Year: 2021

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021). Cast: Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Michelle Yeoh, Ben Kingsley, Yuen Wah, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Andy Le, Jayden Chang, Elodie Fong, Arnold Sun, Kunal Dudheker, Stephanie Hsu, Jodi Long, Tsai Chin. Director: Destin Daniel Cretton. Screenplay: Dave Callahan, Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Lanham. Story: Dave Callahan and Destin Daniel Cretton. Source Material: Steve Engelhart and Jim Starlin, Marvel Comics. Web site. Trailer. Who we are and how we determine that can be an arduous undertaking, one replete with doubt, uncertainty and even denial. But, if we’re to attain satisfaction and fulfillment in life, it’s a process we must all go through to discover just what makes us, us. No one’s immune from this either, not even those who possess seemingly superior powers that one might think would automatically come with greater self-awareness. Such is the dilemma faced by a reluctant superhero in the thrilling and thoughtful new action-adventure saga, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” Successfully running away from a troubled past may seem like an expedient and effective way of escaping it, but appearances can definitely be deceiving. So it is for ...

In case you missed this past week’s Mission Unstoppable video podcast interview with Patrick Sammon and Bennett Singer, directors of the engaging new documentary “Cured,” you can now view it on YouTube, available by clicking here. Tune in for a lively discussion with host Frankie Picasso and yours truly to find out more about this fascinating new film ...

I’m pleased to announced the the makers of the excellent documentary “Cured” have excerpted portions of my review of their film on their website. Scroll down to the bottom of the reviews list by clicking here. My thanks to the filmmakers for including me. And, to hear more from directors Patrick Sammon and Bennett Singer about their film, click here ...

Reviews of “Respect,” “Cured” and “Final Set,” as well as podcast, blog 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 ...

How can millions of allegedly mentally ill individuals be “cured” of their conditions overnight with the stroke of a pen? That’s what LGBTQ+ activists were able to achieve in 1973, when they successfully convinced the American Psychiatric Association to reject homosexuality as an alleged form of mental illness. How did they do that? Find out on the next episode of The Good Media Network’s Mission Unstoppable video podcast with host Frankie Picasso and yours truly when we interview directors Patrick Sammon and Bennett Singer about their excellent new documentary on the subject, “Cured.” Tune in on Facebook Live Thursday September 9 at 1 pm ET by clicking here ...

“Final Set”(“Cinquième set”) (2020 production, 2021 release). Cast: Alex Lutz, Ana Girardot, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jürgen Briand, Quentin Reynaud, Alexandre Angelo Bettanini, Yanaïs Laurent, Victor Ouvrard, Leny Mitjana, Tariq Bettahar, Fabienne Galula, Thierry de Carbonnières. Director: Quentin Reynaud. Screenplay: Quentin Reynaud. Web site. Trailer. When we move toward – or pass – our prime, we may begin to look upon ourselves and our accomplishments with some dismay, especially if we haven’t lived up to expectations. With the clock ticking ever faster, we might well view our circumstances with melancholy and disappointment, no matter how well or how poorly we may have done. But we need not be stuck with a grim future or a legacy of regret. Comebacks are indeed possible, as seen in the new French sports drama/character study, “Final Set”(“Cinquième set”). Thirty-seven-year-old French tennis star Thomas J. Edison (Alex Lutz) is facing an uncertain future. The onetime teen phenom has watched two decades of competition fly by without achieving the payoff he was expected to realize. In recent years, his aging body has begun to fail him, necessitating several knee surgeries followed by ongoing rigorous physical therapy. But, prior to that, Thomas had other problems to contend with, ...