On Movies & Media

The Counselor (2013)

This is not more of the trendy Tarantino revelry in nastiness and violence. This is a true horror film. Like David Fincher's "Se7en," one of this movie's closest spiritual cousins, "The Counselor" ultimately delivers a diagnosis that tells the awful truth. And the Counselor himself doesn't want to k

Seattle Pacific University

My Interview with World Vision Photographer Jon Warren (Plus: Some of His Favorite Images)

I love interviewing artists. And I've enjoyed a wild array of unforgettable interviews. But few of those opportunities have been as exciting as this one...

On Movies & Media

Gravity (2013)

Critics will go on and on comparing "Gravity" to groundbreaking works of art like "2001: A Space Odyssey," but... really?

Paula Huston

Who Won the Paula Huston Book Giveaway?

In which copies of "A Land Without Sin" are given away to two eager readers...

On Movies & Media

Grace Unremarkable

Here's another example of how Christianity Today is refusing to join the "circle the wagons" mentality of so much Christian media, and instead engaging art with critical discernment and an insistence on excellence.

Teaching

Overstreet on Tour: Nashville's Hutchmoot, Covenant College Creative Writing Class, Lee University Film Lecture

In October and November, I'll be speaking and teaching in Tennessee and Georgia. Will I see you there?

Museum Hours

What a Chipotle Commercial Has In Common With My Two Favorite Films of the Year (So Far)

Today, at Christianity Today, I have the privilege of sharing about the two movies that have moved, inspired, and impressed me most this year so far... along with a few comments about, of all things, a Chipotle commercial.

Paula Huston

Win a Free Copy of Paula Huston's New Novel: A Land Without Sin

It's easy. If you have a Facebook account, you can enter to win a copy of Paula Huston's celebrated new novel. Here's Tiny Newsman with the details...

This is Martin Bonner

A Film About Reno Without Casinos? A Film About Faith Without Preaching?

So many things make Chad Hartigan's film "This is Martin Bonner" remarkable. In my interview with this impressive young director, I focused on only a couple of things that set his sophomore effort apart from other recent films.

On Movies & Media

Constantine (2005): Remembering a Movie I'd Rather Forget

My experience with the DC Comics character Constantine was unpleasant, at best. Some of you who were already reading my reviews back in 2005 may remember it...

Looking Elsewhere

Hi 5: Autumn Arrives, Eric Crissman Moves On

BREAKING NEWS: Summer is over and Autumn has arrived in Seattle! After an intolerable stretch of sunny days — perhaps the most relentless flood of sunshine the Emerald City has seen in decades — the clouds and rain have finally begun to move in and liberate Seattle from the conditions that confuse

Guest Review

The Sound of a Place: Guest Writer Brian Volck on Over the Rhine's New Album

I posted my own review of Over the Rhine's new album earlier this week. I could have left it that but, well, the doctor is in! And I want you to hear his own diagnosis!

Music Reviews

Meet Me At the Edge Of the World: Over the Rhine Arrives at a Place Called Home

I've been writing this review for months. I could go on writing it for months to come. But no, the time has come to tell you about the new double album from Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler. It's clear that changes have come. Over the Rhine's world has been turned around.

On Movies & Media

Wings of Desire's Cassiel Takes Flight: Otto Sander Dies at 72

The German actor Otto Sander died today. But he will live on in the movies he made, like the legendary submarine thriller Das Boot, and my all-time favorite film, Wim Wenders' poetic and glorious Wings of Desire.

On Movies & Media

The Late Gatsby: First Impressions

Luhrmann's films are the equivalent of opera ("popera"?), with the soaring kaleidoscopic imagery and light taking the place of soaring voices. The seventeen-layer cakeness of The Great Gatsby has a particular magic.

Overstreet's Books

With Gratitude for the Life and Work of Lee Hough

Lee Hough was my friend, my counselor, my confidant, my voice of reassurance, my coach.

Looking Elsewhere

Hi 5: Why Criticism Matters; Alissa Wilkinson; William James Bookseller; Facebook Followers

Here's today's Hi 5 to the Face report. Hi 5s are going out to... Adam Kirsch, senior editor of The New Republic: For contributing to The New York Times feature Why Criticism Matters." In an editorial titled "The Will Not to Power, but to

The Lucy Variations

Looking Elsewhere: September 5, 2013

A Hi 5 to the Face to... Legendary rock-and-roll recording artist Sam Phillips: For sending this fantastic, one-of-a-kind, handmade LP cover of her wildly inventive, high-spirited new album Push Any Button. You can order your own copy here, including these very limited edition covers made by Sam's own

On Movies & Media

Kick-Ass 2 (2013): A Looking Closer Film Forum

Scott Renshaw at Letterboxd says it succinctly: If your movie encourages the audience to consider it a whoop-it-up, did-you-just-see-that moment when a villain kills two police officers with a lawn mower, you've set up shop squarely in Morallyreprehensibletown, and thanks but I’ll keep driving. Matt Singer at

The Rabbit Room

Losing My Religion: A Pre-Hutchmoot Interview

In which I ramble on about burnout, about disillusionment, about driving myself into dangerous territory, about a desperate attempt to change my life...

On Movies & Media

Secondhand Lions (2003): A conversation with Duvall, Caine, Osment, and McCanlies

A film-review assignment can change your life. In fact, ten years ago this month, a film-review assignment changed my life. In August 2003, I took my first step into a larger world — the wild, wild world of film junkets.

Seamus Heaney

"It Can Entrance You For a Moment..."

"Debate doesn’t really change things. It gets you bogged in deeper. If you can address or reopen the subject with something new, something from a different angle, then there is some hope."

This is Martin Bonner

This is Martin Bonner (2013): (Previously: "Biggest Surprise of This Moviegoer's Year So Far)

I've reworked my top 10 of 2013 so far, and "This is Martin Bonner" is currently sitting at #1. This isn't just a movie that treats faith with profound sensitivity. It's a film that is beautifully crafted. And it features my favorite performance of the year so far.

Edgar Wright

The World's End (2013): My Apocalyptic Chat with Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright

Read my conversation with Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost, the three masterminds of "Spaced," "Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz," and the new sci-fi/comedy extravaganza, "The World’s End."

On Movies & Media

The Quotable Renshaw

One of this film critics' favorite quotable quotes comes from Roger Ebert: "A movie is not about what it is about. It is about how it is about it." But now I'll carry another knockout definition of criticism in my back pocket to help clarify matters...