The Search

The search is what anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in the everydayness of his own life…. To become aware of the possibility of the search is to be onto something. Not to be onto something is to be in despair.

–Walker Percy, The Moviegoer

“The message of the resurrection is that this world matters! That the injustices and pains of this world must now be addressed with the news that healing, justice, and love have won… If Easter means Jesus Christ is only raised in a spiritual sense—[then] it is only about me, and finding a new dimension in my personal spiritual life. But if Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead, Christianity becomes good news for the whole world—news which warms our hearts precisely because it isn’t just about warming hearts. Easter means that in a world where injustice, violence and degradation are endemic, God is not prepared to tolerate such things—and that we will work and plan, with all the energy of God, to implement victory of Jesus over them all. Take away Easter and Karl Marx was probably right to accuse Christianity of ignoring problems of the material world. Take it away and Freud was probably right to say Christianity is wish-fulfillment. Take it away and Nietzsche was right to say it was for wimps.”

-N.T. Wright

(My picks for current movies, music, books, etc that you should check out)

Movies in theaters
The Fall: This artful film from director Tarsem (yes, just the one word!) is visually stunning, but it also works on an emotional and intellectual level too... as a sort of homage to the transforming power of cinema and imagination.
Iron Man: A great start to the summer blockbuster season, and one of the all-around best superhero movies I've seen. "Fires on all cylinders," as they say...
Bra Boys: This low-budget documentary about a notorious Sydney surfer gang is highly energized and highly compelling. Think Dogtown and Z-Boys only with surfboards and guns.
Flight of the Red Balloon: This lush slice-of-life drama about a boy and his family in Paris (oh, and a mysterious red balloon) is the the most subtle and life-affirming film to come out so far this year.
My Blueberry Nights: Though certainly imperfect, Wong Kar Wai's first English-language film is strikingly ambitious and a feast of eloquent visual imagery, song, and sweet-smelling pie!
Snow Angels: David Gordon Green's new film is searing and delicate and beautiful and disturbing. It'll mess with your emotions.
Paranoid Park: Gus Van Sant's new film is the best of 2008 thus far, and one of the most beautiful experiences of sight and sound since 2006's The New World.
The Counterfeiters: This Austrian film about a Nazi counterfeiter ring during WWII won the Oscar for best foreign language film this year. It's a striking and disturbing take on the Holocaust film--with great performances and a haunting message about survival at all costs.



Movies to Netflix
There Will Be Blood: To call this the Citizen Kane of the 21st Century might not be an overstatement. If you haven't seen it yet, run to the video store and experience the best film of 2008.
No Country for Old Men: This new Coen Brothers film is their best since Fargo. It's a disturbing, funny, morbid, adventurous western (based on a novel by Cormac McCarthy) with some astounding performances from Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and especially Tommy Lee Jones. You really must see this masterful film.
The Brave One (Widescreen Edition): Neil Jordan's violent NYC revenge film (starring the wonderful Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard) might be described as the feminist Taxi Driver, but that would be too simplistic. It's a wonderfully complex, poetic, and provocative movie that definitely deserves a look on DVD.
Two Days in Paris: This debut film from actress/writer/director Julie Delpy is impressively made--a quick film with great laughs, witty dialogue, and a fresh aesthetic. And it's set in Paris!
Sunshine: Danny Boyle's stylish space thriller is unlike any film of its type. It's a very unsettling film with some truly beautiful, almost Kubrickian moments.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: This little-seen pseudo-western is definitely a must-rent. Features beautiful cinematography, great acting performances, and a Terrence Malick-esque quality of visual and temporal lyricism.
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters: This funny and heartbreaking look at video game nerds is way, way better than you might possibly think it could be.
Manufactured Landscapes: This documentary about Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky is stunning in its lyrical, quietly provocative images of industrial imprints on the environment, particularly in globalization hotspots like China and Bangladesh.



