Since his death in 1994, the gay Yale historian’s significance has continued to rise, both in academic and wider cultural circles. So it is not surprising that a documentary entitled “Not A Tame Lion” has been produced about his life and impact by filmmakers Craig Bettendorf and Kai Morgan.
Read More(REVIEW) Adam Sandler’s latest comedy starring his daughters has some incredible conversations around faith and family — but is crushed under the weight of a mountain of painfully unfunny jokes and a thoroughly unlikable protagonist. “You’re So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah” features Sandler’s daughter Sadie as Stacy Friedman, a teenager who wants to have the best bat mitzvah ever and to kiss the boy of her dreams.
Read More(REVIEW) Netflix wastes its brilliant premise and ending twist with “The Chosen One” on a shallow treatment of religion that actually makes one grateful that the faith-based film industry alternative exists. The six-part series is based on the first graphic novel in the trilogy, titled “Chosen,” and follows a 12-year-old boy named Jodie.
Read More(REVIEW) “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” is the latest docuseries from Amazon Prime that focuses on the family and their connections to the nonprofit organization Institute in Basic Life Principles, created by an unordained teacher named Bill Gothard, who was based in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Ill.
Read More(REVIEW) LeBron James’ coming-of-age story is inspiring and entertaining. Whether you enjoy basketball or not, this biopic keeps audiences vested in the success of James and his three best friends/teammates — even though you already know he’s going to go on to become an NBA star. Those looking for faith angles, however, will be left disappointed.
Read More(REVIEW) It just so happens that one of the most anticipated events of the HBO show — the death of patriarch and media tycoon Logan Roy — aired on Easter Sunday. If Easter is meant to celebrate resurrection and forgiveness, this episode mourns the opposite.
Read More(REVIEW) "The Chosen" wraps up an uneven third season in a triumphant manner, highlighting all the strengths and weaknesses of what might be the biggest faith-based project ever made.
Read More(REVIEW) Since its first season, Hulu comedy “Ramy” has been devoted to providing a genuine look at Islam and American Muslim culture. One episode of its latest season discusses the existence of polygamy in Islam, a sensitive topic that the show handles incredibly well.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in opens with the 50th anniversary of “The Waltons,” a family drama that incorporated religious stories when the TV networks tended to avoid them. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read MoreThe fourth season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” once again teleports audiences back to the 1980s — and this time, that includes the historical background of the satanic panic. When the small town of Hawkins succumbs to the blind hysteria common in that period, it brings the show’s heroes additional difficulty. It also offers the audience a “God’s eye view” of the actual satanic panic and proves it did nothing but create irrational fear.
Read More(REVIEW) “Midnight Mass,” a Netflix horror miniseries from creator Mike Flanagan, brings viewers to a small island town visited by a mysterious and charismatic priest and his accompanying “angel.” The show explores the enchanting power of miracles and asks Christians to be careful where they direct their worship.
Read MoreSeason two of “The Chosen”, the largest crowdfunded media project of all time that depicts the life of Jesus, will premiere on Easter Sunday. In a YouTube livestream announcement, creator Dallas Jenkins shared his plan to move all content to the show’s app and release the rest of the seasons by 2024.
Read More“The Chosen,” a show about the life of Jesus, will resume filming its second season this fall with health concerns presenting risks and challenges. The show is the biggest crowd-funded media project of all time, raising more than $11 million to fund their first season. Religion Unplugged spoke with director Dallas Jenkins about his plans for the series.
Read MoreEmmy nominations for this fall were announced on July 29. These are the best nominated shows with religious themes and characters.
Read MoreAs Christians around the world embark on Holy Week and prepare for Easter, here are five movies about Jesus, both featured in theaters and on TV through the decades, that rise above the rest.
Read More(REVIEW) There is a Hollywood fascination with all that’s morbid about religion. It has traditionally had a profane approach when it comes to the Catholic church. That it loves to dramatize reality into what can sometimes be an ugly trope, this is exactly what we get with HBO’s new TV mini-series.
Read MoreAmerica was divided, tense and angry in 1969, when Fred Rogers faced a U.S. Senate Subcommittee poised to grant President Richard Nixon his requests for deep budget cuts for public broadcasting. Rogers told the senators why he kept telling children they were unique and special. But he also talked about fear, anger and confusion – because that's what children were feeling. The senators nixed the cuts, and the Rev. Fred Rogers – an ordained Presbyterian minister – continued with his complex blend of television, child development and subtle messages about faith.
Can a broadcaster be a saint? Can a priest also be a broadcaster? These are just two of the many fascinating questions that come to the fore when the name Patrick Peyton comes up. Peyton coined the now-famous slogan: “The family that prays together stays together!” Before fake news, there indeed was faith news.
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