We are taught from a very early age, that family should mean the world to us, and there’s good reason that lesson is sent our way. Because family, really is special. For our siblings and our parents have actual ties to us on a fundamental genetic level. Something that no one else will share with us, until we start a family of our own. Not to mention, they know us like no one else does, and teach us lessons that no one else can. So, yes, it should mean something to us, to the point where we should be ready to do anything and everything for our family to help them out in this life and keep them safe if they are in danger. Since they are something unique and important to us.
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In fact, many of us stand by that second lesson. Since we will drop everything to be there when they need us, and they, vice versa. But what’s interesting about these lessons, is that we eventually learn there are boundaries involved with them. Because if a family member is painfully toxic and mean, we learn we don’t need to be around them. Nor should we support them. Not to mention, if they’re asking us to do something illegal or something that will incur pain and suffering on others, in name of helping them out or to offer them safety, we definitely don’t need to go the extra mile to help them, since that can cause more harm than good. As evidenced by the new Hallmark Mystery feature, Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery.

Which is a story that returns us to Hannah’s world at an exciting time. Simply because she receives a phone call from the one biggest cooking shows around, for they are eager to use her shop to film a new episode. A move that Hannah is all about making happen, to meet her cooking hero and to of course, put The Cookie Jar on the map. But alas, the chaos surrounding the shoot, and the fact that one of the crew members dies under suspicious circumstances, ruins the magic of meeting one’s hero. But Hannah is not a person to let one dark day keep her down and keep her from doing what she does best, and the weird circumstances surrounding that death prompt her to dive in and the save the day, and what she will learn about this case, will explore the trouble that comes with helping troubled family members

Since we come to learn that a daughter is eager to save her father from a case that will lock him up forever and she is abiding by the lessons. She’s cherishing family, she’s doing whatever needs to happen to keep daddy safe in her eyes, and it leads to utter chaos. To death, to panic, to utter fear in this story, and that is a perfect way to explore the central theme and point out how we cannot hold to that when parents and siblings and other relatives go down that kind of road. Because they will drag us into the depths with them and that is the last thing we ever need, and that added real depth and thoughtfulness to this story. One that also harbored some lovely moments that will absolutely please fans of this franchise.
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After all, we would be foolish to not point out that the budding romance that Chad and Hannah toyed with in their last adventure only grows here. Since Chad invites Hannah into his life and into his world, courtesy of the very case that brings this unfortunately loyal family member to town, and that’s quite the big deal. Since a stoic man like Chad would not make that kind of decision without some kind of connection to Hannah on a deep level. Not to mention, he plays the hero here and goes the extra mile to ensure her safety. All of which makes it clear that love might be on the horizon, and we are all here for it, courtesy of a movie that features some dark concepts, but never loses sight of the charm of this series.

Since it also added more quirky and hilarious moments with Hannah’s mother, and the whole ‘never meet your heroes’ sequence was legendary to say the least. Since it offered up some flawlessly Hannah Swensen moments, one that included a stunning pie drop, and well, all of these moments brought forth a satisfying feature. Because this one had everything we love and more regarding this franchise. Since it offered a compelling case, one filled with valuable life lessons, featured the lighthearted nature of this series and of course… peppered in a little bit of that trademark romance that Hallmark is known for, and this leaves us eager for the next chapter in Hannah’s adventures. To see what unique cases await and of course, what will become of this connection she and Chad clearly share.

There was a time in the world of cinema, where adaptations of popular children’s stories were subpar in nature. Simply because it was obvious that some of them were straight up cash grabs, since they focused on style over substance and in some cases, they were just hard to adapt. Courtesy of stories that were so unique that replicating them visually was darn near impossible, and required some reimagining to make them happen. Which in turn hurt the story and took the audience out of the overall experience. But thankfully… technology and a shift in expectation from creatives, has changed all of that.
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For now, people who grew up watching those so-so adaptations are now eager to create stories that do the source material justice so that all are treated to an amazing cinematic adaptation of their favorite stories. Not to mention, technology has reached a point where the impossible is now possible. Which has given rise to iconic adaptations that make audiences happy and leave the kids in awe. If anything, the wonder of what’s available to audiences in this day and age is top of mind today, simply because there’s a brand-new film out that truly captures the zeitgeist and majesty of a highly beloved children’s story, in Dog Man.

Which is indeed the big-screen adaptation of the beloved comic series by Dav Pikey, and well, it does offer a plot that should feel familiar to the fans. For this story introduces us to the magnificent, OK City cop duo, Knight and Greg, a human and dog respectively, who are desperate to arrest the nastiest villain to ever terrorize the town, Petey the Cat. Who, one fine day, manages to surprise our heroes with a bomb so powerful that both are badly wounded. To the point where the only way they will ever survive is by being joined together surgically. Which brings forth the birth of Dog Man. A puppy-human hybrid that is smart and cunning (and cute), and it will be his mission to bring down Petey at last, a task… that won’t be as easy as one might think. Since Petey has set in motion, some dastardly plans that will shake the core of OK City for all time.

