Marilynne Robinson on Faith, Science, and the Truth

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:27 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

There is no book arriving in 2012 that I am more excited to read than Marilynne Robinson’s When I Was a Child I Read Books. This week, The Chronicle of Higher Education published an excerpt… (more…) Read more

Epistemartha, Epistemarcy, Epistemay, Epistemology

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:44 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

What did you think of that discomforting final moment in Martha Marcy May Marlene? Michael Leary is talking about it at Filmwell… (more…) Read more

Oscars: What will win? What should win? Come on. There are better questions.

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:45 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Once a year, at the Kindlings Muse – a live panel discussion that takes place at Hale’s Brewery and Pub – we devote a whole show to considering the strengths, weaknesses, themes, and theological implications of popular movies. Today, the podcast of our annual Oscar show was posted, featuring Dr. Jeff Keuss and Dr. Chris Chaney, show host Jennie Spohr, and for comic relief… me! We talk about all nine Best Picture nominees… (more…) Read more

Behind the Scenes with Photographer Fritz Liedtke

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:44 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

I’m so glad that the incredible work by my friend Fritz Liedtke is finding an appreciative audience. Here’s an impressive behind-the-scenes video… (more…) Read more

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010): A Looking Closer Film Forum

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:43 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

A Looking Closer Film Forum is an evolving “conversation” among critics… a “round-table” review of perspectives from critics I regularly consult as I revise my list of viewing priorities. I haven’t seen the film yet, but these reviews have intrigued me. Check back from time to time, as I may add more reviews to the list. (more…) Read more

Against the deliberate “integration” of faith and art

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:38 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Thanks to a Tweet from Image, I read an interview this morning with Wayne Roosa, an artist and art historian, in First Things. And I came across some words that were stronger than espresso. They woke me up and drove me to concentrate. (more…) Read more

How do you define "kitsch"?

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:26 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

How do you define “kitsch”? If your answer is “A savory, open-faced pastry crust pie with a savory custard filling of cheese, meat and vegetables,” then you need to consult a dictionary. Conversations about kitsch are tricky business. What exactly is it? Can any art that makes you feel warm and fuzzy be called “kitsch”? Usually, when the subject comes up, I end up going back to Gregory Wolfe’s editorial on the work of Thomas Kinkade. It’s always helpful. Today,... Read more

My own thoughts on The Help, shared by an unlikely critic

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:10 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Somebody agrees with me about The Help! “If you were to come to me and say that you were ambivalent because you felt the writing was not balanced… that you felt — like with Aibileen and Minny and Yule May and Constantine — that you didn’t feel there were a lot of colors to the character, that their humanity was not explored… that you saw just a blank, flat unrealistic stereotype… then I would go with you. I think that... Read more

indieWire: One Best Picture nominee "towers above the rest."

Last updated on: September 30, 2012 at 5:11 pm By Jeffrey Overstreet

Matt Zoller Seitz and Serena Bramble have crafted a wonderful video essay on one of the nine films nominated for Best Picture. (more…) Read more

Pina (2011)

Last updated on: February 10, 2012 at 10:36 am By Jeffrey Overstreet

My review of Wim Wenders’ 3D tribute to Pina Bausch is published at Good Letters, the blog belonging to Image. Read more