Bob Larson, self-proclaimed prophet and exorcist (who just happens to be the subject of one of my chapters in The Devil Wears Nada), has made it easy for you to discover whether or not you have a demon (as, apparently, it is not self-evident . . . yep, that could be rabies you’re dealing with). […]

In “Trees,” Jesus’ condemnation reenacts itself under a cherry tree, the red fruit hanging in “fistfuls” on a monastery hill.

At times, I think it’s all too tempting to approach The Tree of Life as a primarily esoteric or philosophical exercise. Of course, Terrence Malick doesn’t do much to dissuade that sort of approach, thanks to his existential dialog, non-linear narrative, and abstract-yet-beautiful scenery. As a result, it’s easy to approach Malick’s movie as if […]

With the announcement that Mark Wahlberg and his brothers are opening a burger joint called Wahlburgers, I’m having visions of a new trend in cineplexes around the world. Why not clear the theater lobby air of that yellowish haze that wafts from the popcorn machine and create a comfortable cafe atmosphere where people can relax […]

One of (few) complaints that I hear levied against streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu is that their selections are too small. I hear this most often in the context of Netflix, which is understandable considering that Netflix’s streaming library contains approximately 20,000 titles compared to the 100,000+ titles available on DVD/Blu-ray. However, as Dave Kehr points out in his recent NY Times piece, “Streaming Video’s Emerging Bounty”, there are plenty of hidden gems in those streaming libraries.

This set of video essays was recently posted at Press Play, aimed at “anyone who’s ever turned away from a movie because of a director’s shaky camera.” The basic argument is that action cinema of the past was fairly “classical” in that even during intense action they were “meticulous and patient.” You could tell what […]

Joel VandenBrink, Owner and Brewmaster of Two Beers Brewing, discusses beer-making, the act of creating, and the value of bringing people together.

If, as the editors of The Other Journal write, “there is a growing cultural concern that we are abstracted from our food’s source and forgetful of its meaning,” then attending to our words is indispensible for diagnosing the nature of our abstraction and forgetfulness, as well as for keeping vigil against it.[1] In so attending, there […]

This may well be the year of Satan. A number of books, films, and presidential candidates seem to suggest we have yet to give up on our fascination with Old Horny. Two of the ‘must have’ books of the year include Jeff Pugh’s The Devil’s Ink: Blog from the Basement Office, and my very own, The […]