Category Archives: Uncategorized

Say what you will about the Oscars, and to be clear, every year around this time cinephiles (like me) do seem to have a good deal to say (it’s easy to be cynical about the idea of Hollywood celebrating Hollywood after all), but these two things are almost always guaranteed- they are hard to ignore,Continue reading “OSCARS 2020: My Thoughts and Predictions”

The month of January is notorious in the world of cinema for two things- being a dumping ground for forgettable films and filling empty screens with rereleases of Oscar hopefuls. Of course there are always exceptions to this rule (see Paddington 2 and Patriots Day), but by and large this tends to hold true. OnContinue reading “Cinema in Retrospect- Looking Back at January 2020”

In my review of Roberto Rossellini’s wonderful love letter to Italian culture and countryside, 1954’s Journey to Italy, I reflect on what this film’s highly romanticized depiction of an Italian way of life meant to me. Having had the opportunity to travel to Italy and experience the culture first hand I know the power itContinue reading “Travelling the World Through Film 2020- ITALY”

This morning at Church our reflection was on Matthew Chapter 8:1-17. This is what the chapter division looks like (NRSV): Matthew 8:1-4- Jesus Cleanses a leper Matthew 8:5-13- Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8:14-17- Jesus Heals Many at Peter’s House Our pastor went on to reflect on how understanding the structure of this passageContinue reading “What is it that we desire? Reflections on Matthew 8:1-17”

Just to be clear, favorite movie “experiences” is different than my favorite films of 2019. These are the films that represent specific memories, events, moments, or inspiration. It could be a theater experience or something different. I could be something I saw with others or something I saw myself. It can be a film IContinue reading “2019 In Review: Favorite Movie Experiences”

If its fair to say, as a number of cinephiles would maintain, that 2019 got off to a rocky start for film releases, it would be hard to dispute that it also went out with a bang, even going so far as to make this one of the strongest years for film releases in recentContinue reading “Year in Review (2019): Top 12 Films of 2019”

A few years ago I started a New Years Resolution Plan called Rosebud, which I heard about through one of my travel podcasts. Rosebud is less about making goals and more about setting a direction. One of the benefits of logging this from year to year is that it allows me to see these yearContinue reading “Rosebud 2020: A New Years Resolution Plan”

My 2020 Film, Writing and Reading Challenge: Travelling Around the World Through Film, Blog and Book The Particulars: International Film Challenge I’ll be using the full list of Oscar submissions as my base (available here: https://www.screendaily.com/…/full-list…/5133396.article) Beginning with a Country’s submission from this list, I’ll be doing research on films and Directors etc. from thatContinue reading “My 2020 Film, Writing and Reading Challenge”

“They say that miracles happen out here.” There is a beautiful moment in The Way, a 2010 film Directed by Emilio Estevez, where Tom (Martin Sheen), following the loss of his wife and son, makes a decision to complete a journey his late son only had a chance to start. Setting off with no training, fewContinue reading “Liturgy and Film: The Way and the Peace of Advent”

To help celebrate Christmas this year I chose a grouping of films to watch over the Advent season (6 in total), with each film coinciding with one of the virtues that Advent celebrates through the lighting of the candles. The first Sunday is hope, and the second Sunday is Faith. This past Sunday, for whichContinue reading “Liturgy and Film- If Beale Street Could Talk and the Joy of Advent”