Looking Closer’s Film Forum: Grindhouse

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 4:00 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Grindhouse Before we join the rush of religious-press reviewers who are condemning Grindhouse outright, let’s understand what it is first. Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez have a particular nostalgia for films like those they watched growing up. Many of those films were cheap, exploitative, spectacularly bad, and filled with gratuitous violence, graphic nudity, and characters who flaunted their way with profanity. They were populated with strippers, zombies, monsters, and muscular heroes who won the day with heavy artillery. They were,... Read more

Looking Closer’s Film Forum: The Hoax

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 3:59 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

The Hoax Todd Hertz (CT Movies) calls The Hoax “a mix of Catch Me If You Can, Shattered Glass, and A Beautiful Mind. But unlike the characters from those better films, there’s nothing redeeming about [the central character]. I enjoy ‘spiral into madness’ movies, but this one can feel unsettling and smarmy because it’s not a good man spiraling out of control until he realizes what he’s done. Instead, you’re merely watching a bad man get worse — with no... Read more

Film Forum: The Reaping

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 4:01 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

The Reaping “Oh, it’s very biblically based,” said the promoter who called me to encourage me to see The Reaping. I’m still trying to figure out what that meant. For all of its God-talk, The Reaping is just the kind of “faith-based film” we don’t need. What hath The Passion of The Christ wrought? With only a few notable exceptions, it hath wrought a plague of exploitative, superficial, theologically confused, audience-abusing movies like Constantine and this big-budget howler. (more…) Read more

Tonight: Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park) at 6:30 pm

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 4:02 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Tonight at 6:30pm, at the Third Place Books store in Lake Forest Park, I’ll be talking about my favorite films, my favorite director/actor interviews, and my favorite “film-critic hate mail.” Oh, and yes, and my book about a life of dangerous moviegoing… Through a Screen Darkly. Third Place Books Lake Forest Park Towne Centre 17171 Bothell Way NE Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 Tel: 206-366-3333 Read more

Rod Dreher on “The Reeking”… I mean, “The Reaping”

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 4:03 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Thanks to Peter Chattaway pointing out “Crunchy Con” Rod Dreher’s comments on The Reaping, which was filmed in his hometown. Apparently, it’s not just the movie that’s ridiculous. Even the claims made by Hilary Swank about the history of the area in which was filmed are false! (more…) Read more

Armchair Interviews on “Through a Screen Darkly”

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 4:09 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Armchair Interviews has discovered Through a Screen Darkly. Just a reminder to those of you who have read it: You can do me a huge favor by writing what you thought of it… as an Amazon review! Read more

New Feedback at CT Movies

Last updated on: February 12, 2013 at 4:05 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

There are a couple of new letters up at the CT Movies feedback page… or, as I like to call it, the Greatest Show on Earth. You never know what the letters will be like… sometimes it’s inspiring, sometimes it’s discouraging, and sometimes it’s the best comedy going. Read more

Are Movies Increasing Your “Capacity to See”?

Last updated on: February 9, 2013 at 9:21 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

At Long Pauses, Darren Hughes has posted a quote that I want to share with you here. (Thank you, Darren.) The main problem with narrative in film is that when you become emotionally involved, it becomes difficult to see picture as picture. Of course, the laughing and crying and suspense can be a positive element, but it’s oddly nonvisual and gradually destroys your capacity to see. — Michael Snow, speaking to Scott MacDonald, A Critical Cinema, Vol. 2 That’s beautiful.... Read more

Why is Will Ferrell Funny?

Last updated on: February 9, 2013 at 9:24 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Slate takes on one of the most pressing, urgent questions that our society must address: Why is Will Ferrell funny? (more…) Read more

Reverence, awe, simplicity, prayer: Three amazing hours at the movies.

Last updated on: February 9, 2013 at 9:25 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Last night, I watched Into Great Silence. I’ll be writing about it in detail soon, but I can tell you now: I doubt I’ll see a more affecting, inspiring, convicting work this year. It opens in Seattle today. Go see it. Be prepared. It’s almost three hours long, and it may feel more like five…. Get caffeinated. Take your friends. Plan to discuss it afterward… but maybe not immediately. It’s not a story. It’s an experience… a documentary that... Read more