Tuesday, May 15, 2007

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED!!

The Through a Screen Darkly blog page has moved to:

ThroughAScreenDarkly.wordpress.com.

Come over and visit!

Friday, May 11, 2007

Darrel Manson reads "Through a Screen Darkly"

Full disclosure: Darrel Manson, who writes for HollywoodJesus.com, is a friend as well as a colleague.

But I'm glad he's read Through a Screen Darkly, and he's posted some thoughts about that here.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Len Evans discovers "Darkly"

Here's another blogger, Len Evans, thinking about Through a Screen Darkly.

Beyond "Darkly": Christians in Hollywood ponder next steps

I recently visited Biola University to speak about Through a Screen Darkly during their 2007 Media Conference. While I was there, I talked with several industry movers and shakers, and then wrote about the questions challenging Christians in Hollywood today.

Here's the article at Christianity Today Movies.

And here's a blog entry it inspired.

"Darkly" inspires a small-world connection

Jessica Poundstone, a friend of mine quoted in Through a Screen Darkly, had quite a surprise when her quote made its way to the attention of the very person she was talking about... Bill Frisell.

You gotta read it to believe it.

"Darkly" goes Past the Popcorn

Greg Wright recently noted Through a Screen Darkly in a commentary at Past the Popcorn.

Context is everything. And no movie—no single tale in Scripture, even—can possibly tell the whole story of God’s redemptive plan. Even Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, that R-rated Christian audience-pleaser, only manages to tell a portion of Jesus’ story. The best that we can hope, especially of human story-telling, is that one fragment of the Gospel — a vision of man’s brokenness, perhaps, or a parable-like illustration of love or forgiveness—comes through loud and clear, leaving the audience hungry for more. A movie can, on occasion, be an opportunity for a modern-day Philip to answer the question, “Can you explain this to me?”

In his new book, Through A Screen Darkly, Christian film critic Jeffrey Overstreet explains in terms that might be a little more accessible.

“Sticky seat cushions, talkative teens, annoying big screen commercials—it’s all worth enduring for those occasional moments of revelation,” he writes. “It’s like waiting through a season of disappointing baseball just to be there at that magic moment, when the angle of the pitch and the timing of the swing meet with a crack that will echo in your memory for days. And yet, unlike a home run, this occasion on the big screen doesn’t merely change the score. It changes you.”

A two-part interview at Christians in the Arts

Leanne Benfield Martin is featuring a two-part interview about Through a Screen Darkly at her blog: Christians in the Arts.

Part One.
  • "You have said that you feel compelled to 'sit down between Christian culture and secular society, trying to help them understand each other—and ultimately, God—better through a shared experience of art.' ... Why do you have this compulsion?"
  • "I’m sure that as a movie reviewer for Christianity Today’s movie website as well as your own website, you get a lot of feedback from readers. What do you say to people who question the idea that God can use movies for His kingdom?"
Part Two.

  • "Tell me about three movies that would not be considered Christian but have strong spiritual themes."
  • "There are Christians in Hollywood who are creating good work and making a difference. Can you talk about one or two of these directors or producers—about the work they've done and what they hope to accomplish?"
  • " Is there anything you'd like to add?"

Professor Paul Kuritz says...

I've just discovered the blog of a fellow named Professor Paul Kuritz. Because he just just discovered Through a Screen Darkly.

Thank you for that review, Professor Kuritz!

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Armchair Interviews on Through a Screen Darkly

Armchair Interviews has discovered Through a Screen Darkly.

Just a reminder to those of you who have read it: You can do me a huge favor by writing what you thought of it... as an Amazon review!

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

My conversation with Matt Conner at Infuze Magazine

Infuze Magazine has already published a review and an excerpt of Through a Screen Darkly.

Today, they've published an interview!

Monday, February 19, 2007

Through a Screen Darkly - The radio broadcast tour!

The marathon of radio appearances for Through a Screen Darkly is already well-underway, but I thought it would be good to start posting the dates and times here, to give readers a chance to call in to the show if you really want to cause trouble....

So, starting things off:

Today, Monday, Feb. 19, at 5 p.m. Arizona time ... KPXQ-AM 1360, in Phoenix, AZ.

and then,

Thursday, Feb. 22, 5:40 p.m. Pennsylvania time. The Marty Minto Show, Pittsburgh, PA, Live, with call-ins.

and then,

Sunday night, after the Oscars, at 10 p.m. in Seattle with host Bill Hogg on KGNW.

Monday, Feb. 26, WMUZ, 1 p.m. Michigan time, The Bob Dutko Show, Detroit, Live, with call-ins.

Same day, 2:30 EST. In Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Viriginia... the Donnie Hinkle and Melissa Flores on The Listener Cafe.

More to come.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Interviews at Christianity Today and Regal

It feels strange to be on the other end of interviews these days. I'm used to asking the questions.

Anyway, I'm happy to report that both Christianity Today and Regal Books have posted interviews with me about Through a Screen Darkly this week.