Author Archives: davetcourt

Reading Journal 2024: The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles To Heal Society and Ourselves Author: Alexandra Hudson “Politeness is easy. Civility requires effort.”– Alexandra Hudson (The Soul of Civility) In her book exploring the idea of civility as a healing practice, Hudson points out the problem of definitions. Words have origins, but definitions are notContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles To Heal Society and Ourselves”

In his book Paul and the Resurrection of Israel, scholar Jason Staples points out a deeply entrenched tendency to fly over Romans 1 and 2 on our way to Romans 3. The “our” in this picture is much of the theological traditions of the west. Why do we do this? Because we convinced ourselves thatContinue reading “Fly Overs and Ground Level Views: Romans 1-3”

Film Journal 2024: CottontailDirected by Patrick Dickinson A simple but powerful examination of family, mostly told through the lens of a solitary aging man who, in the aftermath of losing his wife, stands in danger of losing his son. The father-son dynamic is a significant part of the  culturally rooted narrative, navigating social expectations, honor-shameContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Cottontail”

Film Journal 2024: The Devil’s BathDirected by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala And I thought Goodnight Mommy took things to the next level. I mean it did, but this dark, harrowing follow up after the less acclaimed The Lodge is truly oppressive. Which might not sound appealing, but as a viewing experience it is unsettlingContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: The Devil’s Bath”

Reading Journal 2024Brooklyn Author: Colm Tóibín Fell in love with the movie, got drawn to the book a while ago before it got lost in my ever growing TBR list. This years release of a sequel, Long Island, inspired me to pick it up. Loved a good deal about this book, especially its strong senseContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Brooklyn/Long Island”

Film Journal 2024: Fly Me To The MoonDirected by Greg Berlanti Of the two films dealing with the subject of space that released this week (the other one being Space Cadet) only one of them lands the shuttle, and that would be this charming and creative crowd pleaser. If Space Cadet came dangerously close toContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Fly Me To The Moon”

“I will not go up in your midst, because you are a stiff-necked people, and I might destroy you on the way.” – Exodus 33:3 “Due to Israel’s sin with the golden calf, the earlier promise of Gods presence to guide Israel on her way, once the very expression of his blessing, has now becomeContinue reading “The Unveiling: Recovering the Story of New Creation”

Film Journal 2024: The Devils BathDirected by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala And I thought Goodnight Mommy took things to the next level. I mean it did, but this dark, harrowing follow up after the less acclaimed The Lodge is truly oppressive. Which might not sound appealing, but as a viewing experience it is unsettlingContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: The Devils Bath”

Film Journal 2024: Despicable Me 4 Full disclosure- I’ve been an apologist for this franchise since it started. I loved the idea of the tortured villain in the first film left trying to measure up to standards that label him a failure. The second film found its proper chemistry by balancing the act of bringingContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Despicable Me 4”

Film Journal 2024: The Listener Directed by Steve Buscemi “We’re programmed to hate the idea that we’re programmed.” That line has been sticking with me like few others this year. Perhaps the best descriptive of what it feels to live in the tension of attend8ng for reality while at the same time finding the freedomContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: The Listener”