If you're like me, you may have a love/hate relationship with faith-based or Christian films due to "preachiness" or low production values. In the last two decades, we've seen a new generation of Christian film makers strive to break those stereotypes and it's wonderful to see those succeed. Check out my review of the Erwin Brothers' Kingdom Story Company's latest film, Jesus Revolution below and find out how you can win a $10 Amazon giftcard (USA only)! 

Title: Jesus Revolution 

Starring: Joel Courtney, Jonathan Roumie, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Anna Grace Barlow, and Kelsey Grammer.
Release: Now available digitally and on bluRay/DVD on April 25, 2023

About the Movie: 

"In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher. Together with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to what TIME Magazine dubbed a JESUS REVOLUTION."

The Artist Librarian Review: 
Directed by Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle, I had high expectations for Jesus Revolution since Erwin has directed other faith-based biopics I've enjoyed (the latest being American Underdog, about NFL quarterback Kurt Warner). Inspired by the 2018 book of the same name by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn, Jesus Revolution is a reminder of how the Gospel is for everyone and how Christ can work through us no matter what our background. Everything was on point in this historical: the soundtrack, the costumes, the acting ... it made me curious to dig deeper and learn more from Laurie's book and other resources. I attended a Calvary Chapel church growing up so I've always heard bits about their origins, so it was neat to see onscreen. I'm also a big fan of the 1960s-1970s so it was a "must watch" film for me. 

Content wise, families with young children should be aware that the film is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for “strong drug content involving teens and some thematic elements” --you can find detailed content reviews at Plugged In or Common Sense Media. I would say it's on the lower end of PG-13 and though it covers what you'd expect from the "hippie" era, it's not gratuitous or overly graphic, just enough to set the scene of the 1970s. Overall, it was one of the best, if not the best "historical era" Christian/faith-based films I've seen in recent years and I look forward to purchasing a copy of the bluRay to explore any extras and bonus features about the making of the film!

[Disclosure: I received temporary digital access to this film from Kingdom Story Company for review purposes, but opinions are 100% my own.]

Giveaway! Enter to win a $10 Amazon giftcard code via the Rafflecopter entry form:

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For this Throwback Thursday, another manga review first written for my Special Topics in Librarianship: The Graphic Novel class in December 2014.

(c.) 2011 by NBM Publishing

Title: Stargazing Dog
Creator: Takashi Murakami
Published: English version 2011 by NBM Publishing, original Japanese in 2008.

About the Book:
"Translated from the Japanese bestseller, this story centers on Oto-san, a man who finds himself abandoned by his family and friends with nothing in his life happening the way he had planned. He embarks on a road trip to escape it all, and he soon discovers the only one he can count on completely is his faithful, recently adopted dog, who helps him see the light at the end of the tunnel. Illustrating the valuable lessons of friendship and loyalty, this is a heartwarming tale of two endearing characters and their shared adventure into the unknown."

The Artist Librarian's Review:
This was a poignant story told through the eyes of Happie, the family dog. From the time he burst into their lives, he observes his family: witnessing the break down and then finally the separation of his family members. He remains the companion of "Daddy" as they road trip aimlessly across Japan. Happie is the only "person" left in Daddy’s life and they loyally stay at one another's sides until the end. The last part of Stargazing Dog follows the social worker tasked with identifying the body of the man found in an abandoned vehicle. The body of the faithful dog reminds him of his treatment of a loyal pup from his childhood.

I’d heard of elderly in Japan passing away alone and not being found until months later.  This manga reminded me of those stories (and of Hachi). Why did Daddy use a fake name at the pawn shop near the end? It didn’t seem like he wanted anyone to find him after he was gone … Was it to avoid shame? I thought it was interesting to note a slightly different culture and mindset. But something made me sad to think that his daughter or wife wouldn’t know what happened to him. Even if he and his wife didn’t split on the best of terms (it seemed they were both kind of resigned rather than angry) … I don’t know, I still think that his family would want a funeral or closure. Even if you were a “cat person” (like me) I don’t see how you could dislike Happie … I think any pet owner would be moved by his loyalty and sweetness. 

For regular manga readers, I’d recommend it to folks who enjoyed Chi’s Sweet Home (though Chi is a cat) because the story is told from the pet's point of view … I’d feel pretty comfortable recommending it to teens and up, as I didn’t remember anything really graphic (I don't know if it would interest younger readers). Though they might not be able to really relate to the protagonist, it might give them insight to the older family members or adults in their lives …

For non-manga readers, if they were interested in “animal stories” or memoirs, such as Dewey, Marley and Me, Hachi, etc. I’d recommend Stargazing Dog.

