Reader Mail

A collection of 53 posts

On Movies & Media

CT's Top Ten Lists: A Sign of the Coming Apocalypse?

If you're reading Through a Screen Darkly, you've probably come across some of my "war stories" about the outrageous letters and emails I've received over the years as a Christian film reviewer. I wish I could say things are getting easier. They&

Pan's Labyrinth

Vote now in CT's readers' poll: Best Movies of 2006!

Just so you know, Christianity Today gives positive reviews to wicked movies like Pan's Labyrinth. At least, that's what this letter writer says on the

On Songs & Albums

Bono's not a Christian Because He Cusses. Or So I'm Told.

This just came in as a comment on a previous post, but hey... I think it deserves a post all its own. I'm copying and pasting it here uncut, without alteration: I don't believe Bono is a christian at all. the bible warns us of wolves

On Movies & Media

A New Batch of Responses at CT Feedback

UPDATED!!NOW, with even more provocative responses from readers... Here's one of the letters contributed by readers after CT's coverage of The Nativity Story, and there are more where this came from: * A concerned Catholic I look forward to your thoughts, but please, don't

On Movies & Media

"What?! You Mentioned Mormonism?"

A few days back, Christianity Today Movies published an interview with film director Richard Dutcher, who has a Mormon background. And this provoked a classic reactionary response. Read the letter, read CT's reply, and shake your head and sigh... Editor's note: Um, the article wasn'

On Movies & Media

"Have you people lost your minds and perhaps your souls?"

The latest letters to Christianity Today Movies continue to demonstrate the great divide... No Heads in the Sand posted 11/02/06 I am a pastor of a large church in Denver and appreciate your approach on reviewing films. I am proud of you for reviewing R-rated movies and coming

On Movies & Media

Another "Facing the Giants" controversy

Facing the Giants, the film that has stirred up some chatter because it was rated PG for its open references to Christianity, is stirring up even more trouble for cultural commentator and writer Dick Staub. Staub dared to suggest that, even though Christians had been involved in making and supporting

On Movies & Media

Intriguing letters of the week!

I'm as anxious as anybody to leave the political and critical debates about Brokeback Mountain behind. But email feedback at Looking Closer has more than doubled since my Brokeback Mountain review was published, and just this week, I've received several interesting messages, and a few are

On Movies & Media

Interesting letter of the day

Got the daily bundle of letters in response to the Brokeback Mountain reviews, but I also received one that was quite unusual. I don't usually post the complimentary letters because I don't want to appear to be glorying in somebody's appreciation. But this one

On Movies & Media

Letter of the Day: Response to "Brokeback Mountain" Review

Today I received this letter in response to my Brokeback Mountain review. Its typical of other responses I've received, but this one was such a convenient distillation of the various contradictions and claims that I was grateful for the chance to address so many common attacks on Christian

On Movies & Media

Homosexual Heath Ledger Character: Bad. Heterosexually Promiscuous Ledger Character: Not So bad?

I've had some interesting chats with the film writers and the editor of Christianity Today Movies in the wake of the publication of Lisa Cockrel's Brokeback Mountain review. Mark Moring, the CT Movies editor, says he's received over 250 e-mails about the Brokeback Mountain

On Movies & Media

Thoughts on future Narnia films

I'm engrossed in editing Auralia's Colors this weekend, and working on my Top 25 of 2005. But in the meantime... I think it has been proved that The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has enough legs that a sequel will be made and since you

On Movies & Media

New feedback at CT: Narnia

A letter worth noting at the Feedback page for Christianity Today Movies: Your Reel News column states, "It's not surprising that believers would see [The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe] as not just mere entertainment, but as an evangelistic opportunity. "In stark contrast, C. S.

Looking Elsewhere

Specials: Staub. Art quotes. Capote. More news.

Today's specials: * Dick Staub says "I believe..." Wow. Right on. * And speaking of inspirational writing... Jeff Berryman has just given a nod to what may be the biggest archive of art-related quotations on the Web. * Phillip Seymour Hoffman stars in Capote. * More film-related news has just

On Movies & Media

More feedback at CT Movies - rant, rant, rant

Anybody else want to volunteer replies to these letters posted at CTMovies Feedback page? posted 06/28/05 I have not seen Bewitched, but I am very surprised at Christianity Today Movies seeming to approve of a film with such themes. Sex, profanity, full-frontal nudity (frankly, I find blurred-out genitals

On Movies & Media

The CT Movies mailbag: More of the same

Over on the Feedback page of Christianity Today Movies, Mark Moring has posted some more of the letters responding to the reviews there. There are some interesting reactions to Peter T. Chattaway's interview with Brian Flemming, the self-described "Christian atheist" and his claims that Jesus didn&

On Movies & Media

As always, a wide range of responses...

CT Movies has updated its feedback page, and there are some interesting responses to the Kingdom of Heaven coverage. There are also the typically varied displays of enthusiasm and protest over reviews of Kicking and Screaming, Monster-in-Law, and Crash... posted 05/23/05 In your review of Monster-in-Law, your Family

On Movies & Media

Letter of the Day

My comments on Islam in my Kingdom of Heaven review have been tweaked, politely and correctly (I assume), by an attentive reader. Thanks, Kurt! Clearly, I have more to learn on these subjects.... Jeffrey I agree absolutely with your criticism of the heavy-handed message of tolerance taking precedence over genuine

On Movies & Media

All Credit to Richard Seven

I can only thank Richard Seven once again for letting me be a part of Pacific Northwest Magazine. Look at the letters coming in to The Seattle Times. I hope the higher-ups take note of this and give the guy a bonus. I expected the typical Seattle anti-Christian outrage. (Ahh.

On Movies & Media

CT Movies Getting Something Other Than Rage Mail

Hooray! More who see the point and appreciate the efforts of Mark Moring and company at CT Movies! Finally, a Christian movie website that makes sense — educated and well informed. I am a movie buff, a strong Christian and someone quite frankly who was so tired of reading Christian movie

On Movies & Media

More Mail for CT's Top 10, and My Visit to an SPU Classroom

A couple of days ago, I posted some of the complaints that have come in to CT Movies about the year-end Top Ten List that they posted. And I replied to those complaints. I also used them as material to enliven my presentation when I guest-taught a class for Dr.

On Movies & Media

Feedback: The good, the bad, and the ugly

CT Movies is getting some feedback on the movies chosen by their critics as the Best of 2004. Here are some examples that editor Mark Moring has posted on the site. I'd encourage you to offer your own thoughts on the list. Send feedback to ctmovies@christianitytoday.com.

On Movies & Media

The Secret Meaning of The Life Aquatic

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the most surprising email I've received today. Warning: If you haven't seen The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, beware! Spoilers ahead!Steve is a modern, comic version of St. Stephen, the early Christian martyr put to death for asserting

On Movies & Media

Email from a Reader re: The Death of Theo Van Gogh

I posted the news about Theo Van Gogh's murder, and quickly received this interesting reply that fills in more of the picture. With the writer's permission, I'd like to share it with you: I conclude from your comment on the "Michael Moore'

David Habecker

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! It's been far too long since I've dropped you a line, but I have continued to be