Jeffrey Overstreet (Page 18)

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Raised by 20th Century Women

Raised by 20th Century Women

I recently caught up with director Mike Mills's film 20th Century Women and wished I'd seen it earlier to include it in my 2016 Favorites list.

Onward's Frivolous Fantasy

Onward's Frivolous Fantasy

Looking for an escape from sheltering-at-home familiarity, I turned to America's most reliable animation studio. But Pixar's Onward remains stuck in uninspired tropes.

Catching Up With Cléo from 5 to 7

Catching Up With Cléo from 5 to 7

In which I begin posting thoughts on the movies I'm watching during the 2020 season of COVID-19 lockdown. First up? A beloved French New Wave masterpiece by Agnes Varda.

Hard times are good times for Auralia's Colors

Hard times are good times for Auralia's Colors

The people of House Abascar have been betrayed by false promises and robbed of colors, robbed of hope. But there are rumors of a girl in the woods who gathers colors that no one else has ever seen. And now, you can hear those colors. During these stay-at-home days, you're invited to a reading of Aur

In the midst of trouble and grief... a joyous day!

Celebrate with people from 40 countries, in 25 language, as we announce the Good News to the world.

Before Mulan... we had Whale Rider.

Before you see Niki Caro's reinvention of Mulan, discover her 2003 film about another young female hero who subverts the expectations of her people and overturns restrictive patriarchal traditions.

Vagabond (1985)

My enthusiasm for Agnes Varda's documentaries has prompted many to recommend her narrative features. This week, I caught up with Vagabond.

On Movies & Media

The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)

Joe Cornish's latest is something less than a chip off the ol' Attack the Block.

On Movies & Media

Let the Corpses Tan (2019)

Dazzling and hyperviolent, Let the Corpses Tan is one of the most creative thrillers I've seen in years. But take a note of heavy caution: It's also upsettingly graphic.

On Movies & Media

El Sur (1983)

In which I catch up with a 1983 masterpiece — a father-daughter dance for the ages.

On Movies & Media

Strange Negotiations (2019)

Brandon Vedder's portrait of David Bazan follows the rock star through harrowing experiences of fear, doubt, betrayal, and self-discovery.

Knife in the Water (1962)

Another in my "Less than 500 words" reviews: I finally caught up with Roman Polanski's breakout thriller.

On Movies & Media

A Hidden Life (2019)

A Hidden Life is a movie that I wish every moviegoer in the world would experience on the big screen while they have the chance. But I'm also holding back from what feels to me like excessive praise.

"Hymn for the 81%" — a new anthem addressed to the American church

I'm grateful for this new hymn.

1917 (2019)

Even if we grant 1917 the distinction of being the first war film to play from beginning to end as one unbroken scene, I think we must also conclude that it's less than the sum of its part.

On Movies & Media

Favorite Films of 2019: The Top Twenty-One

At this point, here are my top 21 films of 2019.

On Movies & Media

Favorite Films of 2019: Intro and Honorable Mentions

It begins with the usual disclaimer: This list, like all of my film lists, is a work in progress. Of course it is. The temptation to pronounce judgments on works of art is great, more than ever in this culture of "rating" things with "Like" or

On Songs & Albums

Overstreet's Favorite Recordings: 2019

Here it is — a music festival, a playlist, a countdown of my favorite albums of 2019.

On Songs & Albums

Favorite Recordings of 2019: Honorable Mentions

A prelude to my countdown of 25 favorite records fro 2019, here's a long list of albums that probably deserve to be in that top 25 but... well... math is unforgiving. Explore. Listen. Discover some new favorites.

My 2019 in Review: An Introduction

Here come the year-end lists! But let's consider their context: It's been a difficult year. We have needed art to revive our sense of vision, to awaken our conscience, to offer us rumors of glory in a darkening world.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Here's a review of J.J. Abrams' The Rise of Skywalker that follows the example of the movie.

My #1 Christmas gift recommendation — and five reasons why

I've been asked to recommend five highlights from my many years of reading Image, my favorite literary arts journal. I had difficulty limiting my answer.

On Movies & Media

Light from Light (2019)

Paul Harrill, director of Something, Anything, returns with another venture into the borderlands between body and spirit, head and heart. But this time, it might not be God that a young woman is discovering. It might be a ghost.

On Movies & Media

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

Another Mr. Roger movie. Another essential vision — for here, for now, for American children and American adults.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Race cars. Guys with clenched jaws. Bromances. Grudge matches. A good wife back home tucking the moppet into bed at night. This is sure to be a big hit.