Tonight, at Spiro’s Pizza in Shoreline, Anne and I were joined by our dear friends Sarah and Nathan Partain, and I put pen to paper, signing the contracts for my first two novels. WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, is publishing the books. I must again thank WaterBrook’s Shannon Hill and Alive Communications’ Don Pape (my agent) for all of their support in making this dream come true. In the picture, we’re raising our glasses to them. And long... Read more
Today’s specials: Peter T. Chattaway on 13 Lakes. Wow. I’d pay full price for this. Really. It’d be just what I need after a long hard work day… well, that is, if I couldn’t VISIT 13 lakes…. What Serenity character are you? (Thanks to Josh Hurst for finding this.) Will The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe be Christian? asks Time Magazine. Micheal Flaherty of Walden Media talks about The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. (I interviewed him today,... Read more
This review was originally publishedat Christianity Today Movies. – The Godfather saga. Apocalypse Now. Full Metal Jacket. Unforgiven. The Passion of the Christ. They’ve all been rightfully celebrated as artful, original explorations of dark subject matter, unflinching in their portrayals of human evil. Each film leaves viewers exhausted, bruised by depictions of gross violence. This is not mere “entertainment.” Many viewers would be wise to avoid them altogether. Not all sensibilities are equipped for such troubling explorations. A History of... Read more
UPDATE: I’ve removed the review from this post because I’ve revised it and posted it into the Looking Closer review archive. Read more
Kirsten Dunst has apparently confirmed the much-mocked rumor that the two villains of Spider-man 3 are, indeed, Venom (Topher Grace) and Sandman (Thomas Haden Church). And if the leading actress in the film is wrong about its characters, well… this project is in deep trouble. “But I know the general story,” she insists. “There’s a lot that they’re trying to fit into this one.” And that’s not the only super-three-quel trying to fit in a lot characters… I’ve just returned... Read more
As I continue to quake with the aftershocks of last night’s performance by The Arcade Fire, I wonder… what’s the most memorable concert experience of YOUR life? Please share. (more…) Read more
Last night was one of those nights that I will think back on for the rest of my life, thanking God that I was there to experience it. The Arcade Fire performed at Seattle’s Paramount Theater. (more…) Read more
“I can’t believe it, Nathan! They like me! They really like me!” I’m back, and I’m glowing with the happiness of having shaken hands with Mal (Nathan Fillion) and Jayne (Adam Baldwin). I’ve withstood the intense and ponderous gaze of the Doctor (Sean Maher), basked in the glory of Inara (Morena Baccarin), been dazzled by the semi-psychic abilities of River (Summer Glau), and I’ve been intimidated by the beauty and strength of Zoe (Gina Torres, wife of Lawrence Fishburne). I’ve... Read more
I first saw Ben-Hur when I was in high school. The wheels of those racing chariots dug ruts into my memory. But I also remember that, despite its sprawling adventures, despite Charlton Heston’s brawny performance, it was Jesus who stole the show with one small cameo. It just so happens that I’ve got a copy of the new special edition release of Ben-Hur on DVD, and I’m going to pass it on to whoever offers me the best answers to... Read more
GreenCine Daily is providing all kinds of coverage on the Toronto International Film Festival, including some comments on The Smell of Paradise, a film that makes me uneasy just in its summary. Meanwhile, the blogging has begun in earnest at Long Pauses by Darren Hughes, who is determined not to be controlled by “blog guilt.” He especially praises Sokurov’s The Sun. (Great. Now, in future conversations with film buffs, we’ll have to say, “The Sun…. No, S-U-N, not the Dardennes... Read more
Looking Closer
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