This study guide for this new documentary series is from Frank Baker, a media literacy expert (http://www.frankwbaker.com/). He posted it on the media ed listserv this morning.   It can be downloaded here:http://www.frankwbaker.com/war_media_literacy.htm Looking At “The War” Through a Media Literacy Lensby Frank Baker, media educator Copyright 2007 Tags: media literacy lens; the War; documentary film; media literacy Read more

TRADE, starring Kevin Kline as a man searching for someone that he assumes has disappeared into Mexico, opens on September 28. It is a story about the tragedy of human trafficking. Please read my review at http://americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2007/Eye_On_Entertainment.asp   This is not an easy film to watch, however the only way to stop trafficking in human persons is to understand better what is going on invisibly around us. If you check the film’s website you can see a list of cities and theaters... Read more

The hush of monastic life comes to DVD with “INTO GREAT SILENCE” In the acclaimed documentary INTO GREAT SILENCE, German filmmaker Philip Gröning closely, quietly observes the daily prayers, rituals and tasks of the Grande Chartreuse monastery to mesmerizing effect. This stunning cinematic meditation on spirituality and faith has become one of 2007’s highest grossing documentaries. Now – INTO GREAT SILENCE comes to DVD in an expansive Two-Disc Director’s Special Edition on October 23, 2007.   NEW RELEASEPUBLISHING HOUSE OF... Read more

For anyone in Southern California (or anywhere else but it would require a lot of travel!), the Pauline Center for Media Studies is beginning on September 22. If you have been thinking about registering, do so now! Please visit www.paulinecenterformediastudies.org for the complete syllabus and registration form. The class meets once a month from September – June.   The first group that completed the media literacy education certification course last June, 2007.   Tags: media literacy education certification; media literacy... Read more

Richard Shepherd’s The Hunting Party with Richard Gere, Terrence Howard and Jesse Eisenberg is an excellent film if you like political irony sprinkled with cynicism. I thought the acting was surprisingly good, especially from Gere and Eisenberg (Terrence Howard played his role just a tad too laid back but he was fine.) The quasi-buddy movie is a commentary on US involvement in black ops, nation building, and global manipulation. It’s a tragicomedy based on facts – and wait until you... Read more

  I saw James Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma and I think it is brilliant. It’s being said it’s the best western since Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (have there been others?). I think it will be a well-deserved award contender for the writing, directing, and oh, the acting. Everyone’s talking about Russell Crowe as Ben Wade the thief and robber, and Christian Bale as Dan Evans, the rancher-turned prisoner guard, but Ben Foster as Charlie, Wade’s amoral second-in-command of the band of thieves... Read more

Hi everyone, I am so far behind with my poor blog! I will try to make up for this in the next few days. A new book is coming out in late October (you can pre-order on www.amazon.com), edited by Rob Johnston of Fuller Seminary, that seeks to take this emerging discipline (that began in earnest about ten years ago) a step further. I have a chapter included in the book:  Shaping Morals, Shifting Views: Have the Rating Systems Influenced... Read more

“ Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.” Genesis 6:14 “The best preaching is without words,” director Tom Shadyac told Christian journalists at the press junket for his upcoming comedy Evan Almighty. “Just like St. Francis used to say…” On June 22 Shadyac’s seventh comedy will come forth into theaters like a mighty flood inviting audiences of all ages to smile and share the inside joke about... Read more

                             First Group Certified in Media Literacy at the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City, CA   Culver City – On Saturday June 16 Master Teacher in Media Literacy Certificates were awarded to the first group of students to complete the new course sponsored by the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City, CA.   “Training catechists, teachers, and opinion leaders in media literacy is an integral part of the charism of the Daughters of St.... Read more

    I am so pleased to let you know that my August 2006 column featuring SUPERMAN RETURNS and AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, “Eye on Entertainment”, St. Anthony Messenger, among others, received a Second Place Award for Best Review Section (magazines) from the Catholic Press Association. www.catholicpress.org.   Pauline Books & Media, the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, received three book awards as well.   Award M13 Best review section Second Place St. Anthony Messenger, Cincinnati, Ohio, August,... Read more