All of which gives rise, to a flawless adaptation of this classic story. In large part because it is as faithful to the plot as Greg is to Officer Knight. Since those are all the big notes from the base story, and the wonder of this adaptation doesn’t end with a story that makes fans proud. For the use of advanced animation here allows for the style of the comic to stay alive, right down to unique spellings that will be familiar to fans, and it also allows, for amazing visuals to come forth. The kind that enhances, what came before and gives it that big screen flare. Which is truly evident during the third act of the film, wherein the story takes some epic turns that are visually stunning and incredibly engaging, and of course… there is still more for audiences to enjoy this in feature.
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Because it also, offers up an important element that the best children’s entertainment stories harbor. In that, it has some beautiful life lessons for kids to take away. The kind that are of course, embedded in a subtle manner, but they are there, and they are wonderful. Since this story speaks to the importance of just accepting people for who they are and celebrating them for their talents. Plus, you’ll even find some fascinating thoughts on the power of family in this tale, and how we don’t have to let our past traumas and pains define us. All of which enriches the story further and provides parents with an opportunity to further explore those concepts through discussions at home. But while it is nice to find that kind of depth here, there is one more aspect of this film that makes it such an incredible adaptation.

In that, it’s just plain fun, and it’s downright funny. Because above all, that’s really what kids want. To have a good time with a film that respects what came before and that fun is present here in spades. Courtesy of wacky sight gags, and great jokes that genuinely work and amazing performances to boot. For the voice acting and casting, is simply sublime here and further plunges one into this enriching and unique world. All of which makes this, a must-see film for the family. Simply because you cannot go wrong with a film that harbors humor, and adventure that all ages can enjoy, along with a meaningful story that does the original comic proud. For this really is an incredible adaptation of this beloved story, one that should be celebrated often so that this level of quality remains the standard.

There was a time in the world of television and film where any character that suffered from mental health issues were seen in a supremely negative light. Wherein they were declared to be crazy, or lunatics, and they were of course dangerous and deserved to be locked up. Simply because we as a society did not understand the human mind and some of the mental health disorders that plague humanity. But as time has rolled on, we’ve started to do a better job of showcasing what Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is, and that bipolar disorder is more than just someone cleaning their house late at night before crying until dawn. We are now understanding they are real afflictions that require real care.
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Yet, while that is indeed genuine and powerful progress on such matters, we still have much farther to go. Because while we do have a better understanding of such matters through popular media, let’s be honest… television shows and movies tend to hold back regarding a raw portrayal of what those issues actually do to an individual, and how that affliction can impact others in their orbit. Possibly because it is hard to express the power of depression outside of making an actor look sad and dejected, but also because… those moments are scary and tough for people to go through. But there are stories now popping up that are working to properly explore such matters, and it just so happens there is a short out there that offers one of the most powerful portrayals of PTSD ever seen in, In the Shadow of the Cypress.

A feat this film accomplishes by whisking us away to an animated world by the sea, where a daughter cares for her father, who was once a captain and suffered through some tough times at sea. In fact, those experiences were so jarring, he has developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it is unchecked and untreated and that leads to difficult days with his daughter. Wherein his fury and unleashed emotions are showcased in front of his daughter, who is ready to put some space between them to heal and refresh herself. But before she can, the arrival of a beached whale on their shore prompts her father to find his own solitude, wherein he opts to hide from the world and ignore the problem at hand, and his daughter’s wants. In that, she is eager to save two lives, her father’s, and the innocent creature that is now baking in the sun, and it will be up to dear old dad to decide if her ultimate goals can be achieved.

Which is… the perfect way to properly showcase the power of PTSD. For setting this in an animated environment allows for a sense of detachment to the story, as though it is fantasy. But that all changes when reality comes into play. Since we see the father unleash wanton fury and anger. For that is something that PTSD can produce and that’s scary to see, as are the other moments present in this tale that relate to his affliction. Since we come to learn how PTSD and those bouts of emotional swings wash over a person, and how simple triggers can make that happen and how… it can genuinely bring a person to their absolute lowest. Since we see this man suffer greatly because he believes he is alone and believes there is no hope for him. Despite the fact that his daughter is working desperately to give him a life.
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But what matters more for this sequence of the story, is that we finally see PTSD and its impact in the raw and that allows for the story to begin to explore, how we bring folks, back from the brink. Because despite what they might think, they are worth saving and their lives still have meaning and purpose and that really is the key. In that, we have to find a way to reach them on a fundamental level, one that informs them that we love them, that we need them, and we will be at their side. So that they can enjoy a moment of clarity and find focus and begin to heal through various means available to them. Granted they might not make it to that, since it does require effort and a choice on their part to heal… but they deserve the chance to do so. All of which makes for a moving and powerful story, one that is quite frankly, as brilliant as they come.

