After Repeat Box-Office Crashes, New Films Make Space for Optimism and Hope

Movies like “Project Hail Mary” move beyond subversive storytelling to have fun with genres while honoring traditional virtues.

‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Season 1 Had Little to Teach Sci-fi Fans

After sixty years honoring the Federation’s flagship school, this series showed a class of foolish students who don’t even know themselves.

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Defends An Exquisite Superhero Theodicy

Director Zack Snyder’s 2016 sequel to Man of Steel neither ignores the world as it is, nor pretends there’s nothing beyond it.

‘David’ Creators Answer all Your Questions About the Animated Hit Movie

Sunrise Animation film directors Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes join journalist Josh Shepherd for this exclusive interview.

‘Stranger Things’ Season Five Gives Weight to Parents’ Fears

While the first half of the final season suffers from flattened characters, the series offers surprising nuance to its previous messages.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Cuts a Careful Line Between Evil and Redemption

The smash-hit shonen adventure boldly presents its characters with flaws and virtues, be they noble demon slayers or vile demon lords.
‘Light of the World’ Shows Jesus as a Friend to Children

‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Pits Singing Heroines vs. Monster Idols

Netflix’s smash hit action musical mixes catchy tunes with Korean folklore and some beautiful moments of common grace.

‘Superman’ (2025) Will Make You Believe a Man Can Be Earnest

The DCU’s reboot presents a hero more sincere than Marvel’s signature blend.
‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ is Classical Literature in Game-Form The Antiheroes of Thunderbolts* Preach to Marvel Itself ‘House of David’ Is Crowned King of Amazon Prime ‘Snow White’ (2025) Isn’t the Fairest of Adaptations Don’t Miss the One Great Disney Remake: Sir Kenneth Branagh’s Magical ‘Cinderella’ ‘The Gorge’ Brings Human Connection to a Bleak and Cruel World ‘Gabriel and the Guardians’ Echoes a Golden Era of Saturday Morning Cartoons Amazon’s ‘House of David’ Anoints an Intriguing Biblical Epic ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Labors to Save a Struggling MCU The Moral Challenge of Cheering for The Penguin ‘Nosferatu’ Casts Dim Light of Supernatural Truth Against Vampirism and Materialism ‘War of the Rohirrim’ Falls Flat as an Adaptation ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Reminds Us of Real Romantic Magic Christian-Made Stories Got Even Better in 2024 ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2 Ran Aground Because of Constant Character Shipping Dear Santa Presents Satan as Another Misunderstood Villain ‘Wicked, Part 1’ Honors the Weak, Not the Woke ‘The Deliverance’ Shows Christ’s Power to Cast Out Evil and Reunite Families Godzilla Minus One Pits a Human Hero Journey vs. Godzilla x Kong’s Smashing Spectacle Exclusive: Five Answers from ‘The Rings of Power’ Showrunners The Wild Robot is 2024’s Most Based and Beautiful Animated Action Drama Alien: Romulus Ignores Threats of AI ‘Personhood’ Yes, Dallas Jenkins is Launching the Bible Cinematic Universe Why Franchises Ship Bad Boys with Heroines

‘Rings of Power’ Season 2 Confronts its Critics

“The Rings of Power is not a great show, but it is not nearly as bad as the haters are saying.”
225. Why Do Modern Fans Love Middle-Earth Mixing? | with Evan Cooney ‘Furiosa’ Quenches Hope and Doubles Down on Darkness 213. Are ‘Memes’ and Viral Content Ruining Fantastical Franchises? 199. How Should Christians Fight to Love a Declining Disney? | with Josh Shepherd 197. How Do Christian Creators Make Video Adventures? | Soma Games with Chris Skaggs ‘Frozen 2’ Shows Queen Elsa Vainly Chasing After Wintry Winds ‘Rebel Moon: A Child of Fire’ Plants the Seeds for Promising New Space Opera 194. Which Villains Beat the Superheroes in 2023 Flopbuster Films?

Stephen R. Lawhead’s King Raven Trilogy Optioned for Film Version

While the Bentkey platform adapts “The Pendragon Cycle,” filmmaker Brent Ryan Green has optioned the author’s King Raven trilogy.
After This Year’s Fan Event and Film Releases, ‘The Chosen Effect’ Is Bigger Than Ever 188. Can Political Pundits Create Fantastical Stories?

‘Journey to Bethlehem’ Gets Lost on Its Way

Given the film’s wildly altered and modernized storyline, I can’t bring myself to give Journey to Bethlehem the support I usually give biblical fiction and musicals.
Disney Might Finally Learn Why It’s Failing ‘The Flash’ Ranks Characters Over Spectacle for a Surprisingly Heartfelt Speedrun

The Little Mermaid’s Live-Action Remake Fares Better Than Critics Forecast

Some new songs may flounder, but Ariel’s voice and Triton’s character redeem the 2023 Disney film.
Link from ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Games Reflects Christlike Virtue 161. How Can We Celebrate the Restoration of Failed Franchises?

