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‘Maria’ plumbs the perils of indecision

When one achieves greatness at his or her craft, it’s difficult to walk away when the skills behind it begin to fade. Moreover, facing the hard truth that one’s peak may indeed be irretrievably in the past can be even tougher to accept, no matter how passionate one’s desire might be for it. At times like these, we must often begin making new plans for ourselves and our future, and some of the options open to us may indeed hold considerable appeal, especially if they involve unfulfilled dreams. But what if we have difficulty accepting the reality of such circumstances?

Brent Marchant2025-03-21T08:09:23-05:00February 18th, 2025|Biography, Character Study, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Will & Harper’ presents a loving ode to friendship

Friendship is one of those subjects that doesn’t receive nearly enough meaningful attention in the movies. Yet, when we look at its prevalence in life and the many forms it can take, it certainly provides plenty of fodder for engaging storytelling, given that it’s a topic we can all ultimately relate to – and in myriad ways at that. Films that explore unusual and fascinating expressions of this concept are among the most engaging, as seen in a new documentary that examines what it’s like for old friends to get to know one another all over again in a new context.

Brent Marchant2025-01-20T14:48:22-05:00November 9th, 2024|Conscious Creation, Documentary, 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|

‘Mountains’ copes with the nature of change

Change often carries a cost. At the same time, though, it’s also accompanied by unexpected rewards. In either case, however, we frequently don’t recognize what’s coming, what it might entail and how it could affect us. What’s more, a lack of awareness of what’s unfolding can place us in a seriously compromised position.

Brent Marchant2024-11-22T00:27:19-05:00September 8th, 2024|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Tuesday’ examines making friends with death

Death. It’s a subject that many of us don’t want to deal with, let alone feel comfortable talking about. It can be especially difficult when it involves someone we care deeply about, particularly in a scenario like a parent having to prepare for the loss of a child. Yet death is the one fate we all ultimately share, so it’s not something we can conveniently try to avoid. Given that, then, this is an eventuality that we must all find a way to accept.

Brent Marchant2024-07-16T14:05:19-05:00June 20th, 2024|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews, Sci-Fi|

‘I Like Movies’ offers a lesson in comeuppance

It’s admirable when someone has obvious enthusiasm for a personal passion and is eager to share that sentiment with others. Most of us can probably appreciate and relate to that kind of fervor, happy for the individual’s obviously ardent zeal. But it can be off-putting when our reaction is seen as less than enthusiastic and met with condescension, arrogance and disdain.

Brent Marchant2024-06-07T00:10:12-05:00May 23rd, 2024|Comedy, 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|

‘Our Father, the Devil’ asks, ‘When is it too late to do the right thing?’

It’s truly astounding how mankind is capable of both tremendous greatness and despicable savagery. How can one species lay claim to both? What’s more, how can both traits be found within a single individual? Yet, in a surprisingly large number of instances, that ends up being the case.

Brent Marchant2023-10-22T16:28:53-05:00September 9th, 2023|Character Study, 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|

‘Babyteeth’ explores the choices of an uncertain future

“Babyteeth” (2019). Cast: Eliza Scanlen, Ben Mendelsohn, Essie Davis, Toby Wallace, Emily Barclay, Andrea Demetriades, Eugene Gilfedder. Director: Shannon Murphy. Screenplay: Rita Kalnejais. Play: Rita Kalnejais, Babyteeth. Web site. Trailer. If you were up against your own mortality, how would you spend your time? That question might be a little easier to answer for someone who’s somewhat on in years and who has the benefit of a wealth of life experience to draw upon. But, for someone lacking such insight, that decision might be a little more difficult to make; you know you want to get something in under your belt with the time that remains, but the choices may not be readily apparent, given that you’ve never been through [...]

Brent Marchant2020-04-17T06:53:20-05:00March 8th, 2020|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|