Summa This, Summa That — Joseph Susanka

Today Is Halloween, So Here's A Terrifying Short

Today Is Halloween, So Here's A Terrifying Short

"...'Francis' came about interestingly from the famed radio show "This American Life" out of WBEZ Chicago when broadcaster Ira Glass asked six renowned American writers to create a short story about adventure. One of these stories, written by novelist and screenwriter Dave Eggars, was read on the show to much acclaim and praise. From here, we worked with producer Kevin Batten and a team to turn the words into a beautiful short film..."

Today's Suggestion Is Pretty Much As "Horror/Halloween-y" As I'll Ever Get

Today's Suggestion Is Pretty Much As "Horror/Halloween-y" As I'll Ever Get

A Swedish film about vampires; vampires as you've rarely (if ever) seen them. Even watching the trailer again is creeping me out. So scary, but surprisingly insightful, as well, I think. (Yes, it sparked one of the most unexpected and theological conversation about vampires and the Eucharist that I've ever had. And yes, I'm still really, really scared to try and watch it again.)

The One Where I First Realized That There Might Be More To Matthew McConaughey Than I'd Thought

The One Where I First Realized That There Might Be More To Matthew McConaughey Than I'd Thought

It's pretty much made for me, because I love WWII movies and I love submarine movies and this one's both. (There's something about the claustrophobia that fascinates me in a film, because it's both a huge challenge to the filmmakers and the very essence of what they're capturing. So the various ways they decide to tackle it are always interesting to me.)

This Short's Not For Kids. And That's Just Fine.

This Short's Not For Kids. And That's Just Fine.

A year ago, I stumbled across a fantastic teaser for a short film named "Borrowed Time." It didn't say when the final product would appear, but it certainly did its job perfectly; I was hooked. The visuals were wonderful (unsurprising, given its creators' Pixar roots), but there was something lurking in the background that really felt ...different to me. Not quite sure what it was, but it was there.

Today's "True Life" Recommendation Was Directed by Robert Redford, Stars Ralph Fiennes, And Is Mostly Stolen By Paul Scofield And John Turturro

Today's "True Life" Recommendation Was Directed by Robert Redford, Stars Ralph Fiennes, And Is Mostly Stolen By Paul Scofield And John Turturro

It remains one of the more fascinating "Based on a True Story" films, in my book. Why? Partially because it's about a smaller, more personal story than many of its "True Life" conterparts, and partially because it's really solidly (yet unflashily) made, and that's always a plus, in my book. Mostly, though, I enjoy it because it's about the small-yet-erosive concessions so many of us are willing to make for the sake of a little fame and fortune.