<h1>Darrel Manson</h1>

Darrel Manson

Posts by Darrel Manson:

I, Tonya – Whose Truth?

I, Tonya – Whose Truth?

?I was loved for a minute, then I was hated.? Figure skating is all about elegance and grace. So when in 1994 the sport took on a violent aspect with an attack on a top skater before the Olympics, it became one of the early examples of TV tabloid journalism. I, Tonya...

Lady Bird – Discovering a Best Self

Lady Bird – Discovering a Best Self

?I wish I could live through something.? The senior year of high school, the cusp of adulthood, is the setting for Lady Bird, the coming-of-age comic drama from writer/director Greta Gerwig. Christine ?Lady Bird? McPherson (Saoirse Rowan) is at that point where she is...

Summer 1993 – A Child’s Loss of Innocence

Summer 1993 – A Child’s Loss of Innocence

As Summer 1993 opens, children are playing in the street. One of them looks at six-year-old Frida (Laia Artegas), and asks, ?Why aren?t you crying?? Is that part of the game or does Frida have reason to cry? As viewers we don?t yet know why she should cry, but when we...

Thelma – Spooky Self-Discovery

Thelma – Spooky Self-Discovery

Strange things happen in Thelma, the horror thriller from director Joachim Trier. Thelma (Eili Harboe), who has been raised by very protective, devoutly Christian parents, goes off to university. Her parents are fearful of what might happen. All seems to be going well...

Darkest Hour – The Birth of a Legend

Darkest Hour – The Birth of a Legend

?He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.? Winston Churchill is an icon. He is most certainly counted among the greatest (if not the greatest) statesmen of the twentieth century. His voice and inspiring speeches are well known. He led Britain when...

AFIFest Awards and Personal Faves

AFI Fest this year screened 137 films (93 features, 44 shorts) representing 53 countries. The program included 14 official Best Foreign Language Film Oscar??submissions. I managed to make it to 18 films (17 features) during my time at the festival. My top films for...

Thursday at AFIFest

The final day at AFI Fest gave me a chance to finish off with two more films before I made my way home to a more reasonable schedule and eating habits. Both films played before good sized crowds for a Thursday afternoon. Claire Denis?s Bright Sunshine In (aka Let the...

Monday at AFIFest

Before each screening at the festival there is a short promo for AFI which is celebrating its 50th year. It features its three purposes: to preserve film?s history, to honor those who have achieved high levels of artistry, and to educate. The promo has three brief...

The Divine Order – Stepping into the Fray

The Divine Order – Stepping into the Fray

?I believe God?s plan is for all people. All different, but all the same? 1971 was a year of turmoil in many places. But most of that seemed far away from a village in Switzerland. Life just goes on there. But there is to be an election about giving women the right to...