Jindabyne: This Australian film starring Laura Linney and Gabriel Byrne is a complex drama with some really interesting commentary on Australian race and class issues. It's like In the Bedroom meets The Last Wave.
Broken English: This debut film from Zoe Cassavetes is sort of a mashup of Lost in Translation and Before Sunset, which isn't a bad thing. Plus it stars Parker Posey, and she's fantastic!
Paris, Je T'Aime (Paris, I Love You): This unique film assembles about twenty-five directors' visions of Paris in five minute segments. The results are diverse and often beautiful. I especially liked Alexander Payne and Walter Salles' segments.
The Devil Came On Horseback: This 2007 documentary is a compelling look at the crises in Darfur--from the perspective of someone (Marine Capt. Brian Steidle) who lived and worked in the midst of the genocide. It's a powerful, important film that I urge you all to see.
Danielson - A Family Movie: This 2006 documentary about the quirky art-rock Danielson family band is a must-see for anyone interested in Christians making good art. Among other things, this beautiful film features early footage of Sufjan Stevens, who was the adopted "orphan" member of Danielson at the height of their success.

Music
Portishead, Third: The original Brit trip hop band is back after a ten year absence with the stunning Third. One of the best albums of the year so far.



Fionn Regan, The End of History: This Irish import is a Dylan-inspired folkster with a subtle acoustic sound and fantastic lyrical imagery. Perfect music for rainy days in Dublin!
Cut Copy, In Ghost Colours: This is some great, synthy 80s dance music with furious 2008 club relevance--a great early-summer electro-pop album. Pitchfork's latest darlings they may be, but don't hold that against them.

Samamidon, All is Well: This release from American folk newcomer Sam Amidon is breathtaking in its nostalgic beauty and sweeping musicality. It's the soundtrack to some distant, forgotten America, full of dust, tears, and sepia sunlight.
Paranoid Park Soundtrack: The music in this mesmerizing film is some of the loveliest you'll encounter at the movies this year. Features songs by Elliott Smith, Nino Rota, and Beethoven.
Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend: Just when we thought indie music was getting boring, here comes something that is arguably original: an afrobeat post-colonialist romp through the mind of David Byrne with a splash of new-school ska. And it's actually more fun than it is pretentious!

Cat Power, Jukebox: The second "covers record" from Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) is full of great jazz/blues/folk fusions at told in one of music's most distinctly beautiful voices.
Battles, Mirrored: It took me a while to discover this album, and then after that a while to appreciate it, but now I absolutely can't stop listening to it! Truly one of the most compelling, experimental recordings of 2007.
I'm Not There Soundtrack:: A great two-disc collection of Bob Dylan covers from artists like Cat Power, Calexico and Sufjan Stevens.
Burial, Untrue: This haunting electronica album from London's mysterious Burial presents some beautiful vocal samples and ambient two-step beats. Great for the hipster bar scene!

Television
Dexter: I just finished the first season of this acclaimed Showtime series... and wow is it good! Be sure to catch it on CBS Sunday nights starting Feb. 7! Who knew the Tiffany network was interested in cable shows where a serial killer is the protagonist? Thank you Writer's Strike!
Friday Night Lights(NBC): Buy the first and second seasons on DVD right away. You will NOT be sorry!
30 Rock(NBC): This is hands down the funniest and smartest comedy on TV. It's only gotten better since last season. Tiny Fey, Alec Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan are hilarious, as are the many supporting and guest stars. The script is packed with self-referential snark, which I love. Props to NBC for sticking with a show that seems to love making fun of NBC.
Mad Men (AMC): Cable is where to go during the summer, when the networks are all about reruns and reality trash. And AMC's Mad Men, a 1960s period drama about Madison Avenue ad executives, is the best of the new cable shows. In addition to being spot-on in its embodiment of 1960s American style, the show has a tragic quality to its portrayal of the American dream, and for me it evokes Gatsby and the Pedro the Lion album Control. In other words, it's a tad bit depressing, but beautiful.

