Posted by owner on
March 9, 2010
A Review
Don’t confuse this Paranormal, by Cross Shadow Productions located in Apex, North Carolina, with the Hollywood production of the same name. This is a film that asks whether today’s interest in paranormal phenomena “is a harmless fascination . . . or something more sinister.” The film answers that question, too. Unequivocally.
To put this film in perspective, come back with me some thirty plus years. There are only two or three channels on the TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and teenage Sue has been watching one while baby sitting for neighbors. As the last news show ends, she switches channels and finds a movie. It’s interesting. About archaeology, and Egypt. She watches, fascinated, as a sarcophagus is discovered. Then someone says something about Tannin leaves, and brews a tea. The next thing she knows there’s a mummy, all wrapped in dirty, ragged cloths, walking with a shambling gate, arms outstretched, intent on kidnapping the heroine. Sue is terrified. But she fascinated too. Despite her pounding heart, she can’t turn off the TV.
Today those mummy films seem funny rather than terrifying. But her reaction back then is typical of many youth today who go to movies wanting to be frightened. They want the thrill . . . the pounding heart . . . the jolts of adrenalin. . . the fright.
Matt Mitchell and the friends who created Paranormal intend to give them what young people seem to want. And more. Along with the scares, the movie raises the question of whether fooling with the paranormal might involve us in something far more sinister than we expect. Is it possible the occult isn’t a “harmless fascination” at all?
The movie Paranormal gets off to a slow start. Some young people with the kind of electronic equipment used in the paranormal research portrayed on a half-dozen documentary-type TV shows are in an old, abandoned hospital. Later we see them banter and watch a budding romance, and we wonder when will something happen. Don’t stop watching. The slow start is disarming, and as the story develops the pacing gets faster and faster and reaches a truly scary climax as the teens and the dad who’s the focus of this tale confront a real demon, and discover what’s actually behind authentic paranormal phenomena.
I won’t go into detail on the story and spoil the movie for you. I will say that the events that lead to the demonization of the dad of one of the young paranormal researchers are authentic doorways through which evil enters. And that the Christian wife and the preacher who are the “heroes” of the story portray an authentic biblical response to demons. What’s important about the movie is that along with its warning about the dangers of occult practices such as Ouija, the movie sets the stage for some significant discussion and Bible study. Recognizing this, Cross Shadow provides a free downloadable Bible study guide which can be used by families or by church youth group leaders who show the movie. As noted in the earlier interview with Matt, having a lock-in with a youth group, playing games till about 10 PM, then showing the 98-minute movie followed with a midnight Bible study on the issues it raises, is a fantastic way to use this film.
I do need to make a few observations. The film is formatted for wide screen, and it helps if your TV can adjust to this format. The actors do a good job, but the sound quality is a problem sometimes. At times the picture quality is a problem too, particularly when shifting from scene to scene. But if the technical quality doesn’t rise to the level of Hollywood, no one should be surprised. What this film is does do makes it is far superior to Hollywood’s offerings anyway.
I do need to add one caveat. The film conveys a palpable sense of evil. That sense of evil concerned one member of my household so much she was praying during much of the film against demons who might use the images as an entry point. I sensed that evil too, and thought it was totally appropriate. Satan is evil, and he seeks to ruin lives in just the ways this film portrays. I hope everyone who sees the film not only becomes aware of how evil enables the Devil to gain a hold on humans, but also realizes the need for reliance on Jesus Christ. Only he can save us from the evil in our lives and from the dark forces that roam the spirit world. This is a central theme in Paranormal, and Jesus is lifted up.
To find out how to purchase a DVD of Paranormal, go to www.Paranormalthemovie.com now.
