Seattle Publisher Rebuts False Coverage of American Values Awards

Seattle Publisher Rebuts False Coverage of American Values Awards

SEATTLE, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Reports about the American Values Awards for Movies and Television (TM) by global news and entertainment media contain factual errors, according to the founder of the Awards, Michael Class.

The common error is the designation of Class as "filmmaker." Class is founder of Magic Picture Frame Studio, a new Seattle-area book publisher dedicated to transforming the way children learn American history and the lessons from it. His company's first release is the museum-quality book, Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame, in which a modern boy time-travels into great events of the 20th century. Amazing digital photos depict Anthony, Class' son, in the cockpit of the Spirit of St. Louis with Charles Lindbergh, on the moon with Neil Armstrong, and on Normandy beach on D-Day. It's all historically accurate: Anthony's conversations with American heroes are based on things they really said.

Class uses movies as a teaching tool. His book includes a list of recommended books, movies, music, and places to visit. The American Values Awards are an extension of the nearly 600 movies listed in his book: "Movies every American should see," according to Class.

Other errors appearing in news reports are:

Statements that Class launched "moral values" prizes. He launched prizes for "American values" and defined the term on his Web site. Says Class: "I am celebrating films that portray values Americans hold dear, and for helping to pass those values to America's children."

Statements that Class is "unhappy" at the awards success of films such as gay romance Brokeback Mountain. Class emphasizes: "My reason for not recommending Brokeback Mountain is clear: the main character chooses to engage in an adulterous affair that destroys his marriage. It's a tragic tale, but can't make my list because there is no positive behavior to emulate."

"My choices for best films are those that educate, and inspire," Class says. "Most Americans agree with me. The combined revenue of all five 'Best Picture' Oscar nominees falls short of a single film on my list, Chronicles of Narnia, which was not nominated."

The American Values Award winners for 2005: End of the Spear, Cinderella Man, The Chronicles of Narnia, Star Wars: Episode III, Harry Potter GOF, The Great Raid, and Millions. Details at: www.magicpictureframe.com.

Source: Magic Picture Frame Studio

CONTACT: Michael Class of Magic Picture Frame Studio, +1-425-222-7562,
or class@MagicPictureFrame.com; or Maryann Karinch, +1-970-577-8500, or
maryann@karinch.com, for Magic Picture Frame Studio

Web site: http://www.magicpictureframe.com/

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