Looking Closer Breaks New Ground in September
In September, I'm rearranging my weekly schedule to find a better balance.
Friends have begun to point out that I'm wearing myself out. If I keep up this pace of office work, review writing, and book writing, I'm headed for serious trouble with my health and my spirit. I need more rest, more exercise, more time at home, more time with Anne. And I need some space to breathe, read, and soak up some inspiration.
I also want to devote more time and attention to The Auralia Thread, so I have no regrets about the stories I deliver.
Now... I told you I had some big news coming, and here it is:
I'm cutting back on the frequency of my film reviews for Christianity Today, in order to write a new monthly column for them: Through a Screen Darkly. (How's that for a snappy title?)
The column will give me an opportunity to meander about Movieland, contemplating trends in contemporary cinema, challenging readers to revisit films that deserve a second look, and sharing those movies I've discovered that should not slip past your radar.
At the same time, I'm also going to be contributing two articles monthly to the website for Image journal.
This is a real thrill for me. Image is an extraordinary journal, bringing together many of my favorite writers to explore matters of faith and art. To get an idea of Image's ideals, content, and reach, watch this new video.
The Image blog is called Good Letters, and it features a family of talented, thoughtful writers. I'm honored to join their prestigious company, and to bring my thoughts on cinema to a new audience. For Image, I'll be taking a look at films old and new, films that demand post-viewing conversation. If all goes according to plan, each letter will conclude with a warning: Viewer Discussion Advised.
Believe it or not, this change is *good* for my schedule. It will mean I have more time to compose my thoughts for you, and not so much of the panic and haste involved in attending press screenings and turning in reviews within a 48-hour period. Plus, this arrangement will allow me to focus on films I know to be rich and worthwhile, and take a break from reviewing films that frustrate me.
(I can't believe I invested so many hours in reviews of The X-Files: I Want to Believe and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Reviews that encourage people to avoid such stuff are essential, but blechhh. I did not enjoy the process much. If I only have a little bit of time each week to write about film, I'd rather encourage people to see great art than add another review to the hundreds that say "The Happening just ain't happening.")
So... it's going to be an exciting new year. Hopefully, one that's healthier and more enjoyable.
I hope you'll come along with me for both of these new endeavors. Let's see what happens.
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.
A Sad, Sudden Farewell: Bernie Mac 1957 - 2008
MSNBC reports that Bernie Mac passed away due to complications brought on by pneumonia. He was 50.
I'll miss Bernie. He was one of a kind, a distinct, huge personality whose gravity was irresistible. His sitcom was creative and sometimes even joyful... a rare guilt-free treat. He had a rare knack for monologues. And he got laughs without relying on crass punchlines or obscenities.
Long may the reruns play on.
Farewell to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Last week, as I was walking past a newspaper vendor, I stopped in my tracks. The headline was a stunner: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn had passed away.
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Browser: My time at The Glen Workshop; Over the Rhine's new live album and upcoming tour; Farwell to Pauline Baynes; R-rated comedies; Peter Buck's faves; Pitt; The Road!
I've just returned from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Anne and I enjoyed The Glen Workshop for the fourth year in a row. What an extraordinary gathering. More and more, my year is divided into two halves: Anticipating The Glen, and Absorbing All I Experienced At The Glen.
This year... what a rush: Memorable and inspiring encounters with Bret Lott, Barry Moser, Over the Rhine, Daniel Tobin, and so many more.
It was quite a privilege to join Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist for dinner and hear them dreaming about their musical future.
It was riveting to hear Barry Moser talk about his remarkable history as an illustrator of childrens' books, and how he overcame his "prejudice" against childrens' literature.
It was spellbinding to hear Daniel Tobin's poetry.
It was inspiring to receive a pep talk about my writing from National Book Award finalist and all-around fantastic gal Sara Zarr.
God stole the show as we hiked around Bandalier National Monument and explored the Pueblo cliff dwellings there. Spooky and awe-inspiring.
