Bono's Book Creates a Convert
I can't wait to read this book. For all of the flak that Bono gets for being a rock star with a conscience, he still manages to surprise those who can restrain their cynicism long enough to listen to him.Read more
U2 - Live in Seattle last night: A great show, slightly "dismantled" halfway through
I've seen U2 perform live four times now, and I've seen the film "Rattle and Hum" almost ten times on the big screen, along with countless DVD viewings, so I know what they're capable of.
Thus, I had high hopes about what would take place in KeyArena last night for the "Vertigo" tour. And when the band took the stage with a searing, blistering, blow-out-the-back-wall version of "Love and Peace Or Else," I was once again swept up on waves of energy and light. It was a euphoric experience as they charged right on into "Vertigo" and a long section of songs from "Boy" (including "Cry"!!) They were on fire. The new stage was an exhilarating circus of light and confetti and hanging curtains of digital "beads" that provided transparent animated banners.
It's curtains for Bono and the boys. But only literally. 
Highlights included a deeply moving rendition of "Miracle Drug," in which Bono declared, "It's amazing what God can accomplish through science and scientists," and dedicated the song to a "very sick" woman who was there watching the show.
Before that, those opening numbers were a ferocious marathon, charging through "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (as bold and strong as ever) and "Bullet the Blue Sky." "Running to Stand Still" was extraordinary, and so was the new classic "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" (during which Bono removed the sunglasses and sang with riveting emotion and operatic strength. "City of Blinding Lights" and "Beautiful Day" were an exhilarating combination, complete with a shower of glittering confetti. Bono did the usual routine of selecting a woman from the crowd, but instead of dancing with her, he took her on a leisurely stroll around the stage's massive elliptical platform and let her sit next to Larry Mullen Jr. Later, he invited another one up, and gave her a piggy-back ride.
Stage of blinding lights.
But something began "dismantling" the show's coherence and flow when the band got to "Pride."
Bruce Springsteen and the Catholic Imagery on His New Album
I heard the new Bruce Springsteen song "Jesus was an Only Son" this morning, and it was a beautiful thing.Read more
I Have Seen Aslan.
Saw the first full-length trailer for The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe at Biola's Media Conference. Twice. That's how much the crowd loved it.
Can't say more at this point, except that all of the main characters get their close-ups, and it's all colorful, vivid, and kaleidoscopic. New Zealand is, surprise, awe-inspiring.
The big breaking news concerning this though is that Bryan Cox is not going to be the voice of Aslan. Got this straight from the head of Disney voice casting. Cox *was* cast, but then he came in to do the lines and, because he had recently lost 40 pounds, his girth was significantly reduced, and that has affected his famously brusque and burly tone. His pre-weight-loss voice was an ideal voice for Aslan; his post-diet voice is not.
What a shame.Read more
Biola Day Two
Highlights:
A one-on-one long lunch with Ralph Winter, producer of the X-Men movies and Fantastic Four. Can't wait to tell you about it.
Bumping into Joe Kirk and Tim Porter from Paste Magazine. Wow!
Meeting more Looking Closer readers like Nate Bell!
Meeting filmmakers who read Looking Closer, like Rik Swartzwelder!
Talking with Lori McCreary, who works with Morgan Freeman and Act One : Writing for Hollywood!
Interviewing Terry Botwick. Look him up. What a career he's had!
More Steve Taylor!
And now, I'm off to the Narnia sneak peek!!
Stay tuned...
So long, Over the Rhine... Biola, here I come!
Thanks to Greg Stump for volunteering to get me from the airport to a hearty lunch and then to Biola for the beginning of a marathon of interviews and meetings!
Got off to a great start by warming up with Over the Rhine at the Tractor Tavern last night, where you could have spotted quite an array of people from all circles of my Seattle life... from Anne my Favorite Woman in the World to the editors of Image to the Psychology office staff from Seattle Pacific to Bill Pritchard who once ran the famous Madison's Cafe to a crowd from GreenLake Presbyterian Church to Bryan Rust to Bryan Zug... It was fantastic.Read more
I was wrong about Star Fast.
As commentors pointed out, and my editor at CT discovered... I was wrong. Read more
Jack Black, a Wrestling Priest? Donnie Darko Director Directs The Rock?
Jack Black will play a wrestling preacher. That's funny enough without a punchline.Read more