Jeffrey Overstreet - Jeffrey Overstreet

Sign in Subscribe

Jeffrey Overstreet

Overstreet is the author of Auralia's Colors and its sequels, and Through a Screen Darkly, a book on film & faith. He was honored as the 2024 Professor of the Year by students at Seattle Pacific University, where he teaches creative writing and film.

First impressions of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

First impressions of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

I approached the new Kogonada film with trepidation. I've learned to trust his artistry, but this trailer set off all kinds of alarms. Should you see it? Here's my recommendation.

Songlights for a New Start: Part Two — Wednesday, Sarah McLachlan, Big Thief, Spyboy, Kae Tempest, Ezra Furman, Ashley Monroe, and more

Songlights for a New Start: Part Two — Wednesday, Sarah McLachlan, Big Thief, Spyboy, Kae Tempest, Ezra Furman, Ashley Monroe, and more

Here is Part Two of the miniature music festival that I'm hosting to kick off my music coverage on this new platform.

Songlights for a New Start: Part One — featuring Peter Gabriel

Songlights for a New Start: Part One — featuring Peter Gabriel

As the Songlights series continues here, on this new platform, we kick things off with a special song that captures something of the vision I have for this website.

Welcome to the new JeffreyOverstreet.com!

JeffreyOverstreet.com

Welcome to the new JeffreyOverstreet.com!

Here is a video welcome from Jeffrey Overstreet and a special guest for visitors and subscribers old and new!

The Event Of Poetry: Poet Scott Cairns On Reading, Writing, And Responsibility

The Event Of Poetry: Poet Scott Cairns On Reading, Writing, And Responsibility

From the archives: In 2000, I interviewed the poet Scott Cairns, who would become the director of Seattle Pacific's MFA in Creative Writing program, and a mentor.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014): Or, Confessions of an X-Men Ex-Fan

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014): Or, Confessions of an X-Men Ex-Fan

I'm not going to try to talk anybody out of liking "Days of Future Past." I can see why it's getting such great reviews. But in the whole film, I found only one sequence particularly memorable...

The Return (2003): Why Moviegoers Everywhere Must Learn to Say "Zvyagintsev"

The Return (2003): Why Moviegoers Everywhere Must Learn to Say "Zvyagintsev"

If you hear film buffs shouting "Zvyagintsev!" in the coming months, do not say "Gesundheit." The proper response is this: "When do I get to see Leviathan?"

Gadzooks! A Godzilla for Malick Fans?

On Movies & Media

Gadzooks! A Godzilla for Malick Fans?

Here are some of the more intriguing paragraphs I've read about Godzilla...

Star Wars - Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1999): Looking Back 15 Years

Star Wars - Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1999): Looking Back 15 Years

I know, I know. Take a deep breath. Let go of your anger, young Jedi.

Aragorn's Favorite Peter Jackson Movie (Hint: It's Not The Return of the King)

On Movies & Media

Aragorn's Favorite Peter Jackson Movie (Hint: It's Not The Return of the King)

It's another return of the king! Aragorn is back, and he has some kingly wisdom to share with us...

Ten Years Ago Today...

Ten Years Ago Today...

Just marking the occasion... Seems to me the best way to mark the 10th anniversary of this blog is to point you to the essay that inspired it — a few words about art and discernment written by my friend, mentor, and high school English teacher, the photographer Michael Demkowicz. It&

30 Must-See Movies for Kids

On Movies & Media

30 Must-See Movies for Kids

Featured in a WORD-FM Radio interview, here's my list of more than 30 of my favorite films for children. Do you like lists? I've got more where that one came from...

Saving Mr. Banks (2013) ... or Squandering Mr. Hanks

Saving Mr. Banks (2013) ... or Squandering Mr. Hanks

If you want to hang on to that warm "Mary Poppins" feeling, you may just want to stop reading — because "happiness" is about the opposite of how I felt when I finally sat down to watch "Saving Mr. Banks."

