GUEST COLUMN: How the Big Screen Has Taught Us to Love the College Years

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How the Big Screen Has Taught Us to Love the College Years

by Lewis Robinson

The college years are some of the most memorable and tumultuous times in a person's life. From figuring out who you are and what you want to do with your life to navigating relationships and academics, there's a lot to juggle during those four (or more) years. It's no wonder that Hollywood has been fascinated with this time period for decades. Here are some popular films that offer a unique take on the college experience.

The Social Network (2010)

The Social Network is a film about the founding of Facebook and the early days of Mark Zuckerberg's time at Harvard. While it may not sound like the most light-hearted movie, The Social Network is actually a fascinating look at what can happen when you have a great idea and the drive to see it through. Plus, it features an all-star cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake.

Great movies about college, such as The Social Network, even show the more advantageous side of student loans, and how they can help you to fund your dreams and live the big life you've always wanted for yourself. When you meet inspiring people at college and build things together, the possibilities are limitless.

Animal House (1978)

Animal House is the quintessential college movie. It follows the misadventures of Delta Tau Chi, a fraternity known for its wild parties and general disregard for authority. The movie is a classic for its performances and its raw portrayal of some of the more chaotic moments of college life.

If you're looking for a film that will make you laugh out loud, Animal House is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for some fairly raunchy humor and language.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting is a bit different from the other two films on this list in that it focuses on post-college life. Matt Damon stars as Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT who has a gift for mathematics but doesn't think he has anything else to offer the world.

When his talents are discovered by one of his professors, Will must decide whether or not to stay in his small town or venture out into the unknown. Good Will Hunting is touching, funny, and ultimately inspiring. The movie touches on many themes relevant to those considering college life and serves as a reminder of what's possible when you bet on yourself.

It Happened One Night (1934)

One of the earliest and most iconic examples of college on film is It Happened One Night (1934). The story of a spoiled rich girl (Claudette Colbert) who runs away from home and ends up on a cross-country bus trip with a reporter (Clark Gable), It Happened One Night is a screwball comedy in the truest sense of the word. Though it may not be an accurate portrayal of college life, the film's madcap energy and star-crossed romance are timeless, as is its message about defying expectations.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) is another classic example of college on film. The story of a group of high school friends navigating their way through senior year, Fast Times is filled with all the ups and downs that come with being a teenager. From first love to heartbreak, from parties to graduation, Fast Times captures the highs and lows of adolescence with humor and honesty. And though it may not be set on a college campus, its message about growing up and finding your place in the world is universal.

The college years are a time of great change and transition, which makes them ripe for exploration on film. Whether it's the screwball comedy of It Happened One Night or the rowdy hijinks of Animal House, there's something for everyone in these classic films about higher education. So pop some popcorn, grab your friends, and settle in for a few hours of cinematic escapism, you might just learn something along the way.

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A Guide to Helping Students Develop Soft Skills

You may not realize it, but most employers point out that soft skills such as critical thinking, time management, and working well with others are just as crucial to getting hired as technical qualifications or “hard skills” such as computer programming. With the constant job market change, employer expectations are also adjusting. Previously, a resume that listed relevant work experience would suffice, but nowadays, employers expect more. 

Hence, schools should incorporate soft skills into their curriculum through various soft skills activities and lessons led by teachers. Such skills help students adapt and change for the better long-term when a school prioritizes developing them. Therefore, in this guide, you’ll learn about how you can develop students’ soft skills. But first, let’s know about it.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference?

Whatever your student’s career goals, hard and soft skills are essential to success, but what’s the difference between them?  

• Hard Skills: Hard skills comprise the abilities developed through education, degrees, certifications, and similar training programs. They’re often prerequisites to get you into a college or company, but they don’t guarantee success. Some of these skills are mastery of specific skills, like starting an essay.

• Soft Skills: Conversely, soft skills are the attributes that help you succeed in the workplace, in college, and in life. You develop them by working well with groups, solving problems, managing your time, and being responsible. These skills will keep you on top of your studies during college, and they can distinguish you from other candidates in today’s competitive job market.  

Why Should Students Learn Soft Skills?

Students should learn soft skills because:

• Workplaces and educational institutions rely heavily on interpersonal skills 

• Students with soft skills set themselves apart from their peers, complement their hard skills, and have a higher chance of being hired 

• It helps cultivate work-life balance and better handles stressful situations

• It helps organizations adapt to constantly changing workspaces and strategies

• Improves listening skills, which leads to mindfulness, empathy, and a better understanding of people and situations

How To Develop Students’ Soft Skills

Group Projects and Teamwork

Students can learn many soft skills through a group project. It usually involves interpersonal communication, discussion, problem-solving, and setting goals. Different perspectives on the same problem or topic allow students to hone their skills in analyzing and understanding a situation.

Brainstorming is an excellent way to foster teamwork, whether teaching virtually or in a classroom. Students can share opinions and ideas using a brainstorming slide and vote for the most popular ones.

Learning and Assessment

It is not enough to assume that your students are automatically familiar with the learning and assessment techniques you will use in class, regardless of their age.

It’s best to:

• Establish daily goals for your students based on what you expect them to accomplish each day

• Explain the proper etiquette for asking questions or sharing information

• Ensure that they know how to behave well when mingling with others or their fellow students

• Inform them about active listening and proper dressing

Active Listening and Introductions

Everyone must cultivate the skill of active listening. Teachers must find creative ways to help students understand what the speakers are saying and then respond correctly to what they say. One of the most exciting things in a student’s life is meeting their classmates, getting to know them, and making friends. Having students participate in group activities or feel comfortable with one another is not something you can expect from them immediately. 

Student introductions are one of the most effective methods for improving active listening skills and ensuring students have fun while learning. Online presentations can be fun and engaging for everyone using interactive tools. There could be a presentation about each student, quizzes for classmates, and a Q&A session at the end. As a result, the students could get to know and actively listen to each other.

Note Taking and Self-Reflections

How many times have you received a lot of directions for a task, only to forget much of it and not be able to accomplish it? Having a super memory is rare, and you sometimes miss out on things. Taking notes is, therefore, an essential soft skill for everyone. 

Nowadays, we are used to receiving instructions via emails or messages. Take notes during meetings or when you are receiving education. Most of the time, you can use the thoughts and ideas you get while in a situation to accomplish what you need to do.

Conclusion

Students need to learn soft skills early in life to succeed and thrive. Choosing a school that emphasizes a unique and personalized learning experience would help students find their passion for learning and prepare for life after graduation.  

