CineMUSINGS
A return trip to Earth X
November 10th, 2011
Joss Whedon has a heavy cross to bear… namely the bulk expectations of not just comics fans, but the increased fan base the recent years of interconnected Marvel movies has accrued. Those who’ve enjoyed the amazing solo entries of the upcoming Avengers surely have big, bombastic hopes and dreams for what the assembled film will provide, in sheer spectacle as well as character advancement for their favorite among the heroes. (I’m praying for you, Joss!)
Along that Marvel mindset, I bumped into another writer for comics, theater and cinema, Jim Krueger, last week in Florida and shared engaging conversation over dinner regarding his own work with these superheroes.
Revisiting a well-worn graphic novel of his in my possession, Earth X, I discovered the forward was by none other than Whedon himself. If Joss’ words of high praise hold true I hope stories like Earth X inspire the Avengers director to go big and thought-provoking as he weaves these larger-than-life characters together.
Read More...Coming to a Cinemagogue Near YOU…
January 3rd, 2011
Last year, I expanded my work with Film and Theology, movies and metanarrative, beyond the boundaries of the interwebs and local events, crossing the country to speak at the Storytellers Media Conference in Florida. Like a program breaking out of the grid into the world of the Users, Cinemagogue is out to do more geographic [...]
Read More...Biblical Manhood/Womanhood in Pop Culture
September 8th, 2010
Pop culture rarely yields a motherlode when it comes to examples of biblical manhood or womanhood, but occasionally you strike a narrative vein or sift metaphorical gold dust from the examples in media. Just as the apostle Paul stripped a few lines from Athenian poetry that were applicable to the true, triune God, we should keep [...]
Read More...Film & Theology 101
September 5th, 2010
WHY do we do things like Cinemagogue? Why do we examine film, television, literature and theology against then narrative of Scripture? Lately, even more have not just been asking why, but HOW we approach it; the greatest joy is when people want to replicate what I truly believe our loving God has put on my [...]
Read More...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 [...]
Read More...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 [...]
Read More...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 [...]
Read More...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 [...]
Read More...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 [...]
Read More...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 [...]
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