Year: 2023
‘Nyad’ calls for blending determination and flexibility
“Nyad” (2023). Cast: Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Rhys Ifan, Eric T. Miller, Anna Harriette Pittman, Karly Rothenberg, Garland Scott, Jeena Yi, Johnny Solo, Luke Cosgrove, Grace Subervi, Belle Darling, Pearl Darling. Directors: Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. Screenplay: Julia Cox. Book: Diana Nyad, Find a Way: The Inspiring Story of One Woman’s Pursuit of a Lifelong Dream. Web site Trailer. It’s been said that it’s never too late to pursue one’s dream. But how many of us who are getting on in years actually make the effort to accomplish that? As time passes by, we may begin to feel like life is passing us by, too, sweeping away the opportunities to fulfill those aspirations and leading to relentless disappointment, frustration and depression. However, must it be that way? Sometimes we can succeed by adopting an unexpected approach. And, when we combine that with a firm belief in ourselves, there’s no telling what we might accomplish, as seen in the inspiring new fact-based biopic, “Nyad.” Marathon open-water swimmer Diana Nyad had quite a ride when in her prime. In the 1970s, while in her 20s, she set a women’s record in the Gulf of Naples race, followed by a successful ...
‘After Death’ sheds light on what comes next
“After Death” (2023). Cast: Interviews: Raymond Moody, Michael Sabom, Mary Neal, John Burke, Jeffrey Long, Ajmal Zemmar, Karl Greene, Howard Storm, Dale Black, Don Piper, Eva Piper, Steve Kang, Paul Ojeda; Archive Interviews: Robert Spetzler, Pam Reynolds; Re-enactments: Doug Lito, Koko Marshall, Nick McCloud, Nicholas Saenz, Kate Duffy, Fabian Jaime, Ryan Mcarthy, Chetavious Davis. Directors: Stephen Gray and Chris Radtke. Screenplay: Stephen Gray. Web site. Trailer. Talking about the subject of Near Death Experiences (NDEs) was once about as taboo as speaking about UFOs or seeing a psychiatrist – sure signs that someone was probably psychologically unstable, even if he or she merely believed in these things, let alone having had experiences with them. Thankfully, however, those days are largely behind us now, and speaking about them openly and honestly has become much more rational and commonplace. But what exactly are they all about? That’s the focus of the enlightening new documentary, “After Death.” This new offering from directors Stephen Gray and Chris Radtke provides viewers with a comprehensive look at a subject that was once considered suspect – even laughable – but is now taken quite seriously, including by those who were once among its greatest detractors. The film ...
Finding True Love on The Cinema Scribe
Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, beginning Tuesday November 14, available by clicking here. You can also catch it later on demand on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict and Jiosaavn ...
Find Me on Bluesky!
If you’re on the new social media app Bluesky (the alternative to X, the service formerly known as Twitter), you can now find me on there under the screen name Brent Marchant (how original, right?). Hope to see you there! ...
‘Fingernails’ charts the quest for the perfect mate
“Fingernails” (2023). Cast: Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White, Luke Wilson, Christian Meer, Amanda Arcuri, Annie Murphy, Albert Chung, Heather Dicke, Tameka Griffiths, Juno Rinaldi. Director: Christos Nikou. Screenplay: Christos Nikou, Sam Steiner and Stavros Raptis. Web site. Trailer. How do we know when we’re in love? And, even if we suspect we are, how do we know if we’re with the right person? In an age where individuals are increasingly out of touch with their own feelings – especially the one they seem to crave the most – these are pressing questions that desperately beg answers. So what should we do? Maybe technology is the answer. But how reliable is it? Can we trust it to give us definitive, accurate, meaningful results? Those are the issues raised in the heartfelt yet delightfully offbeat new romantic comedy-drama, “Fingernails.” Anna (Jessie Buckley) and Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) have been a couple for three years. They got that way thanks to a radical new medical test that had been developed to verify the truthfulness of their compatibility and love for one another. Strangely enough, the researchers who developed the technique found that bona fide amour for another person (regardless of sexual ...
New Fall Movies on Frankiesense & More
Join yours truly and show host Frankie Picasso for looks at four new films and two film festival wrap-ups on this month’s movie review edition of the Frankiesense & More video podcast, to begin airing Thursday November 2 at 1 pm ET. Tune in on Facebook or YouTube for all the fun and lively discussion! ...