On Movies & Media Dead Poets Society and the Legacy of Dr. Luke Reinsma Four years ago this week, I wrote about how I had changed my mind about "Dead Poets Society." This week, I re-post it as a tribute to my favorite professor.
Journal Three qualities of beauty I think I might just scrap all of my syllabus explanations regarding how I grade essays and short stories in my writing classes. I'll just replace those with this passage from Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose: For three things concur in creating beauty: first
Interviews The Theology of the Coen Brothers? A Conversation Between Matt Zoller Seitz and Jeffrey Overstreet Originally titled "O Coen Brothers, Where Art God?", this is my conversation with Matt Zoller Seitz about theology, Raising Arizona, morality, Fargo, good and evil, The Big Lebowski, and so much more.
On Movies & Media Here We Go Again: Malick and "The Tree of Life" I know, I know, I'm late to this party. But I'm not really. I reported on Terrence Malick's Tree of Life project ages ago, and was quickly corrected and informed that I was merely perpetuating rumors about a project that was abandoned long ago.
On Songs & Albums Transcript: Bono talks to Bill O'Reilly Bono didn't waste words during his talk with Bill O'Reilly, making another impressive appeal for the U.S. to lead the way in addressing Africa's emergency. But notice how Bill O’Reilly tries to change the subject whenever Bono starts criticizing the U.S.
Toys Barbie Goes Back to Her Roots. Unfortunately. In case you haven't ever learned about the origins of Barbie dolls, it’s important that you know this: In February of 1959, Barbie was first introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York (Barbie Dolls). Her creators, Ruth and Elliot Handler (co-founders of Mattel) modeled
Reader Mail Greetings from a Looking Closer reader in Georgia. (No, not THAT Georgia.) I love hearing from readers, especially when they turn out to be old friends... especially when it turns out those old friends have been up to some amazing things! Message from David H.: It's been far too long since I've dropped you a line, but I
On Movies & Media Mean Creek — harsh, harrowing, truthful I've seen Mean Creek twice now, and it improves with a second viewing. It's much more complex, truthful, and intriguing than I thought on the first go round. I’ve also had the privilege of sitting down with director Jacob Aaron Estes, an approachable, easygoing, good-humored
On Movies & Media Memoirs of a Geisha gets a dream-team cast Steven Spielberg has given up on directing an adaptation of the exquisite bestseller Memoirs of a Geisha, now that he's busy with what is reportedly the most expensive film in history ... War of the Worlds. But the movie's moving forward anyway, and now Rob Marshall (Chicago)
On Movies & Media A Big Hello to My Younger Readers! On Sunday morning, there I was sitting and chatting with my beloved church family, when nine-year-old Amy Lind looked at me and said, “You write a blog, don't you?” I was a bit stunned. I said, “Yes, as a matter of fact I do.” “I thought so,” she
On Movies & Media In TIME... My first appearance in TIME Magazine is both a pleasant surprise . . . and a disappointment in view of what could have been.
On Movies & Media Number of Deceits in F9/11 Climbs to 59 ...according to this Web site. Note the convenient, free, downloadable PDF version at the top of the page. Note #59... that Moore is happy to cooperate with terrorist organizations who want to promote his film. Even if only half of these stand up to scrutiny, it’s hard to believe
On Movies & Media ClearPlay: A Very Bad Idea [This article was originally published at Christianity Today on June 1, 2004.] When I was in the sixth grade, some of our school library books had words crossed out with black markers — words that teachers thought would harm children who read them. Even Mark Twain received this treatment. To me,
On Movies & Media Open letter to the Bourne franchise First of all, thank you for one of the summer's most enjoyable movies. The Bourne Supremacy is just the right size and shape. Spider-Man 2 runs a little long, considering the comic-book simplicity of its plot. Your film ends at just the right moment. I laughed, I cheered,
Politics Bono: Make Africa a priority ☠️2025 Update: This post is past its expiration date. The primary link to The Boston Globe no longer works. (If you find a solution to the broken link, let me know.) I’ve added a link to U2.com that leads to an excerpt from the original editorial in question,
On Movies & Media Reel News. (That isn't a typo.) 🔗This post was updated with corrected links on November 28, 2025. I’m now writing the new movie-news blog at Christianity Today, which they've titled Reel News. This mini-blog made its debut today.
"Christian" is a Bad Adjective Fred Clark rampage on Christian Art 🔗This post was updated with corrected links on November 28, 2025. Check out this three-part series on "Christian art"... ...over at Slacktivist: Part One, Part Two, Part Three. Preach it, brother.
Patrice Leconte Wild day: bad news, good date night My brother Jason, singer/songwriter/composer for the a capella group Rescue, is in the emergency room due to a very serious spider bite, and is getting heavily dosed with painkillers and antibiotics. Apparently he’ll have to go through a series of treatments before the volcano on his arm
Reader Mail Email of the Day: good words regarding bad words For what it's worth, I posted a response at CT Movies to all of those readers who wrote in to tell me that I will be severely judged by the Lord because of my earlier-posted article, in which I argued that profanity is sometimes an appropriate element in
Concerts A thank-you 20 years in the making I have wanted to meet Sam Phillips since 1986. That dream has become increasingly strong over the years since then, as her songs have become the most personal and important to me out of any music I've heard. If I had to choose ten songs that have meant
Profanity Ask the Experts: answering a Christianity Today reader on art and profanity 🤐This text was originally published at Christianity Today on May 21, 2004, but has subsequently disappeared from their website. My contract as a CT freelancer granted me permission to republish anything I contributed to their website, I am reposting it here, post-dated to that original date — 05/21/04 — with
