Connect with us

Movie

Christmas film ‘Jingle Jangle’ director on having unlimited faith: ‘Belief is something we’re born with’

Published

on

Hollywood director David E. Talbert says “people have been taught not to believe,” and he hopes his new movie, “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey,” will inspire people to believe again.

A heartwarming tale, “Jingle Jangle” shows audiences how the power of belief and faith can change the world around them. Set to be released on Netflix Friday, the whimsical musical features a top cast of actors including the legendary Phylicia Rashad.

“One of my favorite lines in the film is, ‘Never be afraid when people don’t see what you see. Only be afraid if you no longer see.’ That line resonates really well for me because one of my favorite scriptures is (Hebrews 11:1), ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for but the evidence of things not seen,’” Talbert told The Christian Post.

The playwright, author, and filmmaker said the world was framed by the Word of God, so the “things that appear were made from things that didn’t appear.” That concept is a theme weaved throughout his holiday movie.

“So even God had to have faith to make the foundation of the world because they appeared from things that didn’t ever appear. So this whole faith thing is such a spiritual thing. Creativity is such a spiritual thing,” he added.

Along with Rashad, “Jingle Jangle” features Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, newcomer Madalen Mills, Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville (“Downton Abbey”), and singer Ricky Martin.

The Christmas-themed musical is “set in the gloriously vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (Madalen Mills) — and a long-forgotten invention — to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic within” the synopsis of the movie says.

Talbert grew up in a lineage of “three generations of holiness preachers,” so his Christian faith is reflected in the heart of his work.

“I’m thankful that we were able to weave these kinds of themes and things that people can hang on to and take away from the film,” he told.

“Jingle Jangle” shows how the boldness and unconditional love of a child brings healing to those around her. Talbert says the world today can learn a lot from the fearlessness of children.

“I think we can learn that we have to be taught to not believe,” The Washington, D.C., native said. “Belief is something we were born with, we’re taught to not believe. We’re taught to believe we can’t fly. We’re taught to believe that we’re not magical and wonderful. These are all things that were taught. When you’re born, the sky is the limit. Later on, you’re taught to have a ceiling on you.”

“So through the eyes of a child, we get a chance to see someone who has not been taught,” Talbert added. “So through life and through this character, hopefully, people can now see, ‘What I’ve learned, what I have been taught, it’s time for me to unlearn.'”

Talbert revealed that his deep spiritual insights come from his grandmother, Pastor Annie Mae Woods, who was one of the founding pastors of the Pentecostal movement in Washington, D.C.

According to the filmmaker, “Jingle Jangle” was inspired by the films he watched growing up, “Willy Wonka,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” “Mary Poppins” and the original “Dr. Doolittle.”

“I just wanted to put something in the universe like that, but that was representative of people of color, how the world looks,” he said. “So that my son could see somebody that looks like him that was magical and wonderful and the world would get a chance to see a different take on a holiday classic.”

Both Talbert’s son and wife had small cameos in the film and watching his son see himself on screen was an emotional experience for the movie creator.

“That’s winning. If I feel this way, imagine how many people of color feel the same way, the same joy that they will have with the film. That’s everything to me, representation is everything to me. I think the world needs this as much as our communities need this,” he maintained.

“There’s healing in forgiveness, there’s healing in ‘I’m sorry’. All those themes I weave through here in the midst of a big magical and wonderful film, but there’s something for everyone. There’s something for generations — the parent and the kid — there’s a lot for us to take away from,” he said.

“The biggest thing for me is that there is wonder and magic and love and light and heart in us all. If we’re willing to give into it, if we’re willing to trust it and have faith in it, that’s probably the biggest thing for me.”

“This film, I needed to be reminded that things work when you believe. So I hope the world will get that same message too,” he added.

“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” premieres on Netflix on Nov. 13.
Sources: Christian Post

httpss://youtu.be/aYPUYVgwLWY

Movie

Caribbean Minister’s ‘Blessings Find Me’ Song Goes Viral with 1 Billion Views: ‘I Am Grateful’

Published

on

A Caribbean minister and musician has become an overnight success after creating an inspirational anthem that has gone viral on social media as millions share the song’s message about God’s blessings.

