ROGER EBERT ON “STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS” It begins: Has it come to this? Has the magical impact of George Lucas‘ original vision of “Star Wars” been reduced to the level of Saturday morning animation?’ And later: This is the first feature-length animated “Star Wars” movie, but instead of pushing the state of the art, it’s retro. You’d think the great animated films of recent years had never been made. The characters have hair that looks molded from Play-Doh,... Read more
The future just got brighter. (more…) Read more
In September, I’m rearranging my weekly schedule to find a better balance. Friends have begun to point out that I’m wearing myself out. If I keep up this pace of office work, review writing, and book writing, I’m headed for serious trouble with my health and my spirit. I need more rest, more exercise, more time at home, more time with Anne. And I need some space to breathe, read, and soak up some inspiration. I also want to devote... Read more
Many thanks to the writers who entered the most recent Looking Closer review contest! I’m especially grateful for your patience, as I had to postpone my decision due to a pile-up of competing deadlines, interruptions, and responsibilities. (more…) Read more
MSNBC reports that Bernie Mac passed away due to complications brought on by pneumonia. He was 50. I’ll miss Bernie. He was one of a kind, a distinct, huge personality whose gravity was irresistible. His sitcom was creative and sometimes even joyful… a rare guilt-free treat. He had a rare knack for monologues. And he got laughs without relying on crass punchlines or obscenities. Long may the reruns play on. Read more
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Last week, as I was walking past a newspaper vendor, I stopped in my tracks. The headline was a stunner: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn had passed away. (more…) Read more
I’ve just returned from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Anne and I enjoyed The Glen Workshop for the fourth year in a row. What an extraordinary gathering. More and more, my year is divided into two halves: Anticipating The Glen, and Absorbing All I Experienced At The Glen. This year… what a rush: Memorable and inspiring encounters with Bret Lott, Barry Moser, Over the Rhine, Daniel Tobin, and so many more. It was quite a privilege to join Linford Detweiler... Read more
I’m sitting at The Tea House on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, working on Cal-raven’s Ladder. It’s the week of the Glen Workshop, my favorite week of the year. I’m surrounded by writers and artists and musicians I admire. Tonight I’m introducing novelist Bret Lott for the keynote address, so I need to compose something for the occasion. I don’t want to go into details here, but God carried Anne and I through a rather frightful experience this weekend. So... Read more
This review and interview were originally published in the online edition of Response, a magazine published by Seattle Pacific University. – Who would have believed that a mechanical trash compactor on wheels would become the most lovable big-screen personality of the year? It’s happening. The moviemaking wizards at Pixar Animation Studio are winning raves from kids and critics alike with WALL·E, thanks to the help of a little robot with a big heart. Yes, it’s business as usual for the storytellers and animators who have... Read more
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