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PODCAST: Episode 86 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 86th episode, two heroic film critics, two tinkering dads, and two gravel-voiced school teachers Will Johnson and Don Shanahan welcome back previous guest Lauren Knight of Phoenix's L.A. Knight Consulting for the first of a Sylvester Stallone double. This week, the ardent Sly fan encourages Will and Don to see the merits of his new streaming superhero vehicle Samaritan. Lauren has the unique experience of seeing the film more than once for early test screenings and compares the final product with our hosts. Come for the shared challenge and tirade and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!

ABOUT OUR GUEST

LAUREN KNIGHT

For almost a decade, Lauren Knight has been a film programmer, live event specialist, publicist, and celebrity booker/talent wrangler in the metro Phoenix area. She is the founder of L.A. Knight Consulting. Want to add some spice to that grand opening? Want to screen your favorite movie? Don't know where to start? Let Lauren help you!

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Cinephile Hissy Fits is a 25YL media podcast, brought to you by RuminationsRadioNetwork.com. Please visit, rate, review and subscribe. If you enjoyed this show, we have more where that came from, with interesting hosts, and wonderful guests. All available on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you find your favorite shows. Follow the show on Twitter at @CinephileFit and on Facebook. Also, find both Will Johnson and Don Shanahan on Letterboxd as the accumulate their viewings and build their ranks and lists.

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The Wonder ★★★★

Director: Sebastián Lelio Cast: Florence Pugh, Niamh Algar, Elaine Cassidy, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Tom Burke, Ciarán Hinds, Toby Jones Release: November 16, 2022 (Netflix) Historically, putting a Brit in the centre of Irish conflict hasn’t gone down too well. We’re typically only a Derry Girls episode away from being reminded of that, but in The Wonder’s […]

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PODCAST: Episode 85 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

For their 85th episode, two grizzled film critics, two stunt-performing dads, and two subtitle-reading teachers Will and Don Shanahan welcome you to the recording from a special in-person event. Will and videographer Aaron Hudson recently hosted a screening and talkback for the classic Jackie Chan vehicle “Police Story” at the Majestic Theatre in Phoenix. Forgive the low volume audience participation gaps for the hearty appreciation for “Police Story” and its do-it-all actor, director, and co-writer. Come for the shared challenge and tirade and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!

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Cinephile Hissy Fits is a 25YL media podcast, brought to you by RuminationsRadioNetwork.com. Please visit, rate, review and subscribe. If you enjoyed this show, we have more where that came from, with interesting hosts, and wonderful guests. All available on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you find your favorite shows. Follow the show on Twitter at @CinephileFit and on Facebook. Also, find both Will Johnson and Don Shanahan on Letterboxd as the accumulate their viewings and build their ranks and lists.

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Banshees of Inisherin

Image courtesy of Cinema/Chicago

Poster courtesy of Cinema/Chicago

Special Presentation of the 58th Chicago International Film Festival

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN– 4 STARS

LESSON #1: YOUR TOLERANCE LEVEL FOR WATCHING MALE STUBBORNNESS– For better or worse, Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin is an unrelenting emotional tussle of stubbornness among men. Your tolerance level for such behavior will undoubtedly mix feelings and inform your experience. Some will relish in its afflicted dark humor while others will be ready to throw their hands up and beg for the clashing characters to get over themselves. No matter if you are engaged in the tailspin or irked by the whole ordeal, you will find plenty to be impressed with in this pitch black comedy and surefire awards darling.

The setting is a fictional remote island off the coast of Ireland. Filmed in the Aran Islands near Galway and Achill Island in County Mayo by Guardians of the Galaxy cinematographer Ben Davis (in his third collaboration with McDonagh), the expansive and unspoiled countryside is laced with stone fences holding livestock, family properties, and, more invisibly, isolated sadness. The explosions of the Irish Civil War can be heard from the nearby mainland while the locals go about their symbiotic communal business. The social nexus on the island is the J.J. Devine Public House where pints, conversations, and bullshit are poured nightly. 

For many years, two Inisherin friends, Colm Doherty and Pádraic Súilleabháin, played respectfully by McDonagh’s reunited In Bruges duo of Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, shared J.J. Devine’s tables and many of all three of those pours. That is until one day when Colm skips the usual get-together. Befuddled, Pádraic leaves the bar to seek out his absent friend. With outward silence and internalized thoughts, Colm doesn’t answer his door when Pádraic comes calling. 

LESSON #2: SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST ANSWER IS THE CORRECT ONE– Pádraic is completely flummoxed by Colm’s silent treatment as it begins to last longer than a day. When he asks his sister Siobhan (Better Call Saul’s Kerry Condon) why this could be happening, she quickly and easily answers, “Maybe he doesn’t like you anymore.” With splinters of Occam’s razor, sometimes the simplest answer is the one. Go ahead and ring the chapel bells because, sure enough, that’s the movie. The 100 odd minutes that follow flesh out the learning curve of full realization the dim and dull Pádraic cannot comprehend of this simple answer. Once again, welcome to male stubbornness.

LESSON #3: DOES A PERSON REALLY NEED A REASON FOR UPDATING THEIR CHOICES?-- Colm has put his foot down, speaking his gravel-voiced wishes of “sit somewhere else” and “leave me alone,” and now the big question floating in these breezes off the Atlantic in The Banshees of Inisherin is why. Is there a bigger reason than Siobhan’s theory or does it boil down to that very simplicity? Is there a larger undercurrent to make this course of action so severe? Does a man even need a reason? When Lesson #2 comes true and there isn’t, that’s where the movie falters a bit with stoking a grander impact and meaning.

In an odd way, this setup makes The Banshees of Inisherin essentially a break-up movie. To double-down, Colm declares harsh repercussions should Pádraic continue to re-engage their friendship, namely the severing of his own fingers by way of livestock shears. You can’t get much darker with warped dedication to prove a point than self-mutilation. With tragedy levels spiking to Grecian proportions, bluffs and dares turn into retributions and reprisals in short order. One more time, welcome to main stubbornness.

LESSON #4: EVOLVE YOUR CONVERSATION– To that end, there’s an encouraging streak inside the blackness of The Banshees of Inisherin of evolving one’s conversation norms. Surround yourself with better people and more interesting conversation topics. Change it up. Appreciate the shared time. Use it better than the same old chit-chat, small talk, and rants as you grow older. Make it richer. Make it meaningful. That’s more of what Colm wants and what Pádraic cannot provide.

