Read Part 1 Yesterday, we began to explore the Jungian symbolism of Almodóvar’s “The Skin I Live In”. Today, we are diving into part of the Heracles myth, the Chariot card of the Tarot, and the Hebrew letter Cheth. The Shirt of Nessus Another idea to consider at this point is the story of the [...]

Last week, I went to the Laurelhurst Theater again, and saw yet another great film that left me pondering its alchemical symbolism for days. This time, the film was Almodóvar’s “The Skin I Live In”. As an Almodóvar fan, I am well aware of the fact that his films often plumb the depths of human [...]

Egads! I’m slipping into the past! Last week I watched Sirens, a movie from the ‘90s, and was prompted to start writing an essay about it. Writing the essay prompted me to think about another movie, The Wicker Man, a fine film from the ‘70s. Then I went to the Laurelhurst Theater on Saturday and [...]

Today’s installment of Late to the Picture is a little later than usual—in this case by about 18 years! My excuse: I happened to be watching a movie on Netflix, munching on some popcorn, when lo and behold, the film I was watching unfolded like a perfect little metaphor for the descent into the unconscious. [...]

Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” is tedious and confusing. The plot is bare, and the storytelling almost nonexistent. Near the end, my wife began losing a battle against the exasperated laughs that she had been trying to suppress for most of the film, triggering similar expressions of frustration from the rest of the audience.

At the same time, the film manages to achieve something nearly impossible: it transcends the rational mind.

And now, Part III of our 3-part investigation of the Jungian symbolism of “The Secret of Kells”. Here are links to Part I and Part II. When we left off, Brendan was fighting Crom Cruach. Eventually, Brendan prevails, and is able to contain him. In the process Crom Cruach is transformed, and begins swallowing his [...]

And now for Part II of yesterday’s post on “The Secret of The Secret of Kells”. When we left off, Brendan was about to brave the dangers of the forest to find some berries that Brother Aidan needed for making an emerald green ink. Initially, Brendan finds the freedom of the forest beautiful and exhilarating, [...]

The animated feature we settled on, The Secret of Kells, promised a plot revolving around manuscript illumination. We settled on it mainly because a novice calligrapher/illuminator such as myownself couldn’t resist looking very interested when my wife read the plot summary, and because my wife can’t resist indulging me when I look interested.