by Crystal Kelly

Introduce Christian Music

Sometimes it may be hard to share your faith and still be considered cool. There are many creative ways that can be used to share your faith and what you believe in. Just because you are a Christian believer does not mean that you are boring, dull and void of fun. That is what most young people associate with the Christian lifestyle. In all actuality you, Christian, are the most blessed on the earth and you need to show it to your friends associates in a way that they can relate to and not run away from.

A very cool and fun way to do this is to have a party airing a television show that displays Christian values yet still has the romance with the gorgeous guy, action, adventure and leaves your guests with wholesome thinking instead of sensual feeling. There are many ways to make your party unique and fun. You can require a dress code that is casual or dressy, you can have themed food, you can have pictures taken and given to your guests at the party and you can have cool giveaways during breaks of the show.

There are several television series and movies that come to mind; Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman series, Love’s Enduring Promise Series, the Thief in the Night series, and The Left Behind Series. A great idea for an excellent Valentine’s Day themed party would be to show the movie “Belle and the Beast”. This movie is made in excellent quality, the storyline is truly romantic and encompasses the message of God’s love and forgiveness. “Belle and the Beast” is a film that is sure to become not just a Valentine’s day favorite but an everyday romantic favorite.

Another creative idea is to have a music sampling party. Find a Christian artist whose music speaks in a way where it is not hard to relate. Such as Toby Mac, Josh Wilson, Barlow Girl, or Mandisa. There are so many fun and cool ways to share your faith grab hold of them and enjoy who you are, what you believe in. Help others be a part of the Jesus movement in a way that will have them wondering what took them so long to have this much fun without regret.

Written by: Jill Sheets

Samantha Lester

Picture credit: Alan Wiessman

Recently I had the chance to interview two talented up and coming actresses. Samantha
and Danielle Lester are two sisters to keep an eye on. Continue to read on about them
and about their movies The Grief Tourist and Black Gold.

R: Samantha, tell us about how you got into acting?

S: I got into acting because of my mom (laughs). It kind of started when she was
pregnant with me. She was rehearsing for plays and I feel like I was kind of born into it.
And I have finally taken it upon myself like “hey, this is something I want to do.”

R: Danielle, what about you?

D: It was sort of like “my sister did it so I might as well.” It was not like I have to do
that kind of thing it was kind of like “well. I moved to California. I might as well try it.
And then I did, and I ended up falling in love with it. Now I don’t want to stop and it has
been amazing.

R: Samantha, tell us about your up and coming movie The Grief Tourist.

S: The movie was a lot of fun to shoot. I got to shoot with Melanie Griffith, which
was amazing, and I am still in shock that I got to do that. I felt like such dork when I
showed up on set. I was like “oh my God. It is Melanie Griffith. Oh my God.” And I
am playing opposite of her and it was so much fun. I ended up asking for her autograph,
and I have now framed it. And it is in my room. In the movie, I played a waitress and
her friend. It was so amazing to work with someone of that caliber at the beginning of
my career.

R: Tell us about your character Donna?

S: Donna is a sweet, fun loving girl. She is a lot like me in that since. She is very
present. She is working at this diner to make ends meet. She is from a small town and
she is just a sweet girl, who cares about others.

Danielle Lester

Picture credit: Nasim Saleh

R: Danielle, tell us about your character?

D: I was in the diner eating breakfast. It was really kind of funny. Well it was actually
a long day because it was cold and raining and I went from school. I was setting in the
diner eating and I was talking to this other girl that was there and I was like “okay. This
is what just went down.” We came up with our own back story about why we were in the
diner. We decided it was the morning after prom eating breakfast because we sent the
night at each other’s house. It was cool.

R: Danielle, Tell us about your movie Black Gold.
D: That one was so much fun to shoot. I was in a full length gown and we were taken
hostage. We were running around, in the rain, in heals, running from these guys with
guns. It was really fun. We were hiding under tables and jumping over things. (laughs)

R: Samantha, tell us about your role in this movie.

S: Suzanne DeLaurentiis got a hold of this Nigerian film Black Gold, so they had a shoot
here in Los Angeles for this one last huge scene, which is what Danielle and I were in. It
is this big wedding reception. I was the maid of honor for the bride, and we are setting
up front in the room. The father of the bride and the groom are giving their speeches.
It is to tie up the film and what it is talking about in Nigeria and bring it to the United
States, so it will make more of an impact here. These Nigerians come in with theses guns
and basically Danielle and I spent the whole day screaming. It was so much fun. One
second we are setting there enjoying the wedding, then we are screaming. I have to say
that I perfected the horrified scream that day and I broke a champagne glass too and hid
under a table. It was great. (laughs).