A stupendous pair of actors are pitted against each other in McDonagh’s film to unleash scripted vexations and drop an infinite amount of accented profanity in all directions. Colin Farrell, already greatly growing as an actor since entering his forties, offers one of the best performances of his career. The commitment level he reaches for his character’s physical and mental unravelings is sight to see. The embarrassment, longingness, rancor, and anguish seethe from his every pore.

Stacked with layers of grimness as thick as his own frame, Brendan Gleeson is a dynamic foil to all of Farrell’s bluster, complete with an elegant fiddle talent for his character far more refined than inebriated rambling. Gleeson wears Colm’s exhaustion, distaste, and, ultimately, his resolve across the creases of his face and the curtness of his silence. As an audience, we wait with bated breath for returned warmth, which may never come, that could heal this grudge.

Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri) does not make that restorative trail easy, straight, or optimistic with his scripted narrative. Simple apologies aren’t going to do it. An arbitrator like Condon’s Siobhan or an affable icebreaker like Barry Koeghan’s twitchy village idiot Dominic Kearney (a bit of a tiresome act we’ve seen too often from the young actor) aren’t enough either. You know you’re stubborn when even the island’s dumbest individual questions your behavior. Like frost in a crack, the damage is destined to worsen no matter the salve.

At some point, the only feeling the tones and bells of Carter Burwell’s score can express is the same endless loneliness encapsulated by this island. Bleakness like that can trigger jealousy, sabotage, and spite so potent that men will take battles to the grave to feign integrity. In line with Lesson #1’s cardinal trait, niceness, in any of its shades, is hard to find in The Banshee of Inisherin, but there’s something uncommonly compelling about absorbing and weathering this march to calamity.

LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#1075)

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GUEST COLUMN: 4 Movies That Show Perseverance

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4 Movies That Show Perseverance

by Kevin Gardner

Have you been feeling a little lost in life lately? Are you faltering on your goals or simply feeling overwhelmed by all that you have on your plate? What you need is a movie marathon, but not just any movie marathon. Grab your pillows, blankets, and snacks, and hop onto the couch to watch these five movies that are all about perseverance. When you're done, you'll likely feel more inclined to continue working toward your own life goals, whatever they may be.

1. Rocky (1976)

If the goals that are overwhelming you happen to be about your fitness regimens or playing sports of some sort, you can't go wrong by starting your marathon with "Rocky." The 1976 film starring Sylvester Stallone shows viewers that persistence is key when it comes to overcoming challenges. The movie isn't just about a man's love of boxing but about how his daily life makes it difficult for him to reach his goals. The overall view of his life shows how working toward his goal of becoming a renowned boxer also helps him to reach other goals in his life and gain the confidence he needs to be happy. This is truly a story of a man who felt like a nobody and became somebody that everybody believed in. 

2. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Starring Will Smith, Jaden Smith, and Thandie Newton, "The Pursuit of Happyness" (2006) is a movie about what it's like to struggle in poverty while you're trying to take care of your family. Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a single father who has just been evicted from his apartment. With no place to go, he and his son (Jaden Smith) live in shelters and do what they can to get through the hardships that poverty brings with it. Eventually, Gardner gets a job at a prestigious brokerage firm, but since it's an internship, there's no pay. This movie shows how the pair stick together to overcome their problems when Chris refuses to give up on giving his child a better life.

3. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

A classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" was released in 1946 and explores how a person impacts the world even when he or she doesn't realize it. The story follows George Bailey (James Stewart) who says a prayer wishing that he'd never been born. When an angel answers his prayer by showing him how life is without him around, Bailey begins to see that he has a truly positive impact on the people that he loves in his life. If you've ever felt that nobody noticed your presence in this world, "It's a Wonderful Life" will help you to remember that your loved ones see value in you and would leave sadder lives if you weren't around. 

4. Erin Brockovich (2000)

Starring Julia Roberts as the title character, "Erin Brockovich" was released in 2000 and is based on a true story. When Erin is in a car accident that was through no fault of her own, she asks her attorney, Ed Masry (played by Albert Finney) to let her work at his law firm to earn the money she needs for expenses. While she's working, she comes across some unscrupulous files. Upon finding them, she convinces her boss to help her investigate the situation, which leads to the discovery of a major cover-up. Together, the two work to take down the offender, a company that was contaminating a local community's water and causing its residents to suffer serious and often deadly illnesses. This movie shows what it's like to truly persevere when you know what is morally right and need to get other people on your side. 

From overcoming health obstacles to learning how you impact the world, there is no doubt that a movie marathon of some of these true inspirations will leave you feeling happier and more ready to take on your own life when the credits start rolling. 

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Aisha ★★★★

Director: Frank Berry Cast: Letitia Wright, Josh O’Connor Release: 17th November 2022 (UK) Letitia Wright gives a sensitive, layered performance as the titular Aisha, a young Nigerian woman fleeing violence and trying to navigate life within Ireland’s controversial Direct Provision system. Written and directed by Frank Berry, Aisha delivers a tender yet blistering insight into the reality of […]

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The Legend of Maula Jatt ★★★★

Director: Bilal Lashari Cast: Shafqat Cheema, Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Ali Azmat, Faris Shafi, Gohar Rasheed, Humaima Malik, Hamza Ali Abbasi Release: October 13 2022 (UK) I once came across two employees of a big supermarket excitedly chatting about film they had seen the night before. It was a subtitled film, and each said they had […]

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Raymond & Ray ★★★

Director: Rodrigo Garcia Cast: Ewan McGregor, Ethan Hawke, Sophie Okonedo, Maribel Verdú Released: 28th October 2022 (Apple TV +) Ewan McGregor and Ethan Hawke have led eclectic careers over the past four decades, straddling blockbusters and Arthouse Cinema and Television. The pair, both 51, have wanted to work together for several years and finally get […]

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A Comprehensive Guide on Taking Better Care of Mental Health As an Entrepreneur

Mental health is one of life's most important but often overlooked aspects. For entrepreneurs, it is especially crucial to maintain good mental health habits, as the stress of owning and running a business can be overwhelming at times. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss some tips and tricks for taking better care of your mental health as an entrepreneur. We will cover everything from self-care to therapy and everything in between! So whether you are just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey or you have been in business for years, read on for helpful advice on how to take care of yourself both mentally and emotionally.

Photo by Anete Lusina: 

Get enough sleep:

This may seem obvious, but it is worth repeating nonetheless. Getting enough rest is crucial for both your physical and mental health, so make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. If you find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, you can do several things to improve your sleep habits. For example, try avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and evening, establish a regular bedtime routine, and create a relaxing environment in your bedroom (think: low lighting and comfortable bedding).

