Looking Closer
Here’s a message from Anne: (more…) Read more
Here’s a message from Anne: (more…) Read more
In February, I’ll be speaking at Seattle Pacific University about the films of 2011. I’ll also be appearing on Dick Staub’s Kindlings Muse live-podcast show to talk about the same subject. What 2011 films showed us something new, challenging, and worth seeing many times? What movies showed us what we wanted to see, and told us what we wanted to hear, instead of giving us something that we really needed. What movies provided mere entertainment instead of art? What filled... Read more
I finally saw The Help. It has such honorable subject matter that it puts a critic in a difficult place: You’ll sound insensitive and heartless if you criticize it. But film critics aren’t asked to consider what a movie’s about so much as how the movie is about it. So, I’ve strapped on my bulletproof vest. Here we go. … (more…) Read more
I should be writing the new chapter of my new novel. But… (more…) Read more
My two-part reflection on The Muppet Movie, and how it changed my life, are published at Good Letters, the blog at Image. Part One / Part Two Read more
My review of My Week with Marilyn is up at Good Letters, the daily blog at Image. Read more
What does Thanksgiving look like? Here’s a good image… (more…) Read more
Once upon a time — 1979, to be exact — along a freeway in the southwest, a car carrying the Muppets broke down. And their pursuit of a dream (“to make millions of people happy!”) came to a crashing halt. So they built a campfire beside their broken-down car. Kermit the Frog walked into the darkness. Rowlf the Dog sadly played a harmonica. And Fozzie Bear pointed out the obvious: “We’re not going to make the audition tomorrow.” Then the... Read more
Chunhyang feels like an ancient fairy tale that has been given a fresh coat of paint. Unfortunately, the paint is the most interesting part, as the story is told broad strokes and offers few surprises. It’s about a young prince who falls in love with a courtesan’s daughter and pledges his everlasting love to her. When he is called away because of his father’s work, young Chunhyang is deeply troubled. Things get worse when a new governor moves in and demands... Read more
The beloved and influential fantasy author Anne McCaffrey died yesterday after suffering a stroke. She was 85. (more…) Read more
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