February (Web-only) 2001

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The fledgling Christian film industry, which so far only boasts 1999's The Omega Code as a breakout hit, suffered a setback this weekend as the heavily promoted Left Behind movie placed 17th at the box office with $2.2 million. The $17.4 million adaptation of the best-selling novel has sold remarkably well as a video in the past three months—ranking #16 at Amazon.com for 2000—but few were willing to pay to see a movie they already owned. As reported in an earlier Film Forum, viewer comments at Crosswalk.com, Christian Spotlight, and Hollywood Jesus were quite mixed, while Christian critics embraced it more readily.

What's Hot Taking the box-office crown for the second week in a row was the screwball comedy The Wedding Planner. Christian critics agreed that it has a yesteryear aura—although it meant different things to different people. Holly McClure of Crosswalk.com said "I laughed, was emotionally moved, and appreciated the higher-moral approach the story took to ultimately bring two people together. … This is a throwback to the classic romance-comedies that have witty dialogue, a couple of romantic dance numbers, old-fashioned romantic touches and modern relationship situations." But for Movie Reporter Phil Boatwright, the old-time feel came off as a "throwback to all those empty-headed Doris Day/Rock Hudson comedies of the mid-'60s. … Let's get real; those three films they made were pretty silly stuff. The Wedding Planner goes beyond silly, bordering on the insulting." In the film, Jennifer Lopez as a twice-shy wedding coordinator who becomes attracted to the fiance of a client, and must decide whether to pursue her career or the possibility of love. Hollywood Jesus thought the familiar ...