The Young Messiah Arrives on DVD/BD in July

A powerful and emotional faith-based film about the childhood of Jesus, The Young Messiah comes

to Blu-ray and DVD for public libraries on July 12, 2016 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment due to Uni's 28 delay policy for these non-profit community centers. Telling the story of the Jesus in a way that communicates to children and families, The Young Messiah is "A remarkable movie" (Steve Isaac and Bob Waliszewski, Focus on the Family). Arriving just in time for Father's Day, the Blu-ray and DVD include exciting deleted scenes, feature commentary with the director and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.

Inspired by scripture and rooted in history, this story imagines a year in the boyhood of Jesus. Remaining true to the character of Jesus revealed in the Bible, The Young Messiah is an inspirational story about the childhood of the Savior for the whole family. When the mystery of Jesus' divinity begins to unfold in His early years, He turns to His parents for answers. But Mary and Joseph, in an effort to protect their child, are afraid to reveal all they know. How do you explain the ways of the world to its Creator? How do you teach the Teacher? How do you help the Savior who came to save you? Follow the young Messiah as He and His family take the extraordinary journey from Egypt to Nazareth and on to Jerusalem – where His true identity and profound destiny are revealed.

Star of "Risen", Joseph Fiennes, Meets Pope Francis Today

Joseph Fiennes, star of Sony Pictures' new film release RISEN, met Pope Francis in Vatican City today. Fiennes is in town with actress Mario Botto and the producers to promote RISEN, which opens in theaters nationwide in the USA on February 19, 2016. The film will be screened at the Vatican tomorrow. No word on SPHE's DVD/Blu-ray release yet.

RISEN is the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection and the weeks that followed, as seen through the eyes of an unbelieving Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a high-ranking Roman Military Tribune. Clavius and his aide Lucius (Tom Felton) are instructed by Pontius Pilate to ensure Jesus' radical followers don't steal his body and claim resurrection. When the body goes missing within days, Clavius sets out on a mission to locate the missing body in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.

          

Rome, Italy - February 3, 2016: Risen star, Joseph Fiennes meets Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.

Pure Flix Signs Long Term Distribution Agreement with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Faith-based film company Pure Flix Entertainment (Pure Flix) and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) announced today a long term, multi-year distribution services agreement. Under the arrangement, UPHE will exclusively handle sales and distribution services for the Blu-ray, DVD, Electronic Sell-through and Video-on-Demand platforms of Pure Flix new release films as well as for its diverse catalog of titles across the USA.    Pure Flix will oversee consumer marketing to support UPHE, and will continue to manage sales, marketing and distribution for the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA).

The pact will begin with the January 26, 2016 home entertainment release of Woodlawn, starring Sean Astin, Sherry Shepherd, Nic Bishop, C. Thomas Howell, Caleb Castille, and Academy Award winner Jon Voight, which is widely available today on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD and On Demand. Also on deck in 2016 is the highly anticipated God's Not Dead 2, starring Melissa Joan Hart, Jesse Metcalfe, David A.R. White, Hayley Orrantia, Ernie Hudson, Sadie Roberts, Robin Givens, Maria Canals-Barrera, and Fred Thompson, with special appearances by Pat Boone, Ray Wise, Governor Mike Huckabee, and Newsboys. Uni has not stated whether their 28 day holdback street date policy for public libraries will apply.

"90 Minutes in Heaven" Brings Hope to DVD/BD in December

A powerful story of faith tested almost beyond human endurance, 90 Minutes in Heaven comes to Blu-ray and DVD for public libraries on December 29, 2015, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (delay due to Uni's rental holdback policy for most rental retailers and public libraries).  Based on the true story that inspired a New York Times best-selling book, 90 Minutes in Heaven is a thrilling and touching account of a struggle for life that is nothing short of miraculous. Both the Blu-ray and DVD versions are filled with inspiring bonus features that take audiences behind the scenes of "an intimate story of survival and faith" (Movieguide).

