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Religious Music & Entertainment

2016-12-23T16:53:19-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Happy Christmas Eve

Last updated on: December 23, 2016 at 4:53 pm By Chris Williams

Ever since I was a child, Christmas Eve has meant more to me than Christmas Day. As a child, it was because Christmas Eve was when we would load up the car, go to my grandparents and open gifts with my cousins. It was that night — and the lead into Christmas morning — that embodied the holiday for me the most. Treats on the counter. One grandfather excitedly playing Santa. The other calmly reading Luke’s account of the Christmas... Read more

2016-12-20T22:13:29-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

My favorite (non-movie) pop culture of 2016!

Last updated on: December 20, 2016 at 10:13 pm By Chris Williams

2016 is coming to a close. And while there are a lot of reasons to be happy that we’re saying goodbye to this year, let’s not forget that this wasn’t a terrible year in every area. True, we might be skipping toward the apocalypse. But at least there were some fun diversions along the way. My post for the best movies of 2016 will be coming later. I hope to have it up before the new year, but the fall has... Read more

2016-12-19T21:06:11-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“It’s My Favorite” Talks Christmas!

Last updated on: December 19, 2016 at 9:06 pm By Chris Williams

So, Christmas is coming and I know there’s been a bit of a lull the past few months in blogging as I’ve finished my first semester of grad school. It’s been a busy, challenging few months, but as of about 24 hours ago, I’m done with class. Starting Friday, I’ll be off work for two days. In addition to enjoying the holidays with my family, I’m also looking forward to catching up on some movies and tending to this neglected... Read more

2016-12-02T09:24:47-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Bill Murray and Stephen Colbert: Modern-day prophets?

Last updated on: December 2, 2016 at 9:24 am By Chris Williams

The celebrity television special used to be a Yuletide staple. Corny as all get-out, they used a threadbare plot (often involving being stranded in a snowstorm or setting up for holidays at home) as an excuse to have a major celebrity mingle with other stars for a series of musical performances. Performers like Kathie Lee Gifford, Perry Como, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope turned these into annual events. And while you have to suffer through a lot of cheese with... Read more

2016-11-25T11:48:41-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“A Muppet Family Christmas”: Christmas with old friends

Last updated on: November 25, 2016 at 11:48 am By Chris Williams

Welcome to a new, fun series I’m doing this holiday season. From now until December 25, I’ll be writing about some Christmas-themed pop culture I love, whether that’s movies, TV specials, music or just holiday experiences. Sometimes these will be short, fun pieces. Other times, they’ll be a bit longer and more introspective. I hope you have fun, share your own memories and have a happy season! So much of our enjoyment of the Christmas season comes from nostalgia. We... Read more

2016-11-22T16:35:23-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Review: “Moana”

Last updated on: November 22, 2016 at 4:35 pm By Chris Williams

In a year of uncertainty, one thing has held true: Don’t bet against Disney. Sure, the Mouse House stumbled this summer with the box office disappointment of Steven Spielberg’s “The BFG” (although I’ve heard that it’s quite good), but they’ve been successful almost everywhere else. Not only have Disney’s live action and animated offerings raked in the money, but they’ve also been critically acclaimed. “Zootopia” turned another anthropomorphized animal comedy into a timely story about prejudice and tolerance (it also... Read more

2016-11-17T22:31:21-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

To everyone telling me to be quiet and trust God after this election

Last updated on: November 17, 2016 at 10:31 pm By Chris Williams

Again, apologies. I know: I’m the movie guy. And trust me, next week, you’re going to get movie stuff. Thoughts on “Moana,” “Arrival” and possibly the return to the Harry Potter universe. Plus, my thoughts on some pop culture I’m thankful for and a fun new series just for the holidays that I’m extremely excited about. But this election rocked the church. So, indulge me, please. Ever since the election, I’ve seen attempts by myself and friends to voice our concerns... Read more

2016-11-10T10:55:18-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Losing my evangelical home

Last updated on: November 10, 2016 at 10:55 am By Chris Williams

I promise we’ll get back to movies shortly. Given the events of this week, I wanted to post this, originally from my Facebook account. It has been edited for length. I am surprised how angry and depressed I felt seeing the election results. To think that Donald Trump is the next President of the United States still seems unreal. I have no clue how a man with such a short fuse and no political experience will govern. I’m terrified. Tuesday... Read more

2016-11-08T15:58:46-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Doctor Strange:” Marvel goes magic

Last updated on: November 8, 2016 at 3:58 pm By Chris Williams

When “Iron Man” debuted in 2008, some wondered just how much leeway the public would give Marvel before things got too weird. Sure, Iron Man, Hulk and Captain America weren’t that hard to see as possible hits; despite their bizarre origins, they were basically just action heroes with a comic book gloss. But at that time, audiences wanted things grounded and gritty, and the farther one delves into the Marvel universe, the deeper they go into a mythology that includes... Read more

2016-10-26T15:06:22-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Hell House” and shock-and-awe evangelism

Last updated on: October 26, 2016 at 3:06 pm By Chris Williams

George Ratliff’s “Hell House,” (2002) resonates with me in a way few documentaries have. Its depiction of evangelicalism is strikingly familiar. When its church members speak about sin, salvation, and Hell, I hear phrases that could have come from my own lips 20 years ago. As I’ve returned to the film over 10 years, my relationship to it has changed. At first, I was sympathetic to the members of Trinity Church, located in Cedar Hill, Texas. Years later, I was... Read more

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