Samantha Lester: onset shot from “Black Gold”

R: Samantha, what are six things you can not live without?

S: 1. My mom, my dad and my sister (my family). 2. A good book. Probably Gone
with the Wind. 3. A journal because I like people watching and I like writing. 4. This is
sad, but my phone because I feel that it is my connection to the world. 5. My friends. 6.
Gilmore Girls. I have all the seasons and I have watched all of them millions of times.

D: She can quote every single episode.

S: When I am bored and I am procrastinating, I go online and get all the questions right
about Gilmore Girls. (laughs)

R: Danielle, what are five things people may not know about you?

D: 1. I am a dork. 2. I really like music. I can play the piano and the guitar. I have
also dabbled in playing the drums, even though I am not very good. I can kind of play
the base guitar. It is harder than it looks. And I love to sing. 3. At school people see
me as this very big nerd because I am always studying and reading, but really… I am not
that much of a nerd. I just do my work and get good grades. When I get home I go to
sleep or watch TV or read, then my eleven o’clock at night and I am like “Oh my God.
I have not done my homework yet.” And I run to go do my homework. 4. I am a really
big procrastinator. 5. I am a really picky eater. I go to a restaurant and order the burger
plain with just mustard. Nothing else on it. If the lettuce touches the tomato, then I can
not eat the lettuce. If the tomato touches the bread, I can not eat the top piece of bread
because it was touched by the tomato. (laughs).

R: Samantha, what has been the best advice you have ever gotten and by who?

S: The best advice that I have ever gotten was from my mom. This has to be taken in the
right state of mind, but she would always told me when I went in for a dance competition
she would tell me “once you walk into that room just remember that there will always
be someone who is better than you. “ It sounds not so great, but I understood what she
meant. It is just a way to humble yourself and to be prepared. You always have to be
prepare, but with that just because someone is better than you doesn’t mean that you
can’t do your best. All you can do is your best and give it your all. And because you are
confident in yourself and your ability and that is what makes you shine.

Danielle Lester: onset of “Only Way Out”

R: Danielle, what advice would you give teenage girls?

D: I went on this retreat with my school and one of the things that they said was “if you
want to find God look around don’t look up.” I took from that…. Because with God I
makes happiness and family. Just look around. See the good in other people. Look at
your friends. Find happiness in everything around you. High School is hard, and there
have been times when I come home and I really just want to cry in my bed because
people are mean. So just see the good in your friends and the people around you and
have fun. You only live once.

R: Samantha, are you on any social networking sites and do you have an office website?

S: Yes, I do. I have my IMDB page (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3014511/) I also
have http://www.samanthalester.com. I have a facebook page under Samantha Lester. I
also have a twitter account, which is http://twitter.com/#!/samibee611, and I have a blog
about falling you dreams and being an actress. It is on tumbler, so it is tumbler/portraits
of an actress.

R: What about you, Danielle?

D: I have www.daniellelester.com, which is my official website. I have a facebook and I
have an IMDB page http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3338467.

R: Danielle is there anything else you would like to add or say to you fans?

D: Keep on keeping on. Thank you for believing in me. I could not do it without any of
them. You guys rock.

R: What about you Samantha?

S: Thank you.

R: Samantha, Danielle, thank you for the interview. Have a great day.

Written by: Jill Sheets

It is summer time. The temperatures are rising outside, and it is so humid that you do not want to leave the air-conditioning and fans of your home. You and your friends are looking for something to do, and you have finished your stack of must read books for the summer. What about setting down and relaxing, and watching new released videos on DVD?

iCarly

Picture credit: www.amazon.com

“ICarly: I Saved Your Life.”

From the hit Nickelodeon series, “ICarly” comes their latest DVD, ““ICarly: I Saved Your Life,” which is in stores now.

“ICarly: I Saved Your Life.”is starring the cast that you have grown to love Miranda Cosgrove (Carly Shay), Jennette McCurdy (Sam Puckett), Nathan Kress (Freddie Benson) and Jerry Trainor (Spencer Shay).

This DVD also has three extra episodes and exclusive behind-the scenes special features.

