Joel Mayward
@jmayward.bsky.social
Asst. Professor of Christian Ministries, Theology and the Arts @ George Fox University, OR • PhD, St Andrews • Pastor-Theologian • 🍅 approved Film Critic • Author (books on Dardenne brothers, Christopher Nolan, Sufjan Stevens) • Human (he/him)
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Joel Mayward
@jmayward.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Hello new followers! I'm a pastor-theologian and professor, as well as a freelance film critic—in BSky terms, I'm found in both "theology" and "movie" starter parks. I'm interested in exploring and writing about the many intersections between art/culture/story and religion/spirituality/God.
"I still believe that love is the most durable power in the world. ... I think I have discovered the highest good. It is love. This principle stands at the center of the cosmos. As John says, ‘God is love.’ [The person] who loves is a participant in the being of God."
—MLK Jr.
—MLK Jr.
January 19, 2026 at 4:43 PM
"I still believe that love is the most durable power in the world. ... I think I have discovered the highest good. It is love. This principle stands at the center of the cosmos. As John says, ‘God is love.’ [The person] who loves is a participant in the being of God."
—MLK Jr.
—MLK Jr.
I live in a rural county and I do this weekly, if my schedule allows. I'm grateful for all the great theaters in Portland.
"You’re not going to get in the car and go to the next town to see a movie," says Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos
Ted Sarandos commits to 45-day theatrical windows, believes theaters are for city folk
Ted Sarandos commits to 45-day theatrical windows, believes theaters are for city folk
www.avclub.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:55 PM
I live in a rural county and I do this weekly, if my schedule allows. I'm grateful for all the great theaters in Portland.
It's coming to the Tomorrow Theater in Portland on March 8.
More screenings of MY UNDESIRABLE FRIENDS, in NYC and other cities!!!
...plus Sunday is a screening with Loktev at the Museum of the Moving Image, all five parts: movingimage.org/event/my-und...
And more screenings (Nashville, Burlington, Berkeley, e.g.) here: argotpictures.com/film/my-unde...
And more screenings (Nashville, Burlington, Berkeley, e.g.) here: argotpictures.com/film/my-unde...
January 12, 2026 at 10:36 PM
It's coming to the Tomorrow Theater in Portland on March 8.
Reposted by Joel Mayward
if you want a long read that involves udders, a hot air balloon, and some extremely dubious data on egg prices, the story I’ve been working on for the last few months where I tried to single-handedly take on every government function myself is now online! www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
I Tried to Be the Government. It Did Not Go Well.
My five-month quest to monitor the weather, track inflation, and inspect milk for harmful microorganisms
www.theatlantic.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:41 PM
if you want a long read that involves udders, a hot air balloon, and some extremely dubious data on egg prices, the story I’ve been working on for the last few months where I tried to single-handedly take on every government function myself is now online! www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Joel Mayward
It's been a great year.
January 2, 2026 at 6:18 PM
It's been a great year.
Halfway through the decade! What are your favorite films each year so far?
2020: Dick Johnson Is Dead
2021: Bo Burnham: Inside
2022: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
2023: Barbenheimer (tie between Oppenheimer and Barbie)
2024: Hundreds of Beavers
2025: Sinners
2020: Dick Johnson Is Dead
2021: Bo Burnham: Inside
2022: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
2023: Barbenheimer (tie between Oppenheimer and Barbie)
2024: Hundreds of Beavers
2025: Sinners
Halfway through the decade! What are your favorite films each year so far?
2020: Small Axe
2021: Memoria
2022: The Fabelmans
2023: Killers of the Flower Moon
2024: Anora
2025: One Battle After Another
2020: Small Axe
2021: Memoria
2022: The Fabelmans
2023: Killers of the Flower Moon
2024: Anora
2025: One Battle After Another
Halfway through the decade! What are your favorite films each year so far?
2020: David Byrne's American Utopia
2021: West Side Story
2022: Decision to Leave
2023: The Zone of Interest
2024: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
2025: Sinners
2020: David Byrne's American Utopia
2021: West Side Story
2022: Decision to Leave
2023: The Zone of Interest
2024: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
2025: Sinners
January 2, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Halfway through the decade! What are your favorite films each year so far?
2020: Dick Johnson Is Dead
2021: Bo Burnham: Inside
2022: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
2023: Barbenheimer (tie between Oppenheimer and Barbie)
2024: Hundreds of Beavers
2025: Sinners
2020: Dick Johnson Is Dead
2021: Bo Burnham: Inside
2022: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
2023: Barbenheimer (tie between Oppenheimer and Barbie)
2024: Hundreds of Beavers
2025: Sinners
Paging @overstreet.bsky.social and other Lee Isaac Chung fans
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Now available to order on the @vinsyn.bsky.social website and shipping later this month on Blu-ray in the US from #OCNDistribution #PartnerLabel @filmmovement.bsky.social: The Early Films of #LeeIsaacChung!
Released for the first time ever in North America as a box set,
Now available to order on the @vinsyn.bsky.social website and shipping later this month on Blu-ray in the US from #OCNDistribution #PartnerLabel @filmmovement.bsky.social: The Early Films of #LeeIsaacChung!
Released for the first time ever in North America as a box set,
January 1, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Paging @overstreet.bsky.social and other Lee Isaac Chung fans
In 2025, I published two books, both with Bloomsbury: "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)" and "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence." They are wildly different in topic and tone (and price!), and I'm so proud and grateful to have written them.