I got teary-eyed watching the second graduating class of Seattle Pacific University's MFA program gather on the platform to receive their diplomas. They worked so hard, immersed themselves in such great literature, and wrote beautiful new work.
And at our apartment on Thursday night, thirty three people packed in to read original work aloud to one another from 8:15 p.m. until 1:15 in the morning. Glorious. And what an honor to have the accomplished Bret Lott in attendance.
Image journal has developed a little preview of heaven every summer in Santa Fe, and I hope to see you there next year.
In fact, I have some exciting Image-related news that I'll be sharing with you very soon.
If you're curious, head on over to Flickr and check out a collection of photos from my week at The Glen.
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OVER THE RHINE RELEASE NEW LIVE COLLECTION,
KICK OFF CHRISTMAS TOUR IN SEATTLE THIS YEAR
The new Over the Rhine live collection -- Live from Nowhere vol. 3 collection is the best of the series so far, featuring a version of "Trouble" that's better than the one on The Trumpet Child, one of Mickey Grimm's wild-and-crazy drum solos (Animal lives!), a particularly cocky version of "Don't Wait for Tom," and some vocals from Karin Bergquist that make me thankful for recording technology. It's a joyful party record, jazzy as hell, with a few wintry touches (selections from Snow Angels), and for a live album it has pristine, glorious sound.
But here's the big news: On the weekend after Thanksgiving, Over the Rhine will kick off their Christmas tour at Seattle's Triple Door with two shows. Last year, Karin Bergquist told me it was her new favorite room for singing. I was there for both of those shows, and I plan to be there for both of these. See you there.
For pics from Over the Rhine's show at Christ Church in Santa Fe last week, visit my Flickr page.
I love these guys. They've even inspiring breakfast company.
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FAREWELL TO NARNIA'S ILLUSTRATOR
The great Pauline Baynes died on Friday in her cottage in Dockenfield, Surrey.
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CHATTAWAY NOTES CURIOUS HEADLINES
Peter Chattaway just pointed this out to me:
Headline in the Hollywood Reporter, July 29: R-rated comedies suffer at boxoffice
Headline in the Associated Press, August 4: Hollywood strikes gold with R-rated comedy wave
And now, back to the Hollywood Reporter, August 6: R ratings might help comedies
Confused yet?
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PETER BUCK'S FAVORITE ALBUMS?
Peter Buck is talking about his favorite albums. And hey... there's Sam Phillips's Martinis and Bikinis!
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DAILY DOSE OF PITT
The first "review" of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is up!
And speaking of Brad Pitt... he's signed on to be in Quentin Tarantino's WWII flick, Inglorious Bastards, and it looks like he'll have some interesting company... like The Office's darkly browed B.J. Novak and Hostel director Eli Roth.
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USA TODAY ON THE ROAD
There's a photo gallery from John Hillcoat's film of Cormac McCarthy's The Road up at USA Today. I'm reviewing this for Christianity Today when it comes out. I cannot wait. I finished the book many months ago, and I remember it as vividly as if it were yesterday.
Occasional blogging this week: I'm relaxing and writing in Santa Fe.
I'm sitting at The Tea House on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, working on Cal-raven's Ladder.
It's the week of the Glen Workshop, my favorite week of the year. I'm surrounded by writers and artists and musicians I admire. Tonight I'm introducing novelist Bret Lott for the keynote address, so I need to compose something for the occasion.
I don't want to go into details here, but God carried Anne and I through a rather frightful experience this weekend. So many things can go wrong on the road, and we are grateful that God carried us through this encounter unhurt and that he swept us so safely back into a house crowded with God's creative children.
I want you all to know that I'm so grateful for the richness I find in our conversations. Whether we're cheering for a new Pixar preview or mining the wisdom of the Inklings, whether we're arguing about the finer points of artistic ethics or interpreting mysterious lyrics, we're on a journey that's full of delights and rewarding challenges. "Looking closer" is a joy, but the world's so full of wonders that it's sometimes hard to know where to start, and the world's so full of demands and distractions that it's tough to devote my attention to any one thing fully sufficiently.