Posted by owner on
February 15, 2010
A Demondope Interview:
When Mike Garrett, teaching pastor at Crossroads Fellowship, told me folks at a nearby church had produced a movie on the paranormal, I just had to find out more! I checked out their web site and got in touch with April Kruger, the COO and producer at Cross Shadow Productions in Apex, North Carolina. She arranged for me to meet with the Director, Dr. Matt Mitchell, who is the Worship Pastor at the Potter’s Hand Bible Church. I learned that “Paranormal” is the third feature-length film the team has made. Here’s what I found out when I went to the church and visited with Matt, a friendly and enthusiastic 37 year old film Director and Worship Arts Pastor.
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Demondope: Matt, what target audience were you shooting for when your team wrote, filmed, edited and produced Paranormal?
Matt: Teens and adults today are looking for a fun, clean, thrill ride. But most of the secular films that are out there are so objectionable. Tiaan (the Cinematographer and Executive Producer) and I wanted to produce a morally clean film that would provide some good scares, but would also present the Truth from a biblical worldview. Hopefully, in addition to the church, the movie will draw secular audiences as well, as they need to hear this message more than anyone.
Demondope: I’ve found that most churches stay as far away from the paranormal and demons as possible. Why are Cross Shadow and your church different?
Matt: For one thing, my Pastor (Dr. Steven Rumley) isn’t afraid of the truth, or tackling tough subjects. If it’s in the Bible, he’ll preach it and I love that about him! Recently he’s been teaching a series on Spiritual Warfare, and that means teaching on angels and demons. If we won’t share the Truth on this topic, who will? I’ve read that research has shown that 8 out of 10 teens and young adults are interested in the supernatural, but fewer than 1 in 10 have ever had any biblical teaching on it. That’s why we made our latest movie.
Demondope: I know. I recently checked and found 66 programs on our cable TV that promote pagan or occultic notions about the supernatural. And there’s a new one starting this week on network TV: Past Lives.
Matt: This topic is everywhere now. We wanted to reach people in our culture who like the suspense/thriller type movies, while communicating the truth about the supernatural. In addition to being a fun, exciting story, we always want to introduce the Gospel, not in a preachy way, but naturally.
Demondope: So, what’s your movie about?
Matt: Without giving away too much, it’s ultimately about a Paranormal Investigation Team that is trying to help a best-selling author who is being “haunted by ghosts” in his beautiful mansion. The Team uses all the scientific equipment used by TV’s “Ghost Hunters” and we even get to show some of their other investigations, including an allegedly haunted Sanitarium! Of course, everyone gets in over their heads, as they come in contact with the truly evil spirits that are behind paranormal experiences.
Demondope: That sounds like it could be scary!
Matt: (laughs) Yeah, hopefully it has enough good clean scares to keep the audience on the edge of their seats! This is one of those movies that a teen can invite friends to see at church or at their home without worrying about it being preachy, or offensive. Our movies will never have bad language, sexuality, gore, or over-the-top violence. The friends will get their adrenaline rush . . . and they’ll also get the truth.
Demondope: Say you’re a Youth Minister in a local church. How would you use this film?
Matt: I’d have an overnight lock-in or retreat at church, and encourage the kids to invite their friends. About 10 o’clock after all the games, I’d turn out the lights and show Paranormal. Then follow that up with the Bible study/discussion guide we make available free online at paranormalthemovie.com
Demondope: That sounds really effective, Matt. But Paranormal isn’t just for young people, is it?
Matt: No, it’s for adults too. I wouldn’t recommend it for young children, obviously, as we tried to have a few good scares spaced throughout the movie. When we were shooting this movie, we’d be rehearsing the scene before we filmed it, and I would try to give them a feel for how scared they should, or should not be at this point. We came up with a “Fear-Meter” where I would say, “Okay, in this scene you’re pretty freaked out here… you’re probably about an 8 or 9 on a scale of 1 to 10”. There are probably two or three scenes in the movie where they hit a full-blown “10” (And no, I’m not allowed to tell you where they are. J ) I do want to mention that while you will jump a few times, Cross Shadow doesn’t really make “horror” movies, but rather our movies tend to be more creepy and atmospheric in nature. Most people tend to label them as Suspense/Thrillers.
