Caprica’s Advertising and Teen Religion
How a television show can be a religious event.
Read More
Avatar: ‘A Spectacular World Beyond Imagination’?
Hold the popcorn, we’re not quite there yet.
Read More
Mother (Nature) Will Eat You: Lars von Trier’s Antichrist
Von Trier’s terrifying rumination on the triad of “pain,” “grief,” and “despair” reminds us that, in contrast to the pronouncements of politicians on what is natural and normal, in nature eating one’s young is not too far out of the ordinary—especially in times of stress.
Read More
Lars von Trier is the Antichrist Best Film Director in the World
In the great tradition of Socrates and Kierkegaard, Lars von Trier realizes that his role is to enable the audience to ask questions and confront themselves.
Read More
Baby Dolls, Sex Dolls, and Ritual Objects
From a man in Japan who has romantic attachment to a pillow, to boom in realistic baby dolls, to a movie about a man who falls deeply in love with a life-size silicon woman, our craze for surrogate objects reveals more than simple fetishism.
Read MoreHarry Potter And the Persistence of Ritual
What does it mean when a movie series infiltrates our daily lives, and infuses our summer nights with “magic”?
Read MoreDo Animals Have Religion?
If animals can communicate, not only with one another but with us, haven’t they transcended their own condition? And, as we know, transcendence is key to religious experience…
Read More
Pop-Eye: Blind Faith and the Invisible Font
Simply put: Font matters. Is it possible that the most pervasive typeface of late capitalism—Helvetica—is telling us what the gods wish: Do not worry. Trust in me. Put your value here, and you will be rewarded?
Read More
Pop-Eye: Global Jesus on Film
In this invitation to inter-cinematic dialogue, S. Brent Plate offers a Lenten season roundup of Jesus films from all across the world, and not a blue-eyed protagonist among them.
Read More
Pop-Eye: Meat The Wrestler
How did reviewers from the New York Times to Christianity Today miss the obvious religious references in this Oscar-nominated hit? Did they blink and reach for popcorn at the images of a tattooed Jesus Christ on Randy’s back, or was it more about the myth of modern individualism and body-soul dualism?
Read More