The Cinema Scribe

Most of us would probably agree that learning lessons is an important part of our life experience. However, at the same time, most of us would also likely concur that we seldom know what those lessons will be, what their messages are or how they will be delivered. Could they emerge from the circumstances that appear? Will they stem from the people who cross our paths? Or could it be in some other way entirely? Find out more in a review of the charming new, fact-based comedy-drama-memoir, “The Penguin Lessons,” on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Philosophers and metaphysicians are generally quick to agree that we're all fundamentally connected, both to one another and to everything around us, that there's a certain universality binding all there is in our existence. But how many of us actually take the time to truly recognize, consider and appreciate this or what makes this attainable? Maybe this calls for stepping away from our everyday world and immersing ourselves in some sort of alternate version of it to see the inherent connections from a fresh perspective. Find out more in a review of the delightfully quirky, offbeat, insightful new Canadian comedy, "Universal Language," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

In a throw-away age like the one in which we live, virtually everything is vulnerable. In fact, we can become so accustomed to this way of thinking that it becomes an ingrained mindset, one in which we come to believe that anything perceived as not being expediently useful is potentially disposable. But how far are we willing to go with this? Indeed, aren't there inherent dangers that we might take this notion a little too far, perhaps even to a point of no return? Find out more in a review of the insightful and hilarious new sci-fi satire, "Mickey 17," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Sometimes, the simplest yet most profound messages come to us from the unlikeliest of sources. In many cases, those messengers deliver their insights metaphorically and unwittingly, with an almost “innocent” nature, as if to give license to the notion of “out of the mouths of babes.” So imagine how valuable that information can be when its impact is significant and inspiring and comes at a time when the stakes are at their highest. Find out more in a review of the charming, enlightening, and award-winning new animated feature from Latvia, “Flow” (“Straume”), on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Choice is arguably the most precious personal resource we possess. It makes so much possible, and it provides us with so many opportunities to seek the fulfillment of what we hold most dear. Because of that, however, there may well be times when what we choose to embrace and invoke won't be agreeable to others. But, then, the choices in question are ours and fundamentally not subject to the approval of others. That even includes choices involving the direction that our own personal fate ultimately takes. Such is the question called for a terminally ill woman in making her decision on whether or not to willfully continue her existence. Find out more in a review of the engaging right-to-die drama, "The Room Next Door," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Many of us these days are experiencing a certain inexplicable unsettledness with our lives, a constant sense of frustration and restlessness that seems to defy explanation – or resolution. Because of those conditions, we may also find ourselves becoming increasingly aggravated, with our fuses growing progressively shorter. And, no matter what we might do to try and address these circumstances, it often feels like nothing works, that the irritation is perpetual and unrelenting. As a consequence, coping becomes virtually impossible as we struggle to find a way to keep going, circumstances all too familiar to a middle-aged British housewife in her attempts to keep from losing it. Find out more in a review of the new dark comedy-drama, “Hard Truths,” on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Hope is an undeniably powerful force, and a belief in it firmly cements our faith in it in our consciousness. It's difficult to shake, too, hanging on persistently in our worldview. Admittedly, though, when circumstances challenge its validity and viability, that quality can come under fire, perhaps even prompting us to question its strength and resilience. But such conditions can also serve to affirm our convictions, to galvanize us in our views of the power of hope, particularly when it seems like that's all we have going for us. Find out more in a review of the new, fact-based, Oscar-nominated  historical drama, "I'm Still Here," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Many of us often find ourselves in the pursuit of callings that may seem out of character or that we don't fully understand ourselves. These ventures frequently require true commitment on our part, yet we may also find ourselves perplexed by their seeming inexplicability. And, if we think about walking away from them, we simply can't bring ourselves to do so. The call to commit is simply too strong. So what's behind these ostensibly obsessive undertakings? Find out more in a review of the revealing film biography, "Lee," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Engaging in acts of forgiveness can be among the most difficult life tasks that any of us undertake. In nearly every case, we're called upon to absolve those who have harmed us. In many instances, we might feel so violated by these misdeeds that we simply don't want to extend any type of grace toward our transgressors. And, the greater the degree of the offenses committed against us, the more challenging such absolutions can be. But, despite these inclinations toward holding grudges, we should nevertheless make the effort to ask ourselves, “What do we gain by holding on to the hurt?” Find out morein a review of the engaging new drama, "Exhibiting Forgiveness," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe, premiering January 28.

