Not only is the acting superb across the board but, writer Beresford has magically found time to develop at least a dozen characters, giving one after another their own personal moment to shine.

Love songs tend to offer only one side of the story, or one emotional response.

Frank isn’t a biopic, but rather a fictitious look at how artistry, mental illness, and loyalty intersect.

But the film is more than simply a unique approach to storytelling. It also confronts viewers with the poignant passage of time and how quickly our lives go by.

If we think of Father James’ life as a metaphor for the church, we are offered a wise reflection on how the entire church might wrestle with its own faithfulness to Jesus in the 21st century, a time when the church is often viewed as an enemy to society.

The album, though mostly ignored at the time, clearly positions Cash in the tradition of the folk singer. This revisit doesn’t seem nostalgic, nor does it seem old, but uncannily still important.

Boyhood doesn’t do anything fancy. In fact, it’s the movie’s simplicity and understated nature that makes it so unique.

If the steady diet of superhero movies over the last dozen-or-so summers hasn’t given you indigestion, clear your plate for one more.Guardians is something else—a reminder of what summer blockbuster moviemaking used to be all about.

In February of this year, we lost, prematurely, one of the best actors of all time: Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman had a way of fully and convincingly embodying every character he played while often making his performances seem effortless. It’s such a gift and a relief, therefore, to see that his final leading role was worthy of his talent, and that his performance was nothing short of magnificent. Indeed, Hoffman carries A Most Wanted Man on his considerable shoulders.I recommend it highly to all who prefer intellectual engagement to action. It’s a well-made, well-told tale, and a perfect exit for […]

I have been traveling to Lithuania since 2004, often spending the majority of my summer there. Every five years the Song and Dance Festival grabs the attention of Lithuanians, many from around the world, for a week of traditional music, dance, costumes, and food. This July was my first chance to experience these events, something I had heard about ever since my first visit. (Latvia and Estonia also have festivals as well. The Estonian one is documented in the documentary The Singing Revolution.)Imagine listening to over 14,000 voices singing, with the sound amplified by an acoustic shell built just for […]