Kore-eda’s intimate observation and deliberate pacing in After Life draw me beyond its central notion (choosing a single memory) and into a longing to be more often fully present in all the …more »»
Film Talks: After viewing
Away We Go (2009)
by Randy HeffnerThe love at the center of Away We Go is a beautiful thing to see, particularly because of how Burt & Verona tolerate each other, and it’s their relationship that reaches out and grabs me from the film. It makes me want all the more to be the kind of person who …more »»
Batman Begins (2005)
by Randy HeffnerWatching Batman Begins, seeing Bruce Wayne’s internal struggle to find the right response to evil, and seeing the contrast with Ducard’s definition of justice, I want to find a clearer and better response to the offenses …more »»
The Big Kahuna (1999)
by Randy HeffnerI came away from The Big Kahuna with a stronger desire to be sensitive enough to see another’s pain, to get to know them where they are, and to show them …more »»
Doubt (2008)
by Randy HeffnerDoubt reinforced for me the dangers of prematurely moving into a position of certainty. In the film, the core issue of doubt versus certainty revolves around facts of this world — whether or not Father Flynn did or did not do certain things. Yet …more »»
Godspell (1973)
by Randy HeffnerIt must have been about the third time that I watched Godspell — over the space of 30 years or so — that I finally was able the feel the full joy of the film. I had come finally to understand the how the film embodies the critical depth of life (as opposed to religion) that Jesus had come …more »»
Goodbye Solo (2009)
by Randy HeffnerI was intensely struck by Solo’s character in Goodbye Solo and specifically by his immediate — and sustained — reaction to a fellow human in crisis. I want to be that ready to reach and stretch …more »»
Gran Torino (2008)
by Randy HeffnerBy 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 »»
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
by Randy HeffnerFor me, the impact of Lars and the Real Girl went beyond the film’s top-line theme of forbearance and love in the face another’s mental illness. I came away thinking also …more »»
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
by Randy HeffnerSeeing Moonrise Kingdom, I long for the simple, true, mature love that gets lost amidst the dysfunction in our own lives and in the world around us. But even before we get to that, the film is simply fun from open to close, and just …more »»
Once (2007)
by Randy HeffnerOnce strengthened for me the Beauty of relationships and commitment. For a time, Guy and Girl have a wonderful thing going in the music they share and in the smiles and laughs they have together. …more »»
The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
by Randy HeffnerAfter seeing The Secret of Roan Inish, I sat back and wondered how often I, like Tess (the grandmother), repress my longing for home. I wondered how often I, like Fiona’s father, opt for …more »»
Smoke Signals (1998)
by Randy HeffnerWatching Smoke Signals affected me in two distinct ways. The first comes from seeing Victor struggle with his father’s failings and offenses. Victor starts quite naturally with an external, …more »»
Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)
by Randy HeffnerAfter seeing Things We Lost in the Fire, I want to live a deeper and truer love, one based more in freedom than satisfaction. Of course, we know that not everything called love is, in fact, real love, but compared to a typical film, Fire explores …more »»
An Unfinished Life (2005)
by Randy HeffnerAfter watching An Unfinished life, and seeing played out before me its multi-faceted exploration of blaming and forgiveness, I hope I am more senstive to my own hidden issues of blaming. Blaming so insidiously takes root …more »»
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