Culture Clips: Is Universal Trolling Theater Chains?
A couple of weeks ago—or, in quarantine time, several eons ago—we reported on the initial success of Trolls World Tour as it rolled out on video (instead of the theatrical blitz Universal Pictures originally intended). Turns out, the early returns were no mirage. Universal reported yesterday that in the space of three weeks, World Tour […]
Need to Get Away? The Internet Has You Covered.
I was supposed to be packing for Britain right now. Almost a year ago, I made plans for the family to visit England and Scotland. I bought tickets. I booked places to stay. I renewed my dusty passport, which still included a picture of me when I had hair. Even when the coronavirus hit, I […]
Director of ‘Jump Shot’ Talks About the Most Interesting Man You’ve Never Heard Of
Who invented basketball’s jump shot? Ten years ago, director and cinematographer Jacob Hamilton would’ve answered the question like most of us might: No one. “I thought it had always existed,” he says. And then he heard about Kenny Sailors. For the last nine years, Hamilton’s worked on bringing Sailors’ remarkable story to light—a story that […]
Culture clips: Capitalizing on the Quarantine
We all know that the coronavirus and the accompanying lockdowns have rocked the world economy. Nearly 18 million Americans have applied for unemployment in just the last three weeks in just about every field you can imagine. And those numbers could get worse. Entertainment has been hit hard (the prestigious Cannes Film Festival announced it […]
An Easter Like We’ve Never Seen … Right?
For the last several weeks, my wife and I have been watching church. Instead of pews, we sit on our couch. Instead of standing and singing ourselves, we sit and listen to the worship band play. The pastor still preaches and we still pray, but worship—intended as an active, shared experience—has taken on a sheen […]
The Best Movie Made About Jesus? A Few To Consider.
We’re all heading into what feels like a very unusual, perhaps unprecedented sort of Good Friday and Easter Sunday this year. Physically going to church is out for most of us. Extended family dinners are off the menu, too. Sure, we can color eggs … if we can find any at the grocery store to […]
Culture Clips: Celebs Take on COVID-19
The March news cycle was dominated by the coronavirus, and April isn’t shaping up to be much different. If anything, concerns are ramping up. But without any movies to go to or sports events to watch, several celebrities are telling us that they’ve got our backs. Taylor Swift (who, admittedly, is not hurting for ready […]
Coronavirus Sickens Entertainment Industry, Too
The coronavirus has hit the entire world pretty hard> And one corner of societythat’s been deeply impacted is the entertainment industry. Even as the public seems to be seeking out more entertainment options, the folks who create them are suffering mightily. We obviously haven’t been doing our usual Monday box-office wrap-up in this space for […]
10 Great Christian Movies Streaming Right Now
We’re in the holiest time of the year. Many Christians are observing Lent. Good Friday is just a couple of weeks away. And with coronavirus restrictions in full swing, many of us are facing the prospect of an Easter season that looks very, very different than what we’re used to. But just because we’re stuck […]
Culture Clips: Putting the Olympic Flame on Hold
Everyone knows that the sports world has screeched to a halt for now because of the coronavirus. Professional basketball and hockey seasons have been suspended. Baseball’s Spring Training is on hold. Golfers are stuck at home, polishing their five-irons. ESPN has no idea what to do with all of its airtime. It’s gotten so bad […]