The search for self is a process that many of us believe we complete when we come of age. However, as we often later discover, it's something we need to revisit as the circumstances of our lives evolve. In fact, we might find that this is an ongoing, life-long process that requires continual vigilance and assessment. That can be confusing, if not disconcerting, particularly if we assume we've arrived at all the answers we need at an earlier stage of life. Find out more in a review of the engaging new comedy-drama, "A Real Pain," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Creating and leading a life of fulfillment frequently requires the judicious use of our personal power. That can be challenging in light of what it takes to pull that off. We must be suitably focused yet handle the particulars involved with a deft touch. However, if we fail at that, it's easy to become frustrated, possibly overpowering our efforts that potentially yield deleterious side effects, if not outright havoc, that could harm our surroundings or even others. Find out more in a review of the delightful new musical fantasy, "Wicked," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe,.

There are times in our lives when nearly all of us exceed the limits of our capabilities (and often quite unexpectedly at that). But that can be a tremendous blessing, especially when we're confronted by circumstances where such aptitudes are called for. Find out more in a review of the delightful and insightful new animated feature, "The Wild Robot".

Friendship is one of those subjects that doesn't receive nearly enough meaningful attention in the movies. Yet, when we look at its prevalence in life and the many forms it can take, it certainly provides plenty of fodder for engaging storytelling, given that it's a topic we can all ultimately relate to – and in myriad ways at that. And films that explore unusual and fascinating expressions of this concept are among the most engaging, as seen in a new documentary that examines what it's like for old friends to get to know one another all over again in a new context. Find out more in a review of the insightful new documentary, "Will & Harper," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

There are many ways we can live our lives, but the one quality that most of us strive for is to find out what makes that existence – and, consequently, us – great. We frequently encounter many fits and starts, and, no matter what “progress” we might like to think we're making, we're still often plagued by doubt and second-guessing. So how do we ultimately arrive at a definitively fulfilling answer to this question? Find out more in a review of the insightful new sci-fi comedy-drama, "Omni Loop," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Sitting in on a loved one's death watch can be a trying time in more ways than one can count, circumstances to which many of us can probably relate. It can be an especially stressful, even openly hostile, experience when incompatible family members are brought together for such an ordeal, one whose duration and developments are impossible to predict. Dealing with the impending grief associated with such situations can further fuel these discordant fires, making for severely strained relations. But, at some point, the onerous weight of these circumstances can unexpectedly crack open a door of opportunity. Find out more in a review of the new domestic drama/dark comedy, "His Three Daughters," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

An old saying maintains that we can pick our friends but not our family. But is that really so? It might seem that way at times, especially in situations where we struggle mightily to get along with them and put up with their annoyances and quirks. However, one could also contend that the individuals we incarnate with are present in our lives to help us learn valuable lessons in areas like cooperation and forgiveness. Admittedly, those often aren't easy undertakings, but how else might we address these issues if by not being put through tests like these? Find out more in a review of the charming new comedy-drama about dysfunctional family life, "All Happy Families," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

What makes us successful as creative beings? That's a question that scholars, philosophers and artists have been asking rhetorically for eons. Much, of course, depends on the nature of the creation. A lot also depends on the traits and temperaments of the creators. But the actual mix of attributes necessary for achieving such fulfillment may ultimately be difficult to define – or, as the French might say, a certain je ne sais quoi. Find out more in a review of the new screen biography, "Widow Clicquot," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

When everything gets taken away from one's life, it must be nearly impossible to find something that provides a meaningful reason to carry on. The pervasive sense of hopelessness that sets in makes it difficult to establish a purpose in one's existence. And so it often is for the incarcerated, individuals faced with an uncertain future of indeterminate duration. One can't help but wonder whether even the prospect of rehabilitation will actually pan out as a viable option. But, for some, there's hope nevertheless. Find out more in a review of the new, fact-based drama, "Sing Sing," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

In an age where personal accountability has become increasingly hard to come by, it's comforting to know that it's never too late to grow up. Granted, willingly assuming responsibility for our actions and attitudes may not always be easy, pleasant or fun, but it's something we all must ultimately do, no matter how much we may not want to. Once we do, however, we may discover aspects of ourselves that we never knew about. Find out more in a review of the new indie comedy-drama, "Late Bloomers," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