Sherwin Gardner wanted 2024 to look different than previous years. So he decided to write a short affirmation at the end of 2023 called, “Find Me Here (Blessings Find Me),” to encourage himself that it would be a good year.

He thought of the words, “Something good gonna happen in this year. / And I am grateful that I made it here! / Yesterday’s gone and a new day has appeared / And I am grateful that I made it here!”

The worship leader at Bahamas Harvest Church in Nassau told Religion News Service a melody came to him shortly after and he sent it off to a music arranger in Kenya.

A few days later, Gardner had a recorded version uploaded to Instagram and TikTok.

The song with its Afrobeats, reggae influence, and dancehall elements became an overnight sensation.

Just a few hours after posting, Gardner was stunned to find his follower count shot from 999 to 20,000.

“The morning when I woke up, I had 20,000 followers, and the views — started at 8 o’clock, it was 14,000; by 10 o’clock it was 50,000; by 12 (noon) it was over 100,000 views,” he said.

A friend of Gardner told him, “Doctors, lawyers, gangsters, and teachers posted your song on WhatsApp.'”

On New Year’s Day, the 45-year-old returned to the studio to turn the snippet into a song and contacted Tyscot Records to release it.

Tyscot Records in conjunction with Warner Music Group Company have released the song on all major digital music platforms, Trinidad Express reports.

The song has resonated with many including other music artists such as two-time American Grammy Award-winning producer Teddy Riley, R&B singer Alicia Keys, rapper Eve Jeffers, Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams, gospel artist Yolanda Adams, and comedian-turned-pastor Kel Mitchell.

“Brother Sherwin Gardner, you’ve created this amazing [song] that I have on repeat and play to remind me that there’s nothing impossible when God got your back,” wrote Riley on TikTok.

The song been played 1,001,158,000 times on TikTok and Bill Carpenter, Gardner’s publicist, said their research indicates Gardner could be the first Black gospel artist to achieve that 1-billion-view landmark.

“This is now become or becoming the anthem for many people and their prayer throughout the whole world,” Gardner said.

The worship leader says although he was intending to bless others, God has truly blessed him.

“It has been totally unexpected and I’m so grateful for the answered prayers,” he said.
Sources:cbnnews

http://theendtimeradio.com

Continue Reading

Movie

Actor Ryan Phillippe ‘Craving’ Relationship With God After Movie About Christian Missionary

Published

on

Actor Ryan Phillippe said he began “craving” a relationship with God after going on a “spiritual journey” when he finished filming his latest movie, a story about a Christian missionary in the Kalahari desert.

The film, “Prey,” chronicles the lives of a young missionary couple who leave their station after being threatened with murder by an extremist militant group.

“It’s interesting because I was kind of in a darker place when we filmed this, and it was right after filming it where I went on this spiritual journey where I started going really deep inside,” Phillippe recently told Fox News of his experience after wrapping filming for “Prey.”

“I got back into reading the Bible and various other religious tomes, but I found myself drawn to this notion of spirituality,” he continued. “You get to a point in life, a certain age, and the things that you thought would bring you pleasure or make you feel satisfied — these would be success or money — and it doesn’t.”

Based on his comments, it’s not exactly clear whether Phillippe is seeking to have a relationship with the God of the Bible. It is encouraging, however, to see he is exploring spiritual matters and his comments should compel Christians to pray he finds the conviction of the Holy Spirit and comes to Christ.

“I’m so thankful for what I’ve been given and for the experiences that I’ve had and for my children and everything else,” the celebrity said. “But I wanted to have a relationship and understanding with God, and I was craving that.”

He added, “And I’ve got to tell you, since I started that journey, I have not been more at peace. My depression is gone. I shedded addictions so I’m a big proponent for people going inward and trying to understand those aspects of life.”
Sources:faithwire

http://theendtimeradio.com

Continue Reading

Movie

Roma Downey Reveals ‘God Moment’ That Made Christian Series ‘The Baxters’ on Amazon Prime Video Possible

Published

on

Roma Downey — a Hollywood star known as much for her leading role in the 1990s series “Touched By An Angel” as she is for her lilting Irish accent — is taking to the small screen once again, this time in a faith-based series reminiscent of “7th Heaven.”

