Cross Talk

Do The Right Thing, At The Wrong Time – Good VS Evil In Film (Cross Talk Ep. 26)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

 

What is the true meaning of good? And what is meaning of evil?

People have been trying to demonstrate the qualities of these diametrically opposed concepts for millennia now. And so many different art forms try to describe the ideas as best they can, digging into the details and pulling out some great notions of what each means, and more importantly, their effects on life.

If we were to look at a text-book definition of good, there are a number of aspects to filter in. For instance, the need to be desired or approved of while having the desired qualities of a higher standard. The word sacrifice is commonly featured over and over too. Ultimately this all stems from a sense of empathy, benevolence, selflessness and going beyond the superficial aspects of life to find humanity at every turn.

That altruism is so very necessary in corner of good when looking at the battle of good versus evil.

Evil is that much more simple. If something is profoundly immoral and wicked, often represented by or directly embodying a force of harm and undesirable outcomes. People who are evil lack empathy, acting upon their own needs and desires about all else. To be selfish in this way prevents real connections, and often leads to the suffering of many, for the wishes of the few. An inability to see the world from another perspective can be attributed to evil, but in many cases, the conscious disregard of others is all the more sickening.

As always on Cross Talk, there are many fantastic examples of good versus evil in film, but we decided to dive into more details on less obvious examples. We did this to really hammer home the idea that some themes defy genre, that science fiction, horror and drama can address this just as easily as an action-adventure flick.

This is episode 26 of Cross Talk. This is good versus evil, as represented in film.

 

Not sure if you can tell from the introduction or not, but we had a lot of fun with this one as a team. And we all couldn’t help but get excited when it came to presenting our individual case studies. I mean, come on, Prince of Darkness, The Fifth Element, AND Training Day all being discussed in the same conversation?

Just one of the many perks of Cross Talk. We bring the theories to you, so you can mull over the moral implications of these films too.

As always it would be great to hear what you think creative cuties? Spend some time with shorter video and then please like, share, and comment on both timotheories.com and the YouTube channel. We want your feedback! Join the conversation and tell us what we’re doing right, and if you have any better examples on hand that we should have considered.

And now I’m out of theories. Once again I’m off to La La Land. Not the movie, but the analogy for sleep. Ain’t no rest for the wicked, at least that’s what they say. But what about the good? Beauty sleep for everyone? Mull it over and get cak to me!

Tim!

Overcoming Differences, Thru Film (Cross Talk Ep. 25)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

 

 

I’m gonna skip the preamble on this episode of Cross Talk. Racism, bigotry and prejudice are big problems in this world we live in, and each of us has a responsibility to deal with it accordingly.

This week Chris, Mike and I tackle the genre defying themes cross-section once more, focusing on how to overcome differences in films. We have some great examples with The Terminal, Gran Torino, and American History X, all examples of race relations, coming at them from unique perspectives.

I urge you to watch this episode with care and full attention, because it’s a serious subject and one dear to my heart. I hope you get a lot out of watching it, because we put a lot of heart into filming it, and while we have fun at the beginning, it gets professional right quick.

This is episode 25 of Cross Talk. This is overcoming differences through film.

I hope that meant as much for you as it did for us on the Cross Talk team.

Yes, the subject matter at hand is difficult to think about and to address in your own lives, but we cannot move forward as a society without overcoming our differences and learning to work together better. I have this theory that films like the ones we’ve listed above are excellent vehicles to teach this idea of celebrating diversity.

But what about you? Do you think sharing American History X in high schools would be a bad idea or a good one? Please, please, please like, share, and comment on this video. We want your feedback! Thanks for your continued support creative cuties, this project wouldn’t be possible without you.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, I’m off to bang my head with some punks while I listen to Descendents at Union Hall. Live your life!

 

Tim!

Here Goes The Bloom (timotheories May 2017)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

 

Keeping it brief today friends, it’s May the fourth after all. I’d rather let things go down the way they’re supposed to.

And yes, that is a cheesy graphic, but I honestly could not find much better for the joke in the way of license free content. So deal with it. And if you’re that unimpressed, there’s always the return of the fifth.

*Disclaimer* As always, every week I purchase an album and movie one week ahead of the actual review release and while I have the best intentions, I don’t always get what I want… so if you follow me on instagram (@timotheories) you can actually see what’s coming.

timotheories summarized – May

Stimulating Sundays – (05/07) Cross Talk. Ep 25, (05/14) Cross Talk Ep. 26, (05/21) Amanda Wall preview interview, (05/28) Amanda Wall interview
Melodic Mondays – (05/01) Arca, (05/08) Gorillaz, (05/15) Willie Nelson, (05/22) Wilsen, (05/29) Joan Shelley
Theatrical Tuesdays – (05/02) La La Land, (05/09) Ocean Waves, (05/16) Lion (05/23) Hidden Figures (05/30) Logan
Wisdom Wednesdays – (05/03) …, (05/10) Moving Along, (05/17) Arnold Schwarzenegger pt. 2, (05/24) Safety (05/31) Work-life Balance
Timely Thursday – (05/04) timotheories May, (05/11) Mothers Day, (05/18) Victoria Day, (05/25) Edmonton Valley Zoo

It probably seems like I’m never going to share another interview again, does it dear readers?

The last time I put one up was in January, and it’s now May. According to my original plan of one interview a month minimum, I’ve really shit the bed this year. But it’s not all for naught… I do have 6 interviews in the works, 5 of them already have passed the screening test, and one of them is on it’s way… plus I’ve got some feelers out there for additional interviews. So please stay patient!

I’m recording Amanda’s interview this weekend, so that’s happening in May. Plus, Alex Racine is waiting in the wings, and I have Vinse, Brendon, and Colin raring to go as well. But more on them later. And I’m particularly excited about Brendon, as his interview leads us into more campfire stories, for sure.

On top of that, I have five episodes of Watch Culture recorded and ready to release… so watch for those. I might have to share them on Fridays or Saturdays? The first intro video will be fun too, I promise.

Next, we have 2 more Cross Talk episodes in the can that speak to the genre defying themes topic we’ve gotten such good feedback on previously – Good VS Evil and Overcoming Differences. I’m so excited about them, I kind of just want to release them both ASAP.

And Just ‘n Time Games is also waiting in the wings… when are those coming you ask? May be May, maybe?

Good album reviews and films too! I have lots of theories on Logan, for instance. And It also appears that we have reached the end of the road on the Postconsumers inspired posts, so I may just have to come up with some new Wisdom Wednesday topics.

May the fourth be with you, creative cuties.

Tim!

Fields of Hopes and Dreams (Cross talk Ep. 24)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

There are lots of great stories of triumph over adversity in the history of film. Movies that feature down on their luck athletes making it happen, business professionals that outsmart the man, and individuals with physical challenges that accomplish more in two hours then you and I could hope to in a year.

People watch these films with the hope that those amazing individuals will defy the odds and achieve the impossible in inspiring displays of courage, strength, intelligence, wit, and skill. Making the best of a situation and ultimately coming ahead despite the difficulty of the endeavour.

Right in the feels.

If you think of films like The Shawshank Redemption, Ray, Schindler’s List, Forrest Gump, and Cast Away, then you know your are on the right track to your own personal Field of Dreams.

Oh My Heart, It’s A Fish Out Of Water

This theme almost always focuses on an individuals in dire situations. A fish out of water if you will. And yet these people make it work for them, changing the circumstances and getting to the root of the problem, even if the solution seems unlikely.

But whenever we run an episode of Cross Talk, we want to talk through these topics in a meaningful way, focusