This volume provides a broad sample of the research presented at the "Past Watchful Dragons" international conference held at Belmont University on November 3-5, 2005 (more info). The contributing scholars reflect a truly interdisciplinary discussion representing the fields of literature, theology, history, and popular culture. The assembled essays offer insights on the messages of C.S. Lewis's fiction and nonfiction, the dramatic adaptations of his work, the influence of his faith, and his relevance to related fantasy literature and authors from J.R.R. Tolkien to J.K. Rowling. These diverse contributions combine to offer a better understanding and appreciation of the life and legacy of C.S. Lewis.

For more information, including the table of contents and chapter abstracts, click here.

Here are some of the early reviews earned by this volume:

It is no small achievement to gather twelve essays with authority and grace (ten on Lewis and one each on Tolkien and J.K. Rowling). Lewis enthusiasts with Puddleglum personalities, who expect at least one bad egg in a dozen, will be pleasantly surprised.
—Robert Trexler, Editor of The Bulletin of the New York C.S. Lewis Society

This is no dry collection, but a continuation in kind of the vibrant conversations that went on between C.S. Lewis and his like-minded friends in smoky Oxford pubs and book-lined college rooms.
—Colin Duriez, Author of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship

A welcome collection of reflections on C.S. Lewis by both seasoned and fresh voices on a wide range of topics topped off with two provocative explorations into Tolkien and Rowling.
—Christopher Mitchell, Director, Marion E. Wade Center, Wheaton College

The book is now available from
Mythopoeic Press and Amazon. Please pass the word!

Thank you for supporting the Past Watchful Dragons event. I hope you will enjoy the book of proceedings!

With very best wishes,
Amy
www.amyhsturgis.com

It's movie award season again, and while we all know what the critics and industry groups think are the best films and performances of the year, Moviefone wants to hear the opinions of the real moviegoers who spend their $10 for a ticket.

Voting is now open for the 11th Annual Moviefone Moviegoer Awards. Real movie fans on Moviefone.com selected the five nominees in each category below, and now millions of movie fans across the country will cast their votes for the winners, to be announced Feb. 28. Don't miss your chance to make your voice and heard and help your favorite film, actor or actress take home the award. Vote now at: [aoltrack.com]

The Nominees for MOVIE OF THE YEAR are:

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
STAR WARS: EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
KING KONG
THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN

The Nominees for ACTOR OF THE YEAR are:

Daniel Radcliffe, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
Johnny Depp, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Joaquin Phoenix, WALK THE LINE
Hayden Christensen, STAR WARS: EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH
Heath Ledger, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

The Nominees for ACTRESS OF THE YEAR are:

Emma Watson, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
Reese Witherspoon, WALK THE LINE
Keira Knightley, PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Dakota Fanning, WAR OF THE WORLDS
Naomi Watts, KING KONG

The Nominees for BIGGEST BADASS are:

Ewan McGregor, STAR WARS: EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH
Angelina Jolie, MR. & MRS. SMITH
Christian Bale, BATMAN BEGINS
Orlando Bloom, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Brad Pitt, MR. & MRS. SMITH

The Nominees for SEXIEST KISS are:

Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie, MR. & MRS. SMITH
Clive Owen/Jennifer Aniston, DERAILED
Steve Carell/Leslie Mann, THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN
Joaquin Phoenix/Reese Witherspoon, WALK THE LINE
Will Smith/Eva Mendes, HITCH

The Nominees for MOST HYSTERICAL PERFORMANCE are:

Vince Vaughn, WEDDING CRASHERS
Steve Carell, THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN
Jim Carrey, FUN WITH DICK AND JANE
Owen Wilson, WEDDING CRASHERS
Ralph Fiennes, WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT

The Nominees for VILEST VILLAIN are:

Ralph Fiennes, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
Hayden Christensen, STAR WARS: EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH
Tilda Swinton, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
Ian McDiarmid, STAR WARS: EPISODE III – REVENGE OF THE SITH
Elijah Wood, SIN CITY

The Nominees for BEST SCENE STEALER are:

Brendan Gleeson, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
Vince Vaughn, MR. & MRS. SMITH
Will Ferrell, WEDDING CRASHERS
Cillian Murphy, BATMAN BEGINS
Michelle Williams, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

The Nominees for BEST CROSSOVER are:

Jessica Simpson, DUKES OF HAZZARD
Nelly, THE LONGEST YARD
Mos Def, THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
Dwight Yoakam, WEDDING CRASHERS
Dave Matthews, BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE

The Nominees for HOTTEST RISING STAR are:

Freddie Highmore, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
America Ferrera, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS
Deep Roy, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Isla Fisher, WEDDING CRASHERS
Jennifer Carpenter, THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE

The Nominees for BEST UNSUNG GEM are:

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CINDERELLA MAN
SERENITY
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

Goodness, Truth and Beauty:
Apologetics and the Winsome Christ

April 29, 2006
St. Edward’s University
Austin, Texas

Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of C.S. Lewis’ Conversion

Mark your calendar and save the date for a Glorious Day of:

• Stimulating Talks by Internationally Known Speakers,
  
• Music and Artistic Presentations to enrich your spirit,
  
• Outdoor Meals under tents with live music,
  
• Stimulating Panel Discussion,
  
• An Evening with C.S. Lewis, a play on his life.
  