Downey has had quite the storied career. She’s been an angel named Monica, a first lady named Jackie, a single mom named Kathleen, and a mother named Mary.

A producer, director, and studio executive, the 63-year-old celebrity is pulling double duty in her latest endeavor, “The Baxters,” a Prime Video show based on a book series by Christian novelist Karen Kingsbury.

In the show, Downey serves as one of the series’ executive producers and adds yet another in-front-of-the-camera role to her résumé: a matriarch named Elizabeth.

“We just felt it was a God moment; it was just providence played out,” Downey told CBN News of her partnership with Kingsbury, 60. “We felt like it was a blessing.”

Unbeknownst to one another, Downey had read “Redemption,” the very first book in “The Baxters” series by Kingsbury, and she was instantly hooked to the story.

“I just couldn’t put it down,” she recalled. “I really became aware of the project as a fan. I loved the book. I could see it visually. I thought, ‘This needs to be a TV show.’”

In the years since “Touched By An Angel” ended in 2003, Downey said she’s heard from so many fans asking for a show to fill the “void” it left, a faith-based series airing in the mainstream market. After reading “Redemption,” the faith-filled actor and producer felt she’d found the perfect source material for a burgeoning series — a show that’s both unwaveringly Christian and undeniably studio-quality.

Downey soon thereafter called Kingsbury to ask if she’d consider selling her the rights to turn the popular book series into a multi-season show. The request seemed kismet.

“She said, ‘It’s so extraordinary that you called me,’” Downey explained. “She said, ‘My father, before he passed, said to me, ‘You need to reach out to Roma Downey on ‘Touched By An Angel’ to make your book a TV series.” So, in that moment, we just felt as if it was a God moment.”

“It’s turned out even better than we hoped that it would,” she continued. “We’re delighted that we’re going to launch on Amazon’s Prime Video for Easter. I’m delighted that they’ve given me the Easter time slot.”

Amazon is handing Downey the coveted launch time for good reason; last year, her studio, LightWorkers Media, brought “On a Wing and a Prayer” — a faith-based movie starring Dennis Quaid — to Prime Video, and it was a clear success for the platform.

Leveraging her name and knack for reaching Christian audiences, Downey insisted faith — and prayer in Jesus’ name — take centerstage in the series.

“I stepped in front of the camera — and I haven’t done that for a while — to play Elizabeth Baxter myself; I loved that she was a prayer warrior, I loved her kindness, I loved how much she loves her children, I love how feisty she is about loving her children,” the celebrity said. “[I] love that it’s a show about faith and about the values that we hold dear, but it’s not a preachy show.”

The series is undoubtedly grittier than the stereotypical faith series: it tackles myriad real-life issues, including infidelity and the possibility of divorce — all in the pilot episode. But it addresses such tough topics from an unapologetically biblical perspective.

Prayer is the driving force moving the story along.

“It’s how they deal with it, how they handle it as a family, I think, that separates it from other shows that we’ve seen,” Downey said of her forthcoming show. “We see mom and dad Baxter stop in the middle of a scene … and we see them praying. And I don’t know that we’ve ever seen that on a TV show. And they pray in the name of Jesus. I find it very touching and powerful. … I think that people of faith will love seeing a churchgoing family at the center of this new series.”

She said she hopes the show exposes to viewers what’s possible when God “is at the center of your family and at the center of your life.”

“[That’s] what’s made such a difference in my life,” Downey reflected. “And I hope [people] see that play out in the lives of the Baxter family. I just think we, in our faith community, deserve to see a family on the screen that holds the things dear to their hearts that we hold dear to our hearts.”

“It’s amazing,” she added, “how few programs there are that celebrate people of faith in this way. I think people are going to love it. I’m hopeful that we’ll get a great response.”

