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 published two books this year! First, "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence," which is currently 30% at Bloomsbury. www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-...
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I published two books this year! First, "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence," which is currently 30% at Bloomsbury. www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-...
Reposted by Joel Mayward
New today on the site:
“Both WAKE UP DEAD MAN and CONCLAVE depict faith at work in a world that’s dark and growing darker. Each film holds faith up to the light and asks: In times like these, what are the faithful to do?”
- @dodgyboffin.com
“Both WAKE UP DEAD MAN and CONCLAVE depict faith at work in a world that’s dark and growing darker. Each film holds faith up to the light and asks: In times like these, what are the faithful to do?”
- @dodgyboffin.com
Double Features: Wake Up Dead Man and Conclave
Wake Up Dead Man and Conclave depict faith at work in a world that’s dark and growing darker. Both films hold faith up to the light and ask: In times like these, what are the faithful to do?
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
New today on the site:
“Both WAKE UP DEAD MAN and CONCLAVE depict faith at work in a world that’s dark and growing darker. Each film holds faith up to the light and asks: In times like these, what are the faithful to do?”
- @dodgyboffin.com
“Both WAKE UP DEAD MAN and CONCLAVE depict faith at work in a world that’s dark and growing darker. Each film holds faith up to the light and asks: In times like these, what are the faithful to do?”
- @dodgyboffin.com
Turns out the Dardenne brothers are Brazilian actor Wagner Moura's favorite filmmakers. youtu.be/hvOnBK-L-zg?...
Wagner Moura’s Closet Picks
YouTube video by CRITERION
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Turns out the Dardenne brothers are Brazilian actor Wagner Moura's favorite filmmakers. youtu.be/hvOnBK-L-zg?...
My book on Sufjan Stevens's Carrie & Lowell is included in this gift guide from The Strategist, "Best Gifts for People Who Go to Lots of Concerts" nymag.com/strategist/a...
The Best Gifts for People Who Go to Lots of Concerts
From upgraded earplugs and nice-looking clear bags to festival-ready attire.
nymag.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:41 AM
My book on Sufjan Stevens's Carrie & Lowell is included in this gift guide from The Strategist, "Best Gifts for People Who Go to Lots of Concerts" nymag.com/strategist/a...
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Yesterday was a good mail day. Going to read this new 33 1/3 book by my colleague @jmayward.bsky.social over the weekend!
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Yesterday was a good mail day. Going to read this new 33 1/3 book by my colleague @jmayward.bsky.social over the weekend!
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Stop Making Sense (1984)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Dekalog (1989)
Stop Making Sense (1984)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Dekalog (1989)
Name your top 4 80s films.
November 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Stop Making Sense (1984)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Dekalog (1989)
Stop Making Sense (1984)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Dekalog (1989)
Began the week with an author event at Powell's Books for my newest book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell." Finished the week by receiving a contract offer with T&T Clark/Bloomsbury for a new forthcoming book, "T&T Clark Introduction to Contemporary Film and Theology," coming 2028.
November 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Began the week with an author event at Powell's Books for my newest book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell." Finished the week by receiving a contract offer with T&T Clark/Bloomsbury for a new forthcoming book, "T&T Clark Introduction to Contemporary Film and Theology," coming 2028.
I'm not attending #AARSBL for the first time in many years, so if someone happens to see my new book "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan" in the book exhibit hall, take a picture and send it to me! www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-...
Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan
This work of theological film criticism provides an analysis of filmmaker Christopher Nolan's entire filmography, from Following (1998) to Oppenheimer (2023).Th…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:28 AM
I'm not attending #AARSBL for the first time in many years, so if someone happens to see my new book "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan" in the book exhibit hall, take a picture and send it to me! www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-...
Here are some pics from last night's author event at @powells.bsky.social for my @3313books.bsky.social book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell". I'm so grateful to Powell's for hosting. They now have a stack of autographed copies of the book.
November 19, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Here are some pics from last night's author event at @powells.bsky.social for my @3313books.bsky.social book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell". I'm so grateful to Powell's for hosting. They now have a stack of autographed copies of the book.
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Good morning. This article by @alissawilkinson.bsky.social
about AI and documentaries is closely researched, often horrifying, and very important. I'm sharing a gift link because I hope everyone reads it. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/m...
about AI and documentaries is closely researched, often horrifying, and very important. I'm sharing a gift link because I hope everyone reads it. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/m...
Can You Believe the Documentary You’re Watching?
