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
The Auralia Thread 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
The Auralia Thread 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
The Auralia Thread 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
Endorsements 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
The Auralia Thread 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,
The Auralia Thread 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&
Focus on the Family 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
Christianity Today 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
Through a Screen Darkly "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
On Movies & Media 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 Top Five Favorite Responses from Angry Readers 'Tis the season for top ten lists. So, having posted my top 10 (and more) favorite movies and albums for the year, let's move on to the next most exciting thing. I'm kicking off a new annual list: Top Five Favorite Responses from Angry Readers
Through a Screen Darkly "... 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
The Auralia Thread 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
Through a Screen Darkly Reading Letters and Blogs "Darkly" Letters like this make my day. I hoped that the book would inspire people to meet together, watch great films, and discuss them. And it's happening. I continue to hear from people who are discovering the book and starting their own discussion groups. Here's one that
On Movies & Media An Almighty Groan Latest letters at CT Movies: Tonight I took my two teenagers and a couple of their friends to see Evan Almighty. I am going to recommend this movie to everyone I know! We laughed until we cried, and I was so absolutely touched by the accurate re-telling of this Noah&
On Movies & Media So it continues: Are Christians a niche audience? Readers are responding to my recent article at Christianity Today Movies: Christians as a Niche Market? And, as you might expect, their perspectives vary.
On Movies & Media New Feedback at CT Movies There are a couple of new letters up at the CT Movies feedback page... or, as I like to call it, the Greatest Show on Earth. You never know what the letters will be like... sometimes it's inspiring, sometimes it's discouraging, and sometimes it's
On Movies & Media "Have We Lost Our Minds?" Readers Say "No!" My blog post about CT Movies' reviews and the Christian perspective that informs them was republished (in an abridged, revised form) at CT Movies. And now, readers are responding. Perhaps CT Movies is not so out of touch with its Christian audience after all. Check out the letters marked