December 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
In 2025, I published two books, both with Bloomsbury: "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)" and "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence." They are wildly different in topic and tone (and price!), and I'm so proud and grateful to have written them.
For the evening crowd, here are my top 20 films of 2025 cinemayward.com/top-20-films...
Top 20 Films of 2025 - cinemayward
Marked by themes of resilience and hope, here are Joel Mayward's Top 20 Films of 2025.
cinemayward.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:50 AM
For the evening crowd, here are my top 20 films of 2025 cinemayward.com/top-20-films...
Here are my top 20 films of 2025. cinemayward.com/top-20-films...
Top 20 Films of 2025 - cinemayward
Marked by themes of resilience and hope, here are Joel Mayward's Top 20 Films of 2025.
cinemayward.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Here are my top 20 films of 2025. cinemayward.com/top-20-films...
I chose to watch the screener, and I have no regrets. Even on a laptop screen, THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE is one of the most captivating and affecting films of the year.
End-of-year film critic dilemma: should my first viewing of THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE be on my laptop via a screener with a giant digital watermark? Or do I wait until Jan 17 to see it on 70mm?
December 29, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I chose to watch the screener, and I have no regrets. Even on a laptop screen, THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE is one of the most captivating and affecting films of the year.
End-of-year film critic dilemma: should my first viewing of THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE be on my laptop via a screener with a giant digital watermark? Or do I wait until Jan 17 to see it on 70mm?
December 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
End-of-year film critic dilemma: should my first viewing of THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE be on my laptop via a screener with a giant digital watermark? Or do I wait until Jan 17 to see it on 70mm?
Odysseus is described as a "polytropos," a "man of twists and turns" who consistently deceives or lies to others. And The Odyssey is non-linear in its narrative structure. It's Nolan catnip.
I realized while watching the new trailer for Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey that he’s remade this exact story of an arduous journey to return/find home about a half dozen times throughout his career.
December 22, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Odysseus is described as a "polytropos," a "man of twists and turns" who consistently deceives or lies to others. And The Odyssey is non-linear in its narrative structure. It's Nolan catnip.
All the grades are posted, which means my fifth fall semester is done. 🙌
December 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
All the grades are posted, which means my fifth fall semester is done. 🙌
Reposted by Joel Mayward
For the latest issue of The Yale Review, I wrote about Terrence Malick's massive influence on modern American filmmaking. yalereview.org/article/bilg...
Bilge Ebiri: “Why Terrence Malick Is the Most Influential Director”
Bilge Ebiri explores filmmaker Terrence Malick’s vision of grace and his far-ranging influence on American cinema.
yalereview.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:40 PM
For the latest issue of The Yale Review, I wrote about Terrence Malick's massive influence on modern American filmmaking. yalereview.org/article/bilg...
The Testament of Ann Lee is coming to Portland on 70mm! 🙏🙌
December 16, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The Testament of Ann Lee is coming to Portland on 70mm! 🙏🙌
@hollywoodtheatre.org are there any plans to show The Testament of Ann Lee on 70mm? 🙏
December 16, 2025 at 5:05 AM
@hollywoodtheatre.org are there any plans to show The Testament of Ann Lee on 70mm? 🙏
My coping mechanism has been to purchase Rob Reiner films on Blu-ray.
December 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
My coping mechanism has been to purchase Rob Reiner films on Blu-ray.
There's just so much gut-wrenching news. Lord have mercy.
December 15, 2025 at 3:42 AM
There's just so much gut-wrenching news. Lord have mercy.
The Artist. There are SO many incredible films from 2011, yet something as overhyped and forgettable as The Artist won Best Picture.
Late night question for the gang: what’s your LEAST favorite Best Picture winner that’s not Crash?
December 14, 2025 at 5:59 AM
The Artist. There are SO many incredible films from 2011, yet something as overhyped and forgettable as The Artist won Best Picture.
WAKE UP DEAD MAN: I knew this would be a “me” film (pastor, theologian, film critic), but I was not wholly prepared for just how much it feels like this was made *for* me, and Christians like me who are (not so) young, (not so) dumb, and (trying to be) full of Christ. boxd.it/c1Nzr5
A ★★★★★ review of Wake Up Dead Man (2025)
I knew this would be a “me” film (pastor, theologian, film critic), but I was not wholly prepared for just how much it feels like this was made for me, and Christians like me who are (not so) young, (...
boxd.it
December 13, 2025 at 10:56 PM
WAKE UP DEAD MAN: I knew this would be a “me” film (pastor, theologian, film critic), but I was not wholly prepared for just how much it feels like this was made *for* me, and Christians like me who are (not so) young, (not so) dumb, and (trying to be) full of Christ. boxd.it/c1Nzr5
Just about any film I saw at Cannes in 2019, but especially the premiere of the Dardenne brothers' YOUNG AHMED at the Palais. I wore a tux, walked the red carpet, watched the Dardennes receive a standing ovation, and nearly bumped into Tilda Swinton (who was in attendance) leaving the theater.
Raising the always fun question: What are your most memorable theater-going experiences?
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
It was hands-down one of the most memorable theater-going experiences I can remember, a collective 30-minute butt-clench/armrest-grab for the final climb. And we knew he lived! Wild.
December 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Just about any film I saw at Cannes in 2019, but especially the premiere of the Dardenne brothers' YOUNG AHMED at the Palais. I wore a tux, walked the red carpet, watched the Dardennes receive a standing ovation, and nearly bumped into Tilda Swinton (who was in attendance) leaving the theater.