Category Archives: Uncategorized

Film Journal 2023: BarbieDirected by Greta Gerwig If you’ve seen Gerwig’s previous films then you know she has a unique and signature style. Given that Little Women was a direct adaptation, then you also know her interest in potential subversion of the text/IP. Barbie comes out of the gate swinging, leaving little doubt that GerwigContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Barbie”

Reading Journal 2023: John: Responding to the Incomparable Story of Jesus (New Testament Everyday Bible Study Series) Author: Scot Mcknight Mcknight’s commentary on John is part of his ongoing Everyday Bible Series. These are accessible commentaries that aim to blend an emphasis on current scholarship and pastoral concern. By design, these commentaries go verse byContinue reading “Reading Journal 2023: John: Responding to the Incomparable Story of Jesus (New Testament Everyday Bible Study Series)”

Reading Journal 2023: The Desolations of Devil’s AcreAuthor: Ransom Riggs This final book in the beloved series, and one I was finally able to check off after numerous efforts to pick up and finish (not due to the book, but due to getting distracted by other novels), ends the now sprawling tale in what arguablyContinue reading “Reading Journal 2023: The Desolations of Devil’s Acre”

Film Journal 2023: Oppenheimer Directed by Christopher Nolan Every so often a film comes around that feels impossible to describe in its details but also feels subsequently monumental in its presence. Oppenheimer occupies this space, with the only true certainty I could glean from it being that I was in the presence of something profoundContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Oppenheimer”

Book Journal 2023: Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and The Shalom of God Author: Matthew Lynch The tagline on the back cover poses the question “what do we do with a God who enacts and condones violence”. Narrowing in on two of the most essential narratives in the Bible associated with violence- the floodContinue reading “Book Journal 2023: Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and The Shalom of God”

Film Journal 2023: Godless: The Eastfield ExorcismDirected by Nick Kozakis A gut punch. Not something I expected from an exorcism film that, for all appearances, seems like your run of the mill genre film. I don’t know how it was pulled off, but the way the Director tows the line between retaining a respect forContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism”

Film Journal 2023: Somewhere In Queens Directed by Ray Romano It’s not unusual to talk about right time, right place when it comes to viewing film. This is the subjective side of film critique, and I think its fair to say this carries more weight than any objective measure. True objectivity is, after all, somethingContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Somewhere In Queens”

Film Journal 2023: The Eight Mountains Directed by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch I remember when Broken Circle Breakdown released I was championing it everywhere I went to as many people as possible. I found the films writing and it’s thematic focus, along with the central performances, to be a profound revelation, especially consideringContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: The Eight Mountains”

Film Journal 2023: Asteroid CityDirected by Wes Anderson Reminiscent of Anderson’s earlier work, Asteroid City plays with his familiar style of humor and eclectic framing while sticking to embedded themes rather than reaching for anything overly subversive. What makes his latest effort that much more intriguing however is that, on paper at least, it feelsContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Asteroid City”

Film Journal 2023: Nimona Directed by Troy Quane and Nick Bruno A rough first three quarters pays off in the end with a satisfying third act. The pivotal point comes with a pairing of subsequent scenes that fill in the backstories of our characters, explaining motivations, bringing the different characters together, and establishing an arcContinue reading “Film Journal 2023: Nimona”