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Some Events, I Just Can’t Fathom…

By Brian | December 6, 2009 | Share on Facebook

We took the kids to see Disney’s A Christmas Carol last night (super-quick review: an intense telling of the story, Jim Carey could legitimately win an Oscar for it if he isn’t careful, the 3-D is so good that I can’t imagine it not being the future of all movies, but way too scary for the kids – especially the seven-year old. Consider this your Parental Guidance). Anyway, during the previews (most of which were also in 3-D, by the way), there was an ad for something called FathomEvents.com.

The idea here is to bring special events into movie theaters for one-time only or limited-run performances. They have operas performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, old-time movies that get eviscerated by the guys from Mystery Science Theater 3000, special on-location news reports by Elizabeth Vargas, and the like. Pretty cool idea, if you ask me. But then there’s this: “Glenn Beck’s The Christmas Sweater – A Return To Redemption.” From the website:

Before a studio audience, Glenn will tell you about the real life events that inspired him to write The Christmas Sweater, and he’ll share stories of the overwhelming response he received about how the tale’s message of redemption literally changed people’s lives, bringing many back from the brink of collapse and restoring family relationships. Then, Glenn will show a re-mastered and exclusive version of The Christmas Sweater taped live during his 2008 cross-country tour. Afterward, Glenn will introduce you to some of the people who were touched by the story and you’ll experience their intimate journey of transformation through the simple gift of redemption.

This incredible Christmas celebration will be simulcast to HD movie theatres all over the country. Join Glenn for the next evolution of The Christmas Sweater and see for yourself why critics and audiences alike are heralding it as a new American classic.

OK, seriously. Who let this guy out of his cage? What’s next? Rush Limbaugh Sings the Classics?

Topics: Movie Talk, Random Acts of Blogging | 4 Comments »

4 Responses to “Some Events, I Just Can’t Fathom…”

  1. Suzanne says at December 6th, 2009 at 4:35 pm :
    I saw Up in the Air yesterday, sat through the same promo, and had a similar reaction. At first, I thought it was a joke. Did you notice that the live event was 12/3? The ads we saw are for an encore broadcast. People must be paying money to see this.

  2. jason says at December 7th, 2009 at 4:47 pm :
    Beck is immensely popular in my part of the country — he’s a Mormon, after all, and many of his ideas are pretty commonly held out here — but I’m really at a loss to explain this Christmas Sweater thing. I’ve seen the FathomEvents ad, too, and had pretty much the same reaction as you and Suzanne. Be interesting to see the numbers on it and see if anyone is really going to this.

    And incidentally, I’ve gone to a couple of Fathom broadcasts or performances or whatever you want to call them. They are cool, especially if you live in a smaller or more remote city that doesn’t have access to some of the cultural amenities it provides.

  3. Brian says at December 7th, 2009 at 8:54 pm :
    Hmm….I didn’t realize he was a Mormon, although given what you’ve told me about the political climate in Utah, I can see how his ideas are popular.

    As for Fathom in general, yes – I think it’s a great idea. I hope people make good use of it in the more remote places, whatever they’re particular political or religious beliefs. Despite my rather flip remark in the post, I’m sure Glenn Beck will live or die by his ability to draw a crowd, as is always the case…

  4. jason says at December 8th, 2009 at 1:07 am :
    Beck converted to Mormonism in ’99 or thereabouts, and much of his current philosophy is (apparently — I don’t actually listen to his show) shaped by an LDS scholar named Cleon Skousen. I grew up vaguely aware of Skousen — he was a fire-breathing anti-communist in his younger days, a genuine John Bircher who later became preoccupied with something along the lines of the New World Order that all the far-right fringe elements fret about. He was on his way to obscurity until Beck revived interest in him; I see a lot of people reading Skousen and Beck books on the train…

    All of which is probably more info than you really wanted, but this subject is something I keep a concerned eye on.

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