A Rock Star Talks Faith, Family and Philanthropy with Focus
My first real exposure to U2 was when I was about 15. The band had just released The Unforgettable Fire, and “Pride (In the Name of Love)” became the first U2 single to land on the United States’ Top 40. Not that I knew that in Colorado Springs; I didn’t get MTV, our Top 40 […]
Movie Monday: Monsters University
A horde of zombies may have invaded theaters across the country this weekend. But when it comes to scaring up money, those running dead can’t hold a decayed finger to a few well-animated monsters. Monsters University, Pixar’s prequel to Monsters, Inc., made its alma mater proud this weekend, collecting an estimated $82 million en route […]
Guess What? There’s Some Inspirational TV Too!
Last week, Steven Isaac lamented the disappointing coarsening of television, particularly broadcast television. Then Bob Hoose poked fun at reality TV (though I’d definitely tune into watch the version of Knitting Wars crafted by our intrepid commenters). But what if I told you that television can be (gasp) inspiring? And reality television especially so? Yeah, […]
Movie Monday: Man of Steel
Leave it to Superman to carry the box office up, up and away. Man of Steel, the latest retelling of ol’ Supes’ origin story, hit $100 million faster than a speeding bullet, earning an estimated $113.1 million over the weekend—a record for a June opening. Add in some Thursday group screenings, and Man of Steel […]
Man of Steel: A Tale of Two Fathers
You may not believe this, but I do more than just review movies and write eccentric “Movie Monday” blogs. No, I’m also a father and, as such, I blog for Focus on the Family’s Dad Matters blog fairly regularly. And sometimes, my friend and fellow Dad Matters blogger Sam Hoover get to talk about movies […]
Movie Monday: The Purge
The crew from the Fast & Furious franchise have some pretty nifty wheels, no question. But no amount of nitro-fueled, turbo-charged, high-octane horsepower could help Vin Diesel and company outrace The Purge. The budget-minded horror/sci-fi film made (ahem) a killing at the box office, parlaying a compelling premise and some virtual marketing magic into an […]
Desperately Seeking Stone Presidents
You wouldn’t think Mount Rushmore would be that hard to find. First, it’s a mountain. By definition, they tend to stick up out of the ground. Second, it’s got people carved into it—familiar people, people we see every time we fish in our wallets for cash to pay the McDonald’s drive-thru guy. But it’s not […]
Movie Monday: Fast Wins Again (Making Rivals Furious)
They say that the days of the internal combustion engine are numbered. Someday we’ll all toodle around in one-seat, 50-pound cars that run solely on happy thoughts. Someday we’ll all look back at the age of high-octane muscle cars as days of wasteful excess and unimaginable engine noise. But that “someday” isn’t here yet. This […]
No S.H.I.E.L.D. From Superheroes
Broadcast television networks have announced their bevy of shows ready for the fall. And from what I can see, it should be an interesting autumn. Fox, for instance, is bringing back Jack Bauer and 24 for a limited 12-episode, miniseries-like run. (Alas, it won’t be called 12.) Fantasy-oriented geeks will be tempted by shows like […]
Into Darkness … and Finding Light?
I’ll be seeing Star Trek Into Darkness tonight—attending the screening with who knows how many costumed Ferengis and Klingons and perhaps the occasional Horta. And of all the movies I’ve had an opportunity to review this year, this may be the one I’m most intrigued to see. These Star Trek films almost always have […]
