This study guide for this new documentary series is from Frank Baker, a media literacy expert (http://www.frankwbaker.com/). He posted it on the media ed listserv this morning.   It can be downloaded here:http://www.frankwbaker.com/war_media_literacy.htmLooking At “The War” Through a Media Literacy Lensby Frank Baker, media educator Copyright 2007 Tags: media literacy lens; the War; documentary film; media literacy … [Read more...]

TRADE, starring Kevin Kline as a man searching for someone that he assumes has disappeared into Mexico, opens on September 28. It is a story about the tragedy of human trafficking. Please read my review at http://americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2007/Eye_On_Entertainment.asp   This is not an easy film to watch, however the only way to stop trafficking in human persons is to understand better what is going on invisibly around us. If you check the film's website you can see a list … [Read more...]

The hush of monastic life comes to DVD with "INTO GREAT SILENCE" In the acclaimed documentary INTO GREAT SILENCE, German filmmaker Philip Gröning closely, quietly observes the daily prayers, rituals and tasks of the Grande Chartreuse monastery to mesmerizing effect. This stunning cinematic meditation on spirituality and faith has become one of 2007's highest grossing documentaries. Now - INTO GREAT SILENCE comes to DVD in an expansive Two-Disc Director's Special Edition on October 23, 2007. … [Read more...]

For anyone in Southern California (or anywhere else but it would require a lot of travel!), the Pauline Center for Media Studies is beginning on September 22. If you have been thinking about registering, do so now! Please visit www.paulinecenterformediastudies.org for the complete syllabus and registration form. The class meets once a month from September - June.   The first group that completed the media literacy education certification course last June, 2007.   Tags: media literacy … [Read more...]

Richard Shepherd's The Hunting Party with Richard Gere, Terrence Howard and Jesse Eisenberg is an excellent film if you like political irony sprinkled with cynicism. I thought the acting was surprisingly good, especially from Gere and Eisenberg (Terrence Howard played his role just a tad too laid back but he was fine.) The quasi-buddy movie is a commentary on US involvement in black ops, nation building, and global manipulation. It's a tragicomedy based on facts - and wait until you see those, … [Read more...]

  I saw James Mangold's 3:10 to Yuma and I think it is brilliant. It's being said it's the best western since Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven (have there been others?). I think it will be a well-deserved award contender for the writing, directing, and oh, the acting. Everyone's talking about Russell Crowe as Ben Wade the thief and robber, and Christian Bale as Dan Evans, the rancher-turned prisoner guard, but Ben Foster as Charlie, Wade's amoral second-in-command of the band of thieves and … [Read more...]

Hi everyone, I am so far behind with my poor blog! I will try to make up for this in the next few days. A new book is coming out in late October (you can pre-order on www.amazon.com), edited by Rob Johnston of Fuller Seminary, that seeks to take this emerging discipline (that began in earnest about ten years ago) a step further. I have a chapter included in the book:  Shaping Morals, Shifting Views: Have the Rating Systems Influenced How (Christian)  America Sees Movies? Speaking of … [Read more...]