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‘I’m Still Here’ explores the virtues of hope

Hope is an undeniably powerful force, and a belief in it firmly cements our faith in it in our consciousness. It’s difficult to shake, too, hanging on persistently in our worldview. Admittedly, though, when circumstances challenge its validity and viability, that quality can come under fire, perhaps even prompting us to question its strength and resilience. But such conditions can also serve to affirm our convictions, to galvanize us in our views of the power of hope, particularly when it seems like that’s all we have going for us.

Brent Marchant2025-03-10T03:39:18-05:00February 14th, 2025|Biography, Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews|

‘Your Fat Friend’ seeks to rectify an unfair oversight

Imagine being systematically discriminated against and unduly ridiculed without those inflicting such hurtful and unfair acts suffering any consequences. Those in various minority communities can no doubt relate to such treatment, having been subjected to it for long periods before legal protections were put into place (and, in some cases, even after those safeguards were implemented). However, there’s one constituency that’s effectively gone without protection – and, in many respects, still continues to do so. That kind of vulnerability should make everyone squirm, whether or not they’re directly impacted by such blindly sanctioned abuse.

Brent Marchant2024-06-15T02:40:39-05:00May 29th, 2024|Conscious Creation, Documentary, Movie Reviews|

‘Cabrini’ extols the virtues of faith, inspiration, accomplishment

Stories about those who give their all for others are truly inspiring. They set examples worthy of emulation and can help to motivate us to do more, including under circumstances where we may have thought that there was little we could do to help. Undertaking these measures can indeed be daunting – perhaps even overwhelming – but, when we see a need and are sufficiently motivated, there’s no telling what we can accomplish.

Brent Marchant2024-05-29T00:01:43-05:00May 3rd, 2024|Biography, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘Beyond Utopia’ charts the quest for freedom of thought

Imagine living in a country where citizens are effectively not allowed to think for themselves, where their beliefs are determined for them. And the dogma used to drill those thoughts into their minds is so formidable and so pervasive that most residents readily capitulate, even reaching a point where they gladly and willingly comply with the dictates planted in their consciousness. They accept conditions for what they are and even celebrate them, readily buying into the notion that they’re living in some kind of paradise, deplorable circumstances to the contrary notwithstanding. However, when individuals are coerced into a situation where it’s impossible to know – or even believe – any differently, it’s not surprising that they comply.

Brent Marchant2024-05-03T10:09:30-05:00March 24th, 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|

‘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|

‘Let It Be Morning’ advises escape from our self-made prisons

No one likes feeling trapped by his or her circumstances (at least not overtly), but sometimes we find ourselves unwittingly confined by the walls that physically and/or metaphorically surround us. These “cages” or “prisons” keep us locked in place, preventing us from moving forward in our lives. And no matter how much we may want to see our way clear, sometimes we’re unable to figure out how to proceed.

Brent Marchant2023-04-27T11:22:36-05:00March 29th, 2023|Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Foreign, Movie Reviews|

‘Chrissy Judy’ shows how to step out on one’s own

Stepping up to the forefront to establish oneself as a readily identifiable quantity can be a daunting prospect. There may be a temptation to hold back, buying into the notion that there’s safety in numbers. But will such a cautious approach get us noticed or, more importantly, leave us feeling fulfilled?

Brent Marchant2023-03-27T15:34:56-05:00February 17th, 2023|Comedy, Conscious Creation, LGBTQ+, Movie Reviews|

‘She Said’ offers a profile in courage and determination

The David and Goliath narrative is a common template in literature and screenwriting. And, all too often, it’s a recurring theme in many real world events. One hopes that the outcome in those everyday instances mirrors that of their literary counterpart, though circumstances don’t always shake out that way. The chances of success are far greater, however, when addressed from a standpoint of courage and determination

Brent Marchant2023-01-09T10:29:28-05:00November 29th, 2022|Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|

‘The Phantom of the Open’ celebrates the underdog in us all

It seems like just about everybody is willing to cheer for a lovable loser. We know that these challenged individuals don’t stand a chance of coming out on top in their respective pursuits, but we pull for them anyway, hoping that their efforts will at least pay off in a modicum of respectability. At the very least, we admire them for their gumption, their willingness to try, even in the face of heavily stacked odds.

Brent Marchant2022-07-20T06:16:00-05:00June 22nd, 2022|Biography, Comedy, Conscious Creation, Drama, Movie Reviews|