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.

On Movies & Media

Is It Dangerous? Biblical? Gnostic? Awesome? — Here's All The Noah That's Fit to Print

Let's focus on the reviews of Noah that demonstrate an actual love for movies, an interest in our neighbor Darren Aronofsky, and a willingness to engage his ideas.

The Auralia Thread

Three Years Ago Today, We Raised Our Glasses to the Ale Boy

"This is my favorite fantasy series," says the latest Amazon reviewer of The Ale Boy's Feast, the fourth and final book in my series of fantasy novels called The Auralia Thread. "I recommend it to everyone 13 through 120."

Film Reviews

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Every scene was like a spectacular frosted pastry with a sharp object baked into the middle of it.

On Movies & Media

Seven Films That the Oscars Forgot

Now would be a great time to catch up with what the Oscars missed. And they missed a lot. Good news: Most of those titles are now easily accessible for you to enjoy at home.

Film Reviews

Girl Rising (2014)

“I’m told my mother burst into tears when she learned my sex. She set me aside in the dirt.” Amina was born in Afghanistan, but no one made a record of her birth date. Only boys are given that kind of attention. At 11 years old, she was “sold”

Film Reviews

The Passion of the Christ: Revisited

Would I now disagree with the review I wrote ten years ago? Would I flinch to read what I wrote back then?

Through a Screen Darkly

What's So Funny? - Part 2

When movies make fun of religious characters, should we laugh?

Through a Screen Darkly

What's So Funny? (Or: Christianity and Comedy are Not Exclusive)

A criminal steals a baby. Are you laughing? A rabbi uses Jesus's name in vain? Is that funny?

Looking Elsewhere

The Incredibles (and Other 10-Year-Old Films); Jesus Films; Matt Zoller Seitz; Scott Cairns

This week, special thanks go out to Brad Bird, Matt Zoller Seitz, and more. Find out why.

About Looking Closer

Put Your Name in the Credits

Breaking news! The times, they are a-changin' here at Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet. For the first time in more than a decade of blogging, I'm asking for your help. I hate to do this. It's been a pleasure to volunteer my time, energy, funds,

On Movies & Media

Not Gonna Bow: Notes on the Oscars

It appears that a lot of people have completely misunderstood what cinema is for, concluding that it's all some big cockamamie competition.

On Movies & Media

Is Groundhog Day the Most Meaningful Comedy Ever? Or The Truman Show?

On Monday, I'm going to share a special two-part post on comedy. That's because the great Steven Greydanus of The National Catholic Register is stirring up conversation about great comedies with his introduction to the newly published Arts and Faith Top 25 Divine Comedies. Read his

Film Reviews

The Great Beauty (2013)

I've just seen "The Great Beauty" and I'm still a little bit drunk on its imagery. It's a feast for those with big appetites for beauty on the big screen. But alas, the meal is soured by a bitter syrup.

On Movies & Media

Before You See That Noah Movie, Read This...

Here's an article about the upcoming "Noah" movie that's sure to rub some Christian readers the wrong way. But Darren Aronofsky likes it. So does Russell Crowe. And so do I.

On Songs & Albums

Listen Closer: St. Vincent, Beck, Neneh Cherry, Lost in the Trees... and U2

Got headphones?

On Movies & Media

Hard to Be a God — The Science Fiction Film of the Decade?

This film first won my attention when one of my favorite film critics rated it a perfect "10." I began to dig for information. What is this movie? Why such a bold title?

Film Reviews

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2014): Or, Now You Can Watch the Zany Adventure Movie That America Missed

Looking for an escape? Searching for an exciting, hilarious, fun adventure film for the whole family? I highly recommend Luc Besson's The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec. Globe-trotting adventure, over-the-top comedy, extravagant costumes, Egyptian tomb-raiding, and a rampaging pterodactyl... this movie has all of that and more. And

Film Reviews

The LEGO Movie (2014)

The LEGO Movie is, at once, a movie with more laughs-per-minute than any recent comedy I can remember; the greatest LEGO invention of all time; and a thrilling summons to unleash our own creativity — not only with our LEGOs, but with our lives.

Interviews

Wait... how did I end up in The New Yorker?

I've just been informed that Sam Sweet at The New Yorker has published a piece about "The Christian Oscars." I play a supporting role — not in the "Christian Oscars" (thank goodness) but in the article. I'm as surprised about this development as

On Movies & Media

Six Movies to Revisit Before You See The LEGO Movie

I encourage you to revisit this short list of movies before you go watch the LEGOs this weekend. Why? Let me explain...

On Movies & Media

Philip Seymour Hoffman: The Actor, The Philosopher, The Master, The Wrestler

I feel like I've been hit by a truck this morning, trying to absorb the reports that drug addiction has apparently taken the magnificent actor Philip Seymour Hoffman from us. In a way, we mourn the deaths of actors because we love the characters we played, not because

Through a Screen Darkly

Through a Screen Darkly... Again?

My book Through a Screen Darkly was published in 2007. Martha Bayles' book, grabbing the same title, was published in January 2014. I'm going to take that as a compliment.

Overstreet's Books

In Case You Missed It: Personal Highlights of 2013

I am so grateful for evenings, weekends, and coffee breaks. Those are the chances I have to share what I do best. I hope that some of it was useful to you in 2013. Here are some of the highlights of my past year...

Film Reviews

Her (2013): a guest review

Guest reviewer Lauren Wilford on Spike Jonze's new film: "Depending on your perspective, Her has either an amazing elevator pitch or an awful one: 'A guy falls in love with his iPhone.'"

On Songs & Albums

Listen Closer: St. Vincent, Bruce Springsteen, Damien Jurado, Rosanne Cash, and More

It's a good day for fans of St. Vincent, Bruce Springsteen, Damien Jurado, Rosanne Cash, Stephen Malkmus, and Sharon Jones. The new Bruce Springsteen album, High Hopes, is streaming. Where? Why, on CBS's site for The Good Wife, of course. Ranking high among the albums that