Paste, Relevant, and CCM Magazines
Sometimes I receive letters and know right away what I want to say in response.
But sometimes, even if I know what I want to say, I'm more interested in hearing what other people would say in response.
This letter, which raises questions about the differences between magazines like Paste, Relevant, and CCM, is one of those letters.
So, let me put this letter on the table, and see what happens.
Keep it gracious, generous, but bold and true. I don't want to know if you "like" or are "offended" by it. I want to know what you would say to address this writer's questions, and what your perspective is on the differences between the three magazines, their methods, their styles, their audiences, and their integrity.
Heck, if you want to include Risen in this round-up... feel free. There's some interesting stuff happening there as well.Read more
Why My Faith is Not FoxFaith (and Great Art is Not Necessarily "Christian Art")
When I saw a promotional video for the arrival of FoxFaith, a special library of movies that "Christians and families can enjoy," I had a flashback.
As I perused the titles of films being included in that label, I felt the walls closing in, trapping me in a familiar world of art that consisted of:
A) Nice, gentle, comfortable entertainment
B) American nostalgia
C) Bible stories.
About ten years ago, I decided that I couldn't take living in such a small world anymore.Read more
Why My Faith is Not "FoxFaith," and Great Art is Not Necessarily "Christian art"
When I saw a promotional video for the arrival of FoxFaith, a special library of movies that "Christians and families can enjoy," I had a flashback.
As I perused the titles of films being included in that label, I felt the walls closing in, trapping me in a familiar world of art that consisted of:
A) Nice, gentle, comfortable entertainment
B) American nostalgia
C) Bible stories.
About ten years ago, I decided that I couldn't take living in such a small world anymore.Read more
Will Peter Jackson Direct "The Hobbit"? He Wonders Too.
There's some interesting stuff in Quint's interview with Peter Jackson at AICN today.
Basically, Jackson explains that... and this is hard to believe... nobody at all has ever even phoned him to ask him if he's interested in directing The Hobbit. He's filling up his work calendar, MGM's talking about making the movie in a couple of years, and nobody's bothering to check to see if he'll do it.Read more
Reviews for Walden Media's William Wilberforce Biopic
Peter T. Chattaway has posted some sizeable excerpts from the first reviews of Amazing Grace, the new film by Michael Apted about William Wilberforce's passion for the abolishment of slavery.Read more
Congratulations to Erin Zindle and Randall Moore of "The Ragbirds"
Last year, Erin Zindle and Randall Moore delivered one of the best band-debut albums in the last decade. The Ragbirds' Yes Nearby is still getting a lot of play at Overstreet headquarters.
This year, they've got a new live album, Catching Fire, that I've been enjoying for a few months now.
So what's next?Read more
Adam Walter on that Steve Taylor/Michael W. Smith movie
Adam Walter has seen The Second Chance, that film directed by Steve Taylor that stars Michael W. Smith.
Sure it has some problems. For one thing, it’s only going to appeal to church people--and yet, it’s possibly the first movie that has come out of the Christian film industry that I’d even recommend to Christians. It has its moments of heavy sentiment and slightly-contrived dramatic tension. But it also has an impressively well-paced, fluid narrative, and there’s one honestly-moving, tear-jerking moment (look for the “feet scene”).
Like Adam, I recommend you rent it. Considering it's being classified as a "Christian movie," it's meaningful, well-acted, and far more thoughtful than that genre has led us to expect. It deserves a much bigger audience than it's received.Read more
I Know Who Joss Whedon Should Cast as "Wonder Woman."
Okay, am I losing any sleep over who's going to play Wonder Woman?
No, not really. But Joss Whedon is writing it, so I want it to succeed, because the more that Whedon succeeds the more likely we are to see more episodes of Firefly or a sequel to Serenity.
So... with what little I know of the Wonder Woman comics, I can tell you this: Rachel Bilson is no Wonder Woman. Bison is little. She's a kid. Wonder Woman?
Who would I cast?Read more
MGM planning "The Hobbit" ... in Two Movies?
Peter T. Chattaway points to a Variety article that brings some clarity to the rumors I mentioned last week. Looks like MGM is hoping Peter Jackson's up for The Hobbit after all... maybe even a two-film version of it.
I would have mixed feelings about seieng Jackson as the director.
He would need to take a hint from the critics of King Kong and try to restrain himself from going over the top at every possible opportunity.
The Hobbit is a much smaller story, and needs to be treated that way.Read more
Some people are really excited about this book.
Seriously, though, I think this is taking it too far.
