Welcome to Chrisicisms
Starting a new conversation.
Chris, do you really need another platform?
That’s a valid question.
Over the last 15 years, as print media has decreased and online communication has offered new and exciting opportunities, I’ve dipped my toes into several different ponds. I’ve written blogs, produced podcasts, been active on social media, and more. I’ve created my own website, been a writer for others, and guested on other people’s shows and written for their publications.
Much of this has been just the gradual acclimation of a print guy to a digital world, but it’s also been fun. I’ve enjoyed being a bit of a digital tinkerer, seeing how each platform and media outlet presents new opportunities and challenges to get my voice out there. It’s probably why when I went to grad school I was so drawn to the study of new media. I hope to keep tinkering; I want to learn video editing next. I need to improve my social media skills. It’s probably also why having a weekly (maybe more) newsletter is intriguing. It’s a way to keep playing with these tools and seeing which ones work best.
But that diversity is also part of the need for a newsletter like this. I know I put a lot out there, and it can be a bit confusing (and exhausting) to keep track of it all. I write film reviews for a website, produce my own blog with my wife, occasionally write pieces for Medium and other outlets, have two podcasts, and post to a plethora of social media sites. I’ve tried to use Facebook as a way to consolidate it all, but I understand why that platform is being avoided by many. So, having a weekly newsletter is a way to provide a quick digest of what I’ve been creating and publishing over a week.
But there’s more.
Having this many outlets often leaves me feeling a bit fractured. The context in which I write film reviews doesn’t leave much opportunity to muse on faith or politics. Writing about parenting and faith for Yoked with my wife isn’t really a place where I can indulge in some of my nerdier interests. And sometimes, I don’t want a big platform. I just want to talk about how much I’m loving “Cobra Kai” or write about an issue that I’ve been thinking about. Traditionally, social media have usually scratched that itch but, as I said, it’s becoming clear that’s not the best venue for those discussions.
So here, at Chrisicisms, my hope is you’ll get the full Chris experience (man, that sounds pretentious. Sorry.). You’ll get thoughts on faith and thoughts on film, sometimes combined. Maybe I’ll muse about current events and politics, or maybe I’ll just take some time to talk about the TV show I’m loving, a gadget that’s captured my fancy, or some insight that has really stuck with me. In a way, I hope it’s a combination of the personal blog I had back in my Xanga days (but without the angst and My Chemical Romance lyrics), some of the more insightful film and culture writing I did back at Patheos, and the quick hits (but not hot takes) I do on social media.
So, some questions you might be asking.
When will newsletters be published?
Right now, the aim is once a week, on Friday mornings. Occasionally, I’ll do a bonus email. And if I find this is generating some traction and I’m really enjoying it, maybe we’ll add a few more entries each week with a different focus. But for now, we’ll keep it weekly.
Is this free?
My intention is that there will always be a free component to this. I’m starting a conversation and I’m happy just to have people join in! In time, if there’s an interest for more content, perhaps there will be a section to pay for special newsletters that could include movie reviews, more pointed political commentary, or more. But the main section of this will always be free.
What will be in each email?
This will, of course, evolve over time. Right now, my plan is that there will be three major components. The first will be a longer entry where I muse on a particular subject, such as you see above. Then I’ll offer a digest where I link to what I’ve been creating/posting throughout the week, including blog entries and podcasts. Finally, we’ll close with the Chrisicisms section (note: given the length of this week’s email, I don’t include a Chrisicisms section). These are brief recommendations of TV shows, books, etc. that I feel worth mentioning or links to articles I’ve been enjoying. Again, the format could change, but right now this is what I’m envisioning.
Can I comment or email?
Yes, please do! Use the comment or other features to share your thoughts. If you agree or disagree with me, or if you have something you think I should see and review, please let me know! The ground rule: Keep it civil, and don’t attack others in this forum.
The Digest — Where you can find Chris this week
Since this is the first email and likely the introduction to my work for many of you, I’ll just start with a rundown of the various regular outlets and platforms in which I appear.
BHM Pop Culture: I had the great fortune a few years ago to be connected with Michigan Sports and Entertainment, a website focused on…well, the name says it all, right? That’s since transitioned into Big Heads Media Pop Culture, where I am the editor for the Entertainment division. We have some fun writers there, and it’s also where you can read my latest film and television reviews. I’m currently doing a series where I’m revisiting the films of Steven Spielberg, and my most recent reviews include thoughts on Bill and Ted Face the Music, Class Action Park, and I’m Thinking of Ending Things, all of which are worth a look.
Yoked: This is a blog started by my wife and I over the summer, a place for us to both put our thoughts on faith, culture, parenting and politics. We’re just getting our sea legs about us, so content’s a bit sparse, but there’s some good stuff, including our thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the power of social media. I’m so thrilled to be able to do this project with my wife, the smartest and most thoughtful writer I’ve met.
We’re Watching Here: One of the most rewarding and challenging things I’ve done has been this film podcast with my critic buddy and fellow Detroit Film Critics Society member Perry Seibert. Rewarding because few people are as fun to talk to and with as Perry. Challenging because working with him keeps me on my toes. Perry’s one of the most insightful, passionate and dedicated critics I know, and every episode there’s at least one moment where I just kind of sit back and watch in awe as he expounds on his thoughts in a way that makes me think “wow, I should have thought of that.” We’ve been doing the show about a year and a half now, and we’ve mused on our cinematic DNA, fought about Joker, celebrated the joy of going to the movies, and had many talks about Martin Scorsese. We just wrapped up a series looking at five films from 1995 (Seven, Mallrats, Smoke, 12 Monkeys and Casino) and our most recent episode, dropping this week, talks about whether we’re ready to head back into a movie theater and then heads into a discussion of Christopher Nolan’s filmography. This show has been great, nerdy bliss to be a part of, and I hope you love it.
Cross.Culture.Critic.: One of the few great things to come out of the last few months has been the opportunity to resurrect this podcast with my friend Joe Yerke. This started back in 2017 as a project in which I would interview former Christian rock artists to find out the reality behind the music I grew up listening to. My first interview was with Joe, lead singer of the Christian ska-punk band The Insyderz, who I didn’t know personally but had a local connection with. The week it posted, Joe texted me to see if I’d be interested in doing something on a more regular basis, and the show transformed into something so much more fun and satisfying than I could have hoped for. There are some interviews — I was fortunate to get to talk with Steve Taylor, Reese Roper and Derek Webb. But mostly, the show just turned into Joe and I talking about our lives, creative backgrounds, politics, drinking, family and more, all filtered through our faith. There are few people I’ve ever met who can talk for hours about anything the way Joe can, and even fewer people who can be both insightful and hilarious while doing so. We stepped away from the show about two years ago because I was finishing grad school and he was getting married, but COVID allowed us to get back into the swing of it, even if it’s at a slower pace. If you grew up listening to Christian music, you’ll love this. If you just love two old guys musing about parenting and faith, you’ll love this. And if you don’t love it, I still love recording it, so tough.
Note: Some of you may be noticing a third podcast that I do with my buddies Beth and Matt, “Wasting Time,” is not on here. COVID-19 has kind of put a damper on that. But I’d love to get that going again once crazy times end.
Thank you!
If you’ve gotten to the end of this, thank you so much for reading! I’m excited about the opportunities for a great conversation we can have here, and I look forward to seeing how this can all evolve! We’ll be back next Friday!
— CW