Christ and Pop Culture
Every week, our writers will be sharing some of their favorite finds from around the internet. Check back every week for great articles, insane news items, and interesting diversions.
Rich:
Wired’s Review of Bulletstorm comes pretty close to nailing it. – It’s a fun game with potential squandered by a bad sense of humor.
One of the best articles I’ve read about violence and videogames: On Violence, Remembered and Forgotten.
This 6-Part Paste dialogue is well worth reading, especially if the title grabs you: On Videogame Criticism
Shameless Plugs: I had two articles published this week at those two aforementioned outlets. First, a Paste review of the excellent iOS game about solitary sadness, Strange Rain. Second, a Kill Screen review of not-quite-as-excellent iOS game, Doodle God in which I explore the concept of being a god without all of the omnipotence.
Can Glee Be Saved? It’s really just an article about how it falls short. Obviously, Glee will be fine.
Check out this flash game about being poor, called Spent. Then read the second half of this write-up by Jorge Albor.
This has got to be a horrible idea.
Drew:
There is nothing particularly ground-breaking about Radiohead’s new album – but that is not a bad thing right? Additionally, this review aptly points out how Radiohead has become that band that everyone is willing to “give a serious listen to.” Are you willing to be thrown for a loop every time Radiohead puts out an album?
I enjoyed this late-coming Top 10 Albums list from Ezra Dulis, not only did he pick some great albums but some I hadn’t heard that I immediately connected with such as ceo and Blackbird Blackbird.
William Saletan last week posted Part 2 of an indepth look at the abortion industry and how pro-choice politics have actually protected bad clinics such as that of Kermit Gosnell. Although I disagree with some of his conclusions, he points out tremendous weaknesses in arguments being made by both sides.
The Christian Divorce Rate Myth – studies that claim divorce rates among Christians are the same as non-Christians fail to adequately take religious practice into account. Those who regularly attend and serve in a local church are less likely to get divorced and more likely express satisfaction in their marriage.
The Problem with Happiness – A look at the elusive nature of happiness in modern film, “An alien species judging the human race entirely from our film archives might think we were a completely miserable species.”
Jason:
Netflix recently announced a deal with CBS that will bring a number of shows from CBS’ archives to Netflix’s streaming service, including Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, Medium, and cult favorite Twin Peaks.
On a related note, the Criterion Collection — the world’s best publisher of arthouse DVDs and Blu-rays — has announced that all of their titles will be added to Hulu Plus. On the downside, all Criterion titles will be removed from Netflix’s streaming service.
Wired recently posted a list of the most intriguing movies coming out in 2011, including Rubber (about a sentient tire with psychokinetic powers on a killing spree), The Adjustment Bureau (based on a Philip K. Dick short story), Battle: Los Angeles, Source Code, and Cowboys & Aliens. However, if you’re looking for something a little less mainstream and a little artsier, the trailer for Anh Hung Tran’s adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood was recently posted.
Brett McCracken ponders the alien logic of Lady Gaga.
Katrina R. Fernandez contends that one of the Church’s principle roles is to feed people with beauty.
We finally have visual evidence that movies are getting worse.
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