Hour 21: A Film and Interactive Media Blog

  The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) “Quickly, it’ll be warmer in there.” “Mr. Scrooge I. Presume?” “A life can be made right.” -The Muppet Christmas Carol Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is almost synonymous with the better parts of our human nature. The tale of a wretch of a man who is visited on Christmas Eve by three spirits in the hopes to unearth his dormant humanity. Ebenezer Scrooge's journey from a miserable sinner to a siren of goodwill, may be as much a staple of the Christmas season as Jesus's Nativity, at least in the nonreligious sense of the season. A Christmas Carol represents humanity at its highest potential. This little novella achieves an aspirational view of the human condition without ever downplaying its hardship. In short, A Christmas Carol is humanity in almost perfect microcosm. That may be the reason for its longevity and its countless adaptations into other media. We will always need the aspirational humanity that A Christmas Carol provid...

  Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) “You're right. I guess the question is, do these stories convince us of a lie or do they resonate with something deep inside us that is profoundly true, that we can't express any other way, except for storytelling?” “Touché, Padre.” “ Father Jud that was… very good.” -Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Perception is perhaps the greatest barrier facing faith nowadays. Both in and out of The Church. Perception consistently holds us hostage, disavowing us the opportunity to experience Catholicism as it was, and is intended to be conveyed to the wider world. I certainly do not have all the answers in that regard, to be honest I don't think we will get all the answers on this side of eternity. What we can do however, is keep the conversation of faith going, always returning to the fact that Christianity was not started by a litany of rules or regulations. but by a man. A humble carpenter from Nazareth who was God incarnate....

  A Little Princess (1995) “It's all right Papa. I'm going to be fine.” “What are you doing? memorizing me by heart?” “No, I already know you by heart." -A Little Princess (1995) It may come as a surprise that the most eloquent of stories often present themselves in the most eccentric of ways. Children's stories especially offer us a unique vantage point into the art of storytelling. They grant us a pattern to follow. A script that allows their young audience to engage effectively in the message or lesson that is presented. However, for adults, these patterns are well worn and easily detected, frequently lessening the impact of the story for this older subset of narrative consumers. That is an issue. This narrative malaise from an older audience consistently robs these stories of the relevance they deserve. It strikes me at this moment, is there a way to engage both sets of this captive audience? Indeed there is, it's happened many times. Though, to steer u...

  Ken Burns's The American Revolution (2025) documentary series= “We the people.” -The United States Constitution “I wish the Constitution which is offered had been made more perfect. But I sincerely believe that it's the best that could be obtained at this time. And as a constitutional door is opened for amendment here after, the adoption of it is in my opinion desirable.” - George Washington “Our government daily acquires strength and stability. The union is complete. Nothing hinders are being a very happy and prosperous People. Provided we have wisdom rightly to estimate our blessings, and hearts to improve them.” - Abigail Adams There are certain moments in history that are emblazoned onto the popular consciousness. It is fascinating to me that these moments become so accepted as pivotal components of the human experience. They are monoliths that become untethered from time and obtain a mythical status. However, this untethering disallows these moments to maintain thei...

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024) “What is she wearing?” “She brought something from home. She said if she was going to do this she was going to look like the real Mary. They look like refugees.” “Yeah, they do.” -The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024) In all honesty, it's easy to take the holiday season for granted. From Thanksgiving to Christmas and New Year's. The holiday season is something we experience every single year, and we will continue to experience it for the rest of our lives. It strikes me that even during this time of the year, we often forget that the holidays are not about our feelings or even the feelings of those we love. In truth the holidays are about people and how they have affected our lives for the better. Even when those people are not as pristine or perfect as we may want them to be. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever beautifully encapsulates this idea, by reminding us that life is life; it's not a perfectly pristine painting or a stain...

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025) “Believing something does not make it true." “Choice is the seat of the soul. The one gift God granted us." “Understanding, in those eyes I saw pain and what is pain if not evidence of intelligence.” -Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (2025) We all know the tale, or at least we think we do. One man's attempt to become God creates a monster that ultimately becomes his downfall. Frankenstein is in some ways synonymous with Men's ambition reaching far beyond the grasp. Though is this story truly that concise in its quandaries or is there something more? Is Frankenstein's monster truly a "monster" or is he a creature searching for purpose and meaning? There is something remarkably poignant about Guillermo del Toro’s adaption of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It is a film, at its core, about creation. Though, unlike its many predecessors Del Toro's adaption of this Gothic classic is not about crea...

  Coda (2021) “So the goal is to find the elective that asks the least of you.” “Choir, are you high?” “Do you have something to say?” -Coda (2021) Sometimes our greatest fears stem from the fact that our normal may not be as normal as we think it is. Though, when it comes to it, we realize that the uniqueness of our normal is what makes it so worthwhile to others. Coda is a wonderful encapsulation of this idea. The idea that what separates us is ultimately what will connect us with the world, and grant us a perspective and voice that others don't have. As it seemingly always does, simplicity hides a depth here that is so inviting that it is almost missed on first watch. The story of Ruby Rossi, and the challenges of being the only hearing child in a family of deaf parents as well as a deaf sibling, Coda is a film that seeks to break down barriers. Even though those barriers are invisible to most, they are still glaringly obvious to a world that is not designed to accommoda...

  Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) “God be praised.” “Good idea O Lord. “ “Of course it's a good idea.” - Monty Python and the Holy Grail There is something uniquely special about being one of the most elaborate LARPing (Live-action role-playing) campaigns that you have ever seen, or will ever see for that matter. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a quintessential example of how to do comedy that respects itself as much as it respects the subject matter it’s lampooning. In every well-designed sketch throughout Holy Grail that comedy is an education, In both the comedic sense and the historical sense. That though may even be going too far. It may be taking Monty Python and the Holy Grail too seriously for its own good. That isn't to say that we shouldn't take comedies seriously. All I'm saying is, you do not need to take them seriously in order to gain their full measure of importance to the societal framework of filmic satire and popular zeitgeist at the ...

  F1 (20205) “We still have two cars on track.” “Then we have a team” “This has been 30 years in the making.” -F1 (20205) It's all in the name. All the power. All the speed, and dare I say, all the formula. To be sure, that is not a put down in any way. F1 is high-speed cinema at its most streamlined and well constructed. The story of Sonny Hayes trying to reclaim his former glory on the F1 racing circuit is a charm-filled reminder of the nuances of thrill. It may be a bit reductive, but a respectful awareness of itself is what makes this film thrive. F1 knows what it is and that is absolutely fantastic. Far too often we forget the simple joy of experiencing a movie in all its visual and auditory splendor. That isn't to say that F1 doesn't have a narrative heart, of course it does. Though that narrative rhythm is made all the more enjoyable when taken in as a completed whole. That whole in turn speaks for itself in the enjoyment of its engagement with the material...

  X-Men: Days of Future Past “Are we destined down this path? Destined to destroy ourselves like so many species before us? Or can we evolve fast enough to change ourselves, change our fate? Is the future truly set?” "I don't want your suffering. I don't want your future." “Please Charles. We need you to hope again.” -X-Men: Days of Future Past We are all broken in some way. Though, it is how we discover our wholeness that truly defines us, leading us down the path we know we should follow. It's remarkable how prescient the X-Men films are. Yet, their consistent relevance is not manufactured in any way. It is innate in their DNA. A mutation that has been there from the very beginning. X-Men Day is a Future Past is no different in this regard. The film is a prime pillar in a series brought to life by the very heart beat of human dignity and purpose. The X-Men franchise is often the most willing, in popular culture, to look back in order to look forward. To hope...

  True Grit (2010) “The wicked fee when none pursueth” -Proverbs 28:1 “I was just 14 years of age when a coward by the name of Tom Cheney shot my father down.” “He could have walked his horse, for not a soul in that city could be bothered to give chase… No doubt Cheney fancied himself scot-free but he was wrong. You must pay for everything in this world one way an’ another. There is nothing free except the grace of God.” -True Grit (2010) It is remarkable how much you forget as you grow old, as you begin to see the world in a different light. It seems as if we lose the ability to remember who we were and who we wanted to be. The story of Mattie Ross and a journey of revenge is a heart wrenching, yet beautifully exuberant immersion into pain and drive of loss. True Grit 2010 in essence, is childhood in microcosm with all its joys and sorrows intact. It is a tale of vengeance for sure, though that vengeance is as much a stand-in for the encroachment of adulthood, as it is a remin...

  James Cameron's Avatar: Countering the Ableism Narrative to Discover Who God Wants Us To Be “One life ends. Another begins.” “She says, all energy is only borrowed and one day you have to give it back.” “I see you” -James Cameron's Avatar James Cameron's Avatar is simplicity at its most mesmerizing. I've always wondered how Cameron's films manage to do what they do with so little. To be fair, "little" is not really the proper word here, economic would be near the mark. Avatar has such a streamlined approach to storytelling that I would guess the film comes across as simple to most. A simple story bolstered by a profound knowledge of technological and visual wonder. In short, all visuals and no substance. However, as I have mentioned in other places, simplicity does not indicate a lack of depth. This reality remains resolute with Avatar to a tremendous degree. The story of paralyzed Marine Cpl. Jake Sully and his coming to terms, quite literally...

  As Dusk Falls (2022) “The truth is there's still too much to forget." “I won't sleep much tonight, I never do. I'll try again tomorrow.” “We just cover up one mistake with the next one.” “Wherever you run your problems, run after you.” -As Dusk Falls Choice, when you think about it, choice is a remarkable thing. Even the smallest of decisions can lead to the most unforeseen circumstances. Circumstances that are by all estimates out of our control. That is a quintessential promise of interactive storytelling, choice. A driving barometer in the interactive media space is its willingness to give us the freedom to choose. To give us in a sense, the opportunity to decide an outcome or a person's fate without real world consequences. We want to be given the ability to experience someone else's life without the detriment of mental or physical anguish. Though perhaps with a bit of irony, it strikes me that video games are not really the proper avenue for choice ...

  Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World “My God, what can we do? He has us by the hip." “You forget yourself doctor." “"No Jack. No, you forgot yourself.” -Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World It never ceases to surprise, and perhaps that is the point, especially in this case. Even the simplest of stories has the capacity to hide a depth that outpaces the most rigorously detailed of explorations. Simplicity is indeed a marvel. So, the circle continues. The combining of simplicity and depth to create an eloquent dance that surpasses all expectations. In the case of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, the film is one of the finest cinematic examples of that particular narrative economy. Intermingled with a rich understanding of its historical setting, this film is a quintessential starting point for the concise power and nuance of the filmic image. In other words, Master and Commander is indeed a picture of multiple thousands of words....

  Triumph of the Heart “So help us God.” “Did your song save her? Did it!” “Maybe not from her pain, but maybe it shows her that she is not alone.” -Triumph of the Heart The greater the pain, the more profound the love. Taken at face value this sentiment often seems naive, if not downright flippant of the agonizing weight of sorrow. Mingle this mental agony with physical trauma and the above statement seems to be nothing more than air calling after the wind. This sentiment has no place in our reality, or does it? While it is true that pain is a difficult consequence of human experience, it does not mean it has no place in it. Perhaps that is the shining light of the Triumph of Heart. This film's ability to distill the meaning of suffering is rather impressive, and that's saying nothing of the impact of the film's central protagonist, Catholic priest Maximilian Kolbe. Triumph of the Heart chronicles the last two weeks of Kolbe's life as he takes the place of a m...

  Lilo & Stitch 2025: The Art of Conversation and the Love of Family “Now make up with your sister, yeah. If you need anything just ask okay. We're not just neighbors. You know, we're ohana." “People treat me differently.” “Aww baby, they just… they just don't know what to say?" “But you… didn't mean what you said, did you? ” “No, of course not, you're my sister and I'll always be here for you, got it.” -Lilo and Stitch, 2025 To be honest, it must be difficult to be a filmmaker, extraordinarily so, in today's popular climate of remakes and reimagining. This has to be exponentially more true when taking into account the legacy of an intellectual property or film studio. Where does one start in reimagining a classic, when from all angles you know in your heart of hearts it will turn out to be a fruitless endeavor. Mocked by fans of the original and chastised by newcomers as simple and uninspired. By all appearances you are trapped in the cy...

  The Walking Dead season 2 Episode 7: Pretty Much Dead Already “But the world out there isn't what you saw on TV, it is much, much worse and it changes you. Either into one of them or into something a lot less than the person you were.” . “Is this about you and the Asian boy?” “No… His name is Glenn. He saved my life yesterday, and one of the people you think are sick tried to kill me. How's that for dramatic? Things aren't what you think they are, they aren't.” -The Walking Dead season 2, Episode 7 There are moments that we will remember, and then there are moments, and then there are moments that we think we remember. Though that memory is usually tainted either by hindsight or the obscuring vision of rose tinted glasses. Then there are monoliths, moments in time run that become so synonymous with the concept of popular culture that we begin to misread its impact, as just The luck of the draw, rather than a turning point in the popular consciousness. That al...

  The Crucible (1996) “There is prodigious danger in seeking loose spirits. I fear it.” “I never dreamed any of this for you… I wanted you, was all.” "I have given you my soul. Leave me my name!" -The Crucible It's astounding how we so often justify our actions to assuage our guilt. We prefer to build a lie around our failures, rather than just take stock and accept the truth. The truth is, we all fail. There is no one on this earth, who hasn't, at one time or another fallen short of the person we know we can be. It is the everlasting struggle to accept the better angels of our nature, instead of granting fuel to the fire of our demons. The Crucible is a remarkable examination of those demons. Our ability to hide behind our failures is the flame that perpetuates The Crucible in all its probing of the frailty of human nature. This extraordinary chronicle of the Salem Witch Trials profoundly illustrates the perpetuating realities of scapegoating as a way to cov...

  Mafia: The Old Country “Be careful… Enzo.” “If everything burns along the way, what is the cost of that ambition?” “God forgive me…Get out if you can… Get out.” -Mafia: The Old Country To be honest, I never thought rosary beads would be this impactful in a video game. That was probably not what you were expecting, so let me start from the beginning. Mafia: The Old Country is the fourth game in a series chronicling the rise and fall of organized crime throughout history. The Mafia games are somewhat unique in the realm of open world game experiences as their worlds are mostly designed to emphasize the characters, themes and ideas of a linear narrative, rather than facilitate the freedom of player choice. Mafia: The Old Country wonderfully maintains this narrative approach, granting us a richly layered story brought to life in a densely populated world of beauty, power and greed. The journey of Enzo Favera from the depths of the sulfur mines of Sicily to the heights of the ...