The 2012 film version of the famous novel and stage production "Les Miserables" has been surpassing many expectations and building up an impressive box office haul, with leading analysts saying its strong Christian values are drawing believers to the theaters in droves.

"In many ways it's the perfect story," filmmaker and media consultant Phil Cooke, who has worked on a number of Christian projects in Hollywood, told The Christian Post in an email. "This is the kind of movie Christians should be supporting, taking their friends to, and then discussing afterwards."

"Les Miserables," originally a French historical novel by Victor Hugo published in 1862 and considered by many to be one of the most significant works of the nineteenth century, explores a number of central Christian themes, such as forgiveness, hope and redemption, and has been adopted into various formats. more >>

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", the prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" series, has smashed the December box office opening weekend record and surprisingly beaten all three previous movies in terms of the first three-day total to gross nearly $85 million in U.S. sales.

The first chapter in Peter Jackson's latest trilogy earned an estimated $84.78 million over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Box Office Mojo reported, which is higher than the previous December record of 2007's "I Am Legend" starring Will Smith, and the $73.3 million debut of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" in 2003. It should be noted, however, that theaters offering 3D/IMAX viewing options might have inflated "The Hobbit's" numbers.

Besides the $84 million made in the U.S., the prequel based on J. R. R. Tolkien's classic children's book made another $138 million internationally, bringing up its worldwide total to $222 million after only three days – already making well over its estimated $180 million production budget. more >>

"True courage is not about knowing when to take a life, but when to spare one." – Gandalf the Grey

CP Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Nine years since the last "Lord of the Rings" movie graced the big screen, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" brings back the magic and splendor of J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world to life in an adventure that is well worth taking. more >>

A new movie, which focuses on The Beatles singer-songwriter John Lennon and was produced by evangelist Ray Comfort, has been hailed by some as inspiring, though at least one review of the film says Comfort has used the murder of the musician "to push Christian propaganda."

Alex Moore, editor-in-chief of Death and Taxes, says the movie "Genius" is anything but, and claims it twists Lennon's words to promote the same religion he was critical of.

"This video, which spends 30 minutes moralizing on the 'sins' of everyday people, exploited the anniversary of John's murder with a disingenuous PR campaign to trick people into watching the kind of religious propaganda Lennon denounced," wrote Moore toward the end of his review. "I almost feel bad having given it this many words and I don't recommend you watch the video." more >>

Dinesh D'Souza's documentary "2016: Obama's America" failed to earn an Oscar nomination despite earning $33.4 million at the box office, and becoming the fourth highest grossing documentary in history. Of course, there isn't much an outcry inside liberal Hollywood. However, D'Souza didn't keep quiet about the Academy Awards committee snub.

"I want to thank the Academy for not nominating our film," D'Souza joked, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "By ignoring 2016, the top-performing box-office hit of 2012, and pretending that films like 'Searching for Sugar Man' and 'This Is Not a Film' are more deserving of an Oscar, our friends in Hollywood have removed any doubt average Americans may have had that liberal political ideology, not excellence, is the true standard of what receives awards."

The film's producer, Gerald Molen, isn't keeping silent either. more >>

Evangelist and film producer Ray Comfort's newly released documentary film "Genius" takes a look at the spiritual aspects of John Lennon at the beginning and end of his half-hour movie. It also features video footage of Comfort approaching people with his unique street evangelism style. On Wednesday, the movie was available free online, just ahead of the 32-year anniversary on Saturday (Dec. 8) of the day the Beatles' singer was shot outside his apartment.

"I produced the movie as a companion to a new book called, The Beatles, God, and the Bible," said Comfort. "I have some strong convictions when it comes to issues the movie covers.

"Firstly, in 1965, Paul McCartney when asked if the Beatles believed in God (in a Playboy magazine interview) said, 'We probably seem anti-religious because of the fact that none of us believe in God.' But as they matured in life, Paul said, 'I'm very spiritual.' John said, 'I'm a most religious fellow.' Ringo said, 'God is in my life,' and George said, 'I want to find God.'" more >>