Simply because it is that rare story that holds nothing back in its presentation, and it should be applauded for that. For the time has come to let everyone know that mental health issues can be scary and are tough to deal with. Not to scare us, but to prepare us to face them, and face them we will. Because one bad day can bring PTSD into our lives, and we don’t know if other issues lurk in our genetic markers and the markers of our family. So, it is best to be honest and let us know that a fight lies ahead and that we should do whatever it takes to win it. Because the people we love would do the same for us, and it is the right thing to do. Because we are all in this life together and we all deserve the chance to enjoy peace and happiness and balance… regardless of what lies our brains might tell us now and again.

​There is unfortunately, a surge of fury and apathy, and a desire for vengeance that has washed over the world, and it has impacted society in stunning ways. For instance, our frustrations with the state of world as a result of what the elder generation has handed the next generation has prompted us to offer that generation silence. Which has placed a bevy of elderly individuals that have not caused harm into the realm of the forgotten. So, that we can make peace with our anger over Boomers and their special brand of entitlement. Plus, our frustrations toward living wages and the profits that corporations feast upon like fat hogs, has allowed for our neighbors and others to slip through the cracks and become unhoused individuals that we want nothing to do with.

Not to mention, we don’t even offer the unhoused or others down on their luck charity or kindness anymore out of our own financial concerns as a result of those emotions toward corporations and their greed. Which leaves all of us wondering… where we are headed as a society, and how, we can perhaps reclaim some of what we’ve lost. So that perhaps we can hold the right people to account and impact change before apathy takes over, and the divides are permanent, and well… it just so happens that a short feature that’s been moving around the festival circuit, ponders upon the answer to that very question. A feat that Room Taken, accomplishes… by plunging us into worlds that we don’t understand because we’ve chosen to ignore them. 

Wherein we meet a man named Isaac, who is down on his luck and out of a job and out of a home. Which prompts him to couch surf where he can, to enjoy a good night’s rest, but that doesn’t always work out. Which leaves Isaac on the streets and forgotten on some nights, and he’s so done with bouncing about that he decides to take full advantage of an incredible opportunity. One that while illegal… will keep him warm and rested. For the decision to help a visually impaired, elderly woman named Victoria, find her way home reveals that she has plenty of space, and well… Isaac decides to take advantage of her impairment and just move in. So, he can catch his breath and try to plan his next steps in life. But soon, he realizes… that taking advantage of Victoria is wrong, and that she needs help. Which in turn prompts him to help out around the house and make her life a little better, until opportunity can move him along. 

Which is… a powerful way to first point out, what our frustrations have done to others in our society. Because Isaac isn’t evil or mentally ill, two stereotypes that everyone seems to believe accompanies an unhoused individual, he is a human being. One in need of help and cannot catch a break because no one wants to make his problems their business, and it’s made him isolated and lonely, and hopeless. Not to mention, our apathy toward the elderly has made Victoria a ghost in her own home. Sure, she can handle some things in life, but her fading sight has put her independence on borrowed time, and there is no one there to support her or help her outside of some casual assistance. All of which informs us that we are literally forgetting about people and hurting them in the process. All in the name of sticking it to someone else. But understanding the problem helps us to understand the solution.
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In that, it would not take much to bring us back from the brink. It would simply take what Isaac does here. Which is, to show others a measure of kindness, show them they matter and show them they have purpose. Because we live to belong and we need to feel as though we matter and helping others can offer that and boost us up and give us a sense of self-worth as well, and watching Isaac do that is inspiring and it leads to a powerful ending to a powerful feature. One that truly showcases the cold nature of the world and how quickly we can make it warm again and inspire real change down the line. For kindness is indeed free, and it only takes a minute to check in on someone and offer them that gesture, and truly… that also makes this an important film. One that really does call us out and take us to task over our anger, our apathy and our desire to ignore what cannot be ignored and it’s nice to see a film that offers such thoughts a time when we are more divided than ever.

There is but one word that every fan of popular culture associates with the Star Trek Universe, and that word is, utopia. Simply because Gene Roddenberry’s vision for the 23rd Century and beyond, through fifty-plus years of storytelling, has showcased just that. A future where humanity and the various species amongst the stars are unified as one, and have eliminated hunger and want, and poverty and suffering. All to usher in an era where a drive to obtain as much as possible is no longer the sole focus of society. It’s about being a better individual and leaving one’s mark in the history books as a contributor. Which is why fans both casual and hard are always shocked when the franchise throws us a curveball that showcases the fact that life isn’t perfect in the future.

