How do you take the greatest story ever told and stay true to it, even when one of the main characters never says a single word in the source material? This was the question I was anxious to tackle with Academy Award-nominated animator Timothy Reckart when I met him last week. Reckart, who serves … [Read more...] about Director Timothy Reckart on Character Development in The Star
Movies
The Star
For many of us of a certain age, our family Christmas season officially began with the showing of A Charlie Brown Christmas or Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. In those pre-on-demand days, my family would use the TV Guide to plan ahead and mark our calendars. This year's release of The Star, opening … [Read more...] about The Star
On Wings of Eagles
On Wings of Eagles is a classic "rest of the story" drama which carries us beyond missionary Eric Liddell's turn on the 1924 Paris Olympics gold medal podium and into the tragedies war-torn China. As a Chariots of Fire groupie and one who included Liddell's legacy in a book, I was anxious to see how … [Read more...] about On Wings of Eagles
I’ll Push You
On my personal bucket list is to take a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. So it's perhaps not surprising that I jump at any opportunity to screen a film which will carry me--even if only virtually--along the ancient Way of St. James. My favorite takes on this spiritual journey have included … [Read more...] about I’ll Push You
The Florida Project
It's been well over a month since I screened The Florida Project and three weeks since I shared my interviews with the cast here. And yet unless you are part of the small world who pays attention to Oscar buzz, it's unlikely that this film is on your radar. Now playing in select theaters nationwide, … [Read more...] about The Florida Project
Same Kind of Different As Me
Because real life can often be so topsy-turvy, I love movies that find their basis in the messiness and insanity and pain and joy of true stories. Such is the case for Same Kind of Different As Me, opening nationwide this weekend. Based on the New York Times bestseller by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, … [Read more...] about Same Kind of Different As Me
The Mountain Between Us
Based on the book by Charles Martin, The Mountain Between Us is a love story wrapped up in a survivalist adventure. Idris Elba and Kate Winslet are compliments to a vast pallet that's compellingly captured by director Hany Abu-Assad's cinematographic vision. I could have done without the explicit … [Read more...] about The Mountain Between Us
The Stray: One Dog’s Impact
Opening wide in theaters this weekend is The Stray, a charming movie based on the true-life story of one family and the dog who helped them change their lives. Synopsis: “Pluto” comes out of nowhere and quickly makes himself at home with the Davis family, who are on the brink of falling apart. Dad … [Read more...] about The Stray: One Dog’s Impact
The Florida Project: Prepare to Be Challenged
I was recently invited to review and attend a press junket for the new film The Florida Project. This stirring movie opens October 6th in Los Angeles and New York. When it hits theaters nationwide in a few weeks, I will be sharing a full review. For today, I wanted to tell you about the … [Read more...] about The Florida Project: Prepare to Be Challenged
Steve McQueen: American Icon
Given that The Great Escape and The Magnificent Seven (played on Video Discs the size of LP records) were staples of my childhood, I was psyched to screen the upcoming Fathom Events release Steve McQueen: American Icon. This project is narrated by Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Gary Sinise and … [Read more...] about Steve McQueen: American Icon
The Tribunal: Catholic Courtroom Drama
While I've watched more than my fair share of Law & Order reruns, it never occurred to me to think of the annulment process in dramatic terms. That changed with my recent screening of The Tribunal. The film was released this summer on a variety of streaming formats, including Amazon, iTunes and … [Read more...] about The Tribunal: Catholic Courtroom Drama
MULLY Movie: Become a Part of #TheWorldsLargestFamily
MULLY is the kind of movie that immediately makes you ask yourself, "How is God calling me to venture out of my comfort zone to be a part of changing our world?" Opening in select theaters around the country October 3-5, this Fathom Event is designed to create forever families for the 100,000 kids … [Read more...] about MULLY Movie: Become a Part of #TheWorldsLargestFamily