Eat healthily and exercise:

Just as with getting enough sleep, eating right and staying active are important for both your physical and mental health. Eating nutritious meals helps to improve energy levels and mood, while exercise releases endorphins that have mood-boosting effects. It is also important to note that entrepreneurism can often lead to unhealthy habits like skipping meals and neglecting to exercise, so be sure to make time for both healthy eating and physical activity even when you are busy running your business.

Take breaks:

It is important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it feels like there is always more work to be done. Step away from your computer screen or put down your work phone for a few minutes each hour, and take some time to stretch, walk around, or just relax. Breaks will help improve your focus and productivity and give you a much-needed mental break from work. Breaks will also help you avoid burnout, which is a real danger for entrepreneurs.

Connect with others:

One of the most important things you can do for your mental health is to connect with others, whether they are friends, family, or colleagues. These relationships provide social support, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood. Make time for meaningful conversations, go out on dates or to social events, and reach out to your loved ones when you need a shoulder to cry on. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey at times, so don’t forget to nurture your relationships.

Use natural products to reduce stress:

There are a number of natural products that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. For example, lavender oil has calming effects when used in aromatherapy, while chamomile tea is known for its ability to aid in sleep. Herbal supplements like ashwagandha and lemon balm, or even Delta 8 Gummies have also been shown to decrease anxiety and improve mood. If you are feeling particularly stressed, try incorporating some of these natural remedies into your routine. Don't forget to take some "me time" for yourself, whether it is reading your favorite book, taking a long bath, or listening to relaxing music. Taking even just 15-20 minutes out of your day to do something you enjoy can make a world of difference in your stress levels.

Seek professional help:

If you find that your stress levels are consistently high or you are struggling to cope with your mental health, it may be time to seek professional help. There is no shame in seeking help from a therapist or counselor, and in fact, it can be incredibly helpful. A therapist can provide you with tools and strategies for dealing with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. If you don’t feel comfortable seeing a therapist in person, there are also a number of online counseling services that can be accessed from the comfort of your own home.

Take care of your physical health:

It is important to remember that physical and mental health are interconnected. When you are physically healthy, it can help improve your mental state and vice versa. Be sure to see your doctor for regular check-ups, get enough exercise, eat a balanced diet, and avoid harmful substances like tobacco and excessive alcohol. Taking care of your physical health is an important part of taking care of your mental health. Also, don't forget to get enough sleep! Sleep is crucial for both physical and mental health, so be sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Practice self-compassion:

One of the most important things you can do for your mental health is to be kind to yourself. Entrepreneurship is a demanding and challenging journey, so it is important to cut yourself some slack from time to time. Give yourself permission to make mistakes, and don’t beat yourself up when things don’t go as planned. Be patient with yourself, and remember that even the most successful entrepreneurs have had their share of failures. When you are feeling down, try practicing self-compassion by speaking to yourself in a kind and gentle way.

Use meditation and breathing exercises:

Meditation and breathing exercises are great ways to reduce stress and promote relaxation. There are a number of apps and websites that offer guided meditation, or you can try practicing on your own. If you are new to meditation, start with just a few minutes each day and gradually increase the amount of time you meditate each day. Breathing exercises can also be helpful in reducing stress. Try inhaling for four counts and exhaling for eight counts. Repeat this pattern for several minutes or until you feel yourself starting to relax.

It is important to remember that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Entrepreneurship can be a demanding and stressful journey, so it is important to make sure you are taking care of your mental health. By following the tips above, you can set yourself up for success both mentally and physically.

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Class

THE CLASS– 3 STARS

LESSON #1: EVERYONE’S GOT ISSUES– A semi-rude thing to say to someone sharing their feelings would be “everyone’s got issues.” Way to dismiss the person at-hand pouring their heart out just to get a selfish word in. Yes, others have their difficulties, but when someone has the floor and the courage to speak, they should have one’s full attention.

That courtesy of active listening is lost on the fictional Olympia High School students collected for a special and punitive session of Saturday school during the first half of The Class. Honest admissions are met with verbal digs and seemingly every variation of eye-rolling and scoffing body language in the book. Each has their reasons for being there, and addressing those are a bit of the entry fee into completing the task at hand given to them by their drama teacher Ms. Long, played by entertainer Debbie Gibson. 

During this early portion of The Class, it is easy to find many unlikable character traits among the assembled rainbow of teen stereotypes as they bitch and complain about their ruined weekend. True to form, you’ve got your skater/surfer type Jason (Charlie Gillespie of Julie and the Phantoms), alpha male jock Max (rising TV actor Colin McCalla), the flamboyant dresser Casey (Lyric Ross of This is Us), the observant middle-caste Allie (newcomer Juliette Celozzi), the unassuming good girl Jesse (Cobra Kai’s Hannah Kepple), and the closet alchie Michael (the debuting Michael Sebastian) making violent threats. The gang’s all here (filmed on the campus of Elmhurst University), and they could match less if they tried. 

Ms. Long has tasked them to script out a unique stage character that may or may not be based on themselves. When that’s complete, they will work with an assigned partner to craft a dialogue. Even before getting to work and without missing a beat, the disruptive and competitive put-downs fill the air, led by the bickering Jason and Max. 

Not to sound like the red-assed administrator Mr. Faulk, played not-so-coincidentally by one Anthony Michael Hall, governing this gathering, but nothing is going to get solved with that kind of dismissive attitude. Something has to change. Behavior needs to shift. It starts with being heard. That acknowledgement begins with Ms. Long. Quite unlike Mr. Faulk, she is an adult willing to listen, clean up the trash talk, and create a safe space– all of which offers a nice performance opportunity for Debbie Gibson.

LESSON #2: NO, REALLY, EVERYONE’S GOT ISSUES– Society loves to discount the boundless conveniences the teens of today have compared to previous generations raised on far fewer luxuries. However, the magnification of communication reach has only fanned the flames of medial . According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 49.5% of adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Folks, the prevalence is real. It is delicate and found in this very classroom. 

LESSON #3: TELLING THE TRUTH IS HARD– Along the way in The Class, changes of attitude percolate and courage grows. Twists emerge of what are the real troubles and who they belong to among the presented student ensemble. In these moments, the actors (particularly the more experienced of the bunch including Gillespie, McCalla, and Kepple) get their organized and built-up moments to shine and, sure enough, some of those revelations may surprise you.

The hitches of The Class are execution and concentration. In regards to the former, as is so often the case lately in teen movies and television shows, the chosen cast is composed of talents in their mid-20s who are unconvincing as teens in both looks and behavior. Their confrontations with authority (mostly against the checked-out Anthony Michael Hall), often laced with unchecked profanity, would never fly in a real school situation such as this.

