helped the Great Lakes Maritime Academy get this movie onto YouTube and Google Video to help promote their maritime college. It's always good to help someone. Anyway, check it out and see what they are all about!

Visit Official Site

I had read some positive reviews and comments, but did see this review today of The Nativity Story. Fr. Angelo Mary Gieger talks about some of the negatives about the movie, in particular how some scenes go "against Catholic Mariology".

The Nativity Story in no way compares to the masterpiece which is The Passion of the Christ, but it is at least sincere, untainted by cynicism, and a worthy effort by Hollywood to end the prejudice against Christianity in the public square. Whether considered in light of its virtues or its flaws, the movie provides an opportunity to catechize people about the true meaning of Christmas, about the real gift that is Jesus, and about His Holy, Ever Virgin Mother, Mary.

The subject matter of The Nativity Story lends itself so well to the promotion of true devotion to Mary. Unfortunately, the way in which it was treated will only confuse the ignorant and confirm them in Marian minimalism. Perhaps there is some hope that the likes of a Gibson will one day match the sublime Marian art of The Passion of the Christ with a Nativity story truly worthy of Our Lady.

You can read the entire review by following the link below...

Read The Nativity Story Not on Par with The Passion of Christ at Air Maria

It looks like another religious movie could be a huge hit at the box office judging from some of the reviews & comments I have read. I don't go to many movies anymore, but this will be one I am anxious to see!

Read Vatican officials give thumbs up for 'The Nativity Story' at Catholic News Service

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has a Office for Film and Broadcasting that features movie reviews that really matter. Check it out.

The Office for Film and Broadcasting is responsible for reviewing and rating theatrical motion pictures, previewing and evaluating television programming as well as providing the Catholic public with information about the role of the entertainment and news media in influencing societal and personal values.

Although they might want to update the second paragraph on the site to mention the new "DVD" technology, as they state the "importance of the videocassette player in the American home". From what I have heard VHS is dead.

I remember when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were popular. I loved the first movie, even collected a couple of action figures, and sure everyone in high school used to say "Cowabunga" to me because I was a big fan. My senior yearbook is loaded with them!

Anyway, there's a new movie coming out next year (March 30th, 2007) using CGI animation, and here's the teaser...

TMNT Teaser Trailer

Bossanova.

Saw this at Digg...

Check out the link below to read about entomologists Arnold Menke and David Vincent naming new wasp species discovered in 1983 after their favorite Star Wars characters: Polemistus chewbacca, Polemistus vaderi, and Polemistus yoda.

Read Don't Swat at Yoda at StarWars.com

Well it's lunch time, so I figured I had better take a minute and update the old blog.

Last week we took the kids to the Traverse City Great Wolf Lodge and had a blast! I think we are going to try and make this an annual trip with our tax money. It's close, plus they threw in free breakfast, can't beat that!

I've been meaning to post some links to some cool stuff I have stumbled upon lately, so here they are...

• The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has posted their reviews of the top movies of 2005.

• From the people with too much time on their hands comes the bid to have the Ice Planet Hoth from the movie The Empire Strikes Back host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

• Some great photos from diving in Lake Michigan.

That's it for now, I have to get back to work!