“The Martian” (2015). Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig, Michael Peña, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Donald Glover, Benedict Wong, Mackenzie Davis, Chen Shu, Eddy Ko. Director: Ridley Scott. Screenplay: Drew Goddard. Book, Andy Weir, The Martian. Web site. Trailer.When circumstances arise where we find our backs up against the wall, it’s time to take action. But what action? What if the conditions appear insurmountable? It’s at times like that when brains (or imagination) are just as important as brawn. Learning how to push the boundaries of our creative capabilities is essential in such scenarios, a prospect explored in detail in director Ridley Scott’s new sci-fi adventure, “The Martian.”The tightly knit crew [...]

“Coming Home” (“Gui lai”) (2014 production, 2015 release). Cast: Gong Li, Chen Daoming, Zhang Huiwen, Guo Tao, Yan Ni, Zhang Jiayi, Ding Jiali, Chen Xiaoyi, Liu Peiqi, Zu Deng, Xin Baiqing. Director: Zhang Yimou. Screenplay: Zou Jingzhi. Book: Yan Geling, The Criminal Lu Yanshi. Web site. Trailer.How far will you go for the one you love? How deep do your feelings run? Are you prepared to go to the wall for your beloved? And do you have what it takes to make it happen? Those are among the questions raised in the affecting new love story from Chinese director Zhang Yimou, “Coming Home” (“Gui lai”).Life during China’s Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) inflicted many hardships on the country’s population. As an attempt [...]

“Pawn Sacrifice” (2014 production, 2015 release). Cast: Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Lily Rabe, Robin Weigert, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, Aiden Lovekamp, Sophie Nélisse, Conrad Pla, Evelyne Brochu, Igor Ovadis, Bobo Vian. Archive Footage: Dick Cavett. Director: Edward Zwick. Screenplay: Steven Knight. Story: Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson and Steven Knight. Web site. Trailer.It can be a wonderful feeling when our heads are filled with ideas. Envisioning and considering the possibilities is an often-exhilarating experience, enthusiastically infusing our minds with a tantalizing array of prospects. This is especially true for those seeking to map out strategies for achieving particular objectives. But the process can also become easily overwhelming, leaving those once-excited heads spinning perilously out of control. Such are [...]

Anyone attending the Chicago Writers Conference this weekend? I'll be there! Look me up. And, for more information, click here.

Tune in Wednesday September 23 at 2 pm ET for the latest edition of "Reviewers Roundtable" on New Consciousness Review radio, available by clicking here. Join host Miriam Knight, reviewer Cynthia Sue Larson and yours truly when we discuss the latest in new books and films that explore various aspects of consciousness and new thought topics. Check out the show for some lively, thought-provoking chat.

Tune in Tuesday September 22 at 11 am ET for "Empowered Women Go to the Movies" on Smart Women Talk Radio, available by clicking here. Join host Katana Abbott when she interviews me about inspiring films featuring empowered women creating their destinies.

“Rosenwald” (2015). Interview Footage: Maya Angelou, Julian Bond, Ossie Davis, Peter Ascoli, Benjamin Jealous, Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Danny Davis, Timuel Black, Rita Dove, Lester Mae Hill, Clarence Page, Gordon Parks, Cokie Roberts, Eugene Robinson, Alice Rosenwald, Elizabeth Rosenwald Varet, Tanya Bowers. Archive Footage: Julius Rosenwald, Eleanor Roosevelt, Booker T. Washington. Director: Aviva Kempner. Screenplay: Aviva Kempner. Web site. Trailer.“Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine” (2015). Interview Footage: Chrisann Brennan, Nolan Bushnell, Kōbun Chino Otogawa, Regis McKenna, Jason Chen. Archive Footage: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, John Sculley. Director: Alex Gibney. Screenplay: Alex Gibney. Web site. Trailer.Opening and running a business is one of the most creative acts we can undertake. Generating wealth from the venture is undoubtedly one of [...]

I'm pleased to announce that the recently re-released edition of "Get the Picture?!: Conscious Creation Goes to the Movies" has been reviewed in the August-September issue of Nexus magazine! Check it out by clicking here.

“Grandma” (2015). Cast: Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Sam Elliott, Elizabeth Peña, Laverne Cox, Nat Wolff, John Cho, Meg Crosbie, Frank Cullison, Colleen Camp. Director: Paul Weitz. Screenplay: Paul Weitz. Web site. Trailer.How well do we know ourselves? As anyone who has ventured off on a spiritual quest or undergone therapy can attest, this can be a remarkable process, full of surprises, revelations, joys and heartache. It often emerges out of the unlikeliest of scenarios, too, as evidenced in the touching new comedy-drama, “Grandma.”Writer-lecturer Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin) has experienced more than her share of upheavals of late. With the passing of her soul mate, Violet, 18 months ago, Elle found herself saddled with an inconsolable [...]

Brazilian-born author Paulo Coelho is one the most prolific and best-selling writers of all time, but who is he? The new feature film "Paulo Coelho's Best Story" attempts to address this. Read more in my latest post to the New Consciousness Review web site, available by clicking here.