The Adventures of Milo and Otus is a delightfully narrated, live-action animal flick — and clever enough to be worth adults’ time, not just children. In the film’s friendship between a cat and a dog, we see …more »»
Film Talks opened in: October 2009
Gran Torino (2008)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — October 7, 2009
One could say that Gran Torino explores racism, but really racism is almost a red herring in the film’s exploration of alienation, sacrifice, caring, gratitude, and giving. Some praise the film, and some have derided …more »»
Gran Torino (2008)
(Backstory)
by Randy Heffner — October 31, 2009
The part of the story around Gran Torino that I want to focus on doesn’t so much add to its impact. It’s about the impact of film more generally, based on how we engage with it. There’s an interesting dichotomy of opinion about Gran Torino that relates very much to the perspectives behind these film talks …more »»
Gran Torino (2008)
(After viewing)
by Randy Heffner — October 7, 2009
By putting our judgments of others in the context of responsibility and maturity, Gran Torino encourages me toward a nuanced understanding of my judgments and their appropriateness. But even more, …more »»
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — October 14, 2009
Rachel Getting Married is in many ways a hard film to watch because of the numerous angles on family and personal dysfunction that it explores. The film has a unedited-home-video style and meditative tone that one must go with or the film will feel overly long. Still, for …more »»
The Spitfire Grill (1996)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — October 31, 2009
Perhaps it is well-worn to say that a person coming out of prison has paid their debt to society, yet how do we really know that their character is changed? How should we behave until we do know? The Spitfire Grill starts with such questions, but …more »»
