James Harleman's Blog, page 12

NOW YOU SEE ME, Now I Review

“First rule of magic: always be the smartest person in the room.” On my recent Australian whirlwind tour, I shared a pint with Ben McEachen, who has written for Empire magazine and works at a radio station in Sydney. I thought we’d add someflavourfrom down under to the Cinemagogue site, so here’s his take on […]

Stark Contrast in Seattle – IRON MAN 3 September 27

I may have been traveling abroad teaching on gospel and culture, God’s story and pop culture, and doing film and theology events for Elysium, Wreck-it Ralph, and Paranoia, but ultimately my heart belongs to the Pacific Northwest. For those who’ve been hoping for another Film and Theology event in my hometown, I haven’t forgotten you! [...]

Australian Whirlwind Tour

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks for the CinemaGuy. When Mark Glenn – pastor of The Fields Church in Bowral, Australia – and I started dreaming about a Cinemagogue trip down under, I don’t think I truly believed it would happen. Two weeks later I’ve had the chance to speak seven times in various [...]

Our Ticket to ELYSIUM

“Butour citizenship is in heaven, andfrom it weawait a Savior…” - Philippians 3:20 My first thought sitting in the glow of credits following Elysium’s gripping climax? Well, that’ll preach. Neill Blomkamp’s latest science fiction entry may not be as curious or fresh as 2009′s District 9, but it offers intriguing themes to explore that aren’t [...]

Sharp Claws & Harm… an ode to THE WOLVERINE

NOTE: Wolverine stabs a LOT of people. Just go back and watch X2, or read any number of Wolverine comics. However, as the new film opens, The Wolverine has given up his life of howling and claw-popping. “That’s not who I am anymore,” he insists. Of course, by Act 2 of the new flick he’s [...]

THE WOLVERINE – There Can Be Only One

“Nothing is without meaning.” – Mariko Hugh Jackman and James Mangold have finally given us The Wolverine solo movie we wanted four years ago. Although not a perfect film, it’s a far cry (or gutteral growl) from the Origins flick most fans merely endured, rolling their eyes and lamenting the muting of Deadpool. Working with [...]

Miss me? A review of THE CONJURING

They had me at the doll. The opening vignette about Annabelle the doll plays like a campfire tale – and could be a scary short film in its own right – as we’re ushered into the allegedly real-life world of Ed and Lorraine Warren. (Sorry Chucky, but this is the scariest doll since Talking Tina [...]

A MAN OF STEEL (and his fathers’ will)

Flying high at the box office, the Man of Steel has given us a fresh version of Superman that has everyone talking. What’s interesting – and really exciting – is how redundant an examination from Cinemagogue seems this time around. We’ve discussed Superman’s messianic mirroring many times on this site and events, and the narrative [...]

FAST friends, or FURIOUS Precision?

“Father, thank you for the gathering of friends…” – Roman, Furious 6 The fact that this movie ends with a prayer is kind of cute, but ultimately ridiculous. However, Fast and Furious 6 is pretty much all about ridiculous, from the raucous “tank chase with mid-air overpass rescue” and the “cars taking down a cargo [...]

New KIRKS Judged by Old KHANS

Star Trek Into Darkness has debuted to positive reviews, and while it may not have boldly gone where no domestic revenue markers have gone before, it’s continuing to perform admirably. Set phasers on thoughtful for this SPOILER-HEAVY yet “fascinating” review by guest Jeremiah Lawson. It’s practically impossible to keep from comparing this second film in [...]