MOVIE - Risen

PG-13 (1:47)

Wide release 2/19/16

Viewed date at Kolb Cheapie Theater 4/29/16

RT Critic:  53  Audience:  77
Critic's Consensus:  Risen benefits from a lighter tone than many faith-based productions, as well as a unique take on the Greatest Story Ever Told and a terrific turn from star Joseph Fiennes

Cag: 4 - Liked it a lot

Directed by Kevin Reynolds

Sony Pictures

Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton

My comments:  I only went to this movie because I was craving a movie, didn't want to drive way across town, and was the only one left at the Gateway that I hadn't seen (other than a Disney flick, which I wasn't in any sort of mood for).  I was really, really nervous because I thought it would be preachy and religious. I was hoping for a decent historical fiction piece (I ate up books about this time period....The Robe, The Silver Chalice....when I was in high school.).  And it stars Joseph Fiennes, who I ADORE (jeez is he gorgeous.....)  So, with only a little bit of trepidation I bought my popcorn and soda and prepared myself for an unknown experience.  And I really enjoyed it!  Nice piece of storytelling set in 33 AD.  Set was great.  Acting was great.  Story was interesting, as was the perspective - of the Roman centurion, Clavius,  who was sent by Pontius Pilate to "solve" the case of the "risen" Yeshua. The disciples were happy, mellow fellas (Jesus-era hippies?), the miracles were a nice fantasy touch, and the actual religious/God aspect was played down entirely.  Jesus was pretty cool, too!  I liked this movie a lot, believe it or not!

Roger Ebert.com review here.  (2 1/2 stars)

RT Summary:  Roman military tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) remains set in his ways after serving 25 years in the army. He arrives at a crossroad when he's tasked to investigate the mystery of what happened to Jesus

The Sparkle Box - Jill Hardie

Illustrated by Christine Kornacki

"A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas"

2012, Ideal Children's Books

HC $19.99

32 pages

Goodreads rating: 4.51 (41 ratings)

My rating: 4.5

Endpapers:  Evergreen

Title Page: 1-inch red frame, 4 x 4 illustration of the Sparkle box (without the actual sparkle, here) in the middle.  The cover has great "real" silver sparkle on the box.

Illustrations:  Full page, realistic, colorful....large, bold, lovely.

1^st line:  "Snowflakes swirled through the air as Samand his mom stopped to look in the toy store window."

Opening page:  "Dear reader, you are the light of the world - make it sparkle."

My comments:  What a super - fantastic idea -- keep a special box (in this case, sparkly, glittery silver) on the mantle and jot down things you've done for others during the Christmas season. Open it and share on Christmas morning. This book explains that Sam's family does it as a birthday gift to Jesus (this is the first "religious" mention in the book, and the only mention, on the last page, other than two quotes from the book of Matthew in the "Notes from the author.")  This book will definitely take away some of the commercialism of the holidays. I LOVE the idea! (I wish it wasn't limited to Christian kids, thus my lowering of the rating by a half point.)

Goodreads: During the Christmas season, Sam and his parents participate in various acts of kindness to others and record their good deeds on slips of paper to be placed in a sparkly box, as a gift to Jesus.