loved one

‘All Shall Be Well’ grapples with fairness, inclusion

They say that “blood is thicker than water,” an observation that can make its presence apparent in many ways. This often becomes most obvious during times of crisis, when major decisions are called for, such as when a death occurs or an inheritance is involved (money being on the line frequently speaks volumes). And, in conjunction with those conditions, differences and disagreements frequently arise, making difficult situations more tense, perhaps even combative. So what accounts for this?

Brent Marchant2025-04-25T04:10:54-05:00April 25th, 2025|Conscious Creation, Drama, Featured Post, Foreign, LGBTQ+, Movie Reviews|

‘The Room Next Door’ probes the fundamental right to choose

Choice is arguably the most precious personal resource that we possess. It makes so much possible, and it provides us with so many opportunities to seek the fulfillment of what we hold most dear. Because of that, however, there may well be times when what we choose to embrace and invoke won’t be agreeable to others. But, then, the choices in question are ours and fundamentally not subject to the approval of others, save for cases where their well-being might be placed in jeopardy. That even includes choices involving the direction that our own personal fate ultimately takes, again, no matter what others may have to say about it. Such is the question that’s called for a terminally ill woman in making her decision on whether or not to willfully continue her existence.

Brent Marchant2025-05-23T20:56:15-05:00March 21st, 2025|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘His Three Daughters’ opens the door to reconciliation, healing

Sitting in on a loved one’s death watch can be a trying time in more ways than one can count, circumstances to which many of us can probably relate. It can be an especially stressful, even openly hostile, experience when incompatible family members are brought together for such an ordeal, one whose duration and developments are impossible to predict. Dealing with the impending grief associated with such situations can further fuel these discordant fires, making for severely strained relations. But, at some point, the onerous weight of these circumstances can unexpectedly crack open a door of opportunity.

Brent Marchant2024-11-25T08:59:03-05:00September 21st, 2024|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Golden Years’ shows how to put the luster in retirement

Retirement is supposed to be one of those times of life that we eagerly look forward to. Having the free time to do what we want, when we want, is thought to be liberating and thoroughly enjoyable. But, for some, the transition from full-time working life to full-time leisurely living can be challenging, especially in the relationships of long-partnered couples.

Brent Marchant2024-08-30T12:57:27-05:00July 7th, 2024|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews, Romance|

‘Radioactive’ reveals a chillingly toxic truth

An old expression maintains “Don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers.” It’s an adage that seems to have taken on increasing relevancy these days, too. But there was a time not all that long ago when many in the public were willing to accept without question whatever information was reported in the media. Fortunately, there were those who were astute enough to recognize when things didn’t add up and were willing to raise their voices in protest.

Brent Marchant2024-06-05T08:23:01-05:00May 19th, 2024|Conscious Creation, Documentary, Movie Reviews|

‘Problemista’ examines how successes flow from failures

Isn’t it amazing how failures can often lead to unexpected successes? Those missteps frequently have a way of opening meaningful doors, even if it doesn’t seem that way at the time they occur. But how readily aware are we that such developments can occur?

Brent Marchant2024-05-01T08:09:17-05:00March 21st, 2024|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Movie Reviews|

‘Tótem’ celebrates life in the face of death

It’s never easy to face difficult situations, especially when they’re impending and it seems as though they’re inevitable, circumstances in which there’s nothing we can do about them. Indeed, it’s hard enough for us as adults to process and cope with such conditions, but how are children supposed to handle these kinds of situations? Youngsters seldom possess the experience and wisdom needed to deal with their feelings.

Brent Marchant2024-03-24T04:21:52-05:00March 6th, 2024|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews|

‘You Hurt My Feelings’ weighs the value of honesty

Most of us would probably agree with the time-honored adage that “Honesty is the best policy.” But is that really true? Certainly we appreciate its value when it comes to sharing the truth about the circumstances that touch our lives and in expressing the feelings we hold for one another, particularly loved ones. However, is honesty truly worth everything it’s said to be when unadulterated candor cuts like a knife?

Brent Marchant2023-07-19T22:29:15-05:00June 4th, 2023|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘The Living Record of Our Memory’ validates an art form’s innate value

Imagine if there were no “Casablanca” (1942). No “Jaws” (1975). No “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968), no “Avatar” (2009), no “Wizard of Oz” (1939). The prospect is unthinkable, even to the most casual moviegoer (imagine what that would mean for an avid cinephile). That’s what we’d face if no concerted effort were made to preserve these films for posterity.

Brent Marchant2023-07-05T21:22:22-05:00May 24th, 2023|Conscious Creation, Documentary, Movie Reviews|

‘Argentina, 1985’ shows us how to exceed ourselves

All too often, we set limits for ourselves that come to define us, sometimes in a far too restrictive way. But are we enduringly confined to such constraints, or can we surpass them and achieve more than we thought we’re capable of? The answer may surprise us

Brent Marchant2023-02-01T01:19:16-05:00December 24th, 2022|Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews|