Culture Clips: The Kids Are Just All Right
We sometimes publish depressing Culture Clips. Granted, the culture has been pretty glum as of late, what with stories about algorithms making us small-minded or the push for a third-gender option or the fact that one in 25 of us, statistically, has been threatened with “revenge porn.” But the world isn’t all candy-coated chicken livers. […]
The Box Office Goes Rogue
Did the latest Star Wars rocket to top the box office this weekend? Might as well ask if Darth Vader is a mouth breather. Yes, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story did indeed punch that ol’ hyperspace button straight to No. 1 this weekend, netting around $155 million along the way. That translates into enough […]
Culture Clips: Parents Worried About Kids’ Screen Time (But They Use Screens Just as Much)
Just call this the “log in your own eye” edition of culture clips. Parents worry a lot about how much time their children and teens spend watching screens. But according to a new report, moms and dads spend an average of nine hours a day with their own screens. “We’re not trying to make parents […]
Moana Hooks Another Win, Spoils Office Christmas Party
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Moana won the weekend’s box office title. No, wait, you can’t stop me! I’ve already written this blog! I can say anything I want here! Anything! Well, within reason, of course. You never know what my editor may want to change. So, given my semi-utter control over this […]
Culture Clips: Fixer Upper Couple Trouble
Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of the HGTV show Fixer Upper, found themselves at the center of controversy last week for their choice of church. The devout Christian couple attend Antioch Community Church. The church’s pastor, Jimmy Seibert, “takes a hard line against same-sex marriage and promotes converting LGBT people into being straight,” according to […]
Moana Catches Another Win
You ever had the feeling of déjà vu? You ever had the feeling of—no, wait. Let’s talk about this weekend’s box office tourney, which, truth be told, look spookily like last week’s. Indeed, every movie that made this week’s Top Five was in last week’s countdown, too (though the positions did shuffle a wee bit). […]
Television Tops 2016: Paul Asay’s Year-End Picks
Bacteria and today’s television landscape have a lot in common. Like bacteria, television shows seem to be multiplying at a dizzying rate: Networks and streaming agencies gave viewers 409 scripted shows in the 2015-16 season, more than double the number we saw just six years ago, and even more are on track for this year. […]
A Big Year For Jesus (at the Movies)
Christians sometimes complain, especially this time of year, that Jesus is being taken out of everything. We bemoan the lack of traditional Nativity scenes on public property. We lament when people wish us “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Last year, Starbucks was lambasted for serving up a plain red cup for the holidays instead […]
Culture Clips: What the Famous Think of Fame
Most of us gave thanks last Thursday, acknowledging our many blessings. Many celebrities likely did the same. But Lady Gaga suggested that, for all the fame and success she’s achieved (and is surely thankful for), something’s been lost along the way. “I miss people,” she said on CBS Sunday Morning, breaking down in tears. “I […]
Moana Sails Past Fantastic Beasts
Another long Thanksgiving weekend, another Disney princess atop the box office. Three years ago, Disney’s Frozen climbed to the box office dais during the gobble-gob holiday, collecting a cool $67.4 million over the weekend and $93.6 million spanning the full five-day Thanksgiving span. The latter mark was an all-time record, incidentally, and hinted at the […]