Thanks so much to GreenCine Daily for posting this link to Naked Punch: Wim Wenders: The loud and lurid are terribly overrated, and just because everybody seems to have accepted that they rule, some of us grudgingly – we shouldn’t exclude the transcendental, the silent or the good as being part of our contemporary existence. Wings of Desire was making that point, and not, I think, by dwelling on the “art” aspects. And the way people all over the world... Read more
Here’s this week’s Film Forum, covering Fantastic Four, Dark Water, March of the Penguins, and Rebound, along with several more War of the Worlds reviews… and the return of Michael Leary! Read more
Today’s specials: THE REAL STEVE MARTIN … THE ONE WORTH SEEING… IS BACK Steve Martin’s upcoming romantic comedy Shopgirl wasn’t very high on my must-see list. Until now. BEHIND THE SCENES OF MARK HELPRIN’S STORYTELLING Harvard Magazine investigates the house of Helprin, my favorite novelist. “WE’RE JUNKIES, BUT WE’RE NOT THE SAME…” Cowboy Junkies have a new covers album called Early 21st Century Blues, and it features a rendition of U2’s “One.” More information and streaming music here. MORE… Peter... Read more
I’ve just finished listening to Maria McKee’s Peddlin’ Dreams twice through, and the experience was like being reunited with an old, dear friend you haven’t seen in years. McKee’s performances her make her a strong contender for the year’s strongest vocal performance (alongside Karin Bergqust of Over the Rhine). Even though it’s largely a collaborative effort with husband and producer Jimmy Akin, McKee sounds more comfortable, and the songs sound more lived-in; and, in fact, the opener is something she... Read more
Sufjan Stevens’ new album Illinois is very, very strange. And very, very good. And, judging by the critical response it’s getting, it looks like the most highly praised album recorded by a Christian singer/songwriter in many years. (Am I forgetting any similarly celebrated titles?) Check it out. The song called “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” is so heartbreakingly beautiful, it’s worth the price of the record. (more…) Read more
Just as it is very easy for rock musicians to communicate anger, and very difficult for them to inspire joy, so it’s difficult for filmmakers to avoid exploiting the power of darkness. It’s easy to jolt us, to scare us, to gross us out. It’s easy for evil to command our attention. Redemption, on the other hand, is a profoundly un-cool subject for the big screen. In discussions about Christian artists currently working in Hollywood, the name Scott Derrickson keeps... Read more
I saw. I was amused. I left. (more…) Read more
Two Looking Closer readers stepped up and showed some especially generous support for the site this month, so I’m sending this little message out to them… (more…) Read more
This is the Spielberg film I can’t wait to see. (more…) Read more
An abridged edition of my conversation with producer Ralph Winter was originally published at CT Movies. While the bustling activity of the Biola Media Conference went on outside, we took refuge in an unoccupied office for an hour, sat and ate our sack lunches, talked about movies, and then went our separate ways as friends. Ralph’s that kind of guy — you can’t help but be impressed at how personable, direct, smart, and generous he is. And now… here’s the... Read more
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