The actors overplay their assigned flaws and dial their quirks to 12 when a nice medium 5 would do. By not reining those tendencies in, the drama becomes overly frantic because every bombshell feels like it’s playing unnecessary explosive one-upmanship with the one that came before it. Even less likely is the convenience that one soul-baring afternoon stuck in school is all the storytelling and life-altering triage it would take to make everything hunky-dory. 

To credit to the premise written and directed by former actor Nicholas Celozzi (The Legitimate Wiseguy), The Class extends pertinent issues and bold talking points. Any of them, on paper, could be found in a cross-section of teens today, making for a relatable dramatic experience for an open-hearted audience of fellow students (and even teachers). However, there’s a limit reached in The Class where even the issues have their issues. Nevertheless, the effort is commendable.

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Plans for the Holiday Break That Even Parents Will Love!

The midterm break has arrived once more, which can only mean one thing: children who are bored and parents who are going to lose their heads. You're probably already starting to miss the convenience of not having to wake up and do the morning school run, and you're counting down the hours until you can relax once more. Sounds recognizable? You are not the only one in this predicament, and there are a lot of things both you and the children could be doing together that would not only help you maintain your sanity but also provide you the opportunity to bond with your loved ones and have some fun. Check out these fun half-term activities that both Mommy and Daddy will love!

Enjoy a day of movies

Nothing is more tempting than the idea of being in pajamas for the day, and not needing to go out to the movie theatre. So why not go shopping the day before to stock up on some snacks and inexpensive DVDs for a family movie day? Spend the day under the comfort of your duvets in the living room while sipping on your favorite beverages and watching some movies suitable for the whole family. Additionally, it will allow your family to sit together and laugh!

Visit some places

Why not take advantage of living in a beautiful location of the world if you're fortunate enough to have the opportunity? Distribute disposable cameras to the kids and have them document the places they enjoy most in your town. Put on your hiking boots and enjoy some fresh air with your family. Finding a lovely location and hiring a photographer to get a family portrait of you all for the albums is another option.

Camp out

It might be difficult to schedule a trip away at this late hour, however when it comes to camping, you can simply pack the car full of people and pick a campsite for a weekend away with the family that is simple, inexpensive, and hassle-free! The great outdoors can be introduced to children through camping, and they can spend a few nights in such close proximity to nature. Additionally, it will allow you everyone to have a break from watching Netflix and spend time socializing!

Swimming

Swimming is the one activity that all infants, kids, teenagers, and adults enjoy. Nothing compares to plunging into a giant pool and letting the current carry you away. It's yet another ability that would be very beneficial (and enjoyable) to have in life. Take the kids to the pool, where you can all have a good time watching them develop their swimming skills, make new friends, and have a blast!

Bake cookies

Although it is among the more overused suggestions on the list, going to the movies is still a great activity for the whole family. In addition to that, who doesn't enjoy some cookies? Gather all of the necessary components, and then hand the reins of the kitchen on to your offspring. In addition to that, this will present some excellent photo possibilities that are fit for Instagram.

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Vices of Hollywood stars

Vices and Quirks of Hollywood Stars

Being a star does not have to be an easy job, but it certainly leaves room for much freedom. However, becoming world-famous and having bank accounts with many zeroes leaves little leeway regarding choices. Not only when it comes to one's daily lifestyle- which is undoubtedly not characterized by saving- but also in everything related to vices and entertainment. Indeed, everyone would love to take their private jet and fly to some Caribbean resort overnight; unfortunately, few can afford this luxury.

Sometimes, however, the amusements of Hollywood stars are not necessarily so different from those we "ordinary mortals" have. Just think of the passion for the green table: Beyoncé, Ben Affleck (who has also played gambling-related characters in a few movies, some of them not too successful, such as Runner Runner), and Matt Damon are just some of the most famous names who like to have fun at cards or spinning the reels of slots. 

They play not only at the famous physical casinos in Las Vegas or any other city in vogue but also online casinos. As a result, the casinos and betting site reviews where they play increase by leaps and bounds because they are sites used by even the most famous stars in Hollywood.

In addition to the vices of the stars, it must be said that even ordinary mortals have long since started using online casino platforms, increasing their popularity yearly. 

The more users there are the more competition increases. This means that online casinos now need to offer excellent benefits to receive the best reviews on the web to get new users.

In addition to gambling, however, several can be the entertainment of those who are accustomed to walking the red carpet. These are not always passions with a character of negativity: more often than not, extravagance is the muse. Storing one's designer handbags in the refrigerator to keep them from spoiling is a unique practice, considering that perhaps the food-bag pairing is not the most immediate one that comes to mind. But if it's the wealthy heiress Paris Hilton doing it, well, we can breathe a sigh of relief: if we haven't done the same with our bags so far, perhaps we haven't caused irreparable damage to our beloved accessories.

The most extravagant red carpet habits

VIP extravagances

We all have our habits, which sometimes fall perfectly within the norm, and other times can be considered quite bizarre. But when a Hollywood star has singular behaviors, everything is looked at with greater interest. And perhaps, even with a hint of envy! So here are a few examples that you can effectively reintroduce to the person who will call a habit of yours "strange."

1) Kim Kardashian hates taking the lid off Starbucks coffee cups, so she hired someone to do it for her. The sound of the lid gives her the same sensation as fingernails scratching a chalkboard-a more than a supportable reason to pay someone to take the trouble to do it.

2) Having a dream bathtub for relaxing bathing is everyone's wish. Mike Tyson, however, took it very seriously, spending more than $2 million on a 24k gold tub. Well, we can (only) imagine what it feels like to take a bath in gold.

3) Kate Perry is a singer known for her eccentric personality. But she is also a very generous girlfriend since for her (now former) partner's birthday, she spent $200,000 on a travel ticket. Destination? Space! The means of transportation is - of course - a spaceship.

4) We all remained a bit of a child inside, and the idea of being covered in candy still makes us smile. Mariah Carey wanted to make the concept a reality: she and her husband set up a room for their two children covered in candy of all types, shapes, and sizes. She will probably have also set up a dental office in the next room, but it is not known yet!

Conclusion 

Sometimes we forget that stars are just as human as we mere mortals. However, usually, the vices that a Hollywood star may have been quite different from ours. 

