depth

‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’ showcases the healing power of letting go

Engaging in acts of forgiveness can be among the most difficult life tasks that any of us undertake. In nearly every case, we’re called upon to absolve those who have harmed us. In many instances, we might feel so violated by these misdeeds that we simply don’t want to extend any type of grace toward our transgressors, even if they’re contrite about wanting to make amends. And, the greater the degree of the offenses committed against us, the more challenging such absolutions can be. But, despite these inclinations toward holding grudges, we should nevertheless make the effort to ask ourselves, “What do we gain by holding on to the hurt?”

Brent Marchant2025-03-05T06:08:48-05:00January 20th, 2025|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

Wrapping Up the 2024 Black Harvest Film Festival

The 30th annual edition of the Gene Siskel Film Center’s Black Harvest Film Festival is now in the books, having featured an array of narrative, documentary and short films. The event featured a strong lineup of offerings this year, perhaps the best I’ve ever seen at this festival. In all, I managed to catch six films during the festival’s two-week run. So, with that said, here’s my take on what I watched and what I thought.

Brent Marchant2025-01-28T22:16:18-05:00November 22nd, 2024|Biography, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Film Festivals, Foreign, Movie Reviews, Smart Horror|

‘Touch’ explores what might have been

“Touch” (“Snerting”) (2024). Cast:. Egill Ólafsson, Kōki, Pálmi Kormákur, Masahiro Motoki, Yoko Narahashi, Ruth Sheen, Masatoshi Nakamura, Meg Kubota, Tatsuya Tagawa, Charles Nishikawa, Sigurour Ingvarsson, Starkaour Pétursson, Akshay Khanna, Kieran Buckeridge, Benedikt Ellingsen, Maria Ellingsen, Eiji Mihara, Eugene Nomura, Harpa Elísa Ϸórsdóttir (voice). Director: Baltasar Kormákur. Screenplay: Baltasar Kormákur and Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson. Book: Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson, Touch (2022). Web site. Trailer. No matter how well life may treat us, almost everyone undergoes a memorable, fulfilling experience that, unfortunately, doesn’t last as long as we thought (or hoped) it would. These scenarios – usually romantic in nature – leave such profound, enduring impressions on us that we can’t shake them when they end, often abruptly and somewhat unceremoniously. We tend [...]

Brent Marchant2024-09-21T16:13:28-05:00July 16th, 2024|Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews, Romance|

Life’s letdowns probed in ‘Shortcomings’

When life doesn’t quite turn out as planned, it’s easy to become frustrated, cynical and embittered, falling into a trap of unrelenting wallowing and victimhood from which it’s difficult to escape. It’s disappointing, to be sure, when circumstances don’t pan out as hoped for. But what will staying in such a rut accomplish?

Brent Marchant2024-06-20T20:02:24-05:00June 2nd, 2024|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews, Romance|

‘Freud’s Last Session’ plumbs life’s big questions

In all truthfulness, how often do most of us take the time to contemplate life’s “big issues”? Given the importance and impact they have on us, one might think they’re something we should all examine in greater detail and on a more frequent basis than we probably do. Yet we often find ourselves distracted by the comparatively inconsequential minutiae of everyday life, setting aside those grand questions that we must all ultimately address for ourselves.

Brent Marchant2024-06-04T07:08:28-05:00May 17th, 2024|Biography, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Being Mary Tyler Moore’ surveys an icon’s life and work

I find it curious how often many of us think of the everyday lives of well-known actors and actresses as being virtually identical to the parts they play in movies and on television. These performers are so convincing in their roles that countless viewers tend to believe their on-screen and off-screen personas are virtually indistinguishable. However, when we examine the credibility of that idea, many of us can’t help but come to the conclusion that this notion is patently ludicrous.

Brent Marchant2023-07-27T08:57:09-05:00June 18th, 2023|Conscious Creation, Documentary, Movie Reviews|

‘Servants’ explores living a life of integrity

In a world where it’s become all too easy to make compromises for the sake of personal considerations to the detriment of people, practices and principles, it’s become almost unfathomable that there are still individuals out there who are ready and willing to stick to their guns.

Brent Marchant2022-04-23T14:04:24-05:00April 13th, 2022|Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews|

‘Pieces of a Woman’ looks for silver linings

Can something good come out of something bad? It may seem unlikely, but it is possible, provided we’re willing to make the effort to look for it and to recognize the meaning behind the circumstances that gave rise to the situation in the first place.

Brent Marchant2021-03-20T16:53:23-05:00February 15th, 2021|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Yes, God, Yes’ explores the depths of sex and spirit

“Yes, God, Yes” (2020). Cast: Natalia Dyer, Timothy Simons, Donna Lynne Champlin, Susan Blackwell, Alisha Boe, Wolfgang Novogratz, Francesca Reale, Parker Wierling, Allison Shrum, Teesha Renee, Tre’len Johnston, Matt Lewis. Director: Karen Maine. Screenplay: Karen Maine. Web site. Trailer. The mystique underlying highly personal subjects like sexuality and spirituality is undeniable, something that’s tailor made to our individual needs and sensibilities. So how is it that some of us feel we can dictate the terms of these matters to others, as if our views were the last word and not to be questioned? How is it that such canned perspectives can realistically fit everyone? And why must those who disagree with these outlooks be ridiculed, bullied or punished for their [...]

Brent Marchant2020-08-17T13:03:50-05:00July 30th, 2020|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Movie Reviews|