Our Family Wedding

picture credit: www.amazon.com

“Our Family Wedding (PG-13)

Weddings can be stressful, especially when you have to worry about your father and your fiancé’s father getting a long. Lucia (America Ferrera) and Marcus (Lance Gross) learn this the hard way when they return from college and announced that they are getting married. This movie looks at prejudice this time with African-Americans and Mexican-Americans and along with the difference is social class (Rich vs. working class).

Will Lucia and Marcus ever get married or will their fathers’ ruin what is suppose to be the best day of their life.

The movie also stars Forest Whitaker, Carlos Mencia, Regina King and Diana-Maria Riva.

This movie is to be release on July 13, 2010.

Glee

Picture credit: www.amazon.com

“Glee: 1st Season – - Road to Sectionals”

Are you a Glee-o-holic, like many of us? If so, this is going to make you happen. The first season is supposed to be released in America on September 14, 2010 and in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2010.

This DVD will have the first thirteen episodes of the hit Fox show. There will also be a special audition piece from the pilot episode which has Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) and Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones). Also there is a casting special and a lot more surprises on this DVD.

If you have heard about “Glee,” but have not seen the series this would be a great time to check it out.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Picture credit: www.amazon.com

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (PG)

Zachary Gordon is about to enter middle school, and he is determined to become the “class favorite.” But, it is becoming harder to do because Rowley, Zachary’s best friend, keeps embarrassing him. On top of all that Zachary’s brother is not being any help. How is Zachary going to achieve his goal? Will Zachary and Rowley have a falling out because of the way Zachary is acting?

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is based off of the hit books from author Jeff Kinney.

This movie is staring Zachary Gordon as Greg, Robert Capron ad Rowley, Steve Zahn as Frank and Chloe Moretz as Angie. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” will be released to DVD August 3, 2010.

There are many great movies that are coming out in the theaters and on DVD. Check back and hear more about them, along with which ones that we like or don’t like.

Have fun this summer and stay safe and cool.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins, regular contributing writer

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/812863

They use music in movies to make you feel suspense, happiness, or sadness. You hear music in the elevator that hopefully keeps you calm. So why not use music to motivate you during your next workout? Need to pick up the pace? Find a good rock song. Need to smile through that pain? Turn up that silly song you love that makes you feel better no matter what. Just need to keep a steady pace? Just about any pop song will do.

Moveit4 is going to help you find some good tunes that encourage you to move by giving you a free song. Yes, I said free. All you have to do is visit www.Moveit4.org. You must be a teenager between 13-19, living in the US. Provide your email address and they’ll send you a link and code that will allow you to download a free MP3. It really is that easy. And it is a good selection of music. While it may not be as wide as itunes, many different genres are available.

And while you’re at it, browse around the site for some great workout ideas, fitness tips, and even get some advice from mentors such as David Beckham, Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, and Apolo Anton Ohno. You can also follow Moveit4 on facebook and twitter at www.facebook.com/MoveIt4 or twitter.com/MoveIt4. Music and fitness. They are a perfect combination.

At 19 years old, Brennan Hillard is a fresh face in Hollywood that is going to turn some heads. As one of the stars of the new Wayans Brothers’ comedy, Dance Flick, Hillard is finally living his dream. Since age six, he’s been taking voice lessons, performing in theaters and striving to make it big. The story of how it all happened is an interesting one, and RelateMag.com had the chance to talk to him about how the role came to fruition.

At his first audition for Dance Flick, Hillard admits, “I was scared out of my mind. I thought I was going to throw up I was so nervous.” During the auditions at Paramount Studios, he flew back and forth from Arizona and Los Angeles. For his second call back, his manager told him at the airport that he would have to perform the theme song from the movie Fame. “I know that everyone thinks I’m crazy that I’ve never heard of or seen the movie Fame,” explains Hillard, “but I’ve really never heard or seen it!”

Avoiding any major freak outs, Hillard quickly learned the song at his manager’s apartment (in thirty minutes) only to find that the producers had changed the words of it when he reached the studios. With the help of a loaned boom box and some improvisation, he gave it his best shot anyway and nailed the part. Three days later, he got a call and found out that he would be playing role of Jack in the film. Hillard admits, “I didn’t think that I was going to get it. I don’t think any actor thinks they are ever going to get the part. It’s surreal when it does happen to you.” He admits to screaming with his friends upon receiving the good news.

