Podcast

Why I love the collaborations of John Williams and Steven Spielberg

Timothy Greiving, author of the incredible book John Williams: A Composer’s Life, is a generous guy. He could bring all kinds of superstars to this table, as he travels the globe interviewing the great film composers and their filmmaking collaborators. And I suspect that, over time, he will. But

The Christophers

First impressions of The Christophers

With The Christophers, Steven Soderbergh delivers one of his finest films, Ed Solomon achieves a personal best, and Ian McKellen is more magnificent than ever. But that's not all!

Books by Jeffrey Overstreet

You’re invited! Come talk with me about the movies that have shaped our lives.

I’ll be in the Reading Room of Seattle Pacific University’s Ames Library on Tuesday, May 12, at 3:30 p.m. I’ll be at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park on Thursday, May 28, at 7 p.m. I’ll be at Hugo House in Seattle

Ryan Gosling

First Impressions of Project Hail Mary

In which Overstreet finally gets around to sharing his take on the year's biggest sci-fi hit so far.

Film Review

First impressions of Hamlet (2026)

Thoughts on the latest feature film version of Shakespeare's masterpiece — the significance of all it erases, the intrigue of its timely revisions.

The Drama

First Impressions of The Drama

These are first impressions of the disruptive new romantic comedy from the director of Dream Scenario.

Favorite Recordings

Overstreet’s Favorite Recordings of 2025: #10–#1

I’m working on this list here, during the first days of April, hoping to finally conclude my reflections on 2025 highlights so I can get to work posting about all that is great and good in 2026. This new year just won’t slow down enough that I’m

Lost & Found in the Cathedral of Cinema

Book Report #2: What another reader says about Lost & Found in the Cathedral of Cinema

Here's what a Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic is saying about the new film memoir Lost and Found in the Cathedral of Cinema.

Looking Closer's Annual Favorite Films Lists

Overstreet’s Favorite Films of 2025: The Top Twelve

For generous subscribers, here is the list of my twelve favorite films of 2025 — only two of which were nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. (I’m guessing there are a few titles here you’ve never heard of, but when you see those movies, you’ll never forget them.)

Favorite Films

Overstreet’s Favorite Films of 2025: #25–#13

This post in progress, which will expand over the next week, announces my favorite films of 2025, covering #25–#13. (The Top Twelve post is coming later this week.)

Looking Closer's Annual Favorite Films Lists

Overstreet’s Favorite Films of 2025: Honorable Mentions

Here is the opening post in my series of posts on my favorite films of 2025. This post will include films I've listed as Honorable Mentions, along with video commentaries, some written notes, movie posters, and trailers for the films.

Mitski

Proof of Life: still here, don't give up on me

A Surprise Package post from the office where I feel like a hostage — featuring new music and an old(er) favorite.

Looking Closer's Annual Favorite Albums Lists

Favorite Recordings of 2025: #15–#11

Here are my reflections on five of my fifteen favorite recordings of 2025, featuring (in alphabetical order) Ólafur Arnalds (with Talos), Patty Griffin, Anna B Savage, Mavis Staples, and Wet Leg.

Favorite Recordings

Overstreet’s Favorite Recordings of 2025, Part Two: #30–#16

Time to open up your music apps and make yourself a list of outstanding albums you might have missed!

Film Review

Kate Hudson earns that nomination: first impressions of Song Sung Blue

This is a story that deserved a decent movie, and it got one. It might’ve become by-the-numbers melodrama, but cut through my cynicism and made me believe.

Journal Entry

Refueling, revving the engines...

A Surprise Package post full of recent highlights — Muppets! Anna Tivel! Rian Johnson! Catherine O’Hara! and much more.

Bruce Springsteen

Bragg, Bryan, and Springsteen light the way for artists of conscience in 2026

The great Bruce Springsteen is stepping up and singing with courage, conscience, and truth...

Tricia Cooke

Wish I hadn’t: first (and last) impressions of Honey Don’t!

I wish I’d trusted the reviews I got from friends and favorite critics who saw Honey Don’t! in the theater. Or maybe I just should’ve trusted the title’s imperative.

Songlights

Songlights: 2026 begins with Peter Gabriel, Mistki, They Might Be Giants, Iron & Wine, Buck Meek, and more

I’m already sampling new tracks from upcoming albums by quite a few of my favorite artists.

2025

Overstreet’s Favorite Recordings of 2025: introduction and honorable mentions

If only with candles and stars Broken light from dreams like ours We will still find our way through to love . . . — Sam Phillips, “Candles and Stars” By the age of 13, I was a devoted listener to Rick Dees’ Weekly Top 40. Every week, I’d turn the delicate dial

Pierre Creton

7 Walks with Mark Brown: a brilliant way to start a new year of movies

[Streaming on Hoopla.] Today, I listened to a podcast in which Father James Martin talks about how to begin 2026 with a “spiritual reset.” Then, I went home and watched 7 Walks with Mark Brown. And I experienced a spiritual reset.

John Williams

A memorable evening with John Williams’s biographer

On January 8, I interviewed Tim Greiving about his extraordinary journey to becoming the first biographer of the great John Williams.

Luci Shaw

The Generosity (or, why we’re celebrating Luci Shaw’s 97th birthday anyway)

In memoriam: Luci N. Shaw, 1928–2025.

Journal Entry

Sending out a New Year’s SOS, and making a resolution

An update regarding my recent absence, and a resolution — despite my soul’s fatigue — to keep on keepin’ on.

Ryan Coogler

First (and second) impressions of Sinners

Sinners is a film of two halves: daytime and nighttime. The first half is colorful, epic, and full of surprises; the second is shadowy, violent . . . and disappointing.