When I attended a recent screening for the film MAN OF GOD, in theaters nationwide today, I walked in not knowing what to expect. The venue for the event was the beautiful Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. While only a few miles from my home, this sacred spot was entirely new to … [Read more...] about Man of God
Movies
The Adam Project
"I think it's easier to be angry than it is to be sad. And I guess, when I get older, I forget that there's a difference."Young Adam, "The Adam Project" When it releases on Friday, March 11 on Netflix, "The Adam Project" will be an attractive viewing option for families with older children. Chock … [Read more...] about The Adam Project
Butter
When it opens in theaters today and heads to digital soon, Butter will again cast a spotlight on the themes of suicide, bullying, and mental health awareness. Suicide is such a focal point of this film that the official website contains full resources under the heading R U OK? Based on the original … [Read more...] about Butter
American Underdog
While on the surface, a film about football may not seem to be very "Christmas-centric", American Underdog, starring Zachary Levi as Kurt Warner, is just the type of family-friendly, inspirational entertainment that's perfect for the end of a nice long celebration of all that is good. Today, the … [Read more...] about American Underdog
King Richard
In sharing this brief review of King Richard, a biopic focusing on Richard Williams as he devotes his life to raising future tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, I have to admit to having very little knowledge of the original source material. It's hard to know as someone not intimately … [Read more...] about King Richard
The Most Reluctant Convert
Most of us know him best for his perenially bestselling work The Chronicles of Narnia. But long before he was an informal member of The Inklings and created literature that would captivate the world, Clive Staples Lewis was a rambunctious son, an atheist seeker, and an academic who had dabbled in … [Read more...] about The Most Reluctant Convert
Colin in Black & White
Spoiler Alert: I like writing about movies that make me feel uncomfortable. When I committed to screening and writing about the newly launched Netflix Limited Series Colin in Black & White, I did so fully knowing that some people will absolutely hate this show. Those might be the same people … [Read more...] about Colin in Black & White
MASS
"...it is in pardoning that we are pardoned..." Those words, commonly attributed to the Peace Prayer of St. Francis, cut to the core of what it means to be truly reconciled. I've often pondered them, especially in the wake of my travels in Rwanda where I witnessed the ongoing work of … [Read more...] about MASS
The Starling
We each process grief differently. I've seen it time and time again. A situation that would have me curled up in the fetal position for days is only a slight hiccup for a friend or family member. I'm a "Pray. Take it to therapy. Journal about it" griever. One of my best friends does far better … [Read more...] about The Starling
Dear Evan Hansen
I walk into any film that examines the topic of suicide with great care. Such was the case when I sat to screen Dear Evan Hansen, which opens in theaters on September 24. I have not seen the source material, that wildly popular Broadway musical, so I had zero preconceived notions. But as frequent … [Read more...] about Dear Evan Hansen
Respect
Twice in the space of just a few years, I had the memorable experience of seeing Aretha Franklin perform live. On May 29, 2014, the Queen of Soul gifted my son Eric and his fellow Harvard graduates with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem as she received an honorary Doctorate of Arts in 2014 … [Read more...] about Respect
Vivo
When you combine a musically-gifted kinkajou, a purple-haired tween who marches to the beat of her own drum, and original music by Lin Manuel Miranda, can you really go wrong? If singing, animated creatures make you smile, you'll likely love VIVO, now available for streaming on … [Read more...] about Vivo
Fireboys
As a California resident, I'm acutely aware that "fire season" is no longer a small, hot sliver of the year out here. With the combined impact of climate change and drought, Californians pay attention to fire risk all year long. Our firefighters are deservedly considered heroes. But sadly too few of … [Read more...] about Fireboys
Nine Days
Note: Nine Days contains elements related to the theme of suicide. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 1-800-273-8255. It is available to anyone in a … [Read more...] about Nine Days
12 Mighty Orphans
Sometimes football movies are just about football. But often, there are deeper messages embedded and the pain of players crunching into each other with devastating blows comes to symbolize profound internal pain at play. Our heroes battle obstacles on the playing field but must also do battle with … [Read more...] about 12 Mighty Orphans
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tick, tick…BOOM! – Coming to Netlix Fall 2021
As we celebrate today's launch of In the Heights, I'm super excited to share the trailer for director Lin-Manuel Miranda's upcoming Netflix film tick, tick…BOOM! This project combines a few things I absolutely love: musical theater, a hero who is a struggling storyteller, and anything Lin-Manuel … [Read more...] about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s tick, tick…BOOM! – Coming to Netlix Fall 2021