In the film, Hillard will play a spoof of Zac Efron. “I have no idea how he will react,” jokes Hillard. “I like his work and hope that he understands that it’s all in good fun and we didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. I admire him and admire his career so hopefully he enjoys it.” Starring along side the Wayans and other great acts like Shoshana Bush and Chelsea Makela, the film is bound to be a huge hit for anyone with a great sense of humor.

Based out of Burbank, and now paying his own rent, Hillard talked a bit about other things that he enjoys outside of work. In his spare time, he finds writing music therapeutic and is also a big sports guy. Not only has he played almost every sport (the exception is hockey), he’s a huge Yankees fan. Lunch is his favorite meal of the day, and this soon-to-be-heartthrob has been taking dance lessons (break-dance, hip-hop, contemporary and jazz) since age eight. Hillard in fact performs every scene in Dance Flick himself and is proud of it.

What advice does Hillard have for other young teens looking to succeed? He encourages others by saying, “If something doesn’t work out and you are really trying your hardest, maybe try something new…but if it’s what you really want to do, I’d say go for it!” He also warns against negativity in adding, “You won’t get anywhere if you are constantly being down and giving up. There have been times when I’ve wanted to give up, but I just didn’t. You just have to keep going and keep pushing. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Dance Flick will be released in theaters May 22, 2009 and fans can now follow Hillard on Twitter (key name: brennanhillard) and MySpace. RelateMag.com is sure that we’ll be seeing more of him in the years to come.

[Shot from the movie taken by Glen Wilson. Headshot of Brennan from brennanhillard.com]

While surfing the web lately… there is of course a ton of Twilight news/information/etc… Here is some of the coolest or most interesting things we’ve seen about the series lately.

Have you heard of the Twilight Guy, Kaleb Nation? This dude is totally hilarious. He started a blog a little over a year ago to document his ‘research’ into the girl-crazed Twilight phenomenon. OK, so he reads the books so slowly it’s like pulling teeth – but what else can he blog about if he finished the books in the matter of days like most of us did? Anyway, he became pracitically an instant celebrity when Stephenie Meyer heard about his site and blogged about it. He has autographed give-aways, etc.. It’s crazy. Check out his site, or follow him on Twitter.

There’s a ‘new’ Twilight book that is beginning to make serious waves across the world. Sure you’ve probably read a lot of fanfiction stories that takes the Twilight character we love and puts them in different scenes, rewrites parts of the books, adds scenes thought to be missing. But Lady Sybilla has written an entire book entitled Russet Moon and she’s going to publish it. The book is all about Jacob and what happens after Breaking Dawn. Some people think it is going to be great fan fiction. Others say it is totally wrong. To get the scoop on the book check the website.

Midnight Sun, Stephenie’s novel from Edward’s perspective was put on hold about a year ago after the first several chapters were leaked to the web before edits or completions were made. Stephenie was hesitant to move forward, but after encouragement from fans the book is her next major project. A timeline for publishing? No one knows. Want to read the first couple chapters? Stephenie posted them to her site for the world to read.

Well this should keep you busy with things to read for the next couple days or so. And if it doesn’t you can always check out the latest FanFiction. We’ll update with more Twilight news as we get it.

- Katie

While surfing the web lately… there is of course a ton of Twilight news/information/etc… Here is some of the coolest or most interesting things we’ve seen about the series lately.

Have you heard of the Twilight Guy, Kaleb Nation? This dude is totally hilarious. He started a blog a little over a year ago to document his ‘research’ into the girl-crazed Twilight phenomenon. OK, so he reads the books so slowly it’s like pulling teeth – but what else can he blog about if he finished the books in the matter of days like most of us did? Anyway, he became pracitically an instant celebrity when Stephenie Meyer heard about his site and blogged about it. He has autographed give-aways, etc.. It’s crazy. Check out his site, or follow him on Twitter.

There’s a ‘new’ Twilight book that is beginning to make serious waves across the world. Sure you’ve probably read a lot of fanfiction stories that takes the Twilight character we love and puts them in different scenes, rewrites parts of the books, adds scenes thought to be missing. But Lady Sybilla has written an entire book entitled Russet Moon and she’s going to publish it. The book is all about Jacob and what happens after Breaking Dawn. Some people think it is going to be great fan fiction. Others say it is totally wrong. To get the scoop on the book check the website.

