Crossmap's Top Ten Entertainment Features for 2024
It’s that time of year again! Amidst all the baubles, beads, and good cheer being dispensed as we close out 2024, it is also a good time to reflect on the year in faith-based entertainment that may or may not have caught your eye.
For the Crossmap editorial team, the year began and ended with stories centered around more watershed moments involving The Chosen streaming series, a program that has now been seen by more than 200 million viewers worldwide. Scattered in between the release of Season 4 and the anticipation of the forthcoming Season 5, were some highly worthy new movies, music releases, and inspiring books that truly made an indelible impact on our readers this year.
So, without further adieu, grab your favorite festive coffee mug, fill it with hot cocoa (or eggnog if you prefer), and sit down beside your warm, cozy fireplace. And above all, give yourself a few minutes to enjoy the top ten Crossmap feature articles of 2024. Enjoy!
Actors David Amito, Amy Bailey 'Grateful' for Their 'Chosen' Experience
For actors David Amito and Amy Bailey, their 'Chosen experience has been quite fulfilling yet surreal at times. Portraying John the Baptist and Joanna respectively, both Amito and Bailey are quite grateful for being cast in what may eventually become the most popular program based on the life of Jesus in modern media history.
'The Chosen's' Paras Patel Finds a 'Sense of Belonging' in Portraying Matthew
For actor Paras Patel, playing Matthew the tax collector on The Chosen has been a game changer. Once struggling to get auditions for meaningful roles, the Florida native has become a fan favorite on a show that has slowly evolved into a global streaming phenomenon.
Carlos and Alexa PenaVega on 'Mr. Manhattan' and Leaning on God When Life Doesn't Make Sense
For husband and wife actors Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, the opportunity to work together onscreen has certainly been a blessing to them. Beginning with her guest appearance on his Big Time Rush television series in 2013, Carlos and Alexa have steadily cobbled together a string of nearly ten movie and television projects together.
Actress Ashley Bratcher on 'Finding Faith' and Making Movies That Matter
As an actress, Ashley Bratcher has always been one who is willing to take chances. Whether it be taking on projects that are deemed controversial as she did with 2019’s Unplanned, or the upcoming film Pharma, the North Carolina native has made a commitment to stories of hope and redemption.
Veteran Actor Ted McGinley on Faith, Family, & Trusting God in 'The Engagement Plan'
Veteran actor Ted McGinley has had a long and substantial career in Hollywood. Best known for his seven-year stint as Jefferson D’Arcy on popular 1990s television sitcom, Married with Children, McGinley has also had starring roles on The Love Boat, Happy Days, and the Revenge of the Nerds movies.
'The Hopeful' Movie Demonstrates How Hope Can Change the World
The Hopeful tells the true story of a community whose lives were transformed as they learn what it means to wait for Jesus. Set in 19th Century New England, the movie challenges audiences to imagine how hope can change the world.
New Series 'The Baxters' the Show Every Streaming Service Needs
Based on the best-selling book series by Karen Kingsbury, The Baxters follows the daily lives of Elizabeth and John Baxter and their five children and delves into many familiar themes that are affecting today’s modern family.
Sigmund Freud, C.S. Lewis Battle over Existence of God in New Movie 'Freud's Last Session'
Despite one’s best intentions of pitching a film about a conversation regarding the philosophical existence of God in 1939, most Hollywood executives would rather hear about the latest superhero battle for the ages. Movies featuring Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis just doesn't play well at the local cineplex, if they ever did.
'47 Days with Jesus' Movie Brings Fresh Perspective to the Power of Easter
Have you ever had a hard time connecting the powerful, undeniable life of Jesus Christ and the Easter story with your family? If you have spent any amount of time in and around a Sunday School class or church youth group I’m sure you have heard it all.
Brandon & Brittany Lake Team Up to Write Children's Book About Worship
Beyond the music, Brandon Lake desires nothing more than to see families experience everything that God has called them to be as a collective unit. Not just mom and dad, but the kids too. For this reason, he and his wife Brittany have crafted a children’s book called Little Lion Lungs. In its 36 inspiring pages, the Lakes’ hope to serve the home by helping them to discover the powerful weapon of worship and gratitude.
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For more features and articles by Crossmap Managing Editor Chris Carpenter, please visit his section page:
