Chaos. From the opening scenes as masses of people in the dark night are hurried into a building and a room to disrobe, a man with a hat, averting his eyes from anyone in charge, a large red X painted across his back, helps to lead those masses into the building, helps them leave their…
The Revenant was among the top five (or so) most-anticipated films for me this year. The previews promised drama, suspense, and amazing landscape as a backdrop. The film, an epic early 1800s piece focusing on survival and revenge, did not disappoint. After seeing the film, I remarked to a friend that it was good, but…
I’m not sure if Tarantino has mellowed or improved or reined in what before felt like too-scattered, too-off-key, too-*too* something films, but I’ve very much enjoyed his last two flicks, this most recent being The Hateful Eight. Please don’t misunderstand me: this is still very much a Tarantino film; his signature is all over it…
Read this book. Everyone. Soon. Now. No, it’s not an easy subject matter. But it addresses one of the absolute guarantees of life: death. I originally bought this book, having heard the author interviewed on a podcast discussing end-of-life issues, for work. I often discuss end-of-life issues with clients as we talk about advanced…
My timing in seeing films sometimes causes wonder in me. Watching the painfully self-destructive, fatal behavior of an addict on the screen rips at my heart. Seeing the vacant stare that hides the apparent hurt and pain behind those eyes brings such sadness. These are the things that rang out to me in watching Amy, the…
My reading material the past few months has been varied. In the Heart of the Sea added to the blend, bringing a true tale of a fascinating but challenging time in America’s history: whale hunting, life on the open ocean, and the struggle and catastrophe of being lost at sea. More so, this book reveals…
This is the first I’ve seen the animated Oscar-nominated shorts. Thus, I was ill-equipped to be able to better warn my girlfriends who came along with me. No, these are not happy, singing Disny-style animated pieces. What they are, though, are an eclectic blend of fantastic displays of depth, emotion, imagination, and realism. Some made…
What do parents do to shape their children, and how much is merely an attempt to live out the parents’ own dreams? Everything I Never Told You focuses on this question as it explores the death of a young girl—a middle child in a mixed-race family in the 70s. It does so gracefully and with…
When a death occurs, a void is left in the survivors’ lives. But although the death in this film looms over all, it is not necessarily the void that needs so badly to be filled by each person in this Israeli film (with subtitles), Fill the Void. Instead, each of the primary family members has…
Read this book! What a fantastic time, sharing in the life of Denny and his family. The story told is funny and heartfelt, sad and dark, and uplifting and encouraging. It tells of Denny and his family and some difficulties they face—as witnessed by and told by his dog, Enzo. I laughed and I cried.…