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Film Review – Thunder Soul
Director Mark Landsman’s Thunder Soul (2010) is the kind of movie that sinks under your skin. You’ve seen the story before: a determined teacher looking to make the most out of his pupils, and a group of students who would have been lost without his guidance.…
READ MORETFF Opening Night Film Review – Natural Selection
Abe is so conservative he believes his wife’s infertility is a sign from God—they should not have sex. Ever. Despite the self-enforced “No Sex” law, Abe (John Diehl) still feels compelled to procreate—just maybe not exactly the way God intended. For 25 years, Abe has…
READ MOREFilm Review – What’s Your Number?
In all my life, I have never once asked anyone what their “number” is. This information falls under multiple categories that keep me from asking it, including: “None of My Business,” “Not Something To Judge Anyone By,” and “Honestly, Who Cares?” Beyond the unfortunate period…
READ MOREFilm Review – Machine Gun Preacher
Giving. How much do we give to others? To what extent can we sacrifice to help people who are suffering? As Americans, what can we do for one another and for others around the world? And how blinded are we to suffering? These, as well…
READ MOREFilm Review – The Guard
The humor of The Guard is with its characters and strong script, making it a memorable comedy in a summer of the average slapstick. In a small Irish town, Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson) works as a guard, a local police officer and somewhat unconventional…
READ MOREFilm Review – Moneyball
Moneyball (2011) is a sports film…well…not really. Yes, it’s based around baseball, but it’s not necessarily about the sport itself. It’s more about what goes on behind the scenes: what happens behind closed doors amongst the people who decide which players will go out and…
READ MOREFilm Review – Dolphin Tale
I asked the kids who sat behind me (they looked to be about 5, 9, and 14) how they liked Dolphin Tale, a new family film directed by Charles Martin Smith, and they all really enjoyed it. Even before I asked them anything, they were…
READ MOREFilm Review – Drive (Second Take)
In creating the mood for the film Drive, Ryan Gosling shows his character’s driving skills early, as well as the calm of his character in intense situations, his fast thinking and movements of the vehicle, and how he handles problems that arrive—knowing that the audience…
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