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The remarkable documentary Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time, which Film Forum covered three weeks ago, has won another admirer.

Steve Lansingh (The Film Forum) writes about what an extraordinary effect the film had on him. He says, "Rivers and Tides was the most meaningful spiritual experience I've had in the movies in many years. Goldsworthy creates such exquisite beauty out of natural elements and natural shapes that he draws our attention to the beauty already present in nature that we have forgotten how to see. He reveals, without direct comment, the earth that God created for His enjoyment, which we are invited to take part in. The pace and focus of Riedelsheimer's film is deliberately contemplative, tailor-made for a dark and quiet theater where you can focus your whole attention on it."

Now that Vin Diesel's hyperviolent action extravaganza is on video, it may be a good idea to take another look at it. Metaphilm is providing just that, with perhaps the most serious examination so far of what this popular actioner tells us about our own popular culture.

Next week: Readers and critics talk about the Christian movie genre, and whether it should be cultivated or eliminated. Plus: Reviews of Confidence, Identity, and other new releases.

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April (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47