127 Hours is an intense but important film. As basically a one-man show (with flashbacks involving additional characters), it provides an in-depth exploration of a person left alone with …more »»
Film Talks Tagged ‘Drama’
A Good Day to Die (1995)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — March 24, 2011
In the intricate construction of its plot, A Good Day to Die sets up a number of questions about race and relationship — rich and worthy questions that get well beyond platitudes. By (mostly) avoiding simple stereotypes, the film’s …more »»
After Life (1999)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — May 25, 2013
Imaginative, compassionate, and perceptive, Kore-eda Hirokazu’s After Life creates a crucible of sorts to distill a person’s life down to its essence — or at least its essence as seen …more »»
After Life (1999)
(After viewing)
by Randy Heffner — June 30, 2013
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 »»
Amour (2012)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — January 23, 2013
Intimate and conflicted, tender and raw, Amour explores an elderly couple’s struggle with the hardships of sudden disability. Considering the whole of the film, it is bold on director Michael Haneke’s part to choose …more »»
Argo (2012)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — November 3, 2012
Argo succeeds quite well as an action-suspense film, with excellent storytelling and filmcraft. Beyond that, it admirably touches on issues of trust, loyalty, and the difficulty of …more »»
The Artist (2011)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — January 1, 2012
The Artist is a silent film like few others — perhaps unlike any other. Simultaneously staying true to the genre and playing with it, director Michel Hazanavicius creatively employs silent film as one element of great storytelling and filmcraft — and manages to do so without falling into …more »»
Avatar (2009)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — January 15, 2010
To a large degree, the environmental morality play contained in Avatar is painted in broad and simple strokes. Still, there is something compelling in the film’s embodiment of connection to and respect for the land. …more »»
Away We Go (2009)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — April 29, 2011
With light-hearted seriousness, Away We Go romps us through a young couple’s search for life. Or, actually, their search is for a place to live, but of course there’s always a …more »»
Away We Go (2009)
(After viewing)
by Randy Heffner — April 29, 2011
The 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)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — January 17, 2010
Batman Begins is an superb example of what excellent screenwriting and directing can do for a familiar story. Batman can easily be (and has been) produced with simple action and black-and-white morality. Christopher Nolan …more »»
Batman Begins (2005)
(After viewing)
by Randy Heffner — January 17, 2010
Watching 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 »»
Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — September 10, 2012
In 2011, The Tree of Life was the notable “alternate type” of film experience. For 2012, it’s Beasts of the Southern Wild — and it’s a good thing in both cases. …more »»
The Big Kahuna (1999)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — June 1, 2009
The Big Kahuna insightfully explores the nature of true concern for another individual in the context of friend-to-friend banter, interactions with coworkers, personal crisis, and Christian evangelism. …more »»
The Big Kahuna (1999)
(After viewing)
by Randy Heffner — June 1, 2009
I 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 »»
