On Movies & Media Before You See That Noah Movie, Read This... Here's an article about the upcoming "Noah" movie that's sure to rub some Christian readers the wrong way. But Darren Aronofsky likes it. So does Russell Crowe. And so do I.
On Movies & Media Hard to Be a God — The Science Fiction Film of the Decade? This film first won my attention when one of my favorite film critics rated it a perfect "10." I began to dig for information. What is this movie? Why such a bold title?
Film Reviews The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2014): Or, Now You Can Watch the Zany Adventure Movie That America Missed Looking for an escape? Searching for an exciting, hilarious, fun adventure film for the whole family? I highly recommend Luc Besson's The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec. Globe-trotting adventure, over-the-top comedy, extravagant costumes, Egyptian tomb-raiding, and a rampaging pterodactyl... this movie has all of that and more. And
Film Reviews The LEGO Movie (2014) The LEGO Movie is, at once, a movie with more laughs-per-minute than any recent comedy I can remember; the greatest LEGO invention of all time; and a thrilling summons to unleash our own creativity — not only with our LEGOs, but with our lives.
Interviews Wait... how did I end up in The New Yorker? I've just been informed that Sam Sweet at The New Yorker has published a piece about "The Christian Oscars." I play a supporting role — not in the "Christian Oscars" (thank goodness) but in the article. I'm as surprised about this development as
On Movies & Media Six Movies to Revisit Before You See The LEGO Movie I encourage you to revisit this short list of movies before you go watch the LEGOs this weekend. Why? Let me explain...
On Movies & Media Philip Seymour Hoffman: The Actor, The Philosopher, The Master, The Wrestler I feel like I've been hit by a truck this morning, trying to absorb the reports that drug addiction has apparently taken the magnificent actor Philip Seymour Hoffman from us. In a way, we mourn the deaths of actors because we love the characters we played, not because
Overstreet's Books In Case You Missed It: Personal Highlights of 2013 I am so grateful for evenings, weekends, and coffee breaks. Those are the chances I have to share what I do best. I hope that some of it was useful to you in 2013. Here are some of the highlights of my past year...
Film Reviews Her (2013): a guest review Guest reviewer Lauren Wilford on Spike Jonze's new film: "Depending on your perspective, Her has either an amazing elevator pitch or an awful one: 'A guy falls in love with his iPhone.'"
Film Reviews The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): a commentary "What? You liked The Wolf of Wall Street? How could you possibly recommend such a profane movie that revels in so much evil?" Written as a response to messages like that one, this post was originally titled "Respect The Wolf of Wall Street (The Movie, Not the Man)"
Film Reviews Her (2013): a fictional review This review of Spike Jonze's film "Her" is Part Four of the new fiction series I call "All Thumbs Video."
Film Reviews Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) His name is Salieri, and in Milos Forman’s beloved film "Amadeus," he is played by F. Murray Abraham. Why am I talking about "Amadeus" when this is supposed to be a review of "Inside Llewyn Davis"? Stay with me. It’s important.
On Songs & Albums Looking Closer's Last-Minute Christmas Gift Recommendations Many of you are scrambling to pick up gifts for friends and family, and I feel compelled to bring some possibilities to your attention... gifts that would enrich the lives of those who care about excellence, beauty, truth, and the arts.
On Movies & Media Big Screen 2014: Been There... and Back Again... and Again... There's a new "Gilligan's Island" movie in the works. What's more, those two sequels you've been dying to see are finally happening: a follow-up to "Rounders" and the mandatory "Shakespeare in Love 2." What will we do while we wait for these grand contributions to cinema? No worries. Here's what H
On Movies & Media The Abomination of "Desolation": Two Hobbit-Related Lists "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" is here. But I didn't attend the press screening. Why? I'll explain. But first, here are five important bits from a review by my favorite movie reviewer...
On Movies & Media Indiana Jones and the Pirate Muppets of Dagobah Today, Disney took control of the Indiana Jones franchise. So I challenged my friends to see who could come up with the best title for Indiana Jones V. Here are a few of their suggestions...
On Movies & Media Let Us Now Praise the Great Voices of the Movies... Mel Blanc may have been the king of voice actors for cartoons. But who are the great "unseen voices" of live-action moviemaking? James Earl Jones looms large. Is there any voice that gets your attention like Darth Vader's? Christine Cavanaugh gave us the voice of Babe
On Movies & Media Disney's Frozen Get Chilly Reception (From Some of My Favorite Critics) "There’s nothing I’d like more than to tell you [that Frozen] is a musical fairy-tale triumph: a throwback to the days of Beauty and the Beast, like many critics are saying." That's how the great Steven Greydanus begins his review of Frozen. Can you sense the pending "But..."? Here it comes.
Looking Elsewhere Looking Elsewhere: November 11, 2013 This week, Looking Closer sends a Hi 5 to the Face out to Fast Company, NPR, Todd Fadel, Ridley Scott, Christianity Today, Sam Phillips, Matt Zoller Seitz, James Rocchi, Mike D'Angelo, John Sayles, and more!
On Movies & Media A Dog Named Inigo, A Cat Named Scully... and Other Pets Named After Movie Characters A few days ago, I asked people to speak up about the pets that they've named after characters from movies. Then it started raining cats and dogs.
On Songs & Albums U2: Rattle and Hum is 25 Years Old! Share Your Concert Film Memories... Phil Joanou's groundbreaking concert film U2: Rattle and Hum opened during my senior year of high school, on the birthday of my lifelong friend and musical co-conspirator Todd Fadel. And I was so jealous. Todd would automatically have the most awesome birthday party ever. And he pretty much
Film Reviews 12 Years a Slave (2013) It's a film I would encourage every American over the age of 16 (in general) to see. It's important. It's necessary. But it is also, in my opinion, limited and even undermined by certain aspects of McQueen's artistry.
On Movies & Media What's "The Most Cinematic Movie" Ever Made? What movies pop into your head if I say the word "cinematic"? Tell us about your favorites, and why they are "cinematic," here.
On Movies & Media Did You Name Your Pet After a Movie Character? Do you have a pet named after a movie character? If so, send me a snapshot, the name of the pet, the movie that the name comes from, and your name, and I'll include it in an upcoming post.
On Songs & Albums Farewell to Lou Reed Rest in peace, Lou Reed. Here's the legend himself, appearing in Wim Wenders' film Faraway So Close, the sequel to my favorite film, Wings of Desire. In this scene, a fallen angel named Cassiel wanders into a club where Reed is performing the song "Why Can&