Demondope: All of your movies start with the letter “P”. Will there be another Paranormal movie?
Matt: Perhaps! (Smiles and laughs) Cross Shadow is always willing to do whatever the Lord leads us to do next. Tiaan and I were instant messaging each other a few weeks ago and we got on the topic of possible future movie titles. Most of them were hilarious, although some were actually pretty good! Tiaan came up with a title that I absolutely loved! I can’t reveal what it was yet, but I can tell you it did start with a “P”. J
Demondope: So where can people find your movies?
Matt: All of our movies are available online and at most Family and Christian Bookstores nationwide. (For an up-to-date list of places to find Cross Shadow movies, click here: http://crossshadowproductions.com/index.php?page=WhereToBuy )
Demondope: Some research I just shared with registered users on my blog, www.demondope.com, indicate that at least 50% of those who go to evangelical churches have bought into the false beliefs about the supernatural that are spread through TV, movies, and the Internet. I’m really excited to see what you’re doing to combat error in this area with truth, and do it in a really powerful medium like movies.
Demondope: In addition to purchasing a copy of the DVD, what else can readers of demondope do to find out more about Paranormal, the Movie, and help promote it?
Matt: On the Official Movie Website (paranormalthemovie.com) there is a button called “Spread The Word” that offers a lot of great ideas to help us out. I would also recommend getting the free, downloadable Bible study/discussion guide as something Youth Leaders can use with their students after viewing the film. They can also show the film in church, at retreats, lock-ins or other groups. We didn’t do this for the money, so we want individuals who buy the film to share it and make it available to others who may need to hear this story. A person can also subscribe to our blog at http://blog.crossshadowproductions.com, to keep informed about Cross Shadow.
(By the way, be careful when going to their site for the movie. After they’d titled the film and secured the domain for their website, the secular film “Paranormal Activity” came out with a similar web domain. So don’t look for Paranormal Movie. Look for Paranormal THE Movie. That ‘the’ in there makes a big difference! )
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I left my meeting with Dr. Mitchell at the Potter’s Hand Bible Church feeling encouraged. It’s great to find others who are committed to communicating truths that have been so distorted in our culture. And it’s great to find a team of movie makers in a local church who are not afraid to deal with spiritual warfare. Matt will be sending a copy of the film to me, and I’ll review it in a future post. As this is the third feature-length film the team has produced, I’m expecting great things.
Until then, I recommend that you visit the blog at the address above, and that you also check out the other films the team has produced at www.crossshadowproductions.com.
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Posted by owner on
January 7, 2009
India is starting a program for primary school children to learn about witchcraft. It seems some 750 older women have been have been killed as witches in rural India since 2003. Among the victims, a family of four who were stoned and buried alive for “cursing” the relaive of a village chief. The educational program is part of India’s efforts to stamp out witch hunts.
Malasian press reports that a burglar who entered a couple’s home when they were on vacation was held captive by a spirit for 3 days. The 26-ear-old burglar reported that a “supernatural force” threw him to the ground whenever he tried to leave. He was taken to the hospital when the couple found him on their return . . . and then to jail.
UPI reported that a DelRay Florida man hit is sister in the head with an iron, in an attempt to release a demon he said was inside her. The victim and her mother reported that the man “changed” when they tried to pray for him, locked the doors and began to batter the woman.
A survey associated with the release of the DVD movie The X-Files indicated that more people believe in the supernatural–represente by ghosts and mediums and UFO’s–than believe in God. Thirty-seven percent of the 3,000 surveyed claimed to have personal paranormal experiences.
Finally, a 73-year-old Catholic priest in Westminster, UK, states that sexual promiscuity, whether hetero and homo-sexual, can lead to demon possession. Both, according to Fr. Jeremy Davies, “can become a pathway . . . for evil spirits.”