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Hints at Redemption from Postmodern Pain

Marvel’s new space adventure is here to remind us of what the MCU used to be, with clear conflict and competent villains and no political preaching.

Brilliant Acting Elevates Common Tropes That Possess ‘Nefarious’

Despite clichéd characters and worn dialogue, this horror film from God’s Not Dead producers proves surprisingly good.

‘Star Trek: Picard’ Resists Alien Assimilation to Boldly Celebrate Heroes and Family

If you’ve heard bad about “new Trek” but good about Picard’s final season, here’s how to best enjoy this sublime sci-fi.
Why The Mandalorian Makes Sense in a World That Masks Creedal Religion

‘The Wingfeather Saga’ Season 1 Sings a Wondrous Finale

Thanks to sincere storytelling and positive changes from text to screen, Angel Studios’ animated fantasy sings with success.
Superhero Tales are Turning Into ‘Deathworks’

How Spider-Man Saved My Marriage Before It Even Began

God used Sam Raimi’s super-films, flaws and all, to teach me heroism.
‘Fast and Furious’ Movies Prove That Fantasy Can Become Propaganda

‘Encanto’ Shows Legalism’s Ruin and God’s Gift of Grace

Disney’s film explores more than general redemption by comparing works-righteousness with refreshing Gospel solutions.

106. What If Homeschool Families Can Help Christian Fantasy Grow for Generations?

Amazon ‘Rings of Power’ Promos Threaten to Burn Middle-Earth in the Fires of Industry

The studio’s teaser trailer and fake “superfans” video appropriates J. R. R. Tolkien’s canon and the good will of fans.

I Grieve for My Granny Yet Find Some Comfort in Our Love of Monster Movies

My grandmother now lives with Jesus, yet leaves me a legacy of loving fantastical creature stories.

Let’s Not Excuse Movie and TV Porn For the Sake of ‘Redemptive’ Stories

If we defend hypersexualized visual fiction, we ignore real-world wisdom, stories’ power, God-given biology, and God’s word.

‘West Side Story’ Shows a Fantastical World That Groans for Hope

Steven Spielberg’s 2021 film respects yet reimagines the 1961 musical, including one key moment of eternal longing.

Duke Leto Also Shows How Christians Can Practice Shrewd Wisdom in a Hostile World

Frank Herbert’s novel Dune shows the crafty head of House Atreides using many ploys against the enemies who seek to destroy him.

Why ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Can’t Deliver Holiday Joys

What’s this? Elijah David explores how the cult classic lacks substance.

Christians Can’t Consistently Blame Leftist Fiction While Pushing Our Own Propaganda

Secular critics and some Christians keep wielding stories as weapons.

‘The Green Knight’ Film May Not Outmatch the Original Poem’s Challenge of Human Virtue

Critics praising David Lowery’s new movie may reveal another Hollywood retelling that’s been stripped of gospel armor.

‘Thor’ Hammers Home the Story of Two Prodigal Norse Gods

In Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 fantasy film, Thor shows heroic repentance, while Loki takes the role of self-righteous brother.

Flagging the Cheap Grace of Marvel’s ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’

Heroes don’t get realistically redeemed from abusive actions by making one good choice.

‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ Explores Flawed Themes in a Gorgeous World

Disney’s latest heroine must learn trust and forgiveness, but Raya’s story feels redundant as she seems to learn little.

Pixar’s ‘Onward’ Wears the Symbolism of Pants

Dan Scanlon’s film leans into the bitterness of loss with its core symbol, leading the audience to a realistic yet redemptive theme.

Meet Your Family’s Next Favorite Film: Kiki’s Delivery Service

Miyazaki’s coming-of-age tale reenchants the follow-your-heart trope.

The Mandalorian is a Religious Fundamentalist, and Here’s Why That’s Awesome

Din Djarin from the Star Wars series often finds his strong moral code challenged.

How God Uses Story Villains for Our Good

We can love villains when they reveal our brokenness and lead us to God’s grace.

‘One Piece’ Manga Reaches Chapter 1000: How Did This Pirate Become King?

This manga and anime have won their own crew of loyal friends, thanks to creator Eiichiro Oda’s love for adventure, comedy, and exposure of evil.

Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ Collides with Itself

The time-inverting action film is not a great sci-fi thriller, but does offer fantastic and even wholesome spectacle.

Wonder Woman 1984 v. Disneyfied Imagination: A Spoiler-Filled Defense

Some critics pretend like superhero movies are mainly about wish-fulfillment, but Wonder Woman 1984 directly challenges this idol.

The Chosen’s Speculation Meets a True Savior

This series may be one of the best Christian stories in our lifetime.

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Twelve-year-old Charlie Crumple takes a summer job at a secret factory that makes magical objects for fairy tales—and uncovers a plot to sabotage happily ever after.

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The Talismiths by ML Hodder
The Talismiths by ML Hodder
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