Artist Spotlight: Ohio Avenue

By Stephanie Colucci

Is it wrong to say that I love this band called Ohio Avenue? These boys from Alabama can rock!
They sing about real life and use that to infuse their songs with their love of Christ.  I could easily see them playing next to Kutless, Switchfoot or even Nickleback.  These guys have so much talent and passion that calling them a rock band seems so cliché. Their talent as musicians is only matched by their passion for Christ.  The music world is standing up and noticing Ohio Avenue.  They are getting a lot of attention and we are going to see great things from this band.
 
Their songs speak for themselves. No matter where I am or what I am doing, I love to hear this band’s driving base lines and raw emotion in ‘Never Be You.’ This song makes me stop and listen, with lyrics like “when I kiss your face and stab your back” and “you’re in a boat by yourself but you’re not crying for help” makes me wonder why these guys aren’t playing to sold out crowds. The song ‘Losing Everything’ is haunting when it states, “This air is growing thin, I'm searching for a home again, we find just what we need, when we lose everything.”
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Tim Chey

By Donald James Parker

I recently ran across an advertisement for a movie called The Genius Club and was immediately fascinated, to the point of emailing the Director (and Author).  Much to my surprise, I received a very warm email in return. A few days later, I came on board with The Christian Pulse and needed to interview someone in the film industry.  There was no doubt in my mind of who my first candidate would be.  The most impressive thing about Tim is that despite having been schooled at some of the most prestigious institutions, he is a nice guy!  Hope you enjoy him as much as I do.

Tim Chey’s Bio:

He was educated at Harvard University, USC Film School, and Boston University School of Law.  Chey's work has been seen on E! Entertainment, The Wall Street Journal, The LA Times, VIBE TV, MTV, Daily Variety, Hollywood Reporter, TNT, USA Networks, the Dove Awards, MovieGuide Awards, People Magazine, and the New York Times. 

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Movie Review: Churchball

By David Mackey

As someone who watches Christian films so that I can write about them for you and promote those that are actually good, it is my pleasure to say that Churchball is excellent. Okay, okay – you aren't going to get great theological insights and occasionally it enters the realm of cheesy.  But, when you see the cast including Fred Willard and Andrew Wilson, you should expect it. It runs in the vein of comedy like Anchorman, Zoolander, and Bottle Rocket – and attempts to combine both. Mixing actors and humor that is dry – like that in Bottle Rocket with slapstick comedy works pretty well for Halestorm.

The basic idea of the film is familiar to many individuals who have attended church. Church sports leagues can be some of the most unloving events to be sanctioned by the church. Featuring flaring tempers and holier-than-thou attitudes, church sports are oftentimes an example of what not to be, rather than an image of Jesus.
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Though None Go With Me

By Donald James Parker

Most of us are probably familiar with the lyrics "I have decided to follow Jesus . . . no turning back. . . ."  The second verse starts with "though none go with me, yet I will follow. . . ."  Those are the words inscribed on the inside cover of a book given to the heroine by the man she loves in this movie, made for The  Hallmark Channel and based on a novel by Jerry Jenkins of Left Behind fame.  Let me drop another name here:  Larry Levinson, executive producer, who seems to churn out quality products on a regular basis. (I will devote an entire column in the future to the Hallmark Channel movies).  The film was created by RHI Entertainment, LLC, a big player in the entertainment industry, who recently bought out Hallmark Entertainment.

Do you need your flicks filled with action?  If so, this one will probably disappoint you.  This is a cerebral, touchy-feely love story that will have tender-hearted viewers ensuring the Kleenex box is close by.  As far as pacing is concerned, the story spans fifty years in just a hundred minutes so, the story did not spend much time anywhere for very long. Despite the lack of action, this movie did not drag at all with the spiritual and psychological undertones pulling the story through at a steady pace.  A movie short on action better provide interesting dialogue and meaty content, and I think Though None Go With Me delivers.   This is suitable for the whole family to watch but, younger kids would probably be bored by it.  This plot would appeal to anyone who values a genuine, loving relationship between a man and a woman.
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Artist Spotlight: Six Piece Suit

By James Staubes

Six Piece Suit is 5 piece band out of Marietta, GA.  Fusing rock, bluegrass, folk and country, their sound is influenced by Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder, Keane and Coldplay.  The band formed in 2005 when friends Corey Brown and Nathan Wright started writing songs.  

Wright explains the process of forming Six Piece Suit, "Corey and I had written some stuff on our own for a few years before we even started playing together. Then we all got together in the summer of '06 and started really taking the time to write songs seriously."

The song, "Psalm 29," is a folk song full of twists and curves.  It takes a turn as it builds slowly into an all out worship song.  The opening acoustic guitar is reminiscent of the style from The Beatles and then the song builds into a U2 type of anthem.
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