My Essentials: My 20 Favorite Films
It’s long been cliché for a critic to lament that lists are meaningless, but I think they may have some benefits. Ranking “bests” might be silly, but I think knowing a person’s favorites gives us...
View ArticleBig Game Trailer Roundup!
For the first year in decades, I didn’t watch the Super Bowl. It wasn’t a big loss. I’m not a fan of football. I really can’t stand Coldplay. Having two young kids means going to a party isn’t really...
View ArticleThe road to Easter 2016: The Jesus Project
Growing up Baptist, Lent always fascinated me. Many of my friends were Catholic, and I was always intrigued whenever they would have to give something fun up in the weeks preceding Easter. I never...
View ArticleMy Essentials: My five favorite critics
We’re continuing the “Getting To Know You” portion of this blog. Two weeks ago, I wrote about my favorite movies. Last week, I tackled my favorite TV shows. This week, I’m doing something different. I...
View ArticleThe month of Christian movies
It appears that “Risen” was just the beginning. Two weeks after the Joseph Fiennes historical drama hit theaters (and has raked in more than $20 million so far), Christianity will be hitting the box...
View Article5 Ways “God’s Not Dead” fails Christians
In March 2014, “God’s Not Dead” brought in $60 million at the box office, proving that movies for evangelicals can turn a profit. It was quickly followed by “Son of God,” “Heaven is for Real” and this...
View ArticleTop 10 Pixar moments to make you cry
As Finding Dory just kept swimming into theaters this weekend, it provided another opportunity to look back on the output of Pixar, which has released an astonishing number of beloved films in just 21...
View ArticleHalftime: The best films of 2016 (so far)
We’re quickly approaching the midpoint of the year, and it’s been an interesting one. If you look at the box office reports, it’s been a blase year, unless you’re Disney. But in terms of quality, it’s...
View Article5 Movies Your Kids Must See
As a film lover and a parent, I get frustrated easily. My 4-year-old son is growing up in the age of Netflix, and it’s all too easy for him to be bombarded by whatever kiddie junk is available for...
View ArticleThe Monthly Catch: “Stranger Things,” BoJack, Star Trek and more!
I cannot believe we’re at the end of August already. We’re having an incredibly busy summer here, with family events, vacations, busy work schedules and more, and it’s hard to accept that there’s only...
View Article5 Reasons ‘Stranger Things’ is Great
If you read my July wrap up, you know that I’ve been obsessed with Netflix’s new series, “Stranger Things.” I’m not alone; you can’t go online without another entertainment site talking about the...
View ArticleThe BBC 100 Greatest Films list presents a learning opportunity
I love lists. I know that’s not the critically correct thing to say — most critics go to great pains to say how much they hate compiling lists and how ranking art is futile, even as they regularly...
View ArticleThe Monthly Catch: Harry Potter, Sing Street, Kubo and more
I can’t believe we’re September already (sorry, this is coming a day late). It’s been a fast summer, and it feels like it was just yesterday that I was gearing up for Memorial Day weekend. Now we’re...
View ArticleThe Monthly Catch: Wilderpeople, Beatles, Raiders and more!
If you’re a constant reader, you’ve probably noticed my productivity has dropped a notch (or several) recently. This post was originally supposed to go live at the end of September, and here we are...
View Article5 pieces of pop culture to help you endure the election
The election. I know, I’m sick of it, too. But take heart: November 8 is less than a month away. One month from now, the political ads will stop, a candidate will have been chosen, and we’ll begin the...
View ArticleMy favorite (non-movie) pop culture of 2016!
2016 is coming to a close. And while there are a lot of reasons to be happy that we’re saying goodbye to this year, let’s not forget that this wasn’t a terrible year in every area. True, we might be...
View ArticleHoly Week Viewing: 7 Films About Jesus
We’re about to enter the most important week of the Christian faith. As we commemorate Palm Sunday this weekend, our attention will then turn from the Triumphal Entry to the road to Gethsemane in...
View ArticleWhat Are the Greatest Comedies of All Time?
Comedy films and comedians often don’t get the respect they deserve from film buffs. Think of the last pure comedy or comedic performance to walk away with an Academy Award or to top an end-of-the-year...
View ArticleThe best underrated Steven Spielberg
This weekend, HBO airs its documentary “Spielberg,” a 2.5-hour long overview of the career of America’s most beloved director. I wouldn’t be a film fan if it wasn’t for Spielberg. “E.T.” was the first...
View ArticleMovie of the Week: Haunted House Extravaganzas
For the month of October, the Movie of the Week will be Halloween-related (although not necessarily horror). This week, I have four selections around one theme. Growing up, I was a big haunted house...
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