On Movies & Media

Don't Underestimate the Rat in the Kitchen

Before Pixar's Ratatouille opened, the grumbling began in the industry, saying that it was too smart for kids, too sophisticated to be another Pixar smash-hit. And when it failed to break records immediately, it was quickly a subject of scandal. Was Pixar slipping? Was their focus on

On Movies & Media

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

A while back, maybe a year or two, I saw some photographs in the newspaper that revealed a new wax likeness of Brad Pitt for the famous Madame Tussaud's museum. My how far he's come. It seems like only yesterday that a feisty actor with a

Overstreet's Books

Two Weeks From Today: "Auralia's Colors" at the Seattle Public Library

On Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Fremont Branch of the Seattle Public Library, I'll be reading from Auralia's Colors, and paying tribute to writers like Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Richard

On Books & Writing

Congratulations Sara Zarr!

My friend Sara Zarr has been such a great encouragement to me with Auralia's Colors. She's like my sister in writing endeavors... a Glen Workshopper, got her first book deal the same year I did, learning about the world of publishing right along with me (if

A Momentary Pause to Say Thank-You

As you can see, people are finding any which way they can to join me at Seattle's Santa Fe Cafe tonight for a beverage and some dessert to celebrate the fact that I've survived another year of blogging, reviewing, writing, and marketing. And some are on

Overstreet's Books

Paste Magazine's Josh Jackson Interprets "Auralia's Colors"

It's exciting for me when folks who blog about fantasy literature discover Auralia's Colors. It's rather startling when the editor of your favorite music magazine blogs about it. Thanks for the kind words, Josh. What a nice birthday (or birthday-eve) surprise...

On Movies & Media

I'm coming to L.A. ...

... for the City of Angels Film Festival, October 26-28. Anybody else going to be there? If so, send me a note!

On Movies & Media

John Carter from Pixar

Looks like another Pixar project is moving forward. Check out the news at this Edgar Rice Burroughs site. Looks like Andrew Stanton, the genius who helmed Finding Nemo, is involved. [UPDATE: Peter T. Chattaway considers what a trailblazing effort this would be for Pixar.]

Overstreet's Books

Looking Closer in the Foursquare Church

Notes on Through a Screen Darkly in a Foursquare Church publication: Overstreet must go far beyond the obvious and the traditional to show how spiritual issues are raised or that God can be seen in some of Hollywood's most unlikely films. And he contends that we can learn

On Movies & Media

Do We Really Need Another "Wizard of Oz"?

Well... if Zooey Deschanel is Dorothy... why not?! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sjnie-aqYw] I'm sure this trailer is going to inspire some moaning and groaning among Oz enthusiasts. After all, there are quite a few adaptations out there already, and few have been built

Overstreet's Books

Gosh Golly... a Facebook Group!

A fine fellow named Karl Weston Magnuson has gone and started a Through a Screen Darkly Facebook group! Thanks, Karl! Good to meet you!

Speaking engagements

At the NWCSI-CTABC Convention

Today, I tried to sum up some of the ideas in Through a Screen Darkly to an overcrowded - and quickly overheated - room full of high school teachers at the NWCSI-CTABC convention in Lynden, Washington. The notes I'd prepared... well, I thought that they just might be enough

On Movies & Media

Brad Bird's Next Flight will Be Live-Action

From The Star Online... Titled 1906, it is an adaptation of the James Dalessandro novel about the famous San Francisco earthquake which wrecked the city. Query him, and he is tight-lipped about the new project. But one can rest assured from this director's track record that the

Overstreet's Books

Auralia in Image

A nd last but not least... it appears that somebody over at Image journal has read  Auralia's Colors!

Over the Rhine

Over the Rhine's Essential Christmas Album, Re-released

Thom Jurek has a review, and I heartily agree with it. The review doesn't mention the fact that OTR's fans have had this album for a year now.

On Books & Writing

The SuperFast Reader Interview

SuperFastReader is sure enthusiastic about Auralia's Colors. She's gone beyond reviewing it. Now she's giving a copy away, and she's posted the conversation we had last week.

Reader Mail

Reading Letters and Blogs "Darkly"

Letters like this make my day. I hoped that the book would inspire people to meet together, watch great films, and discuss them. And it's happening. I continue to hear from people who are discovering the book and starting their own discussion groups. Here's one that

On Movies & Media

The Wings of the Dove (1997)

It's a shame that Helena Bonham Carter earned a Best Actress nomination for this performance, when so many others — take last year's Margaret's Museum, for example — have allowed her to be the combustibly reckless personality that only she can be. In director Iain Softley&

On Movies & Media

Wings of Desire (1987)

When the child was a child, it was the time of these questions. Why am I me, and why not you? Why am I here, and why not there? When did time begin, and where does space end? ... Isn't what I see, hear, and smell just the mirage

On Movies & Media

Susan Cooper's "The Dark is Rising" Seeks a Title

First came the announcement: The Dark is Rising, Susan Cooper's classic novel of fantasy and adventure, was becoming a movie. Then came the trailer, and hopes quickly began to crumble. It looked awful. And the story had clearly been revised to be more "accessible," rewriting the

On Movies & Media

There Will Be "There Will Be Blood"

At Hollywood Elsewhere, the buzz for Paul Thomas Anderson's new film is building... with some substance this time. My favorite American director. My favorite actor. I'm getting impatient. WHOAH! Here's a review by Marjorie Baumgarten at Variety. And lo and behold... Radiohead's

Overstreet's Books

Free Copy of Auralia's Colors

SuperFastReader is hosting a giveaway of a signed copy of Auralia's Colors. Your move.

Overstreet's Books

"Auralia's Colors" Will Burst into Bellingham

Missed the Auralia's Colors readings? Here's another chance... I will be reading from Auralia's Colors, and paying tribute to the great Madeleine L'Engle, at Village Books in Bellingham, Washington on Wendesday, November 28. The fun begins at 7 p.m.! So, come

On Movies & Media

Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)

Y Tu Mama Tambien is being hyped as a "teen movie" for the arthouse crowd. Having seen it, I can say this without any doubt: while it is about teenagers, it is definitely not for teenagers. This is serious, and dangerous, artmaking — a story of two adolescent boys

On Movies & Media

The Kindlings Muse on "Ratatouille," "Bourne," "King of Kong," "This is England," and More

Here it is, the first show of a new monthly podcast from The Kindlings Muse: A conversation between Dick Staub, Greg Wright, Jennie Spohr, and me about the best films we've seen in recent months, and the most exciting new DVD releases. In this month's round