Archive for March, 2011

IAM Encounter 11 discovery #1: The Johnny Cash Project

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

I saw two things on the big screen at IAM Encounter 11 in New York last week that I came home eager to share with you.

Then I lost a whole week due to illness, and that isn’t over yet. So I’m tired of waiting until I feel better. I’m just going to post them… (more…)

Paul Simon’s aim is true (according to Costello)

Saturday, March 12th, 2011


When Elvis Costello loves your album, well, what higher praise could you want?

Paul Simon doesn’t really need high praise from great songwriters anymore. And I’ve been hearing raves about his new album So Beautiful or So What for a while now.

But my eagerness to have a copy and hear it on a good sound system just doubled… (more…)

A crash diet and convalescent moviegoing: Jane Eyre and Please Give

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

I’m on Day Six of the worst stomach flu I’ve had in my life. Six days in bed, six days without food (besides Jello and a few Saltines), six days home from the office.

But let’s look at the bright side…

I’ve needed to lose a few pounds. Done.

And I’ve managed to see a couple of good films… (more…)

Readings, interviews, reviews: The Ale Boy’s Feast is here at last!

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

Those who have pre-ordered The Ale Boy’s Feast should have the book in a couple of days, and you’ll find it in bookstores on Tuesday (if not earlier).

Yes, we’ve come to the end of a long journey. A four-year journey for readers, a sixteen-year journey for me.

Want to celebrate with me? (more…)

Decent Films reviews Red Riding Hood

Friday, March 11th, 2011

This morning, Brandon Fibbs posted this note on Facebook:

Following the Red Riding Hood screening, I expressed my feelings about the film to a colleague who was lucky enough to have been otherwise occupied. “Was it really that bad?” she asked. “Bad?” I replied. “Hitler was bad. This was awful.”

That should be all you need to know. But if you want something more thoughtful, Steven Greydanus reviews Red Riding Hood today at Decent Films.

I decided right away to avoid this film. The trailer borrowed so heavily from Twilight that it pretty much killed any hopes I had for an intelligent, enchanting fairy tale. (more…)

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Some of my thoughts on The Adjustment Bureau are posted at Image.

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Freewill, predestination, and The Adjustment Bureau

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

There’s a flourishing debate about freewill and determinism going on among moviegoers who have seen The Adjustment Bureau?

Or, at least, the materials I was sent promoting the film made it clear that this was the intention.

Are your friends all buzzing with concern about whether their movements have been programmed, or whether they are free enough to argue with God? If such a conversation is happening, what does that say about the film? (more…)