You are invited to attend my benefit for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

johnbucher — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:27:22 +0000

THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD released on Amazon.com

johnbucher — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:38:56 +0000

My book, THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD: Faith and the Rising Vampire in Popular Culture, has been released on Amazon.com.

To purchase it, click here: THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD

DEATH OF THE FILM CRITIC

johnbucher — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:32:19 +0000

I had the privilege of leading a discussion on the death of the film critic at Reel Spirituality 2011 in Pasadena, CA. last weekend. Elvis Mitchell (The Treatment), Claudia Puig (USA Today), Mark Pinsky (The Gospel According to the Simpsons), and Gareth Higgins (The Film Talk) joined me in the conversation.

Interview on my book, THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD

johnbucher — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:30:05 +0000

An interview where I speak about my book, There is Power in the Blood.

There is Power in the Blood

Images from The Dark Hills

johnbucher — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:29:28 +0000

Images from my recent trip to The Dark Hills

What I am working on this weeked

johnbucher — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 02:24:08 +0000

Images from my recent European adventures…

johnbucher — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:17:33 +0000

Thoughts on Jason Retiman’s UP IN THE AIR

johnbucher — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:20:31 +0000

At the risk of looking like I am jumping on the band wagon, I wish to offer my praise for Jason Reitman’s UP IN THE AIR. This was the first film that I have seen in some time that I feel actually had something to say. Perhaps it even had many things to say. George Clooney again turns in a memorable performance in the role of the audience mirror. His character, Ryan Bingham, functions to allow us to examine our selves, our lives, our values, our schedules and our priorities.

Being there are so many other reviews of the film that examine the themes, technicalities, etc., I would rather lend some thought to a particular line in the film that I have been wrestling with ever since leaving the theater. At one point in the film, Clooney asks his young traveling partner, played by Anna Kendrick, what they do for their mutual employer. She responds with a party line issued by the CEO. Clooney retorts and says, “No, that’s what we sell, not what we do.” I have really been giving some thought to this concept. Is what I sell myself as different than what I actually do? Can my very personality press the bounds of good ethics? I was challenged by this line and will continue to examine it’s implications in my life.

I cannot think of a more clear example of how film has the power to change people. This is a medium that has huge consequences on how we think and live. Truly, some films are designed to purely entertain us. There is nothing wrong with this. UP IN THE AIR is not one of these films. I hope to see it’s creators at the Kodak in 2010.

Thoughts on John Lee Hancock’s THE BLINDSIDE

johnbucher — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:05:10 +0000

I had no plans to see this film. I was talked in to it by people whose cinematic opinions I trust. Once I was in the theater and saw John Lee Hancock’s name come up on the screen, I felt much better. Hancock was at the helm for a film that has impacted me greatly in my life, THE ROOKIE. Those that know me might find it a little hard to believe that a Disney film has set with me so profoundly even years after first seeing it. However, the simplicity, universal themes and emotional honesty in that film are rare and will not soon be forgotten by this writer.

BLINDSIDE uses a similar formulae. It is based on a true story of an unlikely sportsman who overcomes impossible odds to live out their dream. I have not always been a big fan of Sandra Bullock (save for CRASH and a few other performances). However, she turns in an honest and respectable portrayal. The rest of the cast (including a surprising solid performance from Tim McGraw) gives us pure humanity while walking that line between sentimentality and inspiration.

What I appreciated most about the film, however, is the fact that the main character’s faith was handled so realistically yet so beautifully. As a person of faith myself, it is rare to see this sort of balance struck. Hancock, who I believe is a person of faith, truly impressed me with his abilities in this area. Rarely in film do we see a person committed to a specific faith in a story that lives that faith out in a way that is not preachy. Even more rare is the story that makes me examine my own faith and how I live that out, without making me want to vomit.

Thoughts on Chris Weitz’s NEW MOON

johnbucher — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:56:26 +0000

Since I am currently working on a book dealing with faith and the current vampire craze in pop culture, I will save all metaphoric connections and more in-depth thoughts for my longer work. However, I do have a few thoughts on NEW MOON that may fall beyond the scope of the book, so here are a few of those.

Having long been a fan of films that deal with vampires, werewolves, mythical creatures and the supernatural as a whole, my natural bent is to appreciate the Twilight films. Admittedly, I have not read the books, so my scope of appreciation will have to stay within the celluloid walls that directors have constructed for these stories. And while there was a time in my life, I would have deemed myself too hip to even go and see the Twilight films, I suppose I have abandoned (most) preoccupations with letting others judge wether they like me based on what I like, rather than what I am like. I can truly say that I liked the first Twilight film. I wanted to like the second.

The story in the second film was based much more around interior conflict, residing in our central characters, as opposed to the external conflicts of the first film. I found it quite interesting to watch vampires battle other vampires. Though the trailer for the film would have you believe otherwise, there are only one or two scenes where the external conflicts between vampires and werewolves grace the screen. While this had the potential to be visually arresting, I am guessing the story (from the books) just did not steer in that direction. The acting in this film felt phoned in as well where I felt passion in the performances of the first episode. I recognize the Twilight films for what they are. I realize these films are not meant to appeal to my demographic and certainly not meant to bring home a Best Picture gold statue from the Kodak next year. However, good storytelling is good storytelling and that defies demographics, finances and awards. I wish New Moon had given me more room to defend it.