Product Details

• Actors: Mark Sayers, Ben Catford
• Format: HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Thomas Nelson
• DVD Release Date: April 15, 2008
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 1418533386
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,965 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

This DVD-based series helps people examine three different levels of reality: hyperreality-that which the media tells us we should seek; reality-the world we really live in; and God's reality-what we should ultimately be seeking. The Trouble with Paris emerged out of a series of talks that Mark Sayers had developed, originally titled "How Paris Hilton Made Me a Better Christian." This series of talks was responsible for hundreds of young adults rediscovering faith in profound ways.

The product features one DVD in a standard amaray case. The DVD includes four 20-minute video episodes full of unique animation, fast-paced teaching, and relevant subject matter. Questions are interspersed throughout the video to facilitate discussion, and the participant's guide (sold separately) serves as a companion to the DVD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Anyone Influenced by Consumerism (That's Every American), April 29, 2009

By 

Samantha Krieger "Writer/Content Editor" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Trouble with Paris DVD Study (DVD)

We often live in light of the statement, "I will be happy when..." Being immersed in Western culture, we can't deny the heavy influence of consumerism on our lives. In The Trouble with Paris DVD study, Mark Sayers communicates relevant truth to teens, young adults, and adults across the board in way I've never seen before.

Filled with trendy and engaging motion graphics and video, Mark hits on three main points when it comes to reality: Hyper reality, Reality, and God's Reality. Most of us live in hyper reality or have been influenced by it in some way. This is the life we dream of where it's all about "me". There's no work--only pleasure, fun, vacation... and no pain. This is a world the media has created (in ads, shows, movies) and because it invades so much of our lives, we often don't want what's real anymore. We'd rather buy that product that will add meaning to our lives. But the fact remains that it's still a plastic promise.

The truth is that reality is far from hyper reality. Life just isn't neatly wrapped up like it is at the end of a show or movie. Conflict often lingers way after the credits roll and injustice, war, poverty, and death still exist whether we deny it or not. Awkward silence still pervades, forcing us to face the emptiness and loneliness we sense in our hearts.

God's reality, however, is better. He has given us glimpses of heaven on this side of earth: genuine friendships, a wonderful vacation experience, marriage, laughter, the beauty in nature and much more. We must then place meaning under His reality. So to do that we need to have a biblical view of God's reality and how we fit into His story.

Mark Sayers portrays God's reality with creative cartoon illustrations in how God came to redeem all of creation. I've never seen the biblical account quite like this before! (you'll just have to see it)
You'll do your youth, young adult, and even adult ministry a disfavor by not showing the truths in this DVD and then teaching from it. I am recommending this product to people who have been shaped by consumerism and the media (and that's every American!)