Midnight Sun, Stephenie’s novel from Edward’s perspective was put on hold about a year ago after the first several chapters were leaked to the web before edits or completions were made. Stephenie was hesitant to move forward, but after encouragement from fans the book is her next major project. A timeline for publishing? No one knows. Want to read the first couple chapters? Stephenie posted them to her site for the world to read.

Well this should keep you busy with things to read for the next couple days or so. And if it doesn’t you can always check out the latest FanFiction. We’ll update with more Twilight news as we get it.

- Katie

Bedtime Stories, starring Adam Sandler and Keri Russell, is an adorable family movie, perfect to watch with your little brother or the kids you babysit.

Skeeter Bronson, Adam Sandler, is a hotel repairman, who one day hopes to run the facility he works at as the hotel manager. His dream is snatched away from him when the company president names another man the new manager. Simultaneously, Skeeter’s sister, Wendy, is looking for a new job and has to travel to Arizona for an interview. She asks Skeeter to watch her son and daughter while she’s away with the help of Jill, a cute single neighbor.

The first night Skeeter is watching his niece and nephew he tells them an adventurous but impossible bedtime story. The funny thing is the next day part of the story comes true. Skeeter tries to use this in his favor and tells a bedtime story the following night that will land him the management job at the hotel. But when things don’t work out exactly as he planned, he realizes something – he doesn’t control the story, his niece and nephew do. The parts they add to his story are the portions that come true.

His nephew adds the fighting parts and her niece brings the romance. With this in mind he goes about trying to create the perfect life for himself, only to discover that everything he has and needs is all around him.

99 minutes
Rated PG

The results are in… The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato’s flick Camp Rock got 56% of the votes. Hairspray was liked by 38% of you, while Spectacular received only 6% of the votes. All three of the movies have sequels on the way. (We think Spectacular would have gotten more of the votes if it was better known. If you haven’t seen it check out our review and go rent it this weekend!)

Here’s why some of you voted the way you did:

@DanielleluvsJb: I like Camp Rock because there is drama and The Jonas Brothers and Demi are in it!! It is a good movie!

@LCiranni5: if I had to pick, hairspray. Because it had such a new star (nikki) break out ad a very talnted actress! (oh ya & zac!)

@raisa_s: Hairspray, cause i think that the actors are more pro and it’s like, it’s the sixties!

@sillyyak11: hairspray. its a classie broadway musical thats been around for a while. no disney movie or nickelodean movie can compare!

@duruonver: I’m gonna say ‘Camp Rock’. Because Demi’s acting is really good. And CR’s songs are the BEST!!

@CourtneyNewton: Hairspray: it’s a classic and the storyline has a great moral and a point. Gotta love it.

@FcarolineM: i LUUUVVV Camp Rock b/c of the jonas brothers and demi, + it had a good msg. but hairspray is awesome to!

Previous polls:

Miley, Demi or Taylor?

Twilight or Harry Potter?

We’ve survived six months without a new Zac Efron flick, but now he’s got our attention and affection all over again. 17 Again opened in theaters across the country on Friday. Over the weekend it made more than $24 million, to make it the highest grossing movie of the week.

Haven’t seen it yet? It’s worth it! Zac Efron and the rest of the cast is hilarious in their roles. And the critics are saying this movie proves Efron has serious big-screen star potential – tell us something we didn’t already know! It’s a feel-good, funny movie that will have you laughing and falling in love with Efron all over again.

The basic story line is this: As an adult Mike’s life hasn’t turned out how he planned it. He’s separated from his wife, Scarlett, has two kids he’s oblivious to and he’s living with his nerdy best friend. Wishing things could change, that he could go back to high school, adult Mike get’s his wish. Suddenly, Matthew Perry (who plays the adult Mike) is Zac Efron (the 17-year-old Mike).

With the help of his adult best friend young Mike enrolls in high school and suddenly he’s thrust into an entirely unfamiliar subculture. As he takes it all in, Mike’s surprised to see his daughter (played by Michelle Trachtenberg) isn’t as innocent as she appears. Plus his son (played by Sterling Knight) is bullied by the jocks. In his new younger form Mike works to get close to his kids and their friends to help make up for the life lessons he was never around to give them as a father. he discovers too how much he loves his wife. Now it’s just a matter of getting back to his adult life…

Rating: PG-13
Time: 102 minutes