Films have a little faith

Sunday, October 12, 2008

By Barbara Vancheri, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Billy: The Early Years," a film about a young Billy Graham's road to faith, stars Armie Hammer ("Veronica Mars") and opens the 2008 Projecting Hope Film Festival.

"Billy: The Early Years," a look at the life of preacher Billy Graham from roughly ages 16 to 30, will be part of the free Project Hope Film Festival later this month.

Two dozen movies, including "Fireproof," starring Kirk Cameron as a self-centered firefighter whose marriage is slipping away, will be shown at Waterworks Cinemas from Oct. 24-26.

The big title of the faith- and family-focused event is the Graham film, which opened in some theaters on Friday and stars Armie Hammer, Martin Landau and Lindsay Wagner. The PG-rated film, being released by the Christian distributor Rocky Mountain Pictures, will screen three times.

Other titles returning after theatrical runs: "Bella," about a pregnant waitress befriended by a soccer star; "The Ultimate Gift," an adaptation of the Jim Stovall book, with Abigail Breslin and James Garner; "Amazing Grace," a period piece about William Wilberforce; and "Expelled," in which Ben Stein tackles evolution and intelligent design.

The announced lineup:
Oct. 24

• Noon: "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything"

• 2 p.m.: "3-2-1 Penguins"

• 2:15 p.m.: "The Ultimate Gift"

• 4 p.m.: "Veggie Tales: River Rescue"

• 5 p.m.: "Expelled"

• 5:15 p.m.: "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything"

• 7:10 p.m.: "Fireproof"

• 7:20 p.m.: "Billy: The Early Years"

• 9:15 p.m.: "Amazing Grace"

• 9:30 p.m.: "Saving God"
Oct. 25

• 11:30 a.m.: "3-2-1 Penguins"

• 11:45 p.m.: "Veggie Tales: The Wizard of Ha's"

• 1:10 p.m.: "Fireproof"

• 3:30 p.m.: "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything"

• 5:10 p.m.: "Billy: The Early Years"

• 5:15 p.m.: "The Ultimate Gift"

• 7:15 p.m.: "Fireproof"

• 9:25 p.m.: "Bella"

• 9:35 p.m.: "Saving God"
Oct. 26

• 1 p.m.: "Fireproof"

• 1:10 p.m.: "Billy: The Early Years"

• 3:15 p.m.: "Amazing Grace"

• 3:30 p.m.: "The Ten Commandments" (animated)

• 5:30 p.m.: "Veggie Tales: River Rescue"

• 5:40 p.m.: "Bella"

• 6:45 p.m.: "Saving God"

• 7:45 p.m.: "Fireproof"

• 8:30 p.m.: "The Ultimate Gift"

Seating is limited, but admission at the door is free. Tickets ordered in advance carry a $5 service charge per ticket. Details: www.ProjectingHope.com or 1-814-265-0485.
Post-Gazette movie editor Barbara Vancheri can be reached at bvancheri@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1632.