The Third Austin C.S. Lewis Conference will follow the format of the previous locally organized conferences, which were held in 2002 and 2004. Seekers, scholars, artists, and Christians of all traditions enjoyed the time together to consider a Christian response to evil in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, and C.S. Lewis and Ethics in the spring of 2004. Renew old friendships and make new ones with others on the journey.

William Lane Craig is a leading apologist and defender of the core of Christian belief:

The Resurrection and the Accounts of the Miraculous in Scripture. He is well known for his vigorous debates and his in depth research. Bill is an enjoyable speaker who draws upon his substantial training and resources to relate deep truths. His books include Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?: A Debate Between William Lane Craig and John Dominic Crossan, which was moderated by William F. Buckley; Creation out of Nothing: Its Biblical, Philosophical, and Scientific Exploration and Hard Questions, Real Answers.

Peter Kreeft is a well known author and speaker who was with us for both prior Austin C.S. Lewis Conferences. He is a frequent contributor to a wide variety of Christian publications, the author of over 40 books and a Professor of Philosophy at Boston College. Peter is highly regarded as a C.S. Lewis scholar and is quick to turn a phrase that will capture one’s imagination. Peter will speak on Goodness as an apologetic for the Christian faith. His books include C.S. Lewis for the Third Millennium, The Philosophy of Tolkien and Heaven: The Heart’s Deepest Longing.

Frederica Mathewes Green is a warm and engaging speaker on topics of current interest from a Christian vantage point as well as about spirituality. She is a regular columnist for Beliefnet.com, a movie reviewer for National Review Online, and a commentator for National Public Radio. She is a frequent leader of spiritual retreats. Frederica will speak on Beauty as a reflection of God in our world and the mystery of the faith as it is revealed in artistic and spiritual endeavor. Her latest book First Fruits of Prayer: A Forty Day Journey Through the Canon of St. Andrew is due for release this month.

David Payne of Rising Image Productions is an internationally acclaimed, British born actor who will entertain us through his award winning play, An Evening with C.S. Lewis. David has performed for audiences around the world, and a typical comment form those who see his work is “I have never before today seen your portrayals of C S Lewis. I must say, I was captivated.” David and cast performed Weep for Joy, a play on C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham’s life together, at our 2002 Conference and it was a delightful evening. If you have not seen David perform, you are in for a real treat.

Please mark the date of the conference on your calendar and plan to join us.

The registration fee will be $60 through February 28, $75 through April 25 and $85 after that date.

The registration fee includes the full day with three plenary speakers, lunch and dinner (an old fashioned Texas barbeque) outdoors under a tent with live music, artistic interludes, a lively panel discussion and the play An Evening with C.S. Lewis.

For additional details and to register, please visit our web site, www.hillcountryinstitute.org

We hope to see you in Austin on April 29.

Under the mercy,

Larry Linenschmidt
Executive Director
Hill Country Institute for Contemporary Christianity

British Actress in Supporting Role
Thandie Newton (Crash)
Sophie Okenedo (Hotel Rwanda)
Tilda Swinton (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)
Rosamund Pike (Pride and Prejudice)
Brenda Blethyn (Pride and Prejudice)

British Actor in Supporting Role
Brenda Gleeson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
James McAvoy (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)
Paddy Considine (Cinderella Man)
Tom Hollander (Pride and Prejudice)
Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins)

From L to R The LWW Score by Harry Gregson-Williams/Music Inspired by Narnia from Various Artists/The LWW Score with Special Edition DVD

Order on Amazon

Amazon.com
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [SOUNDTRACK]
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [LIMITED EDITION] [SOUNDTRACK] [SPECIAL EDITION]

Amazon.ca

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [SOUNDTRACK]
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [LIMITED EDITION] [SOUNDTRACK] [SPECIAL EDITION]

Amazon.uk

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [SOUNDTRACK]
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [LIMITED EDITION] [SOUNDTRACK] [SPECIAL EDITION]

Amazon.de

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [SOUNDTRACK]
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [LIMITED EDITION] [SOUNDTRACK] [SPECIAL EDITION]

Amazon.jp

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [SOUNDTRACK]
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [LIMITED EDITION] [SOUNDTRACK] [SPECIAL EDITION]

Amazon.fr

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [SOUNDTRACK]
Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia [ENHANCED] [SOUNDTRACK]
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe [LIMITED EDITION] [SOUNDTRACK] [SPECIAL EDITION]