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How to Help Your Child Tap Into and Develop Their Creative Side

Do you remember the last time you were really creative? Maybe it was when you were coming up with a new recipe, painting a picture, or coming up with a new business idea. But, unfortunately, for many of you, your creative side is something that you only access every now and then. But what if your child could tap into their creative side more often? What if they could use their creativity to solve problems, come up with new ideas, and express themselves more freely? This blog post will discuss how you can help your child tap into and develop their creative side.

Via Pexels

1) Encourage Them to Be Curious:

One of the best ways to help your child tap into their creative side is to encourage them to be curious. Curiosity is the root of all creativity. When we're curious about something, we're more likely to come up with new ideas and solutions. So, encourage your child to ask questions, explore new things, and experiment. The more curious they are, the more creative they'll become.

2) Help Them Find Their Passion:

Another way to help your child develop their creative side is to help them find their passion. What are they interested in? What do they love to do? When children are passionate about something, they're more likely to be creative in that area. So, please help your child find their passion and encourage them to pursue it.

3) Encourage Them to Take Risks:

One of the best ways to foster creativity is to encourage your child to take risks. We're less likely to be creative when we're afraid of failure. But when we're willing to take risks, we open ourselves up to new possibilities. So, encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. They might surprise themselves with what they're capable of.

4) Help Them See the World Differently:

Another way to help your child develop their creative side is to help them or see the world differently. One of the best ways to do this is to expose them to different cultures and viewpoints. The more experiences they have, the more likely they are to see the world in new and different ways. So, take your child on trips, show them new things, and help them experience as much as possible.

5) Encourage Them to Be Persistent:

Finally, encourage your child to be persistent. Creativity often requires trial and error. We have to try different things and see what works. And sometimes, it can take a while to find the right solution. So, it's important to encourage your child to stick with it and keep trying. The more persistent they are, the more likely they are to find creative solutions.

6) Motivate Them to Start a Hobby:

Children can explore their creative side in a fun and safe environment when they have a hobby. So, if your child is struggling to be creative, one of the best things you can do is help them find a hobby. It doesn't matter what they're interested in; it could be from puzzles, painting, reading encyclopedias, for instance, about the different lightsaber color meanings, or perhaps even gardening with you. Just find something that they enjoy and encourage them to pursue it.

7) Help Them Find Their Voice:

One of the best ways to help your child develop their creative side is to help them or find their voice. What are they passionate about? What do they believe in? When children are clear about who they are and what they believe in, they're more likely to be creative. So, encourage your child to express themselves and share their unique perspective with the world.

In conclusion, there are many ways you can help your child tap into and develop their creative side. The key is to encourage them to be curious, take risks, and be persistent. Next, help them find their passion and give them the opportunity to express themselves. And finally, help them see the world differently. Doing these things will help your child develop their creative side and set them up for success in life.

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Inside Seth MacFarlane’s Movie Career: What’s Next?

Even if you’ve never heard of Seth MacFarlane, there’s a strong chance that you already know his face or his voice from somewhere. The comic provides the voice for many of the characters in Family Guy and American Dad!, and stars in The Orville sci-fi series as Captain Ed Mercer. MacFarlane is also known for […]

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MOVIE REVIEW: Ticket to Paradise

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

TICKET TO PARADISE– 3 STARS

In a recent interview with Zack Sharf for Variety, Julia Roberts, one-half of the Oscar-winning top billing of Trouble in Paradise alongside George Clooney, had this to say about the hey-day of romantic comedies:

“I think we didn’t appreciate the bumper crop of romantic comedies that we had then. You don’t see all the effort and puppet strings because it’s fun and sweet and people are laughing and kissing and being mischievous. This is a genre that I love to participate in and watch, and I think they are hard to get right. There is a really simple math to it, but how do you make it special? How do you keep people interested when you can kind of predict what is coming?”

LESSON #1: THEY DON’T MAKE ‘EM LIKE THEY USED TO– Two notions stand out from those Variety quotes. First, she’s completely right. The multiplex movie scene has long missed, and has not come close to matching, the 1990s peak of the genre from decades ago. In classic “they don’t make ‘em like they used to” fashion, the majority of romantic comedies from the last twenty years have either evolved into dramedies (think something like The Big Sick) that reduced the signature hamminess or devolved into cookie-cutter Netflix streamers or, worse, the ever-churning syrup of Hallmark Channel movies.

LESSON #2: MAKE IT SPECIAL AND KEEP IT INTERESTING– Romantic comedy offerings can do better and be better, which highlights the second emphatic idea from Julia’s quotes. She asks the exact two questions of simple movie math that make or break a good romantic comedy. Ticket to Paradise does not need any calculators, extra algorithms, tutors, or cheat sheets to get their math right. That’s because it’s light arithmetic and not trigonometry, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

David and Georgia Cotton (Clooney and Roberts) are two ultra-successful divorcees who avoid each other at all costs. The pettiness between the two of them towards each other, even when the other is not present, is off the charts. We meet the two characters telling co-workers polar opposite versions of how they met, married, and imploded. Hearing her insistent curtness and his pessimistic sarcasm swirls like oil and water and brings out the first chuckles of plenty to come. 

Seemingly, David and Georgia’s one shared and sustained success is their law school graduate daughter Lily, played by Kaitlyn Dever (currently starring in Rosaline). Her commencement event reunites the quarreling cockatoos. Afterwards, they see her and her partying bestie Wren (Dever’s Booksmart costar Billie Lourd) off to a summer vacation to Bali before entering the adult phase of career and personal independence. For the two parents, the hardest part of their work is done and they likely won’t have to share a setting again until their girl gets married someday.

As fate would have it, that next joyous occasion arrives sooner than they could have ever imagined. Within the short months away, Lily has accepted a marriage proposal from Gede (Maxime Bouttier of Meet Me After Sunset), a local handsome, earnest, and successful seaweed farmer. Very much feeling the old burn scars of their own marital disaster, David and Georgia fear the worst and travel to Bali together with a hellbent united front to sabotage the nuptials. Naturally, hijinks ensue and the requisite predictability challenge grows. 

LESSON #3: LET YOUR ADULT CHILDREN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS– There’s a great line of self-admission later in Ticket to Paradise that says, “A parent will do anything for their kids except let them be themselves.” You have two trajectory-driven parents here that raised a successful and intelligent daughter, yet fail to be supportive of letting her figure out the unknown potential for happiness or mistakes. It’s a very real parental knock, and this cautionary chestnut of trust is wisely as dramatic as the movie gets. We have Lily and Gede’s mature resolve portrayed confidently by Dever and Bouttier opposing the big stars to thank for that bit of weight.