Which the franchise has accomplished by giving the United Federation of Planet, enemies that truly despise what it stands for, by pitting the entirety of the Alpha Quadrant against stunning foes eager to conquer all, such as the Borg and the Dominion. And by even having Starfleet Command and the Federation Council make questionable decisions that don’t benefit the betterment of all but exist out of fear. But perhaps the biggest shocker of all in this future, is the sheer fact that Starfleet and the UFP have sanctioned an organization that handles the dirty work of the Federation. Those dark acts that would sow doubt in the UFP and Starfleet but is done off the books to keep the peace and keep a utopia running. Which has left many fans wondering if Section 31 has a place in this story, and if they are outright foes. Since they have done some horrible things in the name of peace.

Well, after many years of featuring them in brief across various shows, the creatives behind the franchise decided now was the time to explore what Section 31 is all about, courtesy of a brand-new film on Paramount+ entitled, Star Trek: Section 31. Wherein we travel to the early 24th Century, far away from the frontier of the Federation to catch up with an old friend from Star Trek: Discovery, former Terran Emperor Philippa Georgiou. Who now lives in secrecy aboard a distant pleasure station, where she is keen to live out her days in that role, free from the trappings of being an emperor, and captain in Section 31. But soon, her old job catches up with her, since agents from Section 31 have arrived to enlist her help in an important mission. For someone is trying to smuggle a bioweapon into the Federation, and with her help, lives can be saved. But soon Philippa will come to learn that a return to Section 31 will entail more than just stopping another threat but facing a grand blast from her past that she thought she left behind. 

Which is, the perfect way to explore what Section 31 is really about and what it stands for. Since we are able to see through Philippa and her teammates eyes, the inner workings of their mission and why Starfleet lets them operate. Because as the mission rolls along and we see this group of stone-cold individuals struggle to battle a greater evil, and an outright mission of vengeance involving some fateful decisions Georgiou made as emperor, while risking everything to save the Alpha Quadrant from certain destruction, it becomes clear that Section 31 is less about evil, and more about the grey. Which the Federation doesn’t really display. It’s a place of absolutes and black and white, but the world has not and never will operate like that, so these heroes, and they are heroes… take the time to do what must be done to maintain a peace and engender hope.
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A storytelling decision that really does present this secret organization in a new light, and while it doesn’t absolve Section 31 of some of the things they’ve done, or will do, courtesy of the timeline ahead… it does offer up a philosophical lesson regarding the dark acts they take part in. In that, we simply are not a perfect species, and likely never will be, and we will lose our way despite noble goals. The only question is how we atone for those weaker moments, because we can come back from them. As evidenced by Philippa’s journey here. Since she is lost when we find her, and not fully healed from her sordid past. But the chance to revisit it, resolve it and find newfound strength from it… speaks to that particular theme and gives fans hope that maybe… there will come a day when this secret organization can find a bit of balance and atone far faster for the difficult and ugly decisions they will have to make.

If anything, all of these elements give rise to a unique adventure in this universe. One that will polarize fans for certain, since there are so many that truly want this franchise to hold to the Roddenberry vision as tightly as possible. But this really is a bold take on the STU, and it really is a bold story for certain. One that pushes the envelope of what the franchise stands for, courtesy of its stark messages about humanity. But that fits in with what this franchise does best. Which is to reflect us in our current state and right now… the world is indeed in the grey and nowhere near pushing forward and toward a utopia. But this reminds us that while things are dark now, there’s a chance that if we can come together, and find a way forward and fight real evil, we can start building toward a better tomorrow, and truly… it does not get more Star Trek than that.

Truly, the documentary is enjoying quite a renaissance right now. In large part because of this era of peak television. Simply because streamers are in need of documentaries to add to their portfolio, so they are commissioning and scooping them up at every opportunity. Which is allowing for amazing stories to come to life about real issues in our world that weren’t getting the attention they deserved, and stories that have sat in silence are now being heard by so many, and one particular company that’s leading the charge in this is, is NBCUniversal.

For they have incredible documentaries present on Peacock that are offering up comprehensive stories about current events and moments from the past, and Comcast/Xfinity is home to some supremely important documentaries that offer representation through their Black Experience series, and, well, they are now host to another powerful documentary. For earlier they let it be known that the Award-Winning Documentary Color is available to watch, and this is a beautiful one for certain. Since it explores our relationship with color in a dynamic and engaging manner and well, since you’re eager to know more about this incredible story… here are all details regarding this film, courtesy of Comcast/Xfinity, to help you understand why Color will be worth your while.

