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Film Journal 2024: Monkey-ManDirected by Dev Patel The comparisons to John Wick are warranted. So much so that we get a couple of direct nods in the film itself. Those comparisons are simply a jumping off point for something that is in fact a fusion of different ideas and influences. It functions almost as anContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Monkey-Man”

Film Journal 2024: Riddle of Fire Directed by Weston Razooli The official synopsis describes this as a neo-fairy tale. That’s a decent categorization for a film that manages to defy categorization, albeit while feeling, at the same time, like an impassioned ode to a bygone era of filmmaking. An era where the simple art ofContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Riddle of Fire”

Film Journal 2024: Sting Directed by Kiah Roache-Turner A quiet and unassuming horror that embodies the spirit of the classic creature feature. It is bolstered by a solid script, a tight run time, and solid performances. A quality film that has gotten little to no advertising or press, but is definitely worth your time. ItsContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Sting”

Reading Journal 2024: Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident DiscipleAuthors: Scot McKnight and Cody Marchett I am not the target audience for this book, given that I am already well entrenched in the research and approach that this book champions. This book, which is a jointContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple”

Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional DemocraciesAuthors: Michael Bird and N.T. Wright I’m not sure if the books release was intentionally planned to coincide with America’s upcoming election, but Jesus and the Powers, the newest collaboration and joint effort by Wright and Bird, feels like it’sContinue reading “Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies”

Reading Journal 2024: James: A NovelAuthor: Percival Everett Definitely a conversation starter. It is a really strong example of how to write a reimagining of a classic with purpose and craft. Not only that, it is an extremely entertaining read, especially where it weaves the old world language of Twain into a modernist vibe. ItContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: James: A Novel”

Reading Journal 2024: The Bittlemores Author: Jann Arden If I can say right at the front, I’m not sure where the “comic” descriptive comes from in the books central synopsis. I didn’t find the humor anywhere. Yes, the book is dark, but darkly comic is a thing, and that’s not how I would describe thisContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: The Bittlemores”

Reading Journal 2024: The FutureAuthor: Catherine Leroux I got a bit of whiplash from this one. Starts off simple enough, focused on a singular character, small in scope, and seemingly full of potential. And then it takes an odd shift into a Lord of the Flies kind of premise, with the scope and fhs castContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: The Future”

Film Journal 2024: Abigail Directed by Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin Seemed fitting that I saw this with a crowd of mostly middle grade teens. This is, I believe, the films primary target audience. It’s a YA horror-thriller that effectively pushes some boundaries on that front with its commitment to gore and mature themes (andContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Abigail”

Reading Journal 2024: Northwind Author: Gary Paulsen Northwind gains much of its worth from being Paulsen’s last book he wrote before he died. Without that context it’s hard to know how this book would land. It’s something of an odd duck  With it, the unusual story becomes a personal commentary on life and death itself.Continue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Northwind”