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Good morning. This article by @alissawilkinson.bsky.social
about AI and documentaries is closely researched, often horrifying, and very important. I'm sharing a gift link because I hope everyone reads it. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/m...
about AI and documentaries is closely researched, often horrifying, and very important. I'm sharing a gift link because I hope everyone reads it. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/m...
This is happening tonight! As an Oregonian author, it's kind of a dream come true to be able to share about my book at Powell's. www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Joel Mayward
The Legendary Independent Bookstore
www.powells.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
This is happening tonight! As an Oregonian author, it's kind of a dream come true to be able to share about my book at Powell's. www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Really enjoying this work, @jmayward.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Really enjoying this work, @jmayward.bsky.social
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
Perhaps it's cliche, but there's no contest.
Perhaps it's cliche, but there's no contest.
November 18, 2025 at 4:31 AM
What perfect album came out the year you turned 16?
Perhaps it's cliche, but there's no contest.
Perhaps it's cliche, but there's no contest.
I look forward to meeting fellow Sufjan Stevens fans tomorrow evening at Powell's Books in Portland. www.powells.com/events/joel-...
Joel Mayward
The Legendary Independent Bookstore
www.powells.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I look forward to meeting fellow Sufjan Stevens fans tomorrow evening at Powell's Books in Portland. www.powells.com/events/joel-...
If you purchase my book on Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell, please post a picture! And when you read it, please leave a review. 🙏 amzn.to/4o0QFpA
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
If you purchase my book on Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell, please post a picture! And when you read it, please leave a review. 🙏 amzn.to/4o0QFpA
Reposted by Joel Mayward
November 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"I know which side I choose. I choose the gospel."
Also in here: DHS responded to the faith-led protest yesterday, calling participants “violent rioters” and “imbecilic morons” who need to “get a job.”
Asked about the statement, one UMC pastor who participated in the protest told me: "This is our job." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
Asked about the statement, one UMC pastor who participated in the protest told me: "This is our job." religionnews.com/2025/11/15/a...
November 15, 2025 at 9:56 PM
"I know which side I choose. I choose the gospel."
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Doing one of those earnest posts where we kindly remind you that we lost half our operating budget over the summer, and that we're looking for ways to keep this whole thing going, and that if you like what we do or that we exist, the best thing you could possibly do to support us is to subscribe
Subscribe - Bright Wall/Dark Room
Subscribe for $29 a year Subscribe now to receive immediate access to each new essay we publish, plus our entire 140+ issue archive. Bright Wall/Dark Room is 100% independent, runs no ads, and strongl...
www.brightwalldarkroom.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Doing one of those earnest posts where we kindly remind you that we lost half our operating budget over the summer, and that we're looking for ways to keep this whole thing going, and that if you like what we do or that we exist, the best thing you could possibly do to support us is to subscribe
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Just a quick reminder as we head into the weekend: we're all gonna die. amzn.to/49PaDQM
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Just a quick reminder as we head into the weekend: we're all gonna die. amzn.to/49PaDQM
Just a quick reminder as we head into the weekend: we're all gonna die. amzn.to/49PaDQM
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Just a quick reminder as we head into the weekend: we're all gonna die. amzn.to/49PaDQM
Reposted by Joel Mayward
Today is the day: my book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)," is finally here. amzn.to/4qOYWQ6
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Today is the day: my book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)," is finally here. amzn.to/4qOYWQ6
Reposted by Joel Mayward
New 33 1/3 and Genre books are here... 📚 available online and via your favorite book stores.
Happy publication day to Joel Mayward, Carmelo Esterrich, Matthew Blackwell and Dusty Henry!
Happy publication day to Joel Mayward, Carmelo Esterrich, Matthew Blackwell and Dusty Henry!
November 13, 2025 at 6:26 PM
New 33 1/3 and Genre books are here... 📚 available online and via your favorite book stores.
Happy publication day to Joel Mayward, Carmelo Esterrich, Matthew Blackwell and Dusty Henry!
Happy publication day to Joel Mayward, Carmelo Esterrich, Matthew Blackwell and Dusty Henry!
Today is the day: my book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)," is finally here. amzn.to/4qOYWQ6
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Today is the day: my book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)," is finally here. amzn.to/4qOYWQ6
One more day. amzn.to/4hVLzJK
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
One more day. amzn.to/4hVLzJK
My book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell," is finally coming out this week. Pre-order it here: amzn.to/4p2t74L
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
My book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell," is finally coming out this week. Pre-order it here: amzn.to/4p2t74L