On Movies & Media

David Horsey on satire

Source here. (via Andrew Sullivan)

On Books & Writing

The Gospel of Judas: The Hoax

Gene Edward Veith notes: Chronicle of Higher Education

Looking Elsewhere

Browser, 7/14: Melissa Etheridge Apologizes to Phil Keaggy; Mattingly on Russert & Catholicism; Sixpence on Letterman; Parks on "4 Months..."; Jonn Woo's "Red Cliff"; Name That Singer

ETHERIDGE CLEARS THE AIR Were you following this tempest in a teacup? Melissa Etheridge was recently quoted in Rolling Stone in a way that gave readers a bad impression of guitarist Phil Keaggy.  The quote made it sound like Keaggy had once made a disparaging remark about Etheridge's

On Movies & Media

Joe Morgenstern: WALL-E for Best Picture!

Film criticJoe Morgenstern says exactly what I was thinking after I saw WALL-E the first time... and the second time... If the pattern of the past seven years prevails, "WALL-E" will be nominated for the Best Animated Feature category; if justice prevails, it will win. But

On Songs & Albums

1969 interview: John Lennon Says He Wanted Beatles to Focus on Jesus

Here's a link to the Telegraph article on the first broadcast of a 1969 interview with John Lennon that contains some surprising statements about his appreciation for Jesus. But 28 years after his death, in an interview being broadcast for the first time, he claims that on the

Concerts

Stephen Lamb reports on Sixpence None the Richer's live show

Thanks to Stephen Lamb for writing up this report for Looking Closer on Sixpence live! Tension (Is a Passing Note) Between the Lines I've Been Waiting Sooner Than Later Kiss Me A Million Parachutes Melody of You Down and Out of Time Ocean Size Love There She Goes

Sound View Cafe

Bad, Bad Restaurant!

So I went to the Sound View Cafe in Seattle's Pike Place Market today, where I have spent many afternoons over the last decade sipping coffee, eating desserts, and writing in my journal, or on my laptop. It's a fantastic spot with a beautiful view. And

On Movies & Media

Do Del Toro's Creatures believe in Jesus Christ?

No. But the actor who plays so many of them does. Here's Doug Jones, who plays multiple characters in both Hellboy II and Pan's Labyrinth, talking about his faith at Twitchfilm. (via Chattaway)

"Christian" is a Bad Adjective

Many Thanks to the Christy Award Judges. (Updated. What *is* Christian fiction, anyway?)

Many thanks, again, to those who chose the nominees for this year's Christy Awards. I'm told it is a rare honor to have a book nominated in two categories, and this year, Auralia's Colors was nominated for Best First Novel and "Visionary"

Looking Elsewhere

Browser, 6/11: Radiohead w/lasers!; My Chat with Kim Ketola; "WALL-E"; "Where the Wild Things Are"; Outlandish Outlander; Sixpence None the Richer; E.B. White

Radiohead laser show The new Radiohead video didn't use any cameras. It used lasers. And now, I challenge you to fill in the blank with something that would catch everyone by surprise. For their next video... Radiohead won't use any cameras. They'll use __________________. Thanks

On Movies & Media

Film Forum and My Review of "Hellboy II: The Golden Army"

This is collection of reviews that I found interesting and helpful. The collection will be revised as I find more notable assessments online. Feel free to submit more reviews, or even your own, in the comments below. HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY With his newest fantasy, Guillermo Del Toro has

On Movies & Media

Reader Mail: "The Shack"; Sixpence's Christmas; "My Kid Could Paint That"; "Sex and the City " Claims Another Victim.

Ted writes: What's your opinion of The Shack? I'm disturbed by the fact that so many Christians are buying a book that portrays God as a woman. It's dangerous to expose ourselves to books that preach a false theology. (Note: This letter is a

On Books & Writing

Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" Series: Good for Teens? For Anybody?

