In the Spotlight: Left Behind (Movie)

Are we living in the end times? Although this question is hardly new, television and the movies have recently taken up the theme of the rapture. One of the most exciting entries in this genre is Left Behind, a faithful adaptation of the best-selling book written by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. The movie is scheduled to open in theaters on October 3.

In case you aren't familiar with the premise, here is the studio's summary:

Left Behind follows Rayford Steele (Nicolas Cage) who is piloting a commercial airliner just hours after the Rapture when millions of people around the globe simply vanish. Thirty thousand feet over the Atlantic, Rayford is faced with a damaged plane, terrified passengers, and a desperate desire to get back to his family. On the ground, his daughter, Chloe Steele (Cassi Thomson) is among those left behind, forced to navigate a world of madness as she searches for her lost mother and brother. Shot mostly in and around Baton Rouge, LA., Left Behind was produced by Paul Lalonde and Michael Walker and co-written by Paul Lalonde and John Patus.

Whether you believe in the biblical prediction or not, the idea of the rapture is fascinating. What would the world be like if a large percentage of the population suddenly disappeared, leaving behind only their clothes and belongings? It's difficult to imagine the fear, chaos, and hysteria of the initial hours.

The movie, directed by Vic Armstrong, promises to be as action packed as it is thought provoking. Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage takes the lead as a commercial pilot, who is in the air when the rapture occurs. Not only must he prevent the plane from crashing but he must also keep the remaining passengers and crew calm, all the while worrying about the fate of his family.

The action, however, is not limited to the confines of the plane. We witness the devastation on the ground and the panic of the people through the eyes of Cassi Thomson, who plays the pilot's daughter.

After seeing an advanced screening of the film, the novel's co-authors expressed their satisfaction with the adaptation of their work. All book to movie fans love to hear that the authors are happy, and according to an article at CP Entertainment, all is well on that front. In fact, the publicists and IMDb both quote LaHaye as saying that Left Behind "is the best movie I have ever seen on the rapture." Jenkins noted that it "does justice to the novel."

Besides Cage, the movie stars Lea Thompson, Cassi Thomson, Michael Murray, and Nicky Whelan. The official trailer gives you a sense of the heart-pounding drama and the basic story line.

To learn more about the movie, cast, and crew, visit the Left Behind website, where you can see behind-the-scenes photos and extra videos. Join the conversation and keep up on the movie news by liking the Left Behind Facebook page and following its Twitter feed (use hashtag #LeftBehindMovie). Finally, check out the movie's YouTube channel.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by ThinkJam, but all thoughts are completely my own.