Internet on the Brain … Literally
What if you could connect to the Internet … just by thinking about it? Sound like science fiction? Perhaps. But a new wave of technology is currently in development that one day—one day relatively soon—could implant a device into your brain to offer direct neural access to the World Wide Web. In his article “A […]
The Promise—and Peril—of Big-Screen Bible Epics
Jesus and Noah are coming soon to a theater near you. But two stories regarding their respective film treatments could hardly be more different. And those contrasting stories potentially serve as a cautionary tale for filmmakers—especially those who don’t hail from the faith community—when it comes to bringing biblical characters and narratives to the big […]
Miley, Britney and Sinead? Oh My!
To begin, a disclaimer: I’m compelled to write about Miley Cyrus again, in large part because she’s being taken to task for her choices by someone quite surprising. But that’s not all I’m going to focus on here. So if you’re as weary of hearing about Cyrus’ bad behavior as I am, please bear with […]
My Daughter, My Ninja
Something kind of funny has happened in the Holz household the last few weeks. Actually, a couple of things, come to think of it. I’m not even exactly sure how this occurred, but about a month ago my family and I found ourselves watching NBC’s American Ninja Warrior one Monday night. I’m sure that the […]
What Do We Really Know About Violence & Video Games?
Two of this week’s biggest stories have revolved around the complex, intertwining themes of video games and violence. On Monday, tragic news came out of Washington, D.C., regarding Aaron Alexis’ shooting rampage that claimed the lives of 12 victims. Analysis of his horrific acts has largely focused on his unstable mental state. But amid the […]
E-Cigs Send E-Vite to Teens
I don’t know about you, but until recently, I honestly didn’t know much about e-cigarettes. Sure, I knew in vague terms that they somehow delivered nicotine, but without smoke and tobacco. Still, I didn’t understand how they worked or why we should pay much attention to them. This week, a story about rising e-cigarette use […]
Hollywood’s Summer: The Best and Worst of Times
If you paid attention to entertainment news this summer, you might have noticed a steady stream of articles lamenting the season’s myriad big-budget flops at the local Cineplex. At the top of that list, of course, was Disney’s The Lone Ranger, a bomb of staggering financial proportions. In early August, Disney reported that it will […]
Miley Cyrus & the VMA Shockstakes
Another MTV Video Music Awards, another round of controversy. For nearly 30 years now, the cable channel formerly known as Music Television has excelled at offering pop culture’s provocateurs du jour a big stage from which to shock the masses. And this year, Miley Cyrus went “all in” in her bid to win the 2013 […]
Sonic Brands Its Buns
If you think the marketers of the world have run out of places to creatively boost brands in search of a bigger bottom line, think again. The Oklahoma City-based fast-food chain Sonic has announced that it will soon begin offering college-branded burgers to customers in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. Specifically, Sonic restaurants in those states […]
Movie Monday: Elysium
As summer winds down and trips to the theater are replaced by trips to the store to buy back-to-school supplies, Hollywood’s studios are unloading the sweltering season’s final rounds of big-budget CGI ammo. Wielding exactly such a cinematic weapon over the weekend was Matt Damon, whose cyborg-like role in the sci-fi thriller Elysium gunned down […]