Hey everyone, Chris here. I’m currently on vacation with my family. But awhile back, I was introduced to a new film writer whose insights I’m greatly enjoying. His name is John Irwin and he blogs about film at beezfilms.blogspot.com. Looking at his list of favorite films, I found that we shared a few in common, and I asked him if he’d like to write about one of our shared favorites, one I’ve wanted to write about for awhile but just haven’t... Read more
As a film lover and a parent, I get frustrated easily. My 4-year-old son is growing up in the age of Netflix, and it’s all too easy for him to be bombarded by whatever kiddie junk is available for streaming. I’m glad my son’s turning into a superhero geek and a Star Wars nut, but I’m also dismayed by how much he loves “The Penguins of Madagascar” and (shudder) “Minions.” Granted, he’s 4, so of course he likes these things.... Read more
“Ghostbusters” is what happens when originality clashes with lucrative intellectual property. Truthfully, Paul Feig’s remake of Ivan Reitman’s beloved 1984 comedy is about as good as you could hope for. In its best moments, the cast makes you forget about the original and accept this new version as its own funny, weird thing. But those moments are too often undercut by awkward references to the first film, as if it’s haunted by the specter of Peter Venkman. Feig veers from... Read more
Dear parents: It’s inevitable — you’re going to see “The Secret Life of Pets.” Your kids, who have likely already flipped for “Zootopia” and “Finding Dory,” will eat up this comedy about what dogs and cats do when their masters are away.They are going to love the cartoon antics, slapstick shenanigans and anthropomorphic tomfoolery. Sure, they may have just seen a giant octopus drive a truck in “Finding Dory,” but that won’t stop them from cackling with delight when a homicidal bunny causes... Read more
When I was in my twenties, my friends referred to the movies as my second church. I could be found there probably as often as I could be found at my regular house of worship, and I probably extolled some films with the same fervor I used when talking about doctrine. When I was asked to participate in the Patheos symposium on nontraditional worship, I was surprised that churches that meet in movie theaters were considered “nontraditional.” It’s been pretty... Read more
Every month, I sit and plan out the blog posts I hope to write over the next 30 days. Some of these are fairly easy; as a film critic, I know when new releases are and can plan toward those. Other times, I have pieces I’ve committed to writing for Patheos. But mostly, I plan out 2-3 pieces a week that I want to tackle about something I’m reading, catching up with or thinking about. Of course, it never works... Read more
So, there’s not a review here for this week’s big release, “Independence Day: Resurgence.” In an odd move for a summer blockbuster, Fox declined to screen the film for critics (although they did apparently invite some to see it opening day). Usually, a lack of pre-release screenings indicates a bomb, but oddly enough the reviews from those who have seen it have been more lukewarm than hostile. Like I said, an odd move. I’m sure I’ll eventually get around to seeing... Read more
We’re quickly approaching the midpoint of the year, and it’s been an interesting one. If you look at the box office reports, it’s been a blase year, unless you’re Disney. But in terms of quality, it’s not been bad. Usually, I reach the midpoint of the year and wonder if I’m going to be able to have enough to fill a top ten list in six months. This year, I already have at least five films that I know will... Read more
As Finding Dory just kept swimming into theaters this weekend, it provided another opportunity to look back on the output of Pixar, which has released an astonishing number of beloved films in just 21 years. I was tempted to rank all of Pixar’s movies, but at a certain point you’re just debating degrees of perfection (however, I do have a list). But what really sets Pixar apart from its competitors is the skilled way it deals with emotion. I may... Read more
Five years after its release, “Cars 2” still instills dread in Pixar lovers. Never mind that the studio’s other weakest films (“The Good Dinosaur” and “Brave”) are both original works, and that the “Toy Story” followups have been lauded as some of the best sequels ever. What most people think of when they hear about returning to a beloved Pixar world is Mater the Tow Truck zipping through Japan and making pee-pee jokes. It’s why the idea of a “Finding... Read more
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