conception

‘Viva Verdi!’ celebrates the joy and power of creation

One of the most inspiring messages I’ve run across in my life maintains that “The greatest joy is in creation,” a message that, ironically, came my way via a Chinese fortune cookie just as I had begun work on my first book. The timing couldn’t have been better, as this sentiment fed directly and abundantly into my writing. It proved to me at the time – and ever since – that creativity is essential to help keep us feeling young, fulfilled, prolific and vital. And, not surprisingly, that notion has also been crucial in the lives and well-being of a remarkable group of seniors who reside in a truly special retirement community in Milan, Italy, one that celebrates the joy and power of creation.

Brent Marchant2026-02-09T10:19:17-05:00February 9th, 2026|Conscious Creation, Documentary, Featured Post, Foreign, Movie Reviews|

‘Can I Get a Witness?’ appraises the price of paradise

“Can I Get a Witness?” (2024 production, 2025 release). Cast: Sandra Oh, Keira Jang, Joel Oulette, Zaa Nkweta, Shaz Far, Casey Kenneth Wright, Yuki Morita, Ben Immanuel, Patrick Gallagher, Naika Toussaint, Andre Anthony, Oscar Chark, Jude Wilson, Cassandra Sawtell, Tedra Rogers, Ally Battaggia, Kymo Van Oers, Jovanna Burke. Director: Ann Marie Fleming. Screenplay: Ann Marie Fleming. Web site. Trailer. Successfully vanquishing global ills like environmental degradation, economic inequality, insufficient health care and armed conflict in order to purposely create an earthly paradise is undeniably an ambitious and virtuous goal that most of us would probably support. The benefits of creating a healthy, sustainably managed future are undeniable. But how far would we be willing to go to realize it? The [...]

Brent Marchant2025-09-03T16:55:22-05:00July 15th, 2025|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews, Sci-Fi|

‘Little Richard’ celebrates the beauty of innovation

Innovators are indeed a rare breed. They have ways of seeing things that many of us lack or haven’t yet developed. When they ply their abilities, they come up with inspiring, original conceptions that often attract huge followings and many imitators. And yet, despite these gifts and accomplishments, they sometimes don’t receive the credit or recognition they truly deserve.

Brent Marchant2024-10-12T15:26:32-05:00July 28th, 2024|Conscious Creation, Documentary, LGBTQ+, Movie Reviews|

‘Gene Wilder’ sheds new light on an iconic talent

There are times when certain talents don’t receive their due, lingering somewhat below the radar and arguably going undervalued. Fortunately, there are those who recognize their gifts and unhesitatingly sing their praises, bringing a new sense of appreciation to their work. And those testimonials serve to shed a new light on these artists, showcasing them in a way not previously portrayed.

Brent Marchant2024-06-02T00:41:54-05:00May 12th, 2024|Conscious Creation, Documentary, Movie Reviews|

‘Civil War’ delivers a potent cautionary tale

Cautionary tales often have some of the most significant impact when brought to life on the big screen. These pictures generally deliver powerful, troubling, concern-filled messages with a sense of graphic, in-your-face urgency, all aimed at warning us of catastrophes potentially waiting to happen. And, when they reveal the nature of those calamities, they shock us into submission in the hope that we take steps to avoid them before they materialize.

Brent Marchant2024-05-19T21:50:09-05:00April 17th, 2024|Action-Adventure, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Origin’ questions the validity of entrenched beliefs

Adjusting to new outlooks that override established beliefs can be difficult for some of us. We’ve become so entrenched in certain ways of thinking that it’s hard to embrace new ones. We may not understand the revised concepts, either because they’re too radical or esoteric for us to grasp or because they’re not explained in easily comprehensible ways, perhaps too vague or too overly intellectualized. Or we may simply be unwilling to adopt such new thoughts because they make us feel uncomfortable. But, then, there are also those who take to them readily, either out of curiosity or an undeniably instinctual awareness.

Brent Marchant2024-05-17T00:08:02-05:00April 12th, 2024|Biography, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Concerned Citizen’ urges us to seriously consider our social values

Do we always believe what we think we believe? That’s a good question, especially when we consider all of the implications involved. It certainly affects who we are, how we see ourselves and how we live our lives. But the ramifications carry wider considerations, too, such as our social values and how authentically we live up to them.

Brent Marchant2023-11-05T05:04:52-05:00September 10th, 2023|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, LGBTQ+, Movie Reviews, Romance|

‘Mrs. Harris’ shows how dreams come true

We all have dreams, and we’d like to see them realized. However, many of us believe they’re unreachable objectives, pie-in-the-sky goals that can be envisioned but never experienced. But must that be the case? Is there no chance of them ever being materialized?

Brent Marchant2022-09-12T11:35:08-05:00August 8th, 2022|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Movie Reviews, Romance|

‘Elvis’ chronicles the rise and fall of an innovator

Every so often, innovators come along in various fields of endeavor who shake things up and create something unique and inventive, revolutionary conceptions that set their particular milieus of expression on their ear. These creations set new standards for others to emulate or adapt, sometimes even birthing entirely distinct genres different from others that preceded them.

Brent Marchant2022-07-26T06:52:47-05:00July 5th, 2022|Biography, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Jurassic World’ reaffirms a crucial message

Some things bear repeating, especially when they’re important and have been disregarded or not taken seriously. It doesn’t matter how many times or how emphatically the message has been said, either. If the word is not getting through as effectively as it should be – or at all – then it needs reiteration, particularly when the stakes are high.

Brent Marchant2022-07-15T15:12:56-05:00June 18th, 2022|Conscious Creation, Movie Reviews, Sci-Fi|