All in one issue. Gregory Wolfe on Tarkovsky’s Stalker Franz Wright Makoto Fujimura Tim Rollins Robert Cording Ron Hansen Stanley Hauerwas Christian Wiman Ted & Cathy Prescott Scott Cairns Harold Fickett and… Sam Phillips (interviewed by yours truly) You’ll get this 20th Anniversary Issue of Image free when you subscribe: here. Read more
The LA Times on Orson Scott Card’s Ender series … and the ongoing saga of an Ender movie that never gets made. (Have I ever told you I have a nephew named Ender… named for Card’s character?) Again, thanks to Chattaway. – Cinematical muses over the upcoming year’s crop of family-friendly films. – Stephen Lamb on why Jesus doesn’t live in his heart. (Or something like that.) Read more
Pop quiz: Which popular 2008 release features this exchange? “Come away with me.” “And live on what?” “Love.” Is it: A) Slumdog Millionaire B) Twilight C) Frost/Nixon D) Waltz with Bashir The answer? (more…) Read more
Mike Duran posts an intriguing question about the (allegedly) inspirational conclusion of Slumdog Millionaire. Here’s the big money line: … in order to interject hope into Jamel’s miserable existence the basic concepts of Hinduism had to be jettisoned in favor of a more Westernized, Judeo-Christian paradigm. I’m working on a post that will offer an explanation as to why I don’t like Slumdog. (I’m apparently one of the few critics doesn’t.) I’ll share it with you later this week, assuming... Read more
This was how the new year began for me during my week-long stay at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island. And 2009 is looking good so far. I’m enjoying my new website. I’m enjoying the hard, all-consuming work of writing Cal-raven’s Ladder. I’m looking forward to catching up on so many celebrated films of 2008, and seeing what 2009 has to offer. I’m looking forward to new music by U2, Buddy and Julie Miller, The Decemberists, and many more of my... Read more
I can’t let Saturday, January 3rd, come to a close without shouting, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, J.R.R. TOLKIEN!! He’s 116 today. I think I’ll read some more of The Children of Hurin tonight. Which (pulling foot from mouth) is actually pretty good. What, in your opinion, is the moment in The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings that deserves more attention or appreciation than it gets? Put a spotlight on it for us. Me? I love this, from Chapter 3 of... Read more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWiXy55OHyY When you look back at 2008, what are four or five things you’ll always remember? They can be personal or headline news. They can be events in your family, or events in your work, or things you read or heard… Give me a list: What were your unforgettable experiences in 2008? Me, let’s see, for starters (and in no particular order): (more…) Read more
Image has posted my whole list of favorite films from 2008. I’ll soon post an expanded commentary here. And by the way, the 20th anniversary issue of Image journal is now available! Inside: My in-depth conversation with Sam Phillips about the writers who have influenced her life and her songwriting. Read more
Come join the fun, the inspiration, the awe… Anne and I will be visiting the Glen Workshop for the fifth summer in a row. It’s our favorite week of the year. We call it a “sneak preview of heaven.” And just look at the list of intriguing special guests who will be teaching workshops… (more…) Read more
This review was previously published as an installment of Jeffrey Overstreet’s “Through a Screen Darkly” column at Christianity Today. – A certain hunger sets in after film critics have spent the summer chasing down all of the big-budget action movies and sophomoric comedies. This summer was no exception. We thrilled to the latest special effects (Iron Man), laughed at flashes of inspired audacity (Tropic Thunder), and threw out the trash (Space Chimps, Fly Me to the Moon, The House Bunny).... Read more
Looking Closer
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