The Cinema Scribe

Fostering brotherly love isn’t always easy, especially when siblings differ from one another or, more fundamentally, when they are unaware of one another’s existence. But sometimes circumstances break down these barriers and open up new dynamics, giving us a chance to test them and see what they yield. That is the case with two siblings long unknown to one another, unexpectedly drawn together in a crisis. Find out more in a review of the new heartwarming French comedy-drama, “The Marching Band” (“En Fanfare”), in the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

LGBTQ+ cinema has made tremendous strides in recent years. As groundbreaking as they once were, however, the tried-and-true narratives that dominated the genre in its early years grew somewhat stale and clichéd over time, forcing filmmakers specializing in these pictures to become more creative and more daring in their works, even when dealing with stories similar in nature to their predecessors. The results have begun showing up in greater numbers at indie arthouses and film festivals, such as the Reeling Chicago International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the second oldest continuously running event of its kind, now in its 44th edition. And, if the early screenings in this year's event are any indication, the programmers have done an outstanding job in choosing this year’s selections, many of which eloquently deal with the subject of same-sex relationships. Three films in particular have been genuine stand-outs in this regard: Canada’s “Montreal, My Beautiful,” the USA’s “Before I Do,” and South Africa’s “Black Burns Fast,” all of which are reviewed in the latest edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Well-meaning optimists often nudge us to believe that it’s never too late to discover (or rediscover) our respective callings in life (and sometimes they’re right). At a time when many of us may have given up on our dreams or settled for a simpler way of life, some still eagerly follow such inspirational advice and find the experience refreshingly rejuvenating. But even with the best of hopes and intentions, what’s the guarantee, if any, of success at such undertakings? Find out more in a review of the new dramatic character study, “Late Fame,” in the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Movies about second chances are fairly common fare in the world of cinema. They offer opportunities to explore themes like redemption and forgiveness. These notions usually appear in interpersonal dramas or gentle comedies. So it’s truly unusual to find them as thematic underpinnings in as unlikely a context as science fiction. Nevertheless, such is the case in a new summertime blockbuster. Find out more in a review of the Spielbergian thrill ride, “The End of Oak Street,” on the next episode of The Cinema Scribe.

The hope most of us hold for romantic comedy-dramas is that everything will ultimately work out in the end. But, in real life, relationships don’t always turn out that way. So when filmmakers try to fuse those two divergent scenarios, the results can be unexpected, uneven, and even dismaying, if not handled properly. However, when addressed with a skillful touch, such stories can be surprisingly entertaining, even revelatory, in many ways. Find out more in reviews of two new alternative love stories now available for streaming online, “Magic Hour” and “Departures,” on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

Celebrities are often regarded as vain, narcissistic, self-absorbed, and unapologetically materialistic, consumed with their own ambitions, the center of attention, and lining their own pockets. Seldom are they widely recognized for qualities like artistic integrity, personal fulfillment, and noble intentions. But those generalizations may be overstated; some individuals indeed embody sincere motivations that drive their craft and their lives. But how do they defy the so-called model and turn out like that? Find out more in a review of the new intimate and insightful biographical documentary of actor-comedian Martin Short, "Marty, Life is Short," on the next episode of The Cinema Scribe.

Nineteenth-century Irish novelist, playwright, and raconteur Oscar Wilde, widely known for his witticisms and observations about life, is generally credited with the following arguably astute advice: “One should always be in love. That is the reason why one should never marry.” And it’s most fitting that those very words should eloquently serve as a cinematic epigraph at the start of a new comedy-drama about a casual, neighborly social occasion that goes awry while  simultaneously providing its unsuspecting participants with new, revelatory insights about life, love, marriage, sexuality, and a host of other topics, “The Invite.” Find out more in a review of this hilarious yet thoughtful new offering in the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

“Disclosure” can be an awfully loaded word, one that carries connotations on multiple levels, nearly always with personally meaningful ramifications. However, those implications may sometimes be so subtle that they’re easy to miss, even though they do not diminish their importance. It’s also interesting to note how they’re frequently revealed simultaneously, heightening their collective impact, a circumstance that may be hard to ignore. Find out more in a review of director Steven Spielberg's new sci-fi/conspiracy theory/personal growth thriller, "Disclosure Day," on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe

It’s often been observed that “order comes out of chaos,” a notion that might seem counterintuitive but frequently rings true. It’s also something that can be seen in a variety of contexts, with corollaries all their own tailored to the area of endeavor in question. In the world of music, this idea can be applied to the tuning of instruments – specifically pianos – wherein it’s been said that “harmony can arise out of imperfection,” a principle that, ironically, can also be applied to each of us as well. Find out more in a review of the gripping new crime thriller/romance, “Tuner,” on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, because you just might be surprised by what’s inside. The content may readily defy observations and expectations in unanticipated ways. And the same, of course, can be said for people, especially those who exhibit traits or behavior that’s outside the mainstream. That’s precisely the point driven home by the excellent new, award-winning, fact-based comedy-drama-biography, “I Swear,” on the next edition of The Cinema Scribe.