The beginning of a new year hasn’t been the time that I traditionally make my plans and set my goals. Since I’m a college professor, I usually think about the year on… Read more “New Year, New Perspective, New Look”
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Most Popular Posts of 2015
I didn’t have my most prolific year of writing, but I figured I’d end 2015 with a retrospective blog post anyway. This way I can finish up… Read more “Most Popular Posts of 2015”
20 Recycled Elements in The Force Awakens from the Original Trilogy
This post contains spoilers; so quit reading now if you’re one of the dozen people who didn’t see The Force Awakens this weekend. ____________ Why come up… Read more “20 Recycled Elements in The Force Awakens from the Original Trilogy”
The Force Awakens: J. J. Abrams’s Love Letter to Star Wars Fans
Just in case you haven’t heard, Star Wars is back. And it’s the good Star Wars. It’s the Rebellion-and-the-Empire Star Wars. It’s the everything-is-a-little-gritty Star Wars. It’s the… Read more “The Force Awakens: J. J. Abrams’s Love Letter to Star Wars Fans”
Star Wars Has No Good Guys
Over at The Federalist, I indulge in the pointless fan squabbles concerning the Star Wars universe. There’s been a lot of chatter at the Federalist about who the… Read more “Star Wars Has No Good Guys”
Halloween: a Distinctively Christian Holiday
I have an essay on the Christian roots of Halloween over at Reformation 21. Read it at your own peril. Death and darkness dominate America’s Halloween celebrations. Children… Read more “Halloween: a Distinctively Christian Holiday”
Politics and Religion in Ridley Scott’s The Martian
The Martian is good science fiction. It has a hard-edged realism combined with a compelling plot. In the near future, NASA is sending manned missions to Mars,… Read more “Politics and Religion in Ridley Scott’s The Martian”
What Has Gotham to Do with Jerusalem?
Over at Reformation21 I’ve got an essay in which I think about the Joker, Batman, and the nature of evil from an Augustinian perspective. In the world of comic… Read more “What Has Gotham to Do with Jerusalem?”
Ignore the Haters. It’s Time for a New Mary Poppins Movie!
Disney announced their plans for a new Mary Poppins film, and of course social-media feeds everywhere filled with complaints about Hollywood being out of ideas. Another Reboot?… Read more “Ignore the Haters. It’s Time for a New Mary Poppins Movie!”
What I’ll Be Doing in the Fall Semester
Today is the first day of the fall semester. Expectations run so high that the beginning of the new academic year takes on a sacramental quality. Incoming… Read more “What I’ll Be Doing in the Fall Semester”