(ESSAY) At Christian colleges across the nation, a “ring by spring” is a polarizing cultural phenomenon that comes with quirky rituals. There’s the “freshman frenzy,” the “senior scramble” — and on my campus, one infamous ice breaker known as “Awk Walk.” Underneath these traditions is an inescapable anxiety: Will you meet your spouse or graduate single?
Read MoreIt’s a life-changing religious pilgrimage. The Camino De Santiago trail has attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists to Spain and surrounding countries each year. But scorching heatwaves, caused by climate change, are threatening the ancient tradition and forcing hikers to rethink their plans.
Read More(REVIEW) Nick is on an adventure to secure an original manuscript of the famous poem. Unfortunately, the film’s engagement with the “Divine Comedy’s” ideas and themes turns out to be depressingly trivial.
Read More(ANALYSIS) I met Karolyn Grimes not long after moving back to Washington State in the summer of 2005. Grimes, best known for her portrayal of Zuzu (George Bailey’s daughter) in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” had just turned 65. I learned that she and her husband lived in Fall City.
Read MoreMerit Street Media, the television venture founded by Dr. Phil McGraw and backed by Trinity Broadcasting Network, has been converted from Chapter 11 reorganization to Chapter 7 liquidation. An independent trustee now controls the estate as litigation between McGraw, TBN, and other creditors continues through the bankruptcy process.
Read More(REVIEW) The faith-based film industry is shifting from family-friendly dramas toward male-focused, patriotic stories for conservative Christian audiences. “Young Washington” reflects that evolution with strong action, but ultimately weakens its emotional impact by oversimplifying George Washington’s ambition and spiritual transformation, limiting its cultural and thematic potential.
Read More(REVIEW) Steven Spielberg’s latest film “Disclosure Day” asks how people of faith would deal with finding out aliens are real. Sadly, one gets the distinct impression that Spielberg didn’t talk to any religious people when deciding his answer. Spielberg is responsible for some of the most iconic movies about aliens and faith ever made.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The Kane Parsons film “Backrooms” has captivated audiences since it hit theaters in May. The movie — a horror film about liminal spaces based on internet mythology — also taps into a series of religious ideas that have existed for centuries, particularly concepts such as purgatory, limbo and salvation.
Read MoreTo understand what it’s like to be a Christian while approaching death, Culture Critic Joseph Holmes spoke with actor and writer Victoria Jackson. Jackson suffers from terminal breast cancer, and, with the knowledge that her life is going to end, she recently wrote “Not Dead Yet,” which tells the story of her life, her faith and how she is dealing with dying.
Read MoreThe Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Orlando, Florida, this week, moved forward on banning churches with women pastors and elected a right-wing president concerned the denomination has become too woke and liberal.
Read More(REVIEW) “Hulk Hogan: Real American” succeeds not because it answers questions, but because it refuses to. It presents Hogan as a deeply contradictory figure: A man who inspired millions while struggling to live up to his own ideals, a public hero whose private life was often marked by pain and failure and a Christian who spent much of his life in and out of the ring.
Read More(REVIEW) Netflix’s new four-part docuseries “Trust Me: The False Prophet” gives viewers never-before-seen access to the inner workings of a high-control religion and cult. It’s a fascinating true story of danger, moral conviction, sacrifice, redemption and justice. Cult psychology expert and former mainstream Mormon, Christine Marie and her filmmaker husband, Tolga Katas, move to the area to support the FLDS community and document their lives.
Read More(REVIEW) The film is an example of how Hollywood uses Christian metaphysical assumptions when dealing with non-Christian faiths — all while denying Christianity and promoting these same pre-Christian religions. “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” has nothing remotely to do with Egyptian mythology. But that doesn’t mean it has nothing to say about our modern relationship with faith.
Read MoreIs country superstar Ella Langley a person of faith? Indeed, the Alabama native — who grew up in a small town in Alabama — professes her love for Jesus.
(REVIEW) This concert marked the first world premiere in the Sistine Chapel. Yet, what lingered most was not the sense of history being made, but the work itself: A meditation on divine presence. In a space accustomed to silence rather than sound, “Angels Unawares” felt less like an interruption and more like a natural extension of the place.
Read More(REVIEW) What will the legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese add to these depictions of Mary that we haven’t seen before? Frankly, not much.
Read More(ANALYSIS) “Solo Mio,” a low-budget romantic comedy starring Kevin James, blends classic rom-com tropes with overt Catholic elements, raising questions about whether it’s faith-based or mainstream. Its strong box office return highlights growing interest in profitable, faith-friendly films as Hollywood shifts away from big-budget franchises toward niche genres.
Read MoreIn Wales, hymn singing is not just for church services. It is part of the national culture, a unique choral tradition. You can hear them sung in pubs, concerts, choral competitions and even rugby games.
Read More(REVIEW) “The House of David” Season Two improves on its strengths while refining its flaws, delivering a compelling biblical epic about power, faith and leadership. Despite some uneven pacing and character development, it offers a timely, countercultural vision of heroism grounded in moral responsibility.
Read MoreVery few superheroes wear their faith on their sleeves like Daredevil. But the Season 2 opener for Disney+ series “Daredevil: Born Again” has pulled back on those elements. If that reflects the rest of the season, it will be to the show’s detriment.
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