Author Archives: davetcourt

Film Journal 2024: The Devils BathDirected by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala And I thought Goodnight Mommy took things to the next level. I mean it did, but this dark, harrowing follow up after the less acclaimed The Lodge is truly oppressive. Which might not sound appealing, but as a viewing experience it is unsettlingContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: The Devils Bath”

Film Journal 2024: Despicable Me 4 Full disclosure- I’ve been an apologist for this franchise since it started. I loved the idea of the tortured villain in the first film left trying to measure up to standards that label him a failure. The second film found its proper chemistry by balancing the act of bringingContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Despicable Me 4”

Film Journal 2024: The Listener Directed by Steve Buscemi “We’re programmed to hate the idea that we’re programmed.” That line has been sticking with me like few others this year. Perhaps the best descriptive of what it feels to live in the tension of attend8ng for reality while at the same time finding the freedomContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: The Listener”

Reading Journal 2024: The Wild Robot Author: Peter Brown Every once in a while you come across a book that makes you sad for the fact that you didn’t have a chance to read it much, much earlier in life. Bringing together the sensibilities of E.B. White and Gary Paulson, Brown imagines a story thatContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: The Wild Robot”

Film Journal 2024: The Present Directed by Christian Ditter A cute, breezy, honest family film about a group of siblings who try to keep their parents from splitting up with the aid of a family heirloom that can effectively turn back time (a grandfather clock). There was room here to slow down the pace andContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: The Present”

Film Journal 2024: DaddioDirected by Christy Hall I’m a big fan of Penn, and I can see his sensibilities all over this simple, single location two person conversational drama. But the one to really point here is Johnson. While Penn is busy doing his thing, she’s in the backseat quietly wrestling away the spotlight, littleContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Daddio”

Film Journal 2024: A Quiet Place: Day One Directed by Michael Sarnoski I have a feeling once the clutter clears from the very real tension that exists between the film I expected this to be and the film it ultimately ends up being, that it will grow even more in my appreciation for it. TheContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: A Quiet Place: Day One”

Reading Journal 2024: Drowning Author: T.J. Newman I might end up in the minority here, and I would have my suspicions/theories on why, but while this follow up to the blockbuster Falling retains much of what made that book successful- propulsive action, a feverish pace, a strong cross section of characters, genuine tension- I foundContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Drowning”

Film Journal 2024: Hit ManDirected by Richard Linklater If we are talking about a simple, easy, entertaining enough comedic blockbuster, Hit Man is perfectly fine. A reasonable way to spend a few hours with a likeable star, a passable script and a mix of eye rolling moments and fun banter. The problem is, the filmContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Hit Man”

Reading Journal 2024: Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of StorytellingAuthor: Matthew Dicks Simple, straightforward, immensely applicable and practical. The essential premise basically goes like this- we all have stories to tell, learning how to tell the stories of your life, and learning how to tell them well, is bothContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling”