Author Archives: davetcourt

Film Journal 2024: IFDirected by John Krasinski I recognize there is probably room for sone level of critique here, but I really resonated with the spirit and themes of this film. It’s a specific audience, gearing older then I expected, not in terms of content but in terms of theme and target. It’s a familyContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: IF”

Film Journal 2024: About Dry GrassesDirected by Nuri Bilge Ceylan You could say a nearly 3 and half hour run time documenting a gradual spiral into an existential crisis using a script made up primarily of dialigue/conversation doesn’t sound like riveting cinema. Rest assured it is. The fact that it never really resolves its inateContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: About Dry Grasses”

Film Journal 2024: Dreamin WildDirected by Bill Pohlad I’m a big fan of Casey Affleck, and this story about a middle aged man coming to realize his dream to make music and be successful later in life hits at my own once upon a time ambitions and dreams as a musician. Which is to say,Continue reading “Film Journal 2024: Dreamin Wild”

Film Journal 2024: Furiosa: A Mad Max SagaDirected by George Miller A different kind of movie than Fury Road in the way the story is structured and in the way the film is shot. However, these differences exist as the perfect compliment to a more complete experience and fleshed out narrative. The fever pitch natureContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Furiosa: A Mad Max SagaDirected by George Miller”

For the Life of the World: Sacraments and OrthodoxyAuthor: Alexander Schmemann In the Preface for the book, Schmemann notes that while he essentially set out to outline the liturgical experience of the Orthodox Tradition for Orthodox Christians, the book ended up gaining a much broader reach. This of course would indicate the emergence of anContinue reading “For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy”

Reading Journal 2024: The Wishing Game Author: Meg Shaffer Reads like a mix between The Inheretance Games and Willy Wonka, just with a literary subtext woven in. The whole adult-child relationship, following our main character’s obsession with an author and his books amidst a problematic childhood, provides a vantage point for exploring differing perspectives onContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: The Wishing Game”

Reading Journal 2024: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: A NovelAuthor: Satoshi Yagisawa The story kind of snuck up on me, told with a gentle hand and a quiet urgency. It’s mostly relationship drama, and much of this unfolds through conversations a 25 year old Takako has with the different people suddenly thrust into her lifeContinue reading “Reading Journal 2024: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: A Novel”

Film Journal 2024: Monkey-ManDirected by Dev Patel The comparisons to John Wick are warranted. So much so that we get a couple of direct nods in the film itself. Those comparisons are simply a jumping off point for something that is in fact a fusion of different ideas and influences. It functions almost as anContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Monkey-Man”

Film Journal 2024: Riddle of Fire Directed by Weston Razooli The official synopsis describes this as a neo-fairy tale. That’s a decent categorization for a film that manages to defy categorization, albeit while feeling, at the same time, like an impassioned ode to a bygone era of filmmaking. An era where the simple art ofContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Riddle of Fire”

Film Journal 2024: Sting Directed by Kiah Roache-Turner A quiet and unassuming horror that embodies the spirit of the classic creature feature. It is bolstered by a solid script, a tight run time, and solid performances. A quality film that has gotten little to no advertising or press, but is definitely worth your time. ItsContinue reading “Film Journal 2024: Sting”