What is this book about? Is it about church structure? It can be. Is it about church growth? Sure. Is it about the culture in which we live and the freedom we have in Christ? Definitely.
“Cars 2” is one of those sequels that works OK, but somehow fails to live up to the charm of the original. It’s sweet and harmless, but falls somewhat short of magical.
“Buck” is a documentary about Buck Brannaman, the real “Horse Whisperer,” endorsed by Robert Redford himself. Buck is a sixtysomething cowboy who has been hanging around corrals and barns all his life, who does indeed have a remarkable way with horses.
“Larry Crowne” is a movie that “Can’t Miss.” First, it’s Tom Hanks, who’s practically incapable of making a bad movie. He’s this generation’s Jimmy Stewart, the Everyman whom everybody roots for and has affection for, and we love him so much that we’ll even allow him his occasional moments where he’s less than glamorous. Somehow that only adds to his universal appeal.
This is one of those “niche” films that will appeal to a specific target audience (mostly younger males), but have a very limited draw with other segments of the moviegoing market (like grandmothers).
Wow, this one will put you through the wringer. Especially if you are a parent, and tried to raise a child, and realized full well that the “product” which emerges is its own person, over which you have painfully limited influence.
First, a disclaimer: this is a comic book hero that I loved as a kid. Maybe because he’s human, he has to use his imagination, and he’s part of a greater good. Plus, that requirement of having to recharge the ring every day gives rise to all manner of good analogies. (Fill in your own similes here.)
“Bad Teacher” is not worth your time. Now, the easy thing would be just to leave it at that. It’s a comedy and it isn’t funny. But the self-respecting critic buried deep within demands a fuller explanation. What makes “Bad Teacher” so bad?
Edited by Nicholas Perrin and Richard B. Hays InterVarsity Press. 294 pages.
reviewed by David Renwick
N.T. (Tom) Wright, formerly bishop of Durham and presently at St. Andrews University, Scotland, is undoubtedly the most prolific New Testament scholar of recent years, and arguably the most important.
“I’ve written this book for all those, everywhere, who have heard some version of the Jesus story that has caused their pulse rate to rise, their stomach to churn, and their heart to utter those resolute words, ‘I would never be a part of that.’”
The story line in this film might sound way too agenda-driven to be enjoyable: adult son’s mother dies of cancer, then his father announces that he is coming out of the closet.
by Gregory A. Love Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books. 259 pages.
reviewed by DIETER U. HEINZL
In a time when the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) continues to debate what might be causing the decline in membership in American mainline denominations, Gregory Love takes a page from Karl Barth’s playbook to remind us of the Christian’s vocation: pointing to the risen Christ who reconciled all creation (which happens to include us human beings) to God’s self through his death on the cross.
edited by elizabeth Steele halstead, Paul Detterman, Joyce berger and John witvliet grand rapids, mich. william b. eerdmans. 288 pages.
Reviewed by Roy W. Howard
This extraordinary biblical commentary is like no other. What kind of commentary combines poetry, art, prayer, exegetical comments and theological reflections along with liturgical insights that strengthen communal worship?
The great thing about prequels is that it includes everybody. You don’t necessarily have to be a big fan of the “X-Men” comic book series to understand what’s happening – and, hopefully, it doesn’t disappoint the die-hard fans too much if the backstory doesn’t meet all their high expectations.
It’s easy to see why this film was an Oscar nominee for best foreign film this year. It packs a real wallop. But it will probably suffer lack of exposure in the United States.
The fourth installment of this series recovers some of the swagger and fun of the earlier versions, perhaps because of the welcome addition of Penelope Cruz.
