After all the hoopla generated during Hollywood’s awards season, I feel the need to regain some perspective, to rally around something other than a golden idol. Seth McFarlane’s ‘humor’ made me eager for a post-Oscar detox. For a class experiment at Pepperdine University, I have our communication and media majors unplug for a day. No electronic devices allowed. They are fine with giving up email or laptops, maybe even the car stereo, but the thought of separating from their mobile... Read more
Here it is–first glimpse of the cover (not finalized) for my next book. What do you think? Does it draw you in? Intrigue you? I definitely value your feedback and comments. Thanks to the book, I’ve fallen silent on this site recently. It is tough to generate blog posts when you’re already pouring so many words into a new project. So I’ve taken the long view–investing in my upcoming book for Brazos Press rather than the shifts of Oscar season.... Read more
1. Zero Dark Thirty—A brilliant distillation of the costs, compromises, resolve, and results of a manhunt. Screenwriter Mark Boal grafts news reports we heard and ignored alongside intelligence gathering techniques we’d rather not acknowledge into the best part for any actress this year. Heroism has many faces, but none more meticulous than the lead investigator, Maya. Jessica Chastain evolves from innocence to insistence, navigating two intransigent systems. The Oscars may have snubbed director Kathryn Bigelow, but this timely and timeless... Read more
With the Oscars just announced, many were shocked to see Benh Zeitlin, young director of Beasts of the Southern Wild get nominated over Ben Affleck, director of Argo. The Academy can be mercurial. The sheer joy pouring from Zeitlin’s take on a Bayou Bathtub somehow exceeded the respect for a Hollywood insider’s homage to the power of movie magic to befuddle Iranian authorities. I enjoyed the craft of Argo more than Beasts, but kudos to Zeitlin for his burst of... Read more
Adapting a beloved novel to the big screen is a dicey undertaking. Bringing a rapturously remembered musical to the movies is even more risky. Following up an Oscar winning film is also fraught with danger. And yet, Tom Hooper expands his remarkably assured direction of The King’s Speech in the epic, poetic, and nearly overwrought Les Miserables. Opening on Christmas Day, Les Miserables embodies the Easter narrative—sacrifice, death and resurrection. It is about the eternal tension between upholding the law... Read more
So much of pop music is meant to be disposable. Dance now, forget later. But the finest songwriters connect our current context to the larger questions that cut across eras. The best music is timely and timeless. 2012 was the year of the musical comeback. From Bruce Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball” to Sinead O’Connor’s “How About I Be Me (and You Be You),” the best of the 80s and 90s came roaring back. If anything, the righteous anger that flows from... Read more
Having purchased several thousand albums, cassettes, and compact discs in my lifetime, my switch to digital downloads has taken AWHILE. I still prefer a physical rendition of the music (probably because I expect Apple iTunes to change their user terms someday; I don’t want to repurchase MP3s.) But I can’t argue with the convenience that comes with digital. It is so fast, so easy, so simple to download. And it is amazing how many songs can be crammed onto... Read more
As we head into the thick of winter, the comforts of home are more appealing than ever. A favorite sweater, comfortable couch, and a hot cup of coffee comprise some of the most profound and simple pleasures in life. So it is understandable why Bilbo Baggins might slam the door on a wizard offering an adventure. If thirteen rowdy dwarves barged into your kitchen pantry, you’d probably be as miffed as our hobbit. Director Peter Jackson takes his time, immersing... Read more
You may have missed The Odd Life of Timothy Green. It slipped into theaters at the end of the summer just as we were heading back to school. It is a lovely autumn movie, filled with golden leaves and burnished tones. The Odd Life of Timothy Green arrives on DVD as that rare film that works for parents and kids, giving all of us a deeper appreciation of the gift and challenge of family. It is also a compelling portrait... Read more
It was tough to read James K. Wellman’s astute assessment of Rob Bell and a New American Christianity. His research is thorough, rigorous and insightful. The writing is smart and on point. It offers a great window into Bell’s conservative upbringing and his first forays into punk rock. It chronicles the remarkable rise of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I learned about the origins of Rob Bell’s Nooma videos. But more importantly, I learned why the successful series... Read more
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