‘Comcast NBCUniversal today announced the exclusive premiere of the award-winning documentary, Color, on Black Experience on Xfinity and the Xumo Play free streaming app. The 90-minute documentary, from Multi-award-winning writer and director John Campbell and featuring acclaimed multidisciplinary artist and founder of Dark Matter Media Alteronce Gumby, takes viewers on a global journey to redefine how color is perceived and understood across different cultures.

The highly acclaimed documentary was nominated for Best Documentary at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, featured in the Montreal Independent Film Festival, and received awards at the Cine Paris Film Festival and International Independent Film Awards. It is now available exclusively on Comcast’s Black Experience on Xfinity channel, a comprehensive content destination featuring the best in Black storytelling from diverse programming partners and film studios and a variety of original documentaries showcasing diverse talent and content creators. Color is also available on the Xumo Play free streaming app for non-Xfinity customers.

Color takes viewers around the world starting with captivating discussions and demonstrations with pigment expert Michael Ambron and celebrity stylist Jerome Lamaar in the Bronx, NY and then to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, to celebrate the vibrancy of French Creole, Caribbean, African, African American, and global cultures. The documentary then travels internationally, experiencing the vibrant colors of the Holi Festival in India, the red sands of the Sahara Desert, the crimson-hued city of Marrakech, Morocco, and to the Great Barrier Reef featuring conversations with marine ecologist Dr. Catherine Kim. The adventure concludes in Alaska with the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, featuring conversations with documentarian Shondiin Mayo.

“Color is more than what meets the eye; it's a language, a story waiting to be told in every corner of the world.” shared Campbell. “Partnering with Comcast and the Black Experience on Xfinity, we aim to transform how audiences experience and interpret color, diving deep into the cultures that breathe life into it.”

Color is the second collaboration between Comcast’s Black Experience on Xfinity and director John Campbell, who previously debuted Who’s Behind Black Art on the platform last year. Who’s Behind Black Art is a four-part docuseries that explores the lives of five emerging artists navigating the industry and their journey to create a unique exhibition.

“We’re proud to deepen our ongoing collaboration with director John Campbell as we explore the many dimensions of color and its profound impact on our daily lives and we couldn’t think of a better collaborator to explore the topic than Alteronce Gumby, whose obsession with color is so obviously present in all his work,” said Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms at Comcast. “Through Black Experience on Xfinity, we aim to create a space where creators can share their unique perspectives, fostering meaningful connections with audiences everywhere.”

For more information about the film, please visit https://www.colordocumentary.com

Black Experience on Xfinity is available at home on Xfinity X1 and Flex, and on-the-go with the Xfinity Stream app. Additionally, the Black Experience destination is available to NOW Internet customers. The Black Experience on Xfinity features original and high-quality content from Comcast NBCUniversal and other major studios, in addition to content from many of Xfinity’s existing network partners, at no additional cost to Xfinity customers.

Xfinity customers can access the Black Experience on channel 1622 or simply say “Black Experience” into the Voice Remote to instantly enjoy the ultimate in Black storytelling. Non-Xfinity customers will be able to view Color on Xumo Play, Comcast and Charter’s free ad-supported streaming service app.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About Alteronce Gumby
Alteronce Gumby (@alteroncegumby / and @color_doc) is the film’s creator and producer and notable mixed-media artist living in New York City. His practice includes painting, ceramics, installation and performance. Gumby’s work has been exhibited at galleries around the world including Nicola Vassell, Gagosian and Hauser & Wirth. Global and multi-award winning Gumby graduated from the Yale School of Art with an MFA in Painting and Printmaking in 2016. Gumby is also the founder of Dark Matter Media, a creative media extension of his artistic studio practice.

About John Campbell
Founder of JCINTIME, LLC, a creative management and production company whose projects include ‘5150’, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival 2021; feature documentary ‘COLOR;’ and the FIPRESCI Award-winning 2022 feature ‘The Sleeping Negro’. Campbell is also producer of the Amazon Prime feature ‘A Boy, A Girl, A Dream,’ the Award-winning feature ‘Destined,’ and is writer and executive producer of the HBO Max documentary ‘The Infamous Future.’

One particular staple of the motion picture landscape that is a bit stale in this day and age, is the biographical feature. Simply because so many of them now, especially musically themed ones… follow a supremely similar trajectory. Wherein we meet a famous musician we know, love, and have listened to for hours on end, and watch their meteoric rise to fame take place. Complete with montages and moments we know took place, before watching them struggle and battle to maintain success and sanity before they find peace, more success or reach the end of their lives and well, while that does indeed offer up a comprehensive look at a life, there is a lot left on the table with these particular films.
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Some of them for instance, sugar coat the darkest aspects of our musical heroes, while others just breeze through all of that. Which doesn’t really give the viewer an understanding of what they went through and why, just that they experienced a moment and really, understanding is what we lack from these films. For they just don’t dig into the person that made so many happy and what really makes them tick. Leaving all of us to wonder, if the musical biographical feature can be saved or refreshed so that perhaps it can cover new territory… or finally explore elements about music stars that we all want to know. Such as what success made them feel, what the struggles of fame are truly like for a person and how they beat some of the hardships they faced, without the use of a montage and clever plot devices.