Only Lovers Left Alive (2014) — Forget Twilight: These Are My Favorite Vampires

Only Lovers Left Alive (2014) — Forget Twilight: These Are My Favorite Vampires

We're all vampires. That is to say, we all have particular kinds of "blood" that we seek — sources of sustenance and inspiration that keep our eyes open and our hearts beating in a dark and punishing world. For me, it's a particular kind of

Hey, Moviegoers: You're Invited to a Secret Seattle Q&A

On Movies & Media

Hey, Moviegoers: You're Invited to a Secret Seattle Q&A

If you could meet and interrogate your local film critics, free of charge, would you do it?

Podcast: Listen as a Theology Professor, an English Professor, an Ordained Minister, and a Film Critic Talk About That Noah Movie

On Movies & Media

Podcast: Listen as a Theology Professor, an English Professor, an Ordained Minister, and a Film Critic Talk About That Noah Movie

Did the theologian think the movie was "un-Biblical"? Did the English professor think the "rock monsters" in the movie were "stupid"? Did the ordained minister think that God was absent in the film? Did the film critic think it was "the worst Christian movie ever made"?

TEN YEARS! Pt. 2: The Best of Looking Closer - 2005

TEN YEARS! Pt. 2: The Best of Looking Closer - 2005

This blog turns ten years old on May 11, 2014. And this post is Part Two of a ten-post series in which I'm celebrating by reflecting on some of my favorite experiences from Looking Closer's first decade.

Looking Closer 10th Anniversary

TEN YEARS! Pt. 1: The Best of Looking Closer - 2004

This blog is turning ten! Let's look back a whole decade. What were the highlights here ten years ago?

Listen Closer: Joe Henry; Peter Gabriel & Elbow; The Secret Sisters; Hiss Golden Messenger; Belle & Sebastian; Beck Covers Arcade Fire

On Songs & Albums

Listen Closer: Joe Henry; Peter Gabriel & Elbow; The Secret Sisters; Hiss Golden Messenger; Belle & Sebastian; Beck Covers Arcade Fire

Sample new music from Joe Henry, Elbow, Hiss Golden Messenger, The Secret Sisters, Belle and Sebastian, and Beck.

Under the Skin (2014)

Under the Skin (2014)

Feel free to eavesdrop as I argue with myself upon exiting the theater after seeing Jonathan Glazer's troubling new sci-fi horror film Under the Skin...

Q&O = Question & Overstreet! On Muppets, Korean Cinema, U2, God's Not Dead!, and more.

Q&O = Question & Overstreet! On Muppets, Korean Cinema, U2, God's Not Dead!, and more.

Q&A time! If you're interested in MFA programs, Korean cinema, Muppets, God's Not Dead, U2, or my dubious opinions... here we go!

God's Not Dead (2014): A Looking Closer Film Forum

God's Not Dead (2014): A Looking Closer Film Forum

Now, two of the finest film critics in Christian media agree: There's something quite contrary to the spirit of the Gospel at the heart of the smash-hit "Christian Movie" God's Not Dead.

Noah (2014): Part Two of a Two-Part Commentary

Noah (2014): Part Two of a Two-Part Commentary

In which two very different moviegoers wrestle with Noah, and with some of the questions that the movie asks.

I'm Singing On the Radio. Forgive Me.

I'm Singing On the Radio. Forgive Me.

This weekend, I'm a guest on "Tapestry with Mary Hynes" on CBC radio and, in some places, on NPR. Also, on Monday I'll join a panel discussion on "Noah" at The Kindlings Muse. You're invited!

Noah (2014): Part One of A Two-Part Commentary

Noah (2014): Part One of A Two-Part Commentary

Darren Aronofsky made an epic Old Testament movie in which he wrestled with some of humankind's most difficult questions. And Christians responded with admirable attention, grace, intelligence, and humility. Right? No? That didn't happen?