The books of Stephenie Meyer are appearing on bookshelves everywhere I turn. And her latest, The Host, is on Anne's nightstand. There's a movie of Twilight on the way. Vampire sagas are a dime a dozen these days, and it'll take some serious persuasion

On Movies & Media

Robert Downey Jr. is... Sherlock Holmes.

What was rumor is now confirmed. Robert Downey Jr. will play Sherlock Holmes for director Guy Ritchie, reports Variety. Hmmmm. I love Downey, Jr. But ... Holmes? Really? Who would you cast as Holmes?

On Movies & Media

Steven Greydanus on Hellboy and Other Movie Demons

Steven D. Greydanus prepares the audience for Hellboy 2: The Golden Army by reminding us that wicked monsters may point us toward the truth... and that sometimes it's easier for us to comprehend demons than angels. So proclaims the tagline for Hellboy II: The Golden Army, opening in

On Movies & Media

WALL-E magic. Also: "Wit" and "Passion" and Painful Movies

No, they caaaaan't take that awayyyy from me.... I'm loving the raves for WALL-E. The first and the second time I saw the film, I came away saying, "I can't review this movie. Not yet. Because I can't explain the

On Movies & Media

10 Ways to Be a Better Film Critic

Evan Derrick's "10 Ways To Be a Better Film Critic": Part One and Part Two. This is quite a read, and I like a lot of what Derick's said here. And hey! He even praises my friend Greg Wright! Think about your favorite film

On Movies & Media

Rod Dreher Gets WALL-E

Woo hoo! Rod Dreher's review of WALL-E has me ready to run out and see it a third time. Or write a book about it. Or something. The following contains SPOILERS, so don't say I didn't warn you..."Wall-E" says

On Movies & Media

Reader mailstrom, 7/05: When An Angry Atheist Attacks!

[UPDATE: I have received a note of apology from Steven, who submitted the letter that I responded to below. My thanks to Steven for his humble reply.] I just received a letter from "a proud atheist" named Steven. He begins the letter with this quotation: "In fact,

Reader Mail

Reader Mail - 6/4: Pocorn is evil; Cyndere's cover art; Derrickson on gradual bedazzlement; Bob on the iTunes lecture

from Julie: What do you eat at the movies? MY RESPONSE: I try not to eat while I'm watching. I don't like popcorn. It gets stuck in my teeth, and then I'm annoyed throughout the movie. Plus, it's noisy. I especially don&

On Movies & Media

MTV Interviews Derrickson on "The Day the Earth Stood Still"

As noted earlier, the trailer for The Day The Earth Stood Still has arrived And MTV is talking to director Scott Derrickson. Derrickson is sure to be criticized for remaking a classic. But hey, if the remake is good, so what? And based on his previous work, we should assume

Looking Elsewhere

Browser, 7/3: What Adamson left out; World on "Wanted"; Watch Hitchens try waterboarding (LINK REPAIRED)

What Narnia's Son of Adam (that is, Adamson) left out Christopher Howse at The Telegraph reports on the important stuff in C.S. Lewis's Prince Caspian that Andrew Adamson and his screenwriters left out: I wonder if audiences are looking out for the wrong things in

On Movies & Media

"My Kid Could Paint That" ... Three Days in a Row. (It's that good.)

I always take Ken Morefield's recommendations seriously. So, when I saw My Kid Could Paint That had arrived at my local video store, I started looking for an opportunity to rent it. Then, Tuesday night, I found it sitting on the DVD shelf of my local public library,

Christianity Today

By the Way, God is Not Dead Yet.

I just received the latest issue of Christianity Today in the mail. The cover story: God is Not Dead Yet. You can read it here. Plus: A list of recommended reading on the existence of God. Also in this issue, you'll find a review of Sam Phillips'

On Books & Writing

A reflection on Calvin's Festival of Faith and Writing

Wow. The whole trip to Calvin's Festival of Faith and Writing to speak about faith and art was worth it, just to read this reflection on the festival's presentations. My thanks to Justin Boyer for his generous words... Eternity is written on the hearts of men