Reader Mail - Jeffrey Overstreet

Browsing the Mailbox: July 26

Here are a few notes from this week's mailbox. (And by "mailbox," I might mean blog comments, email, or other social networking sites.) 1. In reference to this previous post, Tob writes: I really want a Thom Yorke bobblehead ... on the off-chance, did you ever find

Overstreet's Books

Into the wilderness

I recently received an email from a young woman saying that she wanted to read my novels, but that first she needed to know if we believed the same things. I'm still reeling from that question. And yet, if I'm honest... ...I remember that way of

On Movies & Media

How many of the Top 100 have you seen?

A note like this can make my day... I saw your post about the Arts & Faith Top 100 list on Twitter. Thanks for reminding me about that. A few years ago I made a goal to watch all of the films on AFI's Top 100 list(s)

Civility

God Bless Gracious Commenters

Friends and colleagues who leave comments here, consider this a little love note, prompted by things I've seen happening on several other sites today. Conversing on an online discussion board is a tricky art.Everybody knows that it's difficult to know how their words are going

Reader Mail

Spam: The Next Step in Evolution?

Normally, I hate spam. Daily, I delete spam. But this week, I must admit that one of the most earnest and ponderous comments I received was, in fact, spam. Good afternoon, I was scanning something different about this on another blog. Interesting. Your perspective about it is diametrically contradicted from

On Movies & Media

With email like this, who needs reviews?

An email from my dear friend Bryan Rust (CAUTION: "Mild" spoilers.) : Hi Jeffrey:Jane and I finally made it to see Up! My only regret is that I forgot to bring Kleenex. This is, after all, a Pixar movie, and I should always anticipate that There Will Be

Reader Mail

Day-making Email about "Auralia's Colors" and The Kindlings Muse

Two years ago at this time, I was frantic to wrap up revisions on Auralia's Colors. Last year, I was frantic to wrap up revisions on Cyndere's Midnight. In the next three weeks, I'm wrapping up revisions on Raven's Ladder... if my

On Movies & Media

"Knowing" Remarks from Ebert and... Well... Others

Roger Ebert bothered many film critics and moviegoers when he turned in a four-star review of Alex Proyas's new film Knowing. Today, he's defending his rave review. Meanwhile, Christianity Today's review was posted last week -- more high praise. But that review inspired backlash

Reader Mail

Cyndere in Singapore

Cynthia writes: Hello from hot and humid Singapore! I have become a fan of your blog for about 2 years now. It was introduced by a friend of mine who lives in LA. Generally I don't trust film critics, but I found an unpretentious opinion and style in

Reader Mail

Cyndere's Midnight: Reviews and Letters, Part 2

I'm still waiting to hear young Ezra Ribera's response to Cyndere's Midnight. I may be waiting for a while. But I have been hearing from others. My thanks to the reviewers who are sharing their experiences of Cyndere's Midnight. This week, Faithful

Reader Mail

Reader mailstrom, 10/16: Through a Screen Darkly; Prince Caspian; Lakeview Terrace; Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Welcome to Reader Mailstrom, a chronicle of stand-outs from the daily maelstrom of Looking Closer email. * DARKLY PLEASED From Chris: The part where you talked about being on a date and tearing up at the film you were seeing rang close to home. That happened to me at Atonement last

Reader Mail

Reader Mail: Ballast! Ghost Town! Ted Baehr!

BEHOLD... BALLAST!Ballast is an excellent film, and I want to thank you for putting it onto my radar.By the way, I've started reading Auralia's Colors and I'm really enjoying it so far. I'm trying to get caught up quickly to

Reader Mail

Reader mailstrom, 8/15: "Learn to Think Critically" about "There Will Be Blood"

Welcome to Reader Mailstrom, a chronicle of stand-outs from the daily maelstrom of Looking Closer email. Most of these letters are real. Some of them are amalgams of a variety of messages. Some of them are what I read between the lines of the things readers really wrote. * In response

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&

Reader Mail

Reader Mailstrom, 6/19

Welcome to Reader Mailstrom, a chronicle of stand-outs from the daily maelstrom of Looking Closer email. All letters are genuine unless I've clearly marked them as inventions or as amalgams of similar messages. Thank you for your messages! * JAKE CHRISTIAN WRITES:I've followed the recent controversy

Reader Mail

Reader Mailstrom, 6/18: "Your reviews are no longer of value to the Christian community."

I'm starting a new column, chronicling stand-outs from the daily maelstrom of Looking Closer email. Most of these letters are real. Some of them are amalgalms of a variety of messages. Some of them are what I read between the lines of the things readers really wrote. Each

On Movies & Media

Reader Mailstrom, 6/17

I'm chronicling memorable messages from the daily maelstrom of Looking Closer email. Most of these letters are real. Some of them may be amalgams of a variety of messages. Some of them are what I read between the lines of the things readers really wrote. Each installment of

On Movies & Media

Reader Mailstrom - 6/13

I'm starting a new column, chronicling stand-outs from the daily maelstrom of Looking Closer email. Most of these letters are real. Some of them are amalgalms of a variety of messages. Some of them are what I read between the lines of the things readers really wrote. Each

On Movies & Media

"You reviewed WHAT??"

Mark Moring responds to a chorus of angry readers regarding why Christianity Today Movies bothered to post a review of Sex and the City. Mark's response is calm and thoughtful, which is the best way to respond to hysteria and outrage. (And this isn't the first

Coen Brothers

Reader!!!! Mail!!!!

This week's blue-ribbon-winning letter from a reader comes in response to my review of No Country for Old Men, which was published at CTMovies. The reader writes: Thank you. You're welcome!!!!!!!!! You are welcome to read my "arguments" in the book Through a Screen

On Movies & Media

"... like tears in rain ..."

In today's mail, I received a note from a reader named Trace: ... I am reading Through a Screen Darkly and thought I'd share a short story with you. When I was about 20 years old I was watching the movie Blade Runner. Near the end of

Reader Mail

And Sometimes My Email Cheers Me Up

And sometimes, I get email that makes my day. And from total strangers! I just finished reading Auralia's Colors and I must say I'm impressed. For the last year I've worked at a christian bookstore, and must admit I get tired of the mediocre

On Movies & Media

Anybody Want to Answer My Email Today?

Here's today's email... I post this simply because a few people have asked me recently if there are still Christians out there who hold onto this condemning reaction to art and culture. They seemed certain that if there are such people, there are only a few