Books
The Reason for God by Tim Keller: This book from the pastor of NYC's Redeemer Presbyterian represents a comprehensive apologetic for Christianity in the 21st century. In the face of high-profile atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, Keller offers a well-reasoned, compassionate look at the arguments for and against God and Jesus.



The Road: Cormac McCarthy really knows how to make apocalyptic nihilism poetic. My only question is: how is this starkly beautiful epic an Oprah's Book Club book??
The Long Tail by Chris Anderson: This is a business theory book, but it is very, very interesting. The subtitle ("Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More") reveals the thesis, which is convincingly argued in this timely, provocative book.
Chuck Klosterman IV: This is the fourth essay collection from Chuck Klosterman--an amazing writer of the "ironic/slacker/postmodern" generation. What makes Klosterman great is that he manages to make pop cultural fluff actually insightful. Whether he's writing about Britney Spears or McDonalds (these were two of my favorite essays in this book), he always has some common-sense point to make. And it's also just really entertaining.
Into the Wild by Jon Kracauer: really, really good and a short read.
Harry Potter (all seven books) by J.K. Rowling: A classic fantasy series on par with Narnia or Lord of the Rings. This is one case where “everybody’s doing it” is a GOOD thing.
The Meaning of Life by Terry Eagleton: if you want a short, fun, very intelligent but accessible history about what has happened to “meaning” in our deconstructionist, postmodern time, read this book.
Through a Screen Darkly by Jeffrey Overstreet: Some of the best Christian writing on film I’ve ever read.

Kermit sings Elliott Smith!: This is a stunning video of a sad Kermit (the frog) performing Elliott Smith's suicide anthem, "Needle in the Hay," with references to its use in The Royal Tennenbaums.
Bollywood version of "Thriller": Just saw this for the first time the other day. Hilarious!
Mister Lonely trailer: Harmony Korine is back with another peculiar, poetic film, this time about a commune of celebrity impersonators.
The Happening trailer: I must admit that I am very excited about M. Night Shyamalan's new film. The trailer is quite intriguing
Bravia bouncy ball ad: Thousands of colorful bouncy balls thrown down the hilly streets of San Francisco... all to the music of Jose Gonzalez.
Crazy spray paint artist: Check this video out. Some serious graffiti art talent here...
"4 Minutes" music video: Madonna returns with a new interesting video--for her thumpin' new single with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. Some interesting special effects here--watch for the allusions to "Body Worlds"...
Oxbridge 2008 advertisement: I can't emphasize enough how great this conference is. I'm attending this summer. You should too!
Tracy Morgan endorsing Obama: Not only is this a hilarious clip from Morgan's recent appearance (and response to Tina Fey) on SNL, but it might launch a new catch phrase for the 2008 campaign: "Black is the new president, bitch."
Sam Amidon, "Saro": This is a beautiful song with a haunting "found footage" video to go along with it. Friends, this is America.
Crazy Video Game Art: There's something quite beautiful about this video--which was constructed out of 1000 separate gameplays of the videogame Trackmania. Take a look and see what I mean
The Machine is Us/Ing Us: You've really got to see this amazing video. Truly an apt, mind-blowing meta-commentary on the fluidity of language/text in the Internet age.
Hilarious Rachel Ray Montage: Someone really likes food...
Drums and Piano by Edit: Here's a stunning example of what you can create at home with a computer, lots of creativity, and a LOT of free time. Watch it. And this guy doesn't even know how to play either drums or piano...
Jerry O'Connell as Tom Cruise: Searingly funny portrait of American's quackiest actor!
Musical Ode to Facebook: For all you facebook lovers out there (myself NOT included), this one's for you!
Daft Hands: This fan-made video for Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" must have taken some serious practice time to get right! Seriously amazing!
Human Tetris: Here's a hilarious clip from a very imaginative Japanese reality show that makes humans contort like Tetris blocks...
Tracy Morgan on local news morning show: If you have any doubts as to Tracy Morgan's comic brilliance and have not yet seen this clip, you must see it! Somebody goin' get pregnant!
spam letter + google image search = video entertainment: This is an amazing short film about the strange phenomenon of Google image searches. Featuring a computerized German voice as narrator!
Pavarotti sings "Nessun Dorma" at Turino 2006 Olympics: In honor of the incomparable performer who recently died, here's a clip of his amazing, passionate performance at the last winter Olympics.

