On Movies & Media

Persepolis (2007) - A Guest Review by Kenneth R. Morefield

I'm thrilled to offer the first of what may be several reviews coming from Kenneth R. Morefield, who has occasionally contributed some fine guest reviews to Looking Closer in the past. Morefield is an Assistant Professor of English at Campbell University. Morefield's at the Toronto International

On Movies & Media

George R. R. Martin's Epic... on HBO?

I just stumbled across a head-spinning revelation on SuperFastReader's site. George R. R. Martin, one of the greatest fantasy writers living today, is on Book 5 of the popular series A Song of Ice and Fire. And lo... SFR notes that HBO is going to make the series

Madeleine L'Engle

SuperFastReader on Madeleine L'Engle

Following up my earlier post on Madeleine L'Engle's passing, here's the super SuperFastReader remembering her, in two posts.

On Movies & Media

Greydanus on "Bella"

I had a chance to see Bella at Biola (Wow, there's a sequel idea for you: Bella at Biola!) several months back, but found myself in a fascinating conversation with Amazing Grace producer Ken Wales, and by the time he'd finished regaling me with tales of

On Movies & Media

"Assassination" Buzz Builds

Thanks to Peter Chattaway for catching this blog entry by Karina at Spoutblog: The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford In other words, Jesse James looks like a painting and plays like an epic novel. There are immediate pleasures to be found in the cinematography and Nick

Madeleine L'Engle

A Very Great Loss in the World of the Christian Imagination

Madeleine L'Engle is one of the artists whose views and work have inspired me the most. As I was writing Auralia's Colors, I frequently revisited her thoughts on the power of art. She referred to great artmaking as "collaboration with God." On Thursday night,

Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L'Engle: 1918-2007

Madeleine L'Engle is one of the artists whose views and work have inspired me the most. As I was writing Auralia's Colors, I frequently revisited her thoughts on the power of art. She referred to great artmaking as "collaboration with God." On Thursday night,

On Movies & Media

Greydanus and McCracken on "3:10 to Yuma"

Steven D. Greydanus guns down James Mangold's 3:10 to Yuma: The original believed that a man was a man whether he was an outlaw or a law-abiding citizen, and core human and social values applied to all. The remake sees men as either wolves or sheep — those

On Movies & Media

Best Movie Poster Since "Children of Men"?

Wow. I want one for my wall. If I get any more excited about this film, I'm going to be dangerous.

On Songs & Albums

Echoes of Pavarotti

Pavarotti's voice will never die. "He had a unique ability to touch people with the emotional and brilliant quality of his voice. He was a man with the common touch and the most extraordinary gift. He will be truly missed by millions," the statement said. To

On Movies & Media

La Vie en Rose (2007)

If you read many reviews of La Vie en Rose, you’re sure to find complaints that this account of Edith Piaf’s life overlooks her participation in the French resistance during the German occupation of World War Two. But if, like me, you didn’t know much about her

Overstreet's Books

Part 1 of a New Interview... at Culture.ish.

Jason Panella interviewed me for a website called culture.ish. Part One of our conversation was posted this week. Bookmark it so you can go back later, for Part Two. Here are Panella's questions: * When did you first realize the importance of taking a critical/thoughtful approach to

On Movies & Media

Judging Narnia by the Book Covers

What should Aslan look like? How enchanting is the Narnia in your imagination? Bookslut has an interesting article about the art of Chronicles of Narnia book covers. Well, to put it bluntly, the writer is lamenting (and rightly so) a dreadful new book cover for The Lion, the Witch, and

Overstreet's Books

"Auralia's Colors" is Here at Last!

On this day in history... Tuesday, September 4th, AURALIA'S COLORS- the Red Strand of The Auralia Thread - arrives in stores online and in your neighborbood... place like this, this, this, this, and this*. Join me in celebrating the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. (And then let me

On Books & Writing

Sad News for Tolkien Fans: The Scouring of the Tolkien Bungalow

I've been to this house, the place where J.R.R. Tolkien took refuge from his fans in the years after the meteoric rise of The Lord of the Rings to international fame. Looks like it's scheduled for destruction. If this were a Disney movie, wouldn&

On Movies & Media

Rod Dreher on "Into Great Silence"

It's been a few weeks since I included any more raves here for the year's most important and memorable film so far. So here we go... Rod "Crunchy Con" Dreher discovers Into Great Silence. It is an amazing film -- in fact, this is

Over the Rhine

My Review(s) of Over the Rhine's "The Trumpet Child"

Earlier, I had indicated that my review of Over the Rhine's The Trumpet Child, which arrived in stores on August 21, would be in "the next issue of Christianity Today." Apparently I misunderstood. I've just received the new issue, and the music page focuses

On Books & Writing

Your Daily Dose of Flannery

WARNING: Yesterday's blog entry by Abraham Piper (on John Piper's blog) is wired to explode and shake up the sensibilities of Christians in the arts everywhere. He's armed with combustible quotes from Flannery O'Connor... the kind of truth that can start fires.

Overstreet's Books

Today at Noon at Seattle Pacific University...

Today at Noon at Seattle Pacific University, I'll be reading from Through a Screen Darkly, answering questions, and prodding people to share a movie or two that has been personally meaningful for them. It's free. You're welcome to join us on the second floor

On Movies & Media

The Dark Knight's big explosion

Director Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Prestige) just blew up a building in Chicago! The old, vacant Brach's Candy Factory in western Chicago was destroyed in rather spectacular fashion for a scene in Nolan's sequel to Batman Begins -- The Dark Knight. You can watch it happen

Overstreet's Books

6

6 days until arrives in stores and mailboxes everywhere! Details about ordering, reviews, and how to join me for the celebration parties, are here. Forgive me, but I'm a little excited about this. I've dreamed about this since I was, oh, what... five?

On Movies & Media

Church Play Auditions: The Heartbreaking Saga of Sean Gaffney Continues

Did you miss Parts One and Two of Sean Gaffney's series about art, excellence, and Christians who throw tantrums when someone tells them they're not good enough for the church play? When you've read those... ... here are parts Three and Four.

On Movies & Media

Matt Zoller Seitz on Owen Wilson

Here's a piece on Owen Wilson that's so much better than the wave of tabloid hysteria over the movie star's current crisis.

On Movies & Media

"Chariots of Fire" Sequel In the Works

I spoke with a film producer several months ago about his new endeavor... a sequel to Chariots of Fire. The premise for the film was interesting and based on the true story of what happened in the lives of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams after their Olympic victories. And now,

On Movies & Media

Christ the Canceled

Looks like creative differences have buried the big-screen version of Anne Rice's Christ the Lord... at least with Good News Holdings. I have a hunch that it'll rise again.