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.