CineMUSINGS
Friend of Appa reviews LAST AIRBENDER
August 5th, 2010
Note to Appa: you may not really know our friend here, but I’m betting bison to buffaloes you agree with him.
I didn’t have the stomach to see The Last Airbender myself. It seems like sometime in the recent past, James Franco, Joaquin Phoenix and M. Night Shyamalan all conspired to see who could jack up their [...]
A SHINING Overlook with Stanley
July 13th, 2010
My wife and I took a road trip from Seattle to Colorado and up into Wyoming to attend a conference and see Yellowstone National Park. With a rented Mustang convertible and over 9 hours of classic rock inspired by the television show Supernatural courtesy of our friend Dean (not THAT Dean), we found a cinema [...]
The APOCALYPSE of Film & Theology
July 12th, 2010
Are you anywhere near Seattle? You’re welcome to join us Friday in NE Seattle for a viewing of The Book of Eli in its entirety, followed by exposition and discussion. In fact, no matter where you are, you can start walking “west” like Eli and make it a cross-country journey to join us for the [...]
SEQUELS & FRANCHISES, berated & defended
June 22nd, 2010
My friend Elliot found a great article about blockbusters and summer sequelitis that’s worthy of a read. While I’m a fan of summer blockbusters and film franchises, having been weaned on the movie that really kicked it into high gear (Star Wars: A New Hope – for sequels) I really like the sense of history [...]
It’s Always Darkest before the DAWN TREADER
June 17th, 2010
Narnia fans are getting a Christmas present this year… in 3D. The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader trailer shows us a glimpse of the upcoming return to C.S. Lewis’ allegorical wonderland. After a lackluster showing for Prince Caspian and subsequent drop by Disney, die-hard fans of the allegorical series have been concerned [...]
Getting LOST & our hero Shepherd
May 26th, 2010
People seem as polarized as Jack and Locke (or Jacob and Smokey) when it comes to the season finale of LOST… and perhaps that’s appropriate. In this spoiler-laden video review, I’m happy to admit I fall on the satisfied side. From purgatory to redemption, the conclusion’s supernatural summation leaves as many questions as it does [...]
SUPERNATURAL meets the Fonz (with skis)
May 23rd, 2010
In the middle of fourth season, CW’s enduring Supernatural had a daring episode that they titled “Jump the Shark”, dallying with a series-ruining concept but conveniently avoiding the idiom’s teeth. It actually worked… until sadly, the last episode of fifth season – originally slated to be the series’ finale – decided to try on Fonzie’s [...]
Putting the HURT on someone…
May 17th, 2010
Prepping for a lecture this Friday in Seattle following a showing of 2009’s Best Picture winner The Hurt Locker, and thought I’d try something new for the blog with an advance request for thoughts and comments from our avid readers.
What salient speaking points regarding the film should I include? Biblical concepts that came to mind? Particular scriptures [...]
1… 2… Freddy’s Coming for You…
April 29th, 2010
With the new Nightmare on Elm Street haunting cineplexes tomorrow, it seemed like a good idea to resurrect a controversial topic. While pagan philosophy on the circle of life in kids’ movies, and the fact that a couple is having premarital sex in the latest romantic comedy, are often glossed over/justified by many religious types and [...]
How to Train your Content
April 21st, 2010
Things have really taken off with Cinemagogue, from increasing emails to a a few interviews culminating in articles to more connections with writers, pastors and filmmakers. The Mars Hill blog began promoting film and theology events where we capture the audio, and I started blogging for The Resurgence using video. The embedded review of How [...]