During the 90 minutes he is declared dead after a traffic accident, Don Piper experiences love, joy and life like he's never known. But when he finally wakes in the hospital, Heaven's bliss is replaced by excruciating pain and emotional turmoil. With the support of his family and community, Don clings to his faith and fights to recover the life he's lost. Featuring Hayden Christensen and Kate Bosworth, 90 Minutes in Heaven is an emotional and inspiring story of perseverance that will bring hope and encouragement to all who see it.

Where Hope Grows Arrives August 25 on DVD/BD

Experience the power of faith, courage and friendship when the moving drama Where Hope Grows arrives on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) August 25 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. 

Receiving 5 out of 5 Doves from The Dove Foundation, Where Hope Grows is an uplifting tale of an ex-baseball player who finds salvation when he befriends a grocery-store clerk who has Down syndrome. Theatrically released in 2015, and written and directed by Chris Dowling (Rock Slyde), the heartwarming film features touching performances from a stellar cast including Kristoffer Polaha (TV’s “Ringer,” TV’s “Life Unexpected”), Billy Zabka (The Karate Kid), Brooke Burns (Shallow Hal, TV’s “Baywatch”), Kerr Smith (TV’s “The Fosters,” TV’s “Dawson’s Creek”), Michael Grant (TV’s “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), Alan Powell (The Song) with Danica McKellar (TV’s “The Wonder Years”) and introducing David DeSanctis as “Produce.”

Calvin Campbell (Polaha), a former pro baseball player with a self-destructive streak, has his faith in God restored when he meets Produce (DeSanctis), an inspirational man with Down syndrome. As their friendship develops, Calvin is reminded that hope grows in the most unlikely places.

 The Where Hope Grows home entertainment bonus material includes deleted scenes, plus two featurettes that look at the casting of “Produce” and a discussion of the “R-word,” along with an audio commentary from writer/director Chris Dowling and actor David DeSanctis. The Blu-ray and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $24.99 and $19.98, respectively.

WHERE HOPE GROWS Arrives August 25

Experience the power of faith, courage and friendship when the moving drama Where Hope Grows arrives on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) August 25 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Receiving 5 out of 5 Doves from The Dove Foundation, Where Hope Grows is an uplifting tale of an ex-baseball player who finds salvation when he befriends a grocery-store clerk who has Down syndrome.

Theatrically released in 2015, and written and directed by Chris Dowling (Rock Slyde), the heartwarming film features touching performances from a stellar cast including Kristoffer Polaha (TV’s “Ringer,” TV’s “Life Unexpected”), Billy Zabka (The Karate Kid), Brooke Burns (Shallow Hal, TV’s “Baywatch”), Kerr Smith (TV’s “The Fosters,” TV’s “Dawson’s Creek”), Michael Grant (TV’s “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), Alan Powell (The Song) with Danica McKellar (TV’s “The Wonder Years”) and introducing David DeSanctis as “Produce.” Calvin Campbell (Polaha), a former pro baseball player with a self-destructive streak, has his faith in God restored when he meets Produce (DeSanctis), an inspirational man with Down syndrome. As their friendship develops, Calvin is reminded that hope grows in the most unlikely places.

SPE's Faith Label AFFIRM Films Options Book "The Devil in Pew Number Seven"

This week, AFFIRM Films (a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment) and Mass Hysteria Entertainment Inc announced a partnership to develop a motion picture based on the book, The Devil In Pew Number Seven. Written by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo with Bob DeMoss, and released by Tyndale House Publishers Inc in 2010, The Devil In Pew Number Seven tells the story of Rebecca Nichols, a young girl who loses her parents when they stand up against evil within their church. Decades later, Rebecca must address if it was worth losing everything.

"Rebecca Nichols Alonzo's story touched our whole team," said Rich Peluso, Senior Vice President of AFFIRM Films. "Her journey through healing and forgiveness recounted before thousands of people across the country proved both engrossing and engaging. We look forward to working with Rebecca, Dan Grodnik and Steve Armour to bring this story to film."

"The Devil in Pew Number Seven is a compelling look at the power of love and forgiveness," said Mass Hysteria CEO and Producer Dan Grodnik. "We are excited to begin the creative journey with Rich Peluso and his AFFIRM Films team."  Steve Armour has been hired to adapt the book.