Christian Hamaker
Christian Hamaker writes on film and culture from a Biblical perspective. He holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with an emphasis in Film and Popular Culture, from Virginia Tech. He has been married to Sarah Hamaker since 2000. They have two daughters, and expect a third child in November of 2006.
Contributing Film and Culture Writer
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"Jarhead" - Muddled Marine Drama Says Little
Every generation needs its own war movie. "Jarhead," a muddled effort set during the first Gulf War, might do the trick for the Generation-Y crowd, but anyone familiar with the genre is more likely...Friday, November 4, 2005
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Forecast Never Clears Up for "The Weather Man"
From director Gore Verbinski, "The Weather Man" boldly peels back the veneer of material success, showing the existential emptiness that affects so many today, but falters badly by embracing these...Friday, October 28, 2005
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"North Country" Heads South in a Hurry
"North Country," a tale of one woman’s crusade for equal treatment in a male-dominated workplace, has all the subtlety of a mediocre TV movie. The story, “inspired” by true events but veering far...Friday, October 21, 2005
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Mourning Breaks Forth to Laughter in "Elizabethtown"
"Elizabethtown" could have used much more focus on the subjects of God and eternal destiny. But its good-natured look at characters coping with grief and loss results in enough laughter and...Friday, October 14, 2005
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Once Broken In, "Shoes" Fit Fine
"In Her Shoes" asks us to root for familial happiness, responsibility and acceptance, while overlooking other ideals such as sexual morality. On those terms, the movie mostly succeeds, but the...Friday, October 7, 2005
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"Oliver Twist" - Polanski's Moral Victory
Acclaimed but notorious filmmaker Roman Polanski -- who resides outside the United States because of charges brought against him decades ago for having sex with a minor -- has directed one of this...Friday, September 30, 2005
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Witherspoon Comedy Aims for "Heaven," Falls Short
Reese Witherspoon’s magnetic star-power in “Just Like Heaven” can’t overcome the movie’s fundamental, fatal flaw: a basic lack of chemistry between the film’s two lead performers. Although mildly...Friday, September 16, 2005
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Because of Winn-Dixie Charms with Southern Goodwill
Saturday, August 20, 2005
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"Dukes" Drives Into Hazardous Territory
The “good ol’ boys” of Hazzard County step up to the big screen in the film version of the CBS TV show on which the film is based, but fans should park their memories at the door. This...Friday, August 5, 2005
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Intriguing "Island" Resorts to Violence, Mayhem
While “The Island” deserves credit for addressing the downside of our culture’s obsession with “quality of life” at all costs, its insistence on raising the bar for sheer summer-movie spectacle...Friday, July 22, 2005
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Prepare for Fatherhood
Expectant dads need to prepare for the wild ride ahead of them. After their babies are born, they'll face the challenge of adapting to a radically different lifestyle. But they'll also encounter...Friday, June 13, 2003
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Three Ministries, 7 Days, One House: A Spring Break Story
While others frolic on the hot sands on Fort Lauderdale, these students have traded beach towels for hammers, and the chance to help those less fortunate with the one of life's most basic needs –...Monday, March 24, 2003
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Lauryn Hill Sings Songs of Spiritual Liberation
Lauryn Hill's Unplugged 2.0 is so lyrically rich it easily outdistances nearly every CCM release this year, showing how the transforming power of God can lead to radical reassessment of fame,...Monday, June 10, 2002
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The Climb: Salvation in Slow Motion
Tries to overcome its by-the-numbers plot with some spectacular scenery and slow-motion action sequences, but the result isn't compelling.Monday, April 29, 2002
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Michael Card Part II: A Calling to Music and Marriage
In the second part of Crosswalk.com's talk with Michael Card, he discusses his willing theological "ignorance" and how he balances family life with life on the road. Card expands on these subjects...Tuesday, March 26, 2002
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Speak the Truth in Love to Mormons
Do Christians understand Mormonism as well as Mormons understand Christianity? Based on the growth of the Mormon church, much of which comes from those who defect from the Christian faith, the...Tuesday, February 19, 2002
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Oscar Nominees: The Complete List
A complete list of the nominees for the 74th annual Academy Awards.Tuesday, February 12, 2002
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Taliesin Jones: Bumps Along the Road to Faith
A small miracle, a film that depicts the complexities of faith from the point of view of a young protagonist, pulling it off with dignity, grace and great acting.Monday, December 3, 2001