Made by Indians about Indians (we can say “Indians” rather than “Native Americans” because they themselves say it that way in the film), Smoke Signals creatively mixes humor from multiple angles (about Indians, about reservations, about how others see Indians, about the history of Indian relations with the USA, etc.) with …more »»
Film Talks Tagged ‘Drama’
Smoke Signals (1998)
(After viewing)
by Randy Heffner — July 16, 2009
Watching 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 »»
Smoke Signals (1998)
(Backstory)
by Randy Heffner — August 4, 2009
The most important part of the backstory for Smoke Signals is that it was written, produced, directed, and acted by Native Americans. This gives it a degree of credibility available to few other feature films concerning Indians. The basis for the screenplay …more »»
The Social Network (2010)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — November 30, 2010
It’s a engaging tale, The Social Network, and well-told: Jilted lover thinks of revenge, scramble for a good business idea, corporate intrigue, broken relationships. It all could be quite stereotypical, and …more »»
Somewhere (2010)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — June 6, 2011
Somewhere didn’t stay long at the theaters. That’s too bad, but it’s understandable. For many among us, a film must grab us and take us away; not so many know how to engage in the slow ride of taking in …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 »»
Still Walking (2009)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — March 24, 2010
In Still Walking, we are treated to an excellent, deliberately paced, progressively revealed journey through a day with a Japanese family. The characters, through their own words and through the things said …more »»
Sucker Punch (2011)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — May 21, 2011
With a mix of chagrin, delight, and mock ignominy, I must say that Sucker Punch really had something going on. Much of the film is pure video game in its construction, and the narration …more »»
Sympathy for Delicious (2010)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — November 22, 2011
Sympathy for Delicious takes us on an unusual journey of the collision between a faithless faith-healer and a priest who has big visions for his work. From both sides, it explores how we can miss the gifts we’ve been given …more »»
Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — November 10, 2012
With depth and unblinking intensity, Things We Lost in the Fire explores human connection, dependency, love, selflessness, and jealousy, focused in the aftermath of a tragic death. The main characters’ pain, mixed motivations, and confused needs intertwine, …more »»
Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)
(After viewing)
by Randy Heffner — November 10, 2012
After 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 »»
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — December 28, 2011
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy comes off with an intriguing mix of the slow and unemotional pace of the main character, Smiley, who is driving the action, countered by an emotionally charged, rapid-paced plot, while having little rapid or suspenseful onscreen action. Multiple subplots, as well as the film itself, are built around …more »»
To The Wonder (2012)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — May 25, 2013
A good friend and filmmaker described To the Wonder by saying, “It’s the film around the film.” The description is apt. It’s storytelling is unconventional and, in this way, it is like …more »»
The Tree of Life (2011)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — June 21, 2011
I’ll say upfront that I find The Tree of Life to be very much worth the time. I’ll also say that it is the type of enigmatic and obscure exploration of life that demands viewers to be highly engaged and to reserve judgment. With any film, …more »»
True Grit (2010)
(Before viewing)
by Randy Heffner — December 31, 2010
In True Grit, the Coen brothers have created an engaging portrayal with themes of honor and expedience, justice and revenge, age and experience, and, well, okay I’ll say it: grit and determination. I’ll leave to others comparisons with the 1969 John Wayne version and …more »»