Well as it turns out, yes, there is still hope for this type of film, as evidenced by the latest release from Paramount Pictures, Better Man. Which is a musical biographical feature that explores the life and career of Pop Superstar, Robbie Williams. Wherein we learn about Robbie’s early days of fame as a member of the hit boy band, Take That, before he branched out to become a solo artist. One who struggled with fame, with drugs and with depression and that brought him to several low points in his life and a fight to find peace and happiness, with both him and his career. Which at first glance, is a plot summary that likely raises your eyebrows. Since that seems like the same old formula that we’ve seen time and time again, making this movie another cog in the wheel of biopics. But that’s just it, while there are elements of this type of story that are inescapable, how they are explored and expressed here, is what makes this such a refreshing feature.

For instance, Robbie is seen in the film, as a walking, talking chimpanzee. Partly because he claims himself to be ‘less evolved’ in the film, but from a metaphorical standpoint, it’s clear that this is how Robbie views himself as a person. As an outsider of sorts, someone who stands out for the wrong reasons, and that alone is something new for these films and it sets the tone for a vastly different type of story. One that truly takes its time in telling Robbie’s story. Which means the big moments that happen aren’t quite as rushed, they take time to linger regarding the psychological impact upon Robbie and others, and it allows for us to really explore what he was feeling in that moment. Giving rise to the most thoughtful feature in this vein to date, and what’s incredible is that its wonder extends beyond a more careful understanding of a life with a jarring visual twist.
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Because this is a feature that also… really explores the emotional impact of fame and the stresses that stars really face. And it does so in a shockingly frank manner. Through moments where we see Robbie actually struggle with nerves in a way that is relatable and where we truly see the demons that chase him and haunt him, and how hard they are to silence at times. Which may in turn, relate to why so many artists turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with them. But what matters most, is that this is the most human and raw presentation of such matters in this type of film and it refreshing to find here. Since it opens up conversations about mental health, our relationship with fame and notoriety and how we sometimes forget that those who entertain us are still people, who struggle with imposter syndrome and anxiety and more, like the rest of us.

All of which gives rise to a magnificent biographical feature. One that offers up a complete and fulfilling journey that feels authentic instead of stylized and of course… still manages to entertain. Since many of Robbie’s biggest hits are featured here, in a manner that is as bombastic as Robbie himself and all of these elements bring together a must-watch feature. Because this one has something for everyone. For instance, if you’re a fan of movies in this vein, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. The one that breaks the mold, and if you’re a fan of cinema in general, there’s so much here to feast upon visually. But above all, this is just a supremely relatable and powerful, and downright inspiring story. About a man eager to find peace through his calling.

Whether we like it or not, there will come a point in our lives where we must face death. It may come via the loss of a family member when we are young, or that same loss might happen later in life. But one way or another, we will be reminded of the fact that our time on this Earth is finite, and that is a transformative epiphany. One that takes us on an emotional ride and forces us to process so much, especially in our youth. For in that moment, we face so many hard facts regarding mortality, and this is so complex and so powerful, that even the world of creative storytelling struggles to put to screen or paper what that is like.
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But now and again, you run into stories that do in fact, get it right and really express the gravitas of that moment and what we actually go through when we face this and a short feature in that vein just so happened to screen at the Austin Film Festival this year, in The Death of James. Which is a story that introduces us to a man named Kevin who is at a crossroads. For his beloved ferret, James, who he has owned for ages, is terminally ill and Kevin doesn’t know what to do. For he’s never faced death in this manner, especially when it comes to a pet that he utterly adores. So, he calls in his good friend/roommate Ellery to help him figure out how best to put James down, and how best to handle the reality… that death is inevitable.

Which brings forth, a stunning exploration of that moment. For both Kevin and Ellery are stunned by the state of James and the fact that one way or another, he will no longer be in their lives. Which prompts them both to ponder upon life, the nature of death, of how we should face it and the fact that we must. That leads, to some powerfully philosophical moments from this duo. Wherein they speak frankly about such matters and the very things we fear and must process and they of course, struggle with it. Because that is so much to process in a short time, and it speaks to how unprepared we are for the end. Courtesy of what it produces from us emotionally. But more so because we simply have not a clue what we are supposed to do when death comes for someone we love or a pet we adore.