In the midst of my little ordeal this weekend, I found myself hovering at a distance over my life and I realized that I have no regrets ...save that I'm so easily intrigued and distracted by the glories of God's world that I fail to spend enough to hours in stillness and receptivity to the Spirit. I'm overjoyed at the privilege of exploring the world through art, sheltered and dazzled by God's patience, affection, and wild mercy. That I am still here to continue that journey is a blessing. I'm grateful that you're coming along with me in this unfolding story of humbling surprises and amazing grace.
Now, back to a cup of amazing chai (It's called Coyote Chocolate!), and back to King Cal-raven, who's riding out into a rainstorm in search of tidings of hope to bring back to his hungry, weary people...
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.
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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 Studio are winning raves from kids and critics alike with WALL·E, thanks to the help of a little robot with a big heart. Yes, it’s business as usual for the storytellers and animators who have given moviegoers memorable, awe-inspiring scenes for more than a decade.Read more
Browser, 7/24: The Balcony is Closed; Tron 2?; Wolverine;
THE BALCONY IS CLOSED
I was surprised how depressed I felt all day on July 21, when Richard and I announced we were leaving the "Ebert and Roeper" program. To be sure, our departures were voluntary. We hadn't been fired. And because of my health troubles, I hadn't appeared on the show for two years. But I advised on co-hosts, suggested movies, stayed in close communication with Don DuPree, our beloved producer-director. The show remained in my life. Now, after 33 years, it was gone--taken in a "new direction." And I was fully realizing what a large empty space it left behind.
Yes, we're planning to continue the traditional format in a new venue, and taking the thumbs along with us. I'm involved in that, and it will be a great consolation. But somehow I thought the show Gene Siskel and I began would roll on forever. How many other TV formats had survived so long?
I grew up watching Siskel and Ebert, and their sincere debates about the movies they loved and hated were a model for me in how to discuss a work of art, and how intelligent people could have very different interpretations of a film.
My family is good at a lot of things, but arguments are not one of them. I rarely saw family members argue about anything. If I learned how to argue from anyone, it was from these two. They disagreed, sometimes vehemently, but they maintained their dignity and always seemed friendly and committed to their mutual vision. It was great teamwork.
At least it seemed like great teamwork. I've learned since then that things might have been a bit stormier and more unpleasant at times behind the scenes. Nevertheless, the model of friendly debate that was televised inspired me to figure out what I thought about a movie, and to learn to venture into those discussions myself. It taught me not to merely accept the splashy raves that are posted on movie advertisements, but to seek out a variety of opinions. I grew beyond merely deciding who to agree with, and began crafting my own opinion.
As a result, I learned to talk about choices, consequences, and other people's worldviews. I learned to consider the importance of aesthetics, and how the style of a thing was an integral part of the substance of the thing. I learned to go beyond the movie itself, to talk about whether it mattered, and if so, how and why.
I learned that debate can be good, productive, even redemptive... so long as those arguing will continue to maintain respect and decency. I learned to raise questions about the work, while holding back from judgment of the person on the other end of the argument. (Well, sometimes I could do better, and I still have much to learn, but who doesn't?)
Oh, and I discovered a lot of my favorite movies, thanks to Siskel and Ebert too.
So the permanent departure of Roger Ebert from the television show is an occasion for sadness, but also for appreciation. And it's an inspiration to continue that good work.
As Henry Miller wrote,
Art is only a means to life, to the life more abundant. It is not in itself the life more abundant. It merely points the way, something which is overlooked not only by the public, but very often by the artist himself. In becoming an end it defeats itself.
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Tron returns!
From The Hollywood Reporter's Risky Biz Blog, a surprise glimpse of a Tron remake!
More at Ain't It Cool.
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Wolverine rocks Comic-Con
Hugh Jackman makes a surprise visit in front of joyous geeks, resulting in great civil unrest.