MEL GIBSON, CAROLL O'CONNOR AND DENZEL WASHINGTON
LEAD CANDIDATES FOR MOST INSPIRATIONAL MOVIE ACTING PRIZE

Grace Prizes To Be Announced March 21 at 9th Annual MOVIEGUIDE(R) Awards Gala

By Dan Wooding

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (ANS) - Mel Gibson, Carroll O'Connor, Denzel Washington,
and Will Smith are among the star-studded list of finalists for the annual
Grace Prize for Most Inspirational Movie Acting, announced Dr. Ted Baehr,
founder and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission and
MOVIEGUIDE(R), a family magazine, radio program and TV show.

Dr. Baehr will present the Grace Prizes for Most Inspirational Movie and TV
Acting at the Commission's 9th Annual MOVIEGUIDE(R) Awards Gala and Report
to the Entertainment Industry, Wednesday, March 21 at the Skirball Center in
Los Angeles, Calif.

Finalists for the Grace Prize for Most Inspirational Movie Acting are Mel
Gibson, THE PATRIOT; Carroll O'Connor, RETURN TO ME; Will Patton, REMEMBER
THE TITANS; Will Smith, THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE; Denzel Washington,
REMEMBER THE TITANS; and, David White, MERCY STREETS.

Finalists for the Grace Prize for Most Inspirational TV Acting are Timothy
Dalton, POSSESSED; Hulk Hogan, WALKER, TEXAS RANGER; Martin Landau, IN THE
BEGINNING. . .; Henry O, WEST WING; and, Ulrich Tukur, BONHOEFFER: AGENT OF
GRACE

The Grace Prizes go to the actor or actress in a feature motion picture and
network television program who, through their outstanding performances, best
exemplify God's grace and mercy toward human beings.

"Many other awards honor fine acting and entertaining performances," Dr.
Baehr said, "and some awards honor morally distinctive portrayals by actors,
but the Grace Prizes honor and encourage actors who bring a loftier and more
spiritual dimension to their craft, beyond humanitarian and ethical
role-playing, by reflecting the truth of God's grace and mercy.

"The Grace Prizes also aspire to stimulate spiritual wisdom, knowledge and
growth as part of the acting craft. We believe that by bringing a deeper
understanding of and love for God and His grace and mercy, actors and
actresses in their performances can inspire and uplift millions of
moviegoers and television viewers -- and entire families and populations! -- with a
message that transcends mere entertainment and escape," said Dr. Baehr.

"Using MOVIEGUIDE(R)'s reviews of all the major theatrical feature films for
a given year and its comprehensive review criteria, the judges of the Grace
Prizes ask first whether the performance is entertaining and outstanding.
Secondly, they ask whether the performance is primarily moral, redemptive
and inspirational rather than merely humanitarian. For example, Jimmy Stewart's
wonderful performance in Frank Capra's MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
emphasizes brotherly love, compassion and moral rectitude, but Charlton
Heston's performance in BEN-HUR is redemptive and inspirational and
acknowledges God, His love, and His grace and mercy. Lastly, the judges ask
whether this performance resulted in an increased understanding of God's
grace, love and mercy toward us as human beings."

MOVIEGUIDE(R) is a unique family guide to movies, entertainment and culture
in that it also provides insight into spiritual and religious trends. In
addition to the Grace Prizes, the annual MOVIEGUIDE(R) Awards Gala also
rewards the Top Ten Family Movies and the Top Ten Movies for Mature
Audiences. All awards, and Dr. Baehr's Annual Report to the Entertainment
Industry, are based on MOVIEGUIDE(R)'s systematic criteria based on the
pioneering system developed by Dr. Baehr 15 years ago.

For more information about MOVIEGUIDE(R), its Annual Awards Gala in
Hollywood to encourage filmmakers around the world, Dr. Baehr's MEDIA-WISE FAMILY
speaking engagements and seminars, and/or the work of the Christian Film and
Television Commission, please call (800) 899-6684, or write to P.O. Box
190010, Atlanta, GA 31119, USA.

Parent's Note:  If you want to train your own family to be media-wise, in
North America call 1-800-899-6684 in North America, to order the, book,
video or audio version of THE MEDIA-WISE FAMILY, Dr. Ted Baehr's latest teaching
guide. Also, MOVIEGUIDE(R), which reviews movies and TV programs from a
biblical perspective, now offers an online subscription to its magazine
version, at www.movieguide.org. The magazine, which comes out 25 times a
year, contains many articles and reviews that can help parents train their
children to be media-wise consumers. MOVIEGUIDE(R) also regularly broadcasts
several international TV and radio programs hosted by Dr. Baehr.
_______________________________________________________________________

Note: A JPEG picture of Dr. Ted Baehr is available on request from Dan
Wooding at assistcomm@cs.com.
 

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