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. The Grey It looks like we have the makings of a debate between these first two reviewers. (more…) Read more
Here’s the podcast recording of the discussion I had about Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life at The Kindlings Muse with Jennie Spohr and Dr. Chris Chaney. (more…) Read more
At Seattle’s Harvard Exit theatre last March, I witnessed a rare and wonderful thing on the big screen—a thoughtful portrayal of devout Christians putting their faith into practice. I was caught off guard. I’ve developed a serious allergy to “Christian movies.” They usually turn out to be big-screen sermons with very little storytelling imagination and hardly a trace of poetry or visual composition. Moreover, they’re often misguided fairy tales that imply a relationship with Jesus will lead to answered prayers,... Read more
Based on my experience of watching and reading about the Academy Awards in past years, here are my Oscar predictions… (more…) Read more
It is with joy and wild fanboy enthusiasm that I draw your attention to this week’s IAM Conversations podcast. Listen in as Christy Tennant speaks with poet Anne M. Doe Overstreet, whose collection of poetry, Delicate Machinery Suspended, was released last year by T.S. Poetry Press. This episode of IAM Conversations was produced by Christy Tennant. IAM Conversations Theme Music, “Double Happiness,” by Kevin Gosa. Read more
Is reading a chore for you? Do you find it difficult to sit and focus on a book for an hour? The following excerpt is from Deep Attention, Lauren Winner’s thoughtful, thorough reflections on the new Alan Jacobs book The Pleasures of Reading in the Age of Distraction: (more…) Read more
This Thursday at Seattle Pacific University, in the Library’s “Thursday Food for Thought” program, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on the nine films nominated for Best Picture in this year’s Oscar race. (more…) Read more
In the new issue of Seattle Pacific University’s Response magazine, which is focused on matters of science, faith, and imagination, I recommend some of my favorite movies about the future. (more…) Read more
February 1 is the birthday of Anne M. Doe Overstreet. If you’d like to do something to celebrate, pick up a copy of her book Delicate Machinery Suspended and give it to yourself or someone who loves to read slowly. It comes highly recommended… (more…) Read more
[This review was originally published at Good Letters, the blog hosted by Image.] • Was there a horse story in your childhood? My wife Anne cherished Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, C.W. Anderson’sThe Blind Connemara, and Marguerite Henry’s Stormy and White Stallion of Lipizza. When she wasn’t reading about horses, she was riding them. In the saddle by the time she was in elementary school, Anne rode both English and Western. My favorite photograph from her childhood, she’s astride a leaping horse, looking... Read more
Looking Closer
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