This photo of my cat, Mardukas, is featured as the "Pet Photo of the Week" in Seattle Pacific University's faculty/staff newsletter this week. And the fact of the matter is, quite simply, that he is the most handsome cat on the planet. He looks like a black cat, but he isn't — he has white fur that is tipped with black. I named him after Jonathan Mardukas, a white-collar criminal played by Charles Grodin in the film Midnight Run. … [Read more...]
Cuaron on “Children of Men” and Christian Themes
January 9, 2007 By 4 Comments
Thanks to Steven Greydanus for catching this revealing admission from Alfonso Cuarón regarding Children of Men: Filmmaker: Was there a script already written when you came on? Cuarón: There was a script and I read the beginning of it and didn’t like it. I wasn’t interested in making a science fiction film and secondly I wasn’t interested in the environment that the book takes place, all this upper class drama. For me it was more important to explore the thematics that are shaping our … [Read more...]
2046 (2004)
January 8, 2007 By 2 Comments
2oo7 Update: My review of 2046 is much too long... I know, I know. But reading through it again I was caught up in Wong Kar-Wai's work as if for the first time. So I remember why I was so effusive and enthusiastic about it. I may just re-watch a few scenes of it tonight. If you haven't discovered In the Mood for Love, or this, its glorious sequel, you're in for an intoxicating treat. … [Read more...]
The OFCS Awards – 2006
January 8, 2007 By 1 Comment
The Online Film Critics Society... otherwise known as the Rotten Tomatoes gang... have just posted their film awards for 2006. Since I'm a voting member, I'm happy to share them here: … [Read more...]
My 2007 Film Viewing Journal
January 7, 2007 By 6 Comments
There is a link to this post on the side-bar of the Looking Closer blog. This is the post where I'll catalog every film I see in 2007. (Click here for the 2006 Viewing Journal, and here for the 2005 journal.)* = indicates first-time viewing. 2007 … [Read more...]
Sara Zarr Interviewed at School Library Journal
January 6, 2007 By 2 Comments
You meet the most interesting people at the Glen Workshop (which, by the way, is open for registration again). Sara Zarr had just scored a book contract when I first met her, and now the book is here -- Story of a Girl. And Sara's just been interviewed about it for School Library Journal. If you know a young adult who needs a good read, check out Sara Zarr! … [Read more...]
“Shut Up and Sing”: Opus Cheers for the Chicks.
January 6, 2007 By 4 Comments
Yet another friend of mine, Jason Morehead, is raving about Shut Up and Sing! I think it would be too easy to simply focus on the “free speech” angle of the film, though that is certainly an important one, especially in this day and age of a presidency that has seen fit to take elaborate measures to censure free speech. The film should ultimately be celebrated as a testament to such American values as love, friendship, family, and loyalty as much as a testament to free speech. Both highly … [Read more...]
“Window in the Skies”: The Video
January 6, 2007 By 9 Comments
U2's video for "Window in the Skies" is here, and it's a whole lot of fun. … [Read more...]
The Most Meaningful Movie Moments You’ve Ever Seen
January 5, 2007 By Leave a Comment
Something very special is happening right now over at the Looking Closer Journal blog. I'm enjoying the many comments of readers who are sharing their favorite movie moments of all time. I'd love to know which moments stand out for you. … [Read more...]
That Movie Moment… the One Moment You Love Most… What Is It?
January 4, 2007 By 35 Comments
Yesterday, I read the Hollywood Reporter special roundtable conversation with directors David Lynch, Emilio Estevez, Nancy Meyers, Guillermo del Toro, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. I love the idea of David Lynch participating in a round-table discussion of ANYTHING, because he's always inhabiting a very different reality from the rest of us. Today, Jeffrey Wells has noted the same conversation in his blog. And in doing so, it occurred to me... why not blog about it, and pass along one of … [Read more...]
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