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.