National Board of Review

‘Don’t Look Up’ skewers willful ignorance, complacency

When faced with difficult situations, it may be tempting to want to turn a blind eye, willingly choosing to remain oblivious and ignorant. By tuning out and wallowing in our own complacency, we have an opportunity to lull ourselves into distraction and denial, hoping that the wishful thinking spawned from such practices will somehow materialize into a bona fide reality. But what do we do when we realize that’s not going to happen, when we understand that we’ve squandered opportunities to solve the issues facing us?

Brent Marchant2022-01-28T14:51:58-05:00January 3rd, 2022|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Movie Reviews, Sci-Fi|

‘Belfast’ chronicles a childhood under fire

Navigating the ways of the world during our youth can be quite the challenge. When surrounded by the unfamiliar and new, virtually everything can present an opportunity for learning, a process that is sometimes confusing and bewildering. But it can also be a time of wondrous eye-opening revelation

Brent Marchant2022-01-18T00:28:35-05:00December 14th, 2021|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Farewell Amor’ explores what makes relationships work

Our interpersonal relationships are among the most prized aspects of our lives. They’re cherished gifts to ourselves and to those we care about, and preserving them is of the utmost importance. But what happens when we drift apart, not necessarily because of intentionally malicious acts, tragedies or other negative influences, but simply because of circumstances brought about by separation of time and distance. Can those connections be sustained or, if needed, rebuilt?

Brent Marchant2021-06-11T12:19:20-05:00May 2nd, 2021|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

Who Will Win This Year’s Oscars?

It’s that time of year again – time for my predictions of the winners at the upcoming annual Academy Awards. While several of the likely winners have come into view, a few are still up for grabs. So, with that said, here are my picks for who will take home statues in the top six categories this year...

Brent Marchant2021-05-02T23:03:40-05:00April 18th, 2021|Awards Season Discussion, Movie Discussion|

‘The Forty-Year-Old Version’ logs the quest for personal fulfillment

Waiting for our life to be fulfilling can be a frustrating exercise. We know we have something to say and goals we’d like to accomplish, yet, for whatever reason, things just never seem to materialize. We’re thus likely to sit back in bewilderment, unable to understand why nothing comes together.

Brent Marchant2021-04-25T05:12:27-05:00April 1st, 2021|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Movie Reviews|

‘Minari’ charts the quest for a better life

The American Dream – a life brimming with optimism for opportunity and personal and economic success – is something most of us aspire to, especially those of immigrant families.

Brent Marchant2021-04-14T16:19:42-05:00March 14th, 2021|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘One Night in Miami…” explores multiple paths to success

When we commit to achieving a certain goal, we often believe we need to follow a particular path, doing so with unwavering fidelity. In fact, we may become convinced that it’s the only path to be pursued and that it’s the one that everyone similarly committed must follow. But is that really the case?

Brent Marchant2021-04-01T14:17:49-05:00March 3rd, 2021|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Sound of Metal’ walks the path of redemption

When we stumble in life, getting back on track can be difficult, but, when we do, the feeling can be quite gratifying. However, if that reawakening is intruded upon by some kind of new setback, we may be left discouraged and disheartened. All that work may have seemingly gone for naught.

Brent Marchant2021-03-23T08:31:29-05:00February 20th, 2021|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘The Guilty’ asks, ‘How much help is too much?’

“The Guilty” (“Den skyldige”) (2018). Cast: Jakob Cedergren, Jessica Dinnage (voice), Omar Shargawi (voice), Johan Olsen (voice), Jacob Hauberg Lohmann (voice), Katinka Evers-Jahnsen (voice), Jeanette Lindbæk (voice), Simon Bennebjerg (voice), Laura Bro (voice), Guuled Abdi Youssef (voice), Morten Suurballe (voice), Caroline Løppke (voice), Morten Thunbo, Maria Gersby Cissé, Anders Brink Madsen. Director: Gustav Möller. Screenplay: Gustav Möller. Web site. Trailer. The well-meaning among us no doubt want to do all we can to aid those in need. But is it possible for there to be too much of a “good” thing? In an effort to be of service, there’s always the possibility we can go too far, making a difficult situation worse than it needs to be. Such is the [...]

Brent Marchant2020-09-11T18:21:55-05:00August 17th, 2020|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Lady on Fire’ fans the flames of forbidden romance

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (“Portrait de la jeune fille en feu”) (2019). Cast: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami, Valeria Golino. Director: Céline Sciamma. Screenplay: Céline Sciamma. Web site. Trailer. Asserting our right to openly proclaim who we love seems like a birthright we should all possess without hindrance. But, under some circumstances, doing so may be difficult, especially when we’re pressured to conform to the dictates of others. That’s unfortunately true even today, but it was far worse in the past, when social sanctions and familial obligations were much more restricting and pervasive, as illustrated in the French period piece drama, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (“Portrait de la jeune fille en feu”). In 1760 France, [...]

Brent Marchant2020-08-13T13:46:27-05:00July 16th, 2020|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|