WALL-E - Jeffrey Overstreet

Preach It, Andrew Stanton!

Andrew Stanton, writer/director of WALL•E, accepting the award for Best Picture from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association last night: Toy Story

Looking Elsewhere

Browser: Gerard Manley Hopkins & Paul Mariani; A moratoriaum on Holocaust films?; Plus, U2, Katherine Heigl, Keanu and more 2008 Film Awards

Paul Mariani, one of my favorite poets, has now penned a new book on Gerard Manley Hopkins. Books and Culture has a review. More... * Should there be a moratorium on "Holocaust films"? Stewart Klawans thinks so. * Watch out, polygamists. Here comes Katherine Heigl. Variety reports: "Katherine Heigl

On Movies & Media

The Los Angeles Film Critics: "WALL-E is the Best Movie of 2008"

Something is happening. Among American film critics, WALL-E is emerging as a favorite for the year's Best Picture. The L.A. Film Critics just joined TIME's Richard Corliss and The New Yorker's Anthony Lane, heralding Pixar's movie as the Best Film of

Oscars

Make your case: Why We Love WALL-E.

It's the most joyous time of the year. Yes, I'm talking about Oscar season. Okay, maybe "joyous" is too strong a word, but I do love this season, because critics start celebrating and championing their favorite films, albums, books, etc. And after a season

On Movies & Media

The Kindlings Muse Movie Show is Back!

After taking the summer off, I was happy to reunite with the team for another Kindlings Muse movie show, recorded at Hales Pub and Brewery. Jennie Spohr was not able to join us; she's home enjoying the company of her newborn. Congratulations, Jennie! But I enjoyed a lively

Looking Elsewhere

Looking Elsewhere: August 14, 2008

Ebert on "Clone Wars"; WALL-E's wisdom; Woody Allen Reflects; Death Cab to despair?; Captain Ahab; Mountain Goats

On Movies & Media

Winner of the Looking Closer review contest!

Many thanks to the writers who entered the most recent Looking Closer review contest! I'm especially grateful for your patience, as I had to postpone my decision due to a pile-up of competing deadlines, interruptions, and responsibilities. I enjoyed all of the reviews submitted. And picking a winner

Film Reviews

WALL·E (2008) - A Review and a Conversation with Andrew Stanton

This review and interview were originally published in the online edition of Response, a magazine published by Seattle Pacific University. * Who would have believed that a mechanical trash compactor on wheels would become the most lovable big-screen personality of the year? It’s happening. The moviemaking wizards at Pixar Animation

On Movies & Media

Joe Morgenstern: WALL-E for Best Picture!

Film criticJoe Morgenstern says exactly what I was thinking after I saw WALL-E the first time... and the second time... If the pattern of the past seven years prevails, "WALL-E" will be nominated for the Best Animated Feature category; if justice prevails, it will win. But "WALL-E&

Looking Elsewhere

Browser, 6/11: Radiohead w/lasers!; My Chat with Kim Ketola; "WALL-E"; "Where the Wild Things Are"; Outlandish Outlander; Sixpence None the Richer; E.B. White

Radiohead laser show The new Radiohead video didn't use any cameras. It used lasers. And now, I challenge you to fill in the blank with something that would catch everyone by surprise. For their next video... Radiohead won't use any cameras. They'll use __________________. Thanks

On Movies & Media

WALL-E magic. Also: "Wit" and "Passion" and Painful Movies

No, they caaaaan't take that awayyyy from me.... I'm loving the raves for WALL-E. The first and the second time I saw the film, I came away saying, "I can't review this movie. Not yet. Because I can't explain the power

On Movies & Media

Rod Dreher Gets WALL-E

Woo hoo! Rod Dreher's review of WALL-E has me ready to run out and see it a third time. Or write a book about it. Or something. The following contains SPOILERS, so don't say I didn't warn you..."Wall-E" says that humans

On Movies & Media

Don't Read Roger Ebert's WALL-E Review!

Much as I hate to say this about the work of my favorite mainstream film critic... Don't read Roger Ebert's WALL-E review. It contains a huge spoiler, without any warning! Go see the movie knowing as little about it as possible!

Film Forum

WALL•E: Talking with Andrew Stanton, and the Film Forum Reviews

As I sat braced for my ten-minute conversation with Andrew Stanton, the writer and director of my favorite Pixar movie, Finding Nemo, I tried to imagine how I might make something useful out of such a short span of time. I was a bit anxious about meeting one of my

On Movies & Media

Christianity Today Relishes Trash, Waste, Environmental Destruction, and Obesity

In other words... Christianity Today film critic Josh Hurst loves WALL-E! And it is absolutely not a political movie, no matter how hard a small faction of political bloggers might try to pin it as one. But even more than a great work of sci-fi, this is a great work

On Movies & Media

Christianity Today's Mark Moring interviews Andrew Stanton

In an excellent interview, inspiring excellent answers, Mark Moring talks with Andrew Stanton. I saw the film last night, and I was not prepared for its magnificence. Stay tuned, I'll have much, much more to say. But also, brace yourselves. A lot of people aren't going

On Movies & Media

Andrew Stanton on WALL-E

I'm looking forward to a chat with Pixar's Andrew Stanton, writer and director of Wall-E, later this week. But my favorite bit from The Boston Globe's conversation with Stanton is this: "I rely on that now," he admits. "I still work

On Movies & Media

The Movie That Harry Can't Tell You About. Plus: Win a Wall-E poster!

Is this the year that an animated movie will win the Oscar for Best Picture? Here's hoping... Harry Knowles at Ain't It Cool... ... I wouldn't say PIXAR has done it again, because honestly... They've never ever made a film this great before.

On Movies & Media

"Wall-E" has a Trailer

And here it is. Wow. What a powerful little teaser. Gives me flashbacks to the '80s... Short Circuit and E.T., specifically. And this one's directed by Andrew Stanton, who gave us Finding Nemo. I can't wait. As I work on stories in The Auralia