[Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 2/28] Ryan does a dutiful article devoid of cynicism on the Mark Burnett/Roma Downey release of Son of God. Bill Goodykoontz, also of USA Today, points out that Burnett and Downey are making a bit of a “cash grab”. They are releasing unused footage from the History Channel The Bible series, reediting it, and making a movie on the cheap.

Maybe I’m being a little too suspicious. Though I didn’t see The Bible series, I assume it had to say the name of Jesus and relate the gospel message. Maybe this movie does mark a turnaround. I’m just a little leery of Downey who for 9 seasons rode a money train with a series called Touched by an Angel, that was purportedly about the Christian faith, but not once mentioned the name of Jesus.

Their idea of redemption was a hair light being shown on the Monica character, and she saying God! in a dramatic tone while the miscreant of the day changed his ways, and by his now being a better person, would warrant a trip to heaven.

Shows like that and Highway to Heaven almost seem to do a disservice to Christianity in my book, but that’s Hollywood. Maybe if the proceeds were being donated to hungry children. Until then, I’ll remain just a little bit skeptical. Hollywood doesn’t mind making a buck off of the Creator of the universe, Jesus, just don’t expect a revival to start from the 90210 zip code.