Do you have any favorite animal stories or graphic novels?  

I haven't done a Fandom Friday in awhile, so here is my first manga review written originally for my Special Topics in Librarianship: The Graphic Novel class in October 2014.  Updated since this is my new manga/anime obsession ... ;-) 

(c.) 2010 by Kondansha

Title: Attack on Titan, Vol. 1
Creator: Hajime Isayama (English translation by Sheldon Drzka, lettering by Steve Wands)
Published: 2010 (English version published 2012 by Kodansha USA Publishing).
Rating: T - Ages 16+ by the publisher.

About the Book:

In this post-apocalytpic sci-fi story, humanity has been devastated by the bizarre, giant humanoids known as the Titans. Little is known about where they came from or why they are bent on consuming mankind. Seemingly unintelligent, they have roamed the world for years, killing everyone they see. For the past century, what's left of man has hidden in a giant, three-walled city. People believe their 100-meter-high walls will protect them from the Titans, but the sudden appearance of an immense Titan is about to change everything.

The Artist Librarian Review:
When the Titans break into Shinganshina district, young Eren Yeager vows to end the Titan threat that has destroyed his home.  Five years later, with his best friends, Armin Arlert and Mikasa Ackerman, military trainee Yeager comes face-to-face with his mortal enemies.

So first let me say: Wow.

Shingeki no Kyojin, Attack on Titan's Japanese title literally translates to "Advancing Giants." My first introduction to Attack on Titan was at a pop culture convention in 2014 --there were so many Attack on Titan cosplayers! However, though I thought their uniforms and gear were cool, that alone didn't interest me enough to find out more; to read or watch it.

Now, after reading the first volume for school, I'm torn. I'm intrigued to read more even though I'm a squeamish type of girl ... The back cover review blurbs about the anime being an "action/horror story" and "Japan's equivalent of The Walking Dead" (i.e. the zombie apocalypse AMC show based on a comic book series) worried me for a moment, but the story's got a fascinating pull. Kind of like I wanted to look away but couldn't ... ;-) 

The sketchy, drawn quality of some of the art and panels was an interesting touch. Again, I haven't read a whole lot of manga, but I'm used to associating more cleaner line-work and art to manga. However, I think the roughness of those sections work for the dystopian type of world the humans live in: It's a gritty, believable world. 

And wow, that ending!  It's clear that no one is safe in this manga --anyone can die and it definitely ups the stakes. 

Update: In April, I started watching the anime reruns on Cartoon Network and I am so hooked!  The combat scenes with the 3DMG (i.e. gear that allow the military to fight like Spider-Man with swords against the Titans) are amazingly choreographed.  The English dubbing uses voice actors that I think capture the characters perfectly.  And from first hearing the incredible opening theme, I've fallen in love with the television soundtrack and score by Hiroyuki Sawano.  I don't know how to describe it ... kind of orchestral, with some rock and electronic parts ... The closest I can compare it to is Daft Punk's Tron: Legacy film score, but even that isn't an accurate comparison.  Listen to a sample for yourself here.  I've also mentally added the Survey Corps uniform on my Costuming Wish List ... which officially means that Jen has found a new fandom, LOL.

Fair warning: it's TV-14, so definitely don't let the little guys watch this show.  As with the manga, there's lots of blood depicted, since the Titans do ... eat people (though most of the actual death scenes are off-screen cut-aways, you often see the aftermath), some language (such as b-st-rd, a--hole, sh-t, etc. but they are in their world's equivalent of the military), and some intense sequences.  Unless you know the child well, I'd recommend the manga and anime to teens and up, as the published ratings suggest.  Check out the trailer below to get a feel of the series!



I'm currently working on catching up with the manga --that fascinating pull I wrote about earlier?  It's definitely the characters: As they wrestle with survivor's guilt, questions unanswered about the Titans' origins, and struggle with morality (e.g. Do the ends justify the means? Do the needs of the many outweigh the few? What does it mean to be human? etc.), like many dystopians, you may find yourself looking at the world around you in a different light. 

What do you think about Attack on Titan?  Have you ever read manga or watched anime?  Are there any you recommend?  What about dystopians?  Why do you think they are so popular right now?