No matter how well life may treat us, almost everyone undergoes a memorable, fulfilling experience that, unfortunately, doesn't last as long as we thought (or hoped) it would. These scenarios – usually romantic in nature – leave such profound, enduring impressions on us that we can't shake them when they end, often abruptly and somewhat unceremoniously. We tend to look back upon them fondly, but we also can't help but feel saddled with a certain measure of ennui that they didn't endure. Indeed, what might have been. Find out more in a review of the new romantic mystery, "Touch," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

According to playwright David Mamet, “Age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.” The kind of wisdom that comes from life experience can be tapped and put to use in many ways, particularly when others try to pull the wool over the eyes of those who've been around for a while and have had ample opportunity to stockpile such seasoned and shrewd sagacity. And, when that aptitude is combined with the personal confidence necessary to make a difference in situations where justice is clearly called for, the wrongdoers should take heed. Find out more in a review of the new comedy-drama-action thriller, "Thelma," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Death. It's a subject that many of us don't want to deal with, let alone feel comfortable talking about. It can be especially difficult when it involves someone we care deeply about. Yet death is the one fate we all ultimately share, so it's not something we can conveniently try to avoid. Given that, then, this is an eventuality that we must all find a way to accept. Find out more in a review of the new cinematic fable, "Tuesday," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

When answers are elusive, we often become frustrated that we can't find them. That can be especially aggravating when the sought-after solutions are meant to address particularly difficult questions. We're thus left wondering what to do. However, at times like these, we often resort to embarking on physical or spiritual journeys to tangible or metaphorical destinations that are believed to possess special qualities that serve as sources of inspiration and enlightenment. Find out more in a review of the heartwarming comedy-drama, "The Miracle Club," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

In all truthfulness, how often do most of us take the time to contemplate life's “big issues”? Given the importance and impact they have on us, one might think they're something we should all examine in greater detail and on a more frequent basis than we probably do. Yet we often find ourselves distracted by the comparatively inconsequential minutiae of everyday life, setting aside those grand questions that we must all ultimately address for ourselves. And, as the number of days ahead of us begins to dwindle, we're frequently forced to scramble for insights. Find out more in a review of the engaging philosophical drama, "Freud's Last Session," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Childhood is the time of life when we form our views about how the world works and what it potentially has in store for us. It presents us with a variety of options for how we come to regard it, either positively or negatively or somewhere in between, a perspective often determined by the circumstances to which we're exposed. But what matters most in all this is what we end up doing with our beliefs about these conditions and experiences, as they ultimately shape what unfolds going forward. Find out more in a review of the touching new coming of age drama, "We Grown Now," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Cautionary tales often have some of the most significant impact when brought to life on the big screen. These pictures generally deliver powerful, troubling, concern-filled messages with a sense of graphic, in-your-face urgency, all aimed at warning us of catastrophes potentially waiting to happen. And, when they reveal the nature of those calamities, they shock us into submission in the hope that we take steps to avoid them before they materialize. Find out more in a review of the gripping new dystopian drama, "Civil War," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

For some of us, there's no stopping when it comes to seeing through on a mission of vital importance. The circumstances compel us to continue, no matter what challenges, obstacles and odds are against us. And, even if we can see that, there's something driving us that won't let us pull back or stop. Find out more in a review of the new, fact-based historical drama, "One Life," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Isn't it amazing how failures can often lead to unexpected successes? Those missteps frequently have a way of opening meaningful doors, even if it doesn't seem that way at the time they occur. But how readily aware are we that such developments can occur? Find out more in a review of the new absurdist comedy, "Probelmista," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

It's never easy to face difficult situations, especially when they're impending and seem inevitable. Indeed, it's hard enough for us as adults to process and cope with such conditions, but how are children supposed to handle these kinds of situations? Youngsters seldom possess the experience and wisdom needed to deal with their feelings, leaving them unable to address their emotions and outlooks. Find out more in a review of the touching new Mexican comedy-drama, "Tótem," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

We've all no doubt heard about the proverbial molehill unwittingly being made into a mountain. The inconsequential somehow manages to become overly (and unnecessarily) inflated, taking on undeserved significance. And the result is a chaotic maelstrom characterized by overhyped shrieking and misplaced ridicule, often directed at the wrong parties or the wrong issues. Such scenarios, unfortunately, have become far too commonplace these days. Find out more in a review of the new, Oscar-nominated German satire, "The Teachers' Lounge," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Love is truly an enigmatic force. When it's present in our lives, it can move us to indescribable degrees of joy, bliss and fulfillment. But, when it's absent – particularly when it's suddenly snatched away from us – it can leave us in the depths of despair, a sense of despondency from which we may often feel we'll never escape. However, just when all seems lost, it can have a way of sneaking back into our lives, restoring what's missing and helping us heal. Find out more in a review of the surrealistic new romantic drama, "All of Us Strangers," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

