The Cinema Scribe

Many of us have trouble seeing into the future. That lack inherently leaves us wondering what’s next and how to plan for it. As a result, we often tend to go from moment to moment, unaware of what awaits us around the corner. But not everyone operates that way; some of us have the foresight to imagine our world far down the road. Find out more in a review of the engaging new documentary, "A Life's...

Lofty notions are often seen as impractical and unrealistic. And, indeed, they’re frequently looked upon as impossible to implement given their staggering requirements and essential commitment. But that’s not to say that they can’t be accomplished with the right amount of determination and a strong faith in the possibility of their fulfillment. Find out more in a review of the beautiful new urban...

Getting back on one’s feet after a hard fall can be unbearably difficult. In addition to the strength and stamina required to stand back up, there are those poised to keep the downtrodden on the ground, their boots firmly and mercilessly planted on those making the valiant effort to lift themselves up. But recovery and redemption are possible. Find out more in a review of the heartbreaking and hea...

When the odds are stacked against us, it may be easy to turn our backs to the challenges confronting us. Such scenarios could readily be viewed as simply too daunting, not worth the expenditure of time, energy and commitment needed to overcome them. However, in considering the potential rewards available, it’s possible to have a change of heart. Find out more in a review of the uplifting new fact-...

They say that, when one door closes, another one opens. That may be hard to envision, and even more difficult to see, at the time that predecessor portal slams shut. The trick, of course, is leaving ourselves open to the possibility and making the effort to recognize it when it occurs. Find out more in a review of the uplifting new documentary, "Wildcat," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Willingly taking ourselves out of our comfort zones is something that may make many of us squirm in discomfort. As creatures of habit, we like our lives filled with familiarity and predictability. So, when we find ourselves faced with having to make adjustments in response to our conditions, we might rail against those circumstances, especially if we feel the pressure of time constraints. Find out...

Compassion is something we could all use more of these days. That's especially true for those who are trying to resolve difficult personal challenges. But how do we offer support, particularly when we see others engaging in what we believe to be self-destructive behavior? Find out more in a review of the gripping new drama, "The Whale," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

When we feel like we’ve lost something, we often wonder if we’ll ever get it back. Those who innately see the glass as half full generally have the requisite optimism needed to reclaim it. But those whose worldview is less enthusiastic frequently treat their loss as permanent and irretrievable. But need things be that way? Find out more in a review of the quirky but insightful new Filipino comedy,...

When we look upon the works of gifted artists – regardless of the medium involved – we’re often tempted to wonder where the abilities that gave rise to their creations came from. To be sure, much of the credit obviously belongs to these creative types themselves, but still there are other influences that help to nudge their talents to the surface, inspirations that bring out their innate skills an...

We like to think that we’re fundamentally all equal, and, in idealistic terms, it’s hard to take issue with that notion. However, from a practical, realistic standpoint, inequality is unfortunately alive and well in so many contexts. It’s undoubtedly unfair that such differences have been allowed to continue to hold sway and that there are those who must endure such inequities. But can the situati...

It takes a lot to recover from an unspeakable tragedy. Some of us, in fact, may never be able to rebound from the pain. However, one of the most effective and meaningful ways to recoup from such calamities is to turn those dire circumstances into impactful and lasting reform. Find out more in a review of the new fact-based historical drama, "Till," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Who knows why relationships succeed or fail? That’s especially true when it comes to gay male partnerships, which often come and go like the wind and whose permanence or fleeting nature frequently rests on the unlikeliest of considerations. But sometimes they somehow manage to survive, despite their conundrums, quirkiness and seemingly deceptive dysfunctionality. Find out more in a review of the h...

Encapsulating the life and work of a prolific and consummate artist like David Bowie is no easy feat. Sufficiently taking account of the extensive repertoire of this iconic musician/writer/painter/actor in a single film – even one that runs more than two hours – is a gargantuan undertaking just to include what Bowie did, let alone examine how and why he did it. Find out more in a review of brillia...

When we think about sports, we usually tend to consider the game in question and the competition involved. Yet rarely do we think about the participants engaged in such contests – the individuals who are taking part and what drives them to compete. Considering the dynamics of these scenarios, there are often powerful motivations at work, mindsets reflective of the drives, aims and goals of the com...

When our needs go unduly neglected, frustration and the prospect of dire consequences can set in. That’s especially true when we must rely on others to come through for us, particularly when they make promises that are vital to our well-being. A failure to follow through on our behalf can get out of hand quickly, with potentially explosive results. Find out more in a review of the new fact-based d...

It’s quite something when an event happens that captures the world’s attention. Unfortunately, it usually involves some form of natural or man made disaster or the death of a prominent figure. But then there are times when occurrences take place that collectively captivate us, bringing out the compassion and humanity in us all and frequently producing miraculous results. Find out more in a review...

To paraphrase Bruce Springsteen, it takes a spark to light a fire. But sometimes such blazes don’t take on the first strike. In fact, it may take multiple sparks before a flame erupts. But, when things finally come alive, watch out. Find out more in a review of the new Indian feminist drama, "Fire in The Mountains," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe, premiering August 9.

The freedoms that a democracy enjoys depend heavily on having watchdogs on duty to protect and preserve those precious liberties. And, in many instances, that responsibility typically falls to the press, particularly one that has been imbued with the ability to operate freely and without interference. But now this institution has increasingly come under fire. Find out more in a review of the troub...

What happens when a pair of egocentric, polar opposite acting rivals become involved in a film project being made by an eccentric, inscrutable director? That's what happens in the Spanish dark comedy/satire, "Official Competition."

Some things bear repeating, especially when they’re important and have been disregarded or not taken seriously. It doesn’t matter how many times or how emphatically the message has been said, either. If the word is not getting through as effectively as it should be – or at all – then it needs reiteration, particularly when the stakes are high. Find out more in the latest Cinema Scribe segment, a r...

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. Their intentions, methods and actions may not always be obvious, but the underlying beliefs and motivations are neverth...

Standing out often means standing alone, especially for proponents of particular causes. Individuals who embrace this stance frequently must engage in striking, sometimes-outlandish behavior that gets them noticed in order to get their initiatives noticed. But having to go to such lengths can be exasperating, frustrating and even legally challenging. Find out more on the latest Cinema Scribe segme...

Is it possible to see the “same” situation in two different ways? That’s an age-old question that’s been debated for eons by philosophers, theologians and even quibbling parents, each claiming that their view was “right.” But who’s to say that anyone is “wrong” in these quarrels? Find out more in the latest Cinema Scribe segment, a review of the prophetic new sci-fi offering, "The Pink Cloud." Fin...

How well do “you” (sometimes called “the localized you”) know the totality of your true self? Chances are most of us aren’t even aware of the existence of any of the other parts of ourselves. But those well versed in metaphysical circles have a good sense about our innate multidimensionality and what that can do for us. Find out more in the latest Cinema Scribe segment, a review of "Everything Eve...

We all know what it takes to be human, right? In fact, as far as most of us are concerned, it’s a done deal, case closed, no further discussion. However, in an age of rapidly evolving technology, we’ve begun to realize that those hard and fast definitions have come up for reevaluation, as illustrated in the insightful new sci-fi offering, "After Yang." The Cinema Scribe is a bi-weekly show hosted...