Simply because this feature points out, that we don’t talk about such matters. That somehow the endgame for our life is taboo in nature and we should ignore such thoughts. But this feature also correctly points out, that we should instead, embrace such discussions, especially with people that matter. So that we can safely process our fears and get them out into the open and to also… properly grieve when the moment does come. Because understanding of death or no, the end is still loss, and loss hurts, and we have to deal with those emotions accordingly. And yet, there are still more amazing lessons to be found here. Since this story also explores, that we can process all of this with humor if it helps, or in whatever manner helps relieve the ache that is upon our very soul.

All of which makes… for a beautiful and moving short feature. One that is grounded in reality. Since Sam Chou, the director, and Ellery Vandooyeweert, the writer… lived this long ago and felt a need to share this with everyone, and the end result… is magnificent. In fact, this film and its creative team deserve a round of applause for using animation to tell this story. Since it allows for the lessons and subject matter to be absorbed a little easier, and it is a truly important film. For this is the kind of story that all should watch, to learn an important lesson or reaffirm what they already know about death, and how it truly is on the horizon. But that we shouldn’t fear it. We should instead find value in the moments available to us and cherish the memories of those who leave us behind, be them a beloved aunt, or a furry friend that brought us joy.

One unfortunate truth regarding stories that explore what life is like when we are in the midst of healing from trauma and loss, is that they are just… too perfect in nature. Think about it for a moment. Because so many of those stories feature people who yes, suffer and feel real pain over losing a loved one or by experiencing stunning trauma, but make their way back to the light in a supremely fast manner. As though pain from something such as that is fleeting in nature, and that with a good support network and some positive thinking and a handful of therapy sessions, anyone can overcome their pain and be whole again, just like that.
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But all that does is propagate the long standing and incorrect belief that we can just power through grief and that it is fleeting, and well… such storytelling decisions also cheapen the truth about grief and offer little to those who are eager to feel seen or find a sense of guidance. Which people do look for from tales about grief. But that is starting to change, for a great deal of creatives are coming to realize the disservice such stories offer the audience. So, we are now seeing movies, books, and shows that inform us that grief is hard and that it rips our lives apart and that there is a long road back from it, and that sometimes… we don’t get the chance to properly heal. Because life goes on when we lose people and sometimes… we are the glue that holds together a family and stopping to weep just isn’t in the cards. Not to mention, these new stories are even showcasing how we fail sometimes at healing and at life.

If anything, all of these elements are top of mind today, simply because a powerful and moving feature that recently screened at the Austin Film Festival, quite frankly, offers up the finest exploration of grief to date on screen, and Color Book accomplishes such a stunning feat, by introducing us to a widower named Lucky. For his wife recently passed away under tragic circumstances, making him the single parent of his son, Mason. Who also happens to be a child with Down syndrome, and well, in the days that follow her passing, Mason and Lucky struggle badly. To the point where it seems as though what lie ahead is nothing but sorrow and dark days. But the chance to buy a car and head to an Atlanta Braves game, so Mason can enjoy his first ever Major League Baseball game, might help their mental health. Provided of course, they can overcome the surprises that await them on their way to the city.

All of which brings forth… a genuinely jaw dropping exploration of grief. Because not only does it show the outright devastation one experiences in those early days when death has come with a raw sense of realism that will make anyone who has lost a loved one, uncomfortable… but it explores every corner of those moments. Of how we are distant from the world, of how we struggle to get going and how… we have no choice but to move forward when so much is upon us. Because Mason needs his father, and food has to be put on the table and that pushes Lucky to his breaking point in this story. Where he fights hard to maintain patience with the world and his son, and everything in between and all of that… is so shockingly accurate, and the wonder of this film doesn’t end there. Because it also explores, how alone we feel with the world on our shoulders, and how parents in this moment feel akin to a failure.
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Because the struggle and the pain, slows us down, makes us late, leads us to bad decisions and mistakes, and kids don’t fully understand that, and all a parent can feel… is awful. For we expect the world of parents and look down upon human moments because we think sacrifice is all that matters as a parent and sometimes, a parent just cannot, especially when it comes to emotions, and yet… this movie still manages to offer up more impressive elements. Because we would be remiss to not point out that this film features a Black cast, and that’s something film still struggles to make happen on a consistent basis, and of course… it also explores experiences that can come forth for a parent raising a child with Down syndrome. That’s important to point out because this film presents that in a supremely respectful and positive manner, and that isn’t always the case in film, and it is refreshing to see people with Down syndrome respected and represented here.