LESSON #4: GO AHEAD AND CALL A TRAVEL AGENT– It does not take long for Ticket to Paradise to become a travelogue for the culture and decadent dalliances possible on the Indonesian island province. With every sunrise, sunset, and establishing shot that floats over a beach with swooping beauty, the film can be a wallet-emptying advertisement all its own that magic and peace (as well as par-for-the-course rom-com privileged finery and entitled conveniences) are automatic in this place. Kudos to first-time location manager Joseph J.U. Taylor and Judy cinematographer Ole Bratt Birkeland for making Bali look like a million bucks. Go ahead and start your Airbnb and TripAdvisor searches. 

Director Ol Parker (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) and his debuting screenplay partner Daniel Pipski knew to step back and let the veterans work. Roberts and Clooney are two former students of the romantic comedy game who have aged like fine wine to become masters of their craft. A sharp viewer will notice, remember, and be impressed by the measured subtleties coming from the physical sides of their boundless screen presences. George and Julia are experts at emoting charm and wit without words, and that includes Clooney’s dancing dad face which ranks uglier than any Star Wars blaster face this side of Tatooine. Alas, every adjustment of posture, wince of composure, and physical tick coming from George and Julia tell more about character than their provided lines. 

It’s a pleasure to watch the reunited Ocean’s series co-stars work together again. Admittedly, the two screen legends are more fun when they are at each other’s throats early on in Ticket to Paradise than later when they are cuddled closer together by rekindled circumstances. You root for the competitive one-upmanship more than the softening comeuppance their characters have coming. For a while, there is a sizzling and infectious comedic burn to their verbal clashes and invasions of personal space that wanes with time. Who knew getting nicer would sap a little of the enjoyment?

On a few levels, it’s reductive to call Ticket to Paradise a “throwback.” The movie couldn’t be more modern with its trappings and attitude. It’s also too soon to label it a “resurrection” or “resurgence” for the whole romantic comedy genre. Time will tell whether loyal audiences return to tally enough profits that turn a studio exec’s head to make more. Instead, take Ticket to Paradise for what it is in the here-and-now as a welcome new addition to the resumes of two cherished audience favorites. Better yet, match the movie’s repeated dare between the former spouses of “Why save the good stuff for later?” Get that date night now and go.

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Bolton International Film Festival – An eclectic triumph of short-form filmmaking

Since its inception in 2017, Bolton Film Festival has gone from strength to strength. The BAFTA and BIFA qualifying festival is heading into its sixth year. It’s consistently voted one of the best film festivals on FilmFreeway, and it’s clear to see why. There’s a whole team of people, led by festival director Adrian Barber, […]

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How to Enable Screen Recording on iPhone

Screen recording on the iPhone has always been a bit of a pain. You have to open up the camera app, find the screen you want to record, and hit the record button. With the new iPhone update, that process has gotten a bit easier. You can now enable screen recording without having to open up the camera app at all.

Screen Recording

Screen recording, also known as video capture or software recording, is the process of capturing a continuous stream of video footage from a computer screen. The footage can then be saved for later viewing or use in creating digital media. Screen recording can be done with special software or devices, or by using the built-in features of most modern browsers.

Why We Record Phone Screen?

As technology advances, more and more people are using their cell phones as their primary form of communication. This trend has led to increased use of phones for various purposes, including as a means of recording phone screens. The purpose of this paper is to explore the rationale behind this practice, which has been growing in popularity among users.

There are several reasons why users might want to record phone screens. Some people may want to keep a transcript or video of a conversation for future reference. Others may want to document a specific event or encounter for future recollection. Still, others may simply find it helpful to review past conversations or exchanges in order to better understand them.

By providing transcripts and videos of conversations, users can easily access the information they need when needed most. If you are looking for software that let you record important information on the screen in high-quality, you can try a one-time purchase of Snagit. Whatever the reason, it is clear that recording phone screens are gaining popularity among users due to their many benefits.

Enabling Screen Recording On iPhone

If you are looking to be able to easily capture your screen activities on your iPhone, then you will want to enable screen recording. This is a great way to create videos or recordings of your phone's screen while you are using it. Here are the steps on how to enable screen recording on your iPhone:

• First, open the Settings app on your iPhone and navigate to the General section.

• Under the Screen Recording section, you will find a switch that will allow you to turn this feature on or off.

• When screen recording is enabled, a red dot will appear in the lower-left corner of the display.

• To start capturing footage, just press and hold down on the Home button until the red dot turns green.

• You can then release the Home button and continue recording.

Should I Use External Screen Recording Software On iPhone?

Yes, external software for screen recording on iPhone can provide a number of benefits over using the native iOS video recording features. External software is typically more user-friendly and provides additional features, such as the ability to export recordings in different formats. Additionally, external software may offer a higher quality output than native iOS video recording, making it preferable for certain purposes.

Which Software is Best For Screen Recording on iPhone?

Screen recording softwares for iPhone have become quite popular in recent years. They are extremely useful for capturing video or audio of what is happening on your iPhone screen, without having to use the camera app. Here are some screen recording apps for iPhone:

• Screen Recorder Plus by Appcelerator is the most popular screen recorder for iPhone. It is very easy to use and has a wide range of features, including support for audio recordings and video exports in a variety of formats, including MP4, H.264, AVI, MOV, and FLV.

• Snagit is a versatile screen recording tool that can be used on both Mac and PC. It has a simple user interface and supports a variety of file formats, including MP4 and AVI. Snagit is well-suited for video editing, so you will need a Snagit promo code if you want to get this app for its premium recording and editing benefits.

• Camtasia Studio is a popular choice for intermediate to advanced users because of its wide range of features for screen recording. It's also relatively affordable and offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to editing videos. You can add music, effects, and titles to your videos easily, making them look professional in no time.

How To Enable Screen Recording With External App On iPhone?

Third-party apps can be helpful for capturing moments or ideas, but they can also be a time-consuming inconvenience. Fortunately, there are ways to enable screen recording on these apps without having to use the built-in features. 

To start screen recording on a third-party app:

1) Open the app and locate the menu bar at the top of the screen.

2) Scroll down to “Screen Recording” and select it.

3) Click on “Start Screen Recording” to begin recording.

4) When finished, click on “Stop Screen Recording” to end the recording.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a few ways to enable screen recording on an iPhone. The best way to find out is to try different methods and see which one works best for you. One way to do this is to go to the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down until you find the “Screen Recording” option. After enabling screen recording, you can use any recorder app that is compatible with your device to start capturing your screen.