The now-famous opening line of the Charles Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities – “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” – has become virtually synonymous for describing situations that are simultaneously both joyous yet difficult. In many ways, this is a scenario that seems almost unfathomable, yet many among us have nevertheless experienced such challenging, ironic and contradictory conditions, circumstances that ultimately push us to find the means to survive and to overcome these ordeals. Find out more in a review of the touching new documentary, "American Symphony," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Is it possible to know the real truth behind a particular situation? It's often been said that, as outside onlookers, we only see a fraction of what's involved in the unfolding of a specific scenario. And, because of that, we might well piece together an incomplete view of things, based primarily on what we believe about them, given that they shape our perspective and, subsequently, the materialized existence that emerges. Find out more in a review of the engaging new Japanese drama, "Monster," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

When the circumstances of our lives don't suit us, it's time to reinvent ourselves. However, that may be easier said than done in some instances. It's a process that can be helped along with some assistance, but the root of such transformation still arises from within us. And, thankfully, the hoped-for outcome can result from a variety of approaches, nearly all of which can sprout in their own unique, individualized way, with no inherent restrictions holding them back. Find out more in a review of the outrageously quirky new sci-fi-comedy-romance, "Poor Things," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Remember when times were simpler, when you didn't need to worry about expressing yourself without first having to weigh the long-term ramifications for yourself and the seven generations of progeny that followed? What's more, recall what it was like to be able to have an opinion without running the risk of oppressive social ostracism from the overly zealous political correctness police force imposing its herd mentality on everyone everywhere. Somewhere along the way we lost our bearings – and ourselves – to a code of conduct that can easily (and unnecessarily) get one canceled for even the slightest misstep. And what a shame that has been for society and our freedom of expression. Find out more in a review of the hilarious, insightful and biting new social satire, “Dream Scenario,” on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

It's been said that it's never too late to pursue one's dream. But how many of us who are getting on in years actually make the effort to accomplish that? As time passes by, we may begin to feel like life is passing us by, too, sweeping away the opportunities to fulfill those aspirations and leading to relentless disappointment, frustration and depression. However, must it be that way? Find out more in a review of the inspiring new biopic, "Nyad," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

How do we know when we're in love? And, even if we suspect we are, how do we know if we're with the right person? In an age where individuals are increasingly out of touch with their own feelings – especially the one they seem to crave the most – these are pressing questions that desperately beg answers. So what should we do? Maybe technology is the answer. But how reliable is it? Find out more in a review of the quirky new romantic comedy-drama, "Fingernails," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

The subject of artificial intelligence has been all over the news in recent months, with much of the coverage (save for what's in the business/finance pages) presented in an often-troubling, cautionary light. So, from this, it's easy to see how it didn't take long for this topic to make its way into the world of entertainment. But is the prevailing perspective of AI accurate or misleading? Find out more in a review of the new sci-fi offering, "The Creator," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

It's truly astounding how mankind is capable of both tremendous greatness and despicable savagery. How can one species lay claim to both? What's more, how can both traits be found within a single individual? Yet, in a surprisingly large number of instances, that ends up being the case. Find out more in a review of the riveting new dramatic character study, "Our Father, the Devil" (“Mon père, le diable”), on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe, premiering September 26.

Willingly excluding certain segments of society makes absolutely no sense. By denying productive, creative individuals from the ability to participate in the development of our world, we run the risk of cutting ourselves off from innovations that make our life more fulfilling, enjoyable and equitable. Unfortunately, there are close-minded forces out there that would seek to restrict some of us from the liberties and freedoms that help to make society thrive in healthy and satisfying ways. And those who are left on the outside looking in must decide whether they want to surrender and conform or to rebel and challenge such limiting ways of thinking. Find out more in a review of the compelling new UK historical drama, "Blue Jean," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Getting away from it all is often an effective way to regroup, recharge and put one's life back on track, especially when it comes to sorting out complicated issues and stalled creative endeavors. At the same time, though, things can sometimes go sideways in these experiences; unforeseen developments may intrude on hoped-for expectations, thrusting circumstances into unexpected territory and uncontrolled chaos. Nevertheless, such disruptions can also yield surprising outcomes, opening new doors. Find out more in a review of the new German comedy-drama, "Afire," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe