Film in review – “Godzilla”
“Godzilla” suffers from several disadvantages. First, it tries too hard to pay homage to predecessor films by miring itself in some generation-ago..
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Film in review – “Fading Gigolo”
It would be a bit too simplistic to simply see this movie as a cautionary morality tale. Sure, it sounds simple: two..
Film in review – “Tasting Menu”
Have you ever had one of those to-die-for, absolutely incredible gourmet feasts put on by arguably the best restaurant in the world at..
Film in review – “Night Moves”
“For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent..
Film in review – “X-Men: Days of Future Past”
I really enjoyed this film. But I’ve kept up with the X-Men “franchise” over the years and have some familiarity with the..
Film in review – “Love Punch”
There’s a certain demographic – call it the young senior set – that still enjoys a good, old-fashioned romantic comedy. The main..
“Love Punch” – Director interview
Phone interview with Joel Hopkins, director of “Love Punch” Ron Salfen, for the Presbyterian Outlook: First of all, I really enjoyed..
Film in review – “Blended”
Of course it’s formulaic. How could a romantic comedy not be formulaic? In fact, it’s become so predictable that many studios don’t..
Film in review – “Maleficent”
Over our lifetimes, Disney has done a magnificent job bringing fairy tales to life with movie animation. So we really can’t blame..
Film in review – “Million Dollar Arm”
I distinctly remember hearing my high school track coach lamenting the fact that those of us who showed up for tryouts were..
Films in review – “Only Lovers Left Alive” & “The Other Woman”
The classic chick-flick elements are all there in “The Other Woman”: Female characters are strong, intelligent and in charge. Check. Male characters..
Film in review – “Draft Day”
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes on the day of the annual NFL draft of the nation’s top..
Film in review – “Joe”
“Joe” is an old-school, old-fashioned kind of movie. There’s no slick CGI fantasy sci-fi stuff. No chase scenes. No shoot-‘em-ups that look..
Film in review – “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
Captain America (Chris Evans) is how we would all like our heroes to be: strong, intelligent, patriotic, invincible in combat – but..
Film in review – “Noah”
No, it’s not an exact replica of the biblical account. (That would be difficult to do, anyway, because there appears to be..
Film in review – “Robocop”
This movie did not consciously cast itself in biblical terms. But, as a practicing believer watching it, I couldn’t help but think..
Film in review – “Need For Speed”
“The woman was clever and beautiful, but the man was surly and mean” (1 Samuel 25: 3). Back when King David was..
Film in review – “Sabotage”
American audiences have proven that they don’t mind watching a very bloody shoot-‘em-up, but there needs to be a reason, or else..
Film in review – “Bad Words”
Normally, I don't go for caustic humor, the kind that constantly ridicules and belittles others. Nor do I normally go for the supposed..
Film in review – “Divergent”
Yes, this one is coming in with all the hype of the new “Hunger Games,” and that’s probably an unfair burden to..
“Divergent” roundtable interview with Miles Teller and Jai Courtney
Outlook roundtable interview with Miles Teller and Jai Courtney, stars of “Divergent” Dallas, Texas March 5, 2014 Ronald P. Salfen, Presbyterian Outlook..
Film in review: “3 Days to Kill”
Ethan Renner (Kevin Costner) has spent all his adult life working undercover for the CIA. He’s done it all. In between, he..
Film in review: “Pompeii”
“For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the..
Film in review – “300: Rise of An Empire”
In a way, it’s unfair to criticize a movie for what it isn’t. Obviously, it isn’t a lot of things. It’s also..
Film in review – “Son of God”
As a practicing believer, I think every Christian should see this film. There. I’ve said it. I’m a shameless shill for this..