Journal

A collection of 85 posts

Journal

Three Colors: Blue at 30

My 10,000-word deep-dive on Kieslowski's masterpiece is published in a new anthology.

Journal

A conversation with Frederick Buechner in my quiet, snowbound house

Wondrous things can happen at Christmastime. And so it was that I found myself in deep conversation with the late Frederick Buechner just before Christmas. I wrote it down, and as it's probably relevant for many of us, I'm sharing it.

The Weekender

Weekender: New Twitter. Doctor Strange's Multiverse. Faith in musicals. SDG on The Northman.

Looking Closer has a new Twitter account! Also: Here are my first impressions of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a link to the latest Arts & Faith movie list, and one of the reviews of The Northman I've been most looking forward to.

The Weekender

Weekender: Allison Russell, Philip Yancey, and Enchanted Journey II: Ex-vangelical Boogaloo

In this edition of The Weekender, a miscellany of podcast highlights, insights on faith and race, a prayer worth memorizing, and a memorable TED Talk.

The Weekender

Weekender: Fourth Weekend in January — Dark on Power of the Dog; Wilford on Licorice Pizza

After a few "Weekenders" away, here are a few highlights from the last few weeks.

The Weekender

Weekender: 2022 film calendar; Luci Shaw's latest poems; C'mon C'mon; Azor; Licorice Pizza

This week: An astounding 2022 preview. The upcoming poetry of Luci Shaw. And some initial thoughts on C'mon C'mon, Azor and Licorice Pizza.

The Weekender

The Weekender: Christmas Edition 2021

This week: Malick's rollercoaster ride through the eons of history. Mia Hansen-Løve's film Bergman Island. All hail U2's The Edge!

The Weekender

The Weekender - Third Weekend of December 2021

Merry Christmas early! The Weekender will be a Surprise Box, an unpredictable newsletter, a bulletin board of things I'd like to share that I would have expanded into full, individual posts if life had afforded me the time.

Journal

I approve this message from Governor "Conan the Anti-Authoritarian" Schwarzenegger

Journal

November 7, 2020: Relief, Elation, and Gratitude

I share this as the first in a series of more personal posts, in hopes of expanding the range of subjects I explore at Looking Closer. I hope you enjoy this glimpse of the glory that played out in front of me at the close of this beautiful day.

Journal

SPU Voices: Overstreet on meeting movie stars, storytelling, teaching, and faith

This week on the Seattle Pacific University podcast Voices, host Amanda Stubbert interviews me about my experiences in film criticism, my encounters with movie stars, my life of storytelling, and my new adventures in teaching. We had a great conversation, and I'm happy that I can now share

Journal

New adventures in hi-fi: Check out the new Looking Closer podcast!

It seems inevitable: a Looking Closer podcast!

Film Reviews

At long last — a substantial documentary on Flannery O'Connor

Listen to a podcast reading of this review and additional commentary from Jeffrey Overstreet at the new Looking Closer podcast. How I wish this film had been available last winter when my Seattle Pacific University students and I were politely arguing about Flannery O'Connor. From January to March,

Journal

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

Journal

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.

Journal

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

I'm grateful for this new hymn.

Journal

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.

Journal

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.

Journal

Cinemarginalia: Justin Chang & Ins Choi at The Glen Workshop; Criterion sale; Scorsese in Seattle

You can spend a week in Santa Fe with Justin Chang, Ins Choi, Over the Rhine, and more. Also: The new Scorsese film is getting the best possible projection in Seattle. Read about these things and more here...

Journal

Practicing the Prophetic: James K. A. Smith on liturgy and discernment

Behold — James K. A. Smith's plenary lecture from Seattle Pacific University's Day of Common Learning.

Journal

A Three-Piece Suit and a Doctor Strange T-Shirt

This is crazy. The latest episode of 0ne of my favorite podcasts — The Image Podcast — features a conversation between host Jessica Mesman Griffith, writer Morgan Meis, and... me! Listen here. We talked about how our life stories brought us to art and faith by very different paths. We talked about

Journal

Cinemarginalia: September 14

This is the first installment in an new weekly series of miscellany-loaded posts. This one includes notes on my recent encounters with Blue Jay, Luce, War of the Worlds, The Peanut Butter Falcon, and more!

Journal

Frame 3: Unlearning to Read Along My Commute

A journal entry about the curse of compulsive reading.

Journal

Frame 2: Another Psalm 12

A personal paraphrase of Psalm 12, in which the Scripture becomes, in the moment, a "living word" indeed.

Journal

Frame 1: Intersection

A journal entry.