The series is streaming on Amazon Prime Video beginning March 28.
Sources:faithwire

http://theendtimeradio.com

Continue Reading
Advertisement The EndTime Radio

Featured

National5 hours ago

ഐ. പി. സി കേരള സ്റ്റേറ്റ് പ്രസ്ബിറ്ററി/ കൗൺസിൽ, കേന്ദ്ര വിരുദ്ധ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾക്കെതിരെ എടുത്ത തീരുമാനം സ്വാഗതാർഹം

ഐ.പി സി കേരള സ്റ്റേറ്റ് ഘടകത്തോട് നാളുകളായി. നിയമവിരുദ്ധമായും ഭരണഘടന വിരുദ്ധമായും, കേന്ദ്രഭരണ ഭാരവാഹികൾ നടത്തിവരുന്ന കടന്നുകയറ്റത്തെ എതിർത്തുകൊണ്ടുള്ള പ്രമേയം പാസ്സാക്കിയതും, ഐ.പി.സി ചെങ്ങന്നൂർ സെൻ്ററിൻ്റെ പ്രശ്നത്തിൽ...

National6 hours ago

ഐപിസി സൺഡേസ്കൂൾ അസോസിയേഷൻകേരള സ്റ്റേറ്റ് ക്യാമ്പ് മെയ് 13 – 15 വരെ കുട്ടിക്കാനത്ത്

കുമ്പനാട്: ഐപിസി സൺഡേ സ്കൂൾ അസോസിയേഷൻ കേരള സ്റ്റേറ്റ് ക്യാമ്പ് മെയ് 13 മുതൽ 15 വരെ കുട്ടിക്കാനം മാർ ബസേലിയോസ് എൻജിനീയറിങ് കോളേജ് ക്യാമ്പസിൽ നടക്കും...

world news7 hours ago

ദുഃഖവെള്ളി വെറും ഒരു മതാചാരമല്ല; അത് ലോകം മുഴുവന്‍റെയും രക്ഷയുടെ ദിനത്തിന്റെ ഓർമ്മയാണ്

“യേശു അവനോട് അരുളിച്ചെയ്തു: സത്യമായി ഞാൻ നിന്നോടു പറയുന്നു, നീ ഇന്ന് എന്നോടുകൂടെ പറുദീസായിൽ ആയിരിക്കും” (ലൂക്കാ 23:43). ക്രിസ്തുവിന്‍റെ കുരിശുമരണത്തിന്‍റെ ഓര്‍മ്മ ആചരിക്കുന്ന ദുഃഖവെള്ളി ക്രിസ്ത്യാനികൾക്കുവേണ്ടി...

world news7 hours ago

കാനഡയിൽ ഇനി മുതൽ ‘മഴ നികുതി’; പ്രതിഷേധവുമായി പൗരന്മാർ

ടൊറൻ്റോ: കാനഡയിലെ ടൊറൻ്റോ നിവാസികൾ ഏപ്രിൽ മുതൽ മഴനികുതി അടയ്‌ക്കേണ്ടി വരും. മണ്ണിലിറങ്ങാതെ മഴവെള്ളവും മഞ്ഞുവെള്ളവും ഒഴുകിപ്പരന്ന് പ്രളയവും മറ്റുപ്രശ്നങ്ങളും ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നത് നേരിടാനാണ് ഈ നികുതി. ‘സ്റ്റോംവാട്ടർ...

world news1 day ago

Muslim Convert Threatened for Accepting Christ

Uganda – Dembe, a resident of Kasese, made a significant decision last December to leave Islam and embrace Christianity. This...

Articles1 day ago

പരിശുദ്ധാത്മാവ് ഏതൊരു തലത്തിലുള്ള പ്രതികൂലങ്ങളെയും അതിജീവിക്കാൻ സഹായിക്കുന്ന നമ്മുടെ സഹായകനാണ്

പഴയ നിയമ കാലത്ത് യഹൂദരുടെ ഇടയിൽ, അവരുടെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ വളരെ ക്ലേശകരമായ സ്ഥിതി വിശേഷങ്ങളെ കോട്ട, മല എന്ന പ്രയോഗമുപയോഗിച്ചാണ് പലപ്പോഴും വിശേഷിപ്പിച്ചിരുന്നത്. ജീവിതത്തിൽ പല പ്രതിസന്ധികളും...

Trending