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A previous post in this space mentioned I was reading a book called How To Read A Film by James Monaco. Some of what I read yesterday has been inspiring more thoughts There’s a historical note that describes the formation of film as a specific artform that exists uniquely in relationship to the whole. FilmContinue reading “Film, Worldviews and The Art of Necessary Participation”

I have a confession Back in June I decided to join a number of facebook atheist debate/discussion groups. The words debate and discussion being contained to a necessary air quote variety of terminology. As a few of my friends noted upon vocalizing my confession- “everyone’s got a calling I guess.” I’m still trying to parseContinue reading “Discussion Groups, Christmas Gifts, and Some Thoughts About the Nature of Art”

What is Rosebud A few years ago I began a New Years Resolution Plan called Rosebud. I heard about it on one of the travel podcasts that I follow. The process essentially looks like this:Step 1: List Three Roses-This is the stuff that I would consider the greatest strengths, successes or accomplishments of the pastContinue reading “Rosebud 2024: A New Years Resolution Plan”

Travel My reading year started in a place of aspiration and hope. A chance to jump start some travel plans by diving in to a holiday purchase, Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel. Part philosophical and spiritual exercise, Airplane Mode is an unfiltered look at why we travel and the complicated  history of howContinue reading “My Reading Year: 2024”

It’s always fun looking through my Letterboxd Pro account around the end of the year. Some relevant data: My first watch of 2024: Humanist Vampire Seekjng Consenting Suicidal Person (Ariane Loius-Seize), a unique and inventive horror that explores a coming of age story surrounding an existential and moral crisis, unafraid to dig into the difficultContinue reading “My Top Films of 2024”

It’s been a while since I’ve posted in this space. I can’t point to any tragic reason or immediate reason that can explain why. Simply to say, it’s been a season, and if such matters (personal struggle) will always remain contextually relevant in comparison (there is always suffering that will categorize as greater), it isContinue reading “When Life Gets in the Way: Recovering the Stories That Move Me Forwards”

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”