Year: 2021

“Spencer” (2021). Cast: Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins, Jack Farthing, Jack Nielen, Freddie Spry, Sean Harris, Laura Benson, Stella Gonet, Richard Sammel, Lore Stefanek, Elizabeth Berrington, Amy Manson, Thomas Douglas, Kimia Schmidt, Emma Darwall-Smith, Greta Bücker. Director: Pablo Larraín. Screenplay: Steven Knight. Web site. Trailer. Removing oneself from a difficult situation can be a challenging task. Numerous impediments can infringe on the process, not only making it difficult to execute, but even to launch. That prospect can be exacerbated even further for those in the public eye, their words and deeds scrutinized in virtually every detail. Consequently, transitioning out of such circumstances may be truly daunting, as illustrated in the new hypothetical historical drama, “Spencer.” In talking about this film, there’s one important consideration to bear in mind up front: this is a work of speculative fiction involving real-life individuals, not a literal chronicle of historic events. From the very beginning of this picture, an electronic graphic in the lower corner of the screen refers to “Spencer” as a fable about a tragic truth. Thus viewers who expect something else out of this offering will be sorely disappointed. This is a caution that audiences ignore at their peril. It’s ...

Movies aplenty are now coming out as the year’s end approaches. So what’s worth watching? Find out on the next edition of The Good Media Network’s Frankiesense & More video podcast with yours truly and special guest host Danielle Findlay. Tune in today, November 18, at 2 pm ET on Facebook Live by clicking here for a lively discussion of releases worth seeing in theaters and via streaming. And, if you don’t see the show live, catch it later on demand! ...

Reviews of “Passing” and “Jump, Darling,” as well as podcast and magazine article previews, are all in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Media Network, available by clicking here ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, Tuesday, November 9, at 2 pm ET, available by clicking here. And, if you don’t hear the show live, catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Deezer, Podchaser and Jiosaavn ...

In this season of giving thanks, our thoughts often turn to matters of gratitude, generosity and giving back, gestures associated with being grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us. Consequently, many believe it’s incumbent upon us to express those feelings through our acts and deeds. And those looking for inspiration in such endeavors have many excellent cinematic examples to emulate. Find out more by reading “Celluloid Generosity” in the November issue of Modern Warrior magazine. For more about this uplifting online publication, click here ...

“Jump, Darling” (2020 production, 2021 release). Cast: Thomas Duplessie, Cloris Leachman, Linda Kash, Andrew Bushell, Kwaku Adu-Poku, Katie Messina, Jayne Eastwood, Mark Caven, Sarah Camacho, Daniel Jun, Dylan Roberts. Director: Phil Connell. Screenplay: Phil Connell and Genevieve Scott (story editor). Web site. Trailer. Life is full of opportunities, some great, some small. Many of us aspire to the former, but we often aren’t willing to do what it takes to reach those exalted summits. Whether that hesitancy is driven by fear, doubt, uncertainty, a lack of confidence or other considerations, we allow these self-imposed deterrents to hold us captive and stuck in place. Escaping these self-made prisons may take some effort, but we’ll never know what we’re missing until we try, initiatives that call us to make bold, courageous leaps of faith, as examined in the moving new comedy-drama, “Jump, Darling.” Aspiring actor Russell Hill (Thomas Duplessie) is having difficulty getting on with his career. In fact, the Toronto-based performer has had so much trouble landing roles that he’s had to resort to taking a job as a drag queen at a local night spot, appearing under the stage name Fishy Falters. He’s not exactly thrilled to have had to ...