Looking Closer
Like the expressions in this photo, Christian press critics are responding with a smorgasboard of expressions to War of the Worlds. As mentioned earlier, my full review is now up. Read more
Like the expressions in this photo, Christian press critics are responding with a smorgasboard of expressions to War of the Worlds. As mentioned earlier, my full review is now up. Read more
Wow. You’re going to be hearing more about Andrew Bird’s new album from me soon. But for now, after listening to it three times in one evening, “Wow” is going to have to suffice. Okay, I’ll add a few words more: Definitely. Top. Ten. Material. for. 2005. Get thee to iTunes, or wherever you get your sneak previews of new music. Thank you, Josh Hurst, for introducing me to this guy’s work. Read more
In Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, Tom Cruise runs for his life. Of course he does. That’s what Tom Cruise was born to do. Somewhere, somebody’s adding the latest scenes of Cruise pounding the pavement to an already impressive career-spanning montage. It seems that he’s run from every imaginable threat except Jurassic Park dinosaurs. But has he ever had a better reason to run than he does here? Spielberg’s vision of H.G. Wells’ otherworldly invaders is so terrifying, it... Read more
Anybody else want to volunteer replies to these letters posted at CTMovies Feedback page? posted 06/28/05 I have not seen Bewitched, but I am very surprised at Christianity Today Movies seeming to approve of a film with such themes. Sex, profanity, full-frontal nudity (frankly, I find blurred-out genitals much more vulgar and indecent than fully visible ones—this just draws attention to it all the more) and witchcraft are an odd mix for a film discussed and, it would seem, approved... Read more
My full review will be posted tonight. But for now: Effects: awe-inspiring Sound: awe-inspiring Cruise: impressive Fanning: awe-inspiring Robbins: like his Mystic River performance, only wackier Tripods: truly terrifying Urban chaos: chaotic to the point of exhausting 9/11 references and echoes: all over the place Variations on Jurassic Park: everywhere Political applications: critics looking for them will have a field day Typical Spielberg broken-family-story: check All in all, an exhausting ordeal of big city devastation with effects beyond HG Wells’s... Read more
One of the most familiar voices from my childhood is that of Paul Winchell, who has given life to Disney’s version of A.A. Milne’s classic character from Winnie the Pooh… the bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy Tigger. (more…) Read more
The horror!! From my friend Adam Walter: The International Horror Guild, a literary guild, has just nominated THE PASSION as one of 2004’s best horror films! http://www.ihgonline.org/ Read more
Billy Graham has been testifying to God’s grace for decades. Now, the guy’s dedication to preaching the gospel is bordering on Herculean. (more…) Read more
Martin Stillion’s blog — What You Will — features this entry relating to Steve Bell’s piercing words on contemporary worship music. Bell did an interview with CT’s Mark Moring. (I talk with Mark every day… how did I miss this interview?!) It gave him the opportunity to share some blunt, but insightful, thoughts on what’s gone wrong with Christian music. (more…) Read more
Today’s specials: “We often end up writing the music that we need to hear at the time.” My latest interview with Over the Rhine’s Linford Detweiler is up! Radiohead’s OK Computer is the best album of the last 20 years, says Spin Magazine. Well, they’re wrong: The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby both deserve the honor more, but hey, considering how wrong they could have been, I’m not going to complain much. OK Computer‘s definitely in my top ten list for... Read more
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