Fox’s Jurassic era drama, Terra Nova, isn’t the best series on television, but it’s certainly not the worst. I’ve been catching up on the first season on DVR and have been intrigued by the many issues it addresses in each episode. I was most surprised by the presence of an extra wearing a stole in episode 5, “Bylaw.” This brief shot, pictured below, got me thinking about, of all things, Divine providence, the Rapture, the Apocalypse, eternity, and the Kingdom... Read more
Finally, zombies get the academic treatment that they deserve! Deborah Christie and Sarah Juliet Lauro‘s collection of essays, Better Off Dead: The Evolution of the Zombie as Post-Human, presents a fascinating discussion on the role of zombies throughout history and their ever-changing (yes they change!) identities. For all you zombie addicts, monster lovers, horror fans, or observers of the genre…this is a must read. (more…) Read more
The Walking Dead has swept across American popular culture like, well, a zombie plague. The comic book is one of the most critically acclaimed series running and the television series that it inspired is one of the most popular on cable television. Scholars of pop culture, history, religion, and hybridizations thereof have taken notice, no doubt to the chagrin of some zombie lovers. The first of, no doubt, many collected essays (I’ll be contributing to a forthcoming collection) recently released.... Read more
“If you are not really confused by now, you have not been paying very close attention.” So says Jeffrey J. Kripal towards the end of his new book, Mutants & Mystics: Science Fiction, Superhero Comics, and the Paranormal. Now I’ve never taken psychedelic drugs of any kind, but I would imagine that being on them is just a heightened sense of what it’s like to read Kripal’s book. It’s been a long time since I’ve read something as informative and... Read more
Conversations about or comments on other people’s public displays of faith inevitably say more about the commentator than they do about the practitioner. I recognize that Tebow (Tim), quarterback of the Denver Broncos and Fellowship of Christian Athletes idol, is about as polarizing a sports figure as you’re likely to find. At the same time, praise or criticism of Tebow is equally divisive. (more…) Read more
Sometime Pop Theology contributor and dancer extraordinaire, the Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber, gives us her thoughts on the new Footloose remake and a brief history of dancing in the church. Check it out after the jump. (more…) Read more
Marzena Sowa’s memoirs of growing up during the fall of communism in Poland demand to be told in the graphic novel genre. Her experiences, emotions, and memories transcend words. While much of Sowa’s childhood provides opportunities for readers to connect with her, there is so much more that takes us to a place and time that many of us don’t…and hopefully will never…know. In her new graphic novel, Marzi, Sowa does a magical job of weaving the two together–the familiar... Read more
Unless you’ve been hiding under an entertainment rock for the past three years or so, you’ve no doubt heard about the phenomenal success of Sherwood Pictures, the filmmaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. They’ve produced three conservative Christian fan favorites, Flywheel (2003), Facing the Giants (2006), and Fireproof (2008). With armies of volunteers and businesses donating free services, Sherwood Pictures manages to keep their production budgets low, which makes even poor box office performance (by Hollywood standards)... Read more
Numerous scholars explore the cultural and political implications of monster and horror films for the times from which they emerge. Through these analyses, we gain insight into seemingly distant pasts that are actually not that far removed from our own experiences now. Few scholars connect such implications across broader expanses of time to reveal how intrinsically monsters and the horrific have been bound up in the history of America. Even fewer scholars do so as adeptly and as entertainingly as... Read more
It might sound weird, but occasionally I’ll see a film that I enjoy so much that I don’t want to write about it. At the end of the day, it seems as if a simple, “Go see this movie as soon as possible!” tweet or comment should suffice. This is how I felt about Drive. But in the couple of weeks that have passed since I watched, I have had a few lingering thoughts that I need to share…if to... Read more
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