4/28-5/2/08: I'm taking my comprehensive exams this week... wish me luck!
4/9/08:Went to a screening of The Visitor, followed by a panel discussion about immigration and the Christian response. Very interesting film. Very interesting discussion.
4/7/08:Kansas won the National Championship!!!!!
4/1/08: Had a surreal experience last night at an event in which Kathie Lee Gifford sang a song, Tony Hale (Buster from Arrested Development) received an award, and Carol Burnett and Tim Conway told jokes. The event was the "Candlelight Forum" sponsored by Regent University.
3/7-9/08: In Philadelphia for the annual Society of Cinema and Media Studies conference.
3/2/08: Had an interesting visit to L.A.'s Museum of Jurassic Technology this afternoon. I can honestly say it was the most unique museum experience of my life.
3/1/08: Enjoyed watching my Kansas Jaykawks dismantle Michael "#1 draft pick" Beasley and the KSU Wildcats last night in basketball. Love this time of year- March Madness!
2/26/08: Went to a special screening of George Washington at the Egyptian Theater. It's David Gordon Green's first film and looked wonderful on 35mm. He was there for a Q&A afterward with some members of the cast, and showed the unreleased trailer for his new movie with Seth Rogan, Pineapple Express.
2/9/08: Had a very hipster-ish Saturday in Silver Lake. Ate at a new Vegan restaurant (I'm NOT Vegan) and then had coffee and the brand new Intelligentsia at Sunset Junction.
1/24/08: Overhead some sorority girl at UCLA brag to her friend that she had "totally seen Suge Knight! And he kills motherf***ers!" (I of course felt like responding: "Yes, well I've seen Suge Knight twice... and had breakfast with/near him at the Four Seasons two years ago!")
1/17/08: Saw a screening of the "totally-emergent" new Christian documentary, Purple State of Mind. More to come on that later...
12/5/07: Sat near Rob Reiner (director of Spinal Tap) in the movie theater for a matinee of Juno. It's definitely a film Hollywood insiders are buzzing about.
12/3/07: Saw a splendidly horrible Christian movie tonight, called "The Wager" (starring Randy Travis as an Oscar-nominated actor!). Watch for my review on Christianity Today coming on 12/31!
11/9/07: Went to a fabulous concert tonight: Joanna Newsom (a remarkable avant-folk harpist/singer) at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, backed by a 28 piece orchestra with arrangements by Van Dyke Parks. If all that wasn't enough, I nearly bumped into Maya Rudolph in the lobby!
11/3/07: Saw a free concert by Sigur Ros at UCLA. They previewed some new songs and showed their beautiful new concert documentary, Heima.
10/28/07: Interviewed Morgan Spurlock after the closing night screening of his new movie, What Would Jesus Buy? at the City of Angels Film Festival. He was much nicer than I imagined, and appeared to have lost all that McDonalds weight from Super Size Me.
10/28/07: Walking out of church (Bel Air Presbyterian) and who do I see? None other than Christianity’s version of Elton John! That’s right, John Tesh! Sooo happy that he goes to my church…
10/15/07: Eating lunch in one of the cafeterias at UCLA, when suddenly I look up and see James Franco (of Spiderman and Freaks & Geeks fame) with a backpack and a beard. Incognito celebs who are students at UCLA… brilliant! (He’s an English major here).

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