CRITICAL MESS or ‘THERE’S NO AGENDA LIKE SHOW AGENDA’ Here is a great compilation of the critical raves and rages for Fahrenheit 9/11 and The Passion of the Christ. Not that any of us are in doubt about the lock-step cinematic correctness that one finds in the mainstream media. It just made me feel all warm and fuzzy to be so damn right again. Thanks to Dom Bettenelli for linking to this, and to Jeff at Beautfiul Attrocitesfor putting it... Read more

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL… Passing on a message someone forwarded me… BIG EVENT IN ANDALUSIA Andalusia, home of the celebrated author Flannery O’Connor in Milledgeville, Georgia, will be the site for Remembering Flannery: a special commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the death of Flannery O’Connor. The Flannery O’Connor – Andalusia Foundation will host the program, which will begin with opening comments and acknowledgements from O’Connor scholar Sarah Gordon at the exact time of the writer’s death, quarter past... Read more

“WHAT IS THE USE OF A SIGN WHICH IS ITSELF ONLY ANOTHER RIDDLE?” I have been driven back to C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces lately. This is a book that I only understand in its parts, but its whole is too much for me. It sets me yearning for I know not what. I think this is what Emily was referring to when she said, “If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no... Read more

“ONWARD DAUGHTER OF GOD!” (God to Joan of Arc) Congrats again to Barbara Hall for winning the 2004 Humanitas Prize for hour-long episodic television yesterday. Barb won for the pilot episode of Joan of Arcadia. She was competing as a finalist against John Wells for an episode of ER, and Joy Gregory, one of the other writers on Joan. I haven’t seen Barbara for nearly a year, so it was nice to have a few moments to chat with her... Read more

SHAKING OUT THE COBWEBS [Note to comic book lovers: Sharpen your swords.] I’m running too much these days for erudite blogging. But I did see the new Spidey movie, and my Sicilian nature just can’t resist the opportunity for some life-affirming snarkiness. Here’s what I think about Spiderman II. I will grant that it may be considered the top comic book movie ever (althought I really enjoyed Superman with Christopher Reeve), but ultimately, that is like saying that the Whopper... Read more

DEJA SCHOOL We started Act One-Hollywood today. Thirty more writers from 10 states and even Australia. So far, they seem like a good group. We’ll all do our part and then it will be up to them. As this is the fifth anniversary year of Act One, I gave the keynote address for the program’s Opening Luncheon. Here are a few notes from my talk. (Sorry they are a bit sketchy. It’s all I’ve got.) ……… (Started with the Scripture... Read more

EMILY MONDAY 1548 Meeting by Accident, We hovered by design — As often as a Century An error so divine Is ratified by Destiny, But Destiny is old And economical of Bliss As Midas is of Gold — Read more

WASTIN’ AWAY… …by a pool in Las Vegas for the next three days. Is there a better way for a former nun to celebrate Independence Day? Happy Fourth every one! God bless America – Read more

RECONSIDERING PAC MAN Here is an article I wrote a couple of years ago basically taking the position that video game playing is an irredeemable addiction. I got a thoughtful dissenting message the other day from blog reader, Rob, who wanted to offer a different take. I reprint his message here for two reasons: A) to help get at the truth about this new technology, and, B) as an example of what respectful discursive looks like. “…I just came across... Read more

MORE ON THE NEW RENAISSANCE Here is an article my friend Jen Waters wrote for The Washington Times. I am also cureently enrolled in one of the new Brehm Center programs. Art, Christianity reunited, page A2, 7/1/04 By Jen Waters THE WASHINGTON TIMES Craig Detweiler is hoping for a modern-day renaissance of the arts. He dreams of the day when members of the Christian church will again be the primary patrons of respected artistic endeavors, as in the era of... Read more