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Blue Jean ★★★★★

Director: Georgia Oakley Cast: Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes, Lucy Halliday Release: February 10, 2023 (UK) The infuriating reluctance to outright ban conversion therapy, with the broken promises stacking up, vicious attacks squarely aimed at transgender men and women, propped up by an acid-tongued right-wing press majority. These immediate battles are not considered strangers to the older […]

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Inland ★★★

Director: Fridtjof Ryde Cast: Rory Alexander, Mark Rylance, Kathryn Hunter, Shaun Dingwall Released: BFI London Film Festival 2022 22-year-old Fridtjof Ryder makes his debut with the meditative, unorthodox Inland, the tale of a troubled young man who returns to his hometown in the wake of his mother’s disappearance. The film, called initially Black Twist, has […]

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MOVIE REVIEW: Till

Image courtesy of Orion Pictures

TILL– 4 STARS

LESSON #1: A MOTHER’S WORRY– Till is a heartbreaking and meaningful film presented almost entirely through a mother’s point of view. Any mother of any background will tell you that one of, if not, the most ever-present emotions is worry. Debilitating considerations and worst case scenarios often percolate and betray otherwise happy thoughts and sweet moments. All too often, it’s a mental gear that cannot easily be turned off. One of those flustering pauses begins the film and an agonizing tone for Till is set right away.

In the opening scene, Mamie Till (Danielle Deadwyler of The Harder They Fall) and her teenage son Emmett (newcomer Jalyn Hill) are singing along to a ballad on the radio while driving through Chicago. The song is the lovely “Sincerely” by The Moonglows and its sweet lyrics warm the storge love between them. Without warning, the moment of casual bliss is broken by a sharp, short sensation of worry imagined by the mother. We don’t see what she’s thinking, but the sound design warps the song and the camera loosens to show Mamie’ composure broken ever so slightly as they reach their destination.

Very soon, we learn the roots of her worry. Begun as an encouraging suggestion from her mother Alma (Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg) and supported by her significant other Gene Mobley (Save the Last Dance’s ageless Sean Patrick Thomas), Emmett will soon be making a trip to stay a few weeks with extended family in Money, Mississippi. The slightly more tolerant urban Midwest is all the bright boy and stutterer knows. 

LESSON #2: BE SMALL WHEN NECESSARY– As Mamie laments, Emmett has never known true fear. With a stern eye, she repeatedly implores to her son before this trip to understand the different rules he will enter when it comes to the deep American South of 1955. She distills her warnings down the unifying direction of “be small.” She knows getting noticed brings trouble, especially to a boy like Emmett who is gregarious to a fault.

As unfolded history in Till will show us, Emmett would not survive to see his mother or his Chicago home again. After a cross incident with a married white shopkeeper named Carolyn Bryant (Haley Bennet of The Girl on the Train), Emmett Till was kidnapped from his uncle Mose’s (TV veteran John Douglas Thompson) home in the middle of the night. He was tortured, mutilated, lynched, and dumped into the Tallahatchie River. 

Thanks in part to the involvement of the NAACP, Emmett’s death was given national attention. The burning fuse of fear and prayer that encompassed Till has exploded into a spectacle born from tabloid death. The multi-layered support of the NAACP–embodied in the film by Spike Lee good luck charm Roger Guenveur Smith as Dr. T. R. M. Howard, Doctor Who’s Tosin Cole as Medgar Evers, and Kevin Carroll of Let the Right One In as Rayfield Mooty–was the right push under the wrong circumstances as a general public of ostriches with their heads in the sand needed the prodded shock while those emerging political leaders of the Black community sought to make lynching a federal crime.

LESSON #3: MAKE PEOPLE SEE– Through it all, Mamie Till was uncomfortably front and center as the grieving mother. Flashbulbs popped as she wailed and clutched the box containing her son’s body being offloaded from a train back in Chicago. The appalling and gut-wrenching imagery would multiply when Mamie insisted on an open-casket funeral and allowed a Jet magazine photographer to publish photos of her son’s mangled face for all to see. It shouldn’t take the horrific, scarred truth to change public sentiment, but it surely works like a sledgehammer to heart. The power of photographs from journalists has changed the attitude and course of history time and again. This, soberingly and in an excruciating fashion, was one of those moments.  

LESSON #4: A MOTHER’S POWER– There’s a tectonic shift of strength orchestrated by Clemency director Chinonye Chukwu at Mamie’s lowest moment when she is viewing her son’s body in the morgue. She has asked to be alone and her breath-stealing tears begin to subside. Mamie longingly looks over the contours of her son’s body. True to the maternal bond between mother and son, the woman knows every inch, every curve, and every blemish, even in this disfigured state. The poignant musical score, easily one of the year’s best, from Abel Korzeniowski (Nocturnal Animals) rises when she does. With a line not long later from Deadwyler of “You’re not just my boy anymore,” a new resolve has been forged, and Till shifts to display the arduous quest for justice that followed.

Till is a mother’s story through and through and rarely ever leaves the lead actress’s pendulum of steadiness and trembles. Cinematographer Bobby Bukowski (Arlington Road) stays on Danielle Deadwyler like a microscope. You are wholly absorbed by her eyes and the poise that she uses to compose Mamie Till’s hardships, memories, unbroken faith, and brave will. Deadwyler is at her most powerful during scenes of stillness that maximize pause, absorption, and reflection. Chukwu, utilizing Ron Patane’s editing to the fullest, often arrives before interactions and stays a beat or two after to catch catalysts and ripples. 

Worthy of high appreciation from a cinematic storytelling standpoint, Chinonye Chukwu was adamant about not displaying physical pain meted out to Black characters in her film. Her assertion that too much has been shown and exploited before was a correct choice. The resulting mood is a remarkable dramatic effect, as a viewer’s imagination is guided enough by dialogue of testimony or, in what is always more affecting, their own imagination of fearing and picturing the worst. The mournful tears and shuddered thoughts come easily on their own, and more historical films of inhumane trauma should follow this film’s lead. The preeminent deliverer of those tears and thoughts is the tremendous Danielle Deadwyler.

LESSON #5: ACTION AND CHANGE HAVE TAKEN TOO LONG– As a final note, the topical history that echoes from this 67-year-old murder remains resonate and chilling to say the least. No one anywhere should die as Emmett did, especially a child. Black leaders knew the long game then in the 1950s, yet one must ask how far the country has progressed since the aftermath of Emmett Till. Point of fact, it took a century and over 200 attempted bills before 47th President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act in March 2022 designating lynching a federal hate crime. Folks, that is 67 years too long and 67 years too late, and we know it. Till is an empowering reminder that sufficient action and change are not over.

LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#1072)

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