"The Muppet Christmas Carol" was about as faithful an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story as the Muppets could make in the midst of their typical mischief. Nevertheless, fans could feel that something was missing. The regular cast of characters seemed to have lost their personalities...

I'm grateful to the good folks at The Brehm Center for inviting me to contribute to their film site Reel Spirituality. And my first contribution there is about a movie I've been eager to see for several years. I can't believe I'm finally reviewing it.

The filmmakers took one children's book and expanded it into three movies. So I'll take this one movie and expand it into two movie reviews...

Whether you call it inspiring, baffling, offensive, or exhausting — I suspect you'll describe it as "all of the above" — I think you'll agree with me that this film is truly unforgettable. Despite the millions of dollars fueling 2012’s special-effects extravaganzas, I doubt I’ll experience anything as exhilarating as this.

Look! These links caught my attention today, for one reason or another. Check back later. I may add more look-worthy links as the day goes on.

If A. O. Scott's description of Ang Lee's new movie "Life of Pi" is accurate, then he's confirming my suspicions about the hollowness of the narrative's heart.

Today's anniversary nearly slipped past me. But then a tweet from actor Richard Dreyfuss caught my eye...

What does "Moonrise Kingdom" have in common with "The Master," "Sinister," "Beasts of the Southern Wild," and "Margaret"?

I would not say that I find the movie satisfying, but I do find it powerfully haunting. And that is my way of paying the filmmaker and her cast a compliment. To be haunted by a work of art is a better thing than to be satisfied by it. It means that the movie will play on in my imagination, challenging me and asking me to pay attention. I cannot paraphrase with any certainty what "The Loneliest Planet" means, but I am certain that it is extraordinarily meaningful...