In the end however, this story is more than a journey through sorrow and pain. It is also about… the beauty we miss while we’re grieving. Of the special moments we share with our family while we hurt and how those… actually manage to heal us just a little bit. Because they remind us to cherish life, to cherish what we still have, and while we won’t think upon that until after we’ve healed, it’s wonderful to see that on display in a film that is quite frankly… perfect. For this is the kind of movie cinema was made for. Since it offers us a compelling and powerful story we can relate to on some level, it features characters that feel real, and we can connect with and most of all, it moves us. For this magnificent feature will make you smile, make you cry and stay with you for a long, long time. Thanks to amazing performances from William Catlett (Lucky) and Jeremiah Daniels (mason), equally amazing direction from writer/director David Fortune, and a plot that truly informs us of how hard life can be when we lose the people, we love the most. While also reminding us… that what we still have in hand is worth fighting for.  

It is definitely safe to say, that addiction is showcased in a horrific light in popular media, and it makes sense as to why. Because it is at its core, destructive in nature. For addiction breaks down a person’s body and makes them a shell of themselves, where they can only function with their poison of choice flowing their veins. Plus, it does make people do some wild and terrible things. Hurtful things, even, that put fear into those they love, and their actions also offer up heartbreak. So, it stands to reason that creative minds would show the worst aspects of this affliction, in the hopes that people get help for their loved ones, if they are starting to abuse a substance or to keep people away from drugs and alcohol altogether.
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While that is of course, an impactful way to show us that drugs are a terrible choice and that addiction is scary in many ways, there are some real issues that accompany that particular portrayal of addiction. In that, it tends to demonize those who suffer from it, and transforms them into monsters, and while they might be monstrous when they are drunk or high… in between those moments they are a tortured soul, one deeply attached to booze, and heaven knows what for reasons we don’t understand. But we should. For addiction sometimes goes beyond the science of genetics and there is instead a psychological root cause at play that has broken this person and forced them to turn to substance abuse, and the sooner we explore that… the better. So, that we can get those folks the right help instead of shunning them.

If anything, the importance of discovering the root cause of an addiction is top of mind today, simply because a drama that screened at Dances With Films explored just that, and that makes Moonwater an important film. One that introduces us to a man named Pete, who is not in a good place. For Pete is an alcoholic and his life has fallen to pieces because of his drinking. To the point where has no one to talk to, for he’s even pushed his only brother away. So, he lives in his late father’s cabin, away from the city. Where he drinks his days away and waits for the end. That is, until he discovers something from his youth. Specifically, the still his father used to make moonshine long ago and seeing it and remembering what it meant to his dad inspires Pete to try and enlist his brother’s help in bringing it back to life for one last batch of moonshine, which he hopes… will somehow heal his soul.

Which at first glance, appears to be a plot akin to Leaving Las Vegas. Wherein Pete will lie and cheat and do what he must to rebuild the still to give him all the booze he needs to drink his life away, in the literal sense. Something his brother Thomas accuses him of. But it goes deeper than that. In fact, it all relates to the root cause theme at hand. For we learn, through tender moments in this powerful drama, that the death of Pete’s dad, and his relationship with alcohol, are much to blame for Pete’s current state of affairs. For he has not reconciled his grief, and he sees alcohol as the only way to reclaim any memory or feeling of his father. So, he drinks to both numb the pain and feel something over what he’s lost and that makes for a powerful feature for certain.
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One that truly does showcase how people abuse substances, in this case alcohol, to cope and heal over emotions they cannot reconcile. Or to quell the power of old traumas or to regulate a mental health imbalance by fighting chemicals with chemicals. That means, they aren’t monsters to be feared, but broken individuals. Who are crying out in a strange way for help, for peace, and thankfully… this film tells us what we should do with such knowledge. In that, we should offer grace in that moment, and kindness, regardless of what’s happening. It doesn’t mean we have to forgive or let the past go, since that has weight and consequences to bear. But in that moment, giving them that, and helping guide them to what will heal them, will accomplish wonders and potentially save a life and give them a second chance. Granted, that’s not a guarantee, for one must want to change… but it does give them a fighting chance and sometimes… that’s all a shattered soul might need.  

All of which brings forth, a stunning motion picture. One that finally looks at addiction in an incredible manner. Since so few stories in this vein explore the cause of addiction, nor do they really look at the lasting impact of substance abuse. Since we are privy to moments where Thomas expresses what Pete’s drinking has done to the family, and we even see what impact it’s had upon his friendships and relationships. Which gives rise to a vastly different type of film about addiction, one that is both sorrowful and hopeful, and is refreshing in nature. Since it doesn’t close out with a fallen monster consumed by the substance that promised so much. It instead gives us an ending as close to real as possible, and it stays with you for a long time. For this tour de force of a story, really does prompt us to look at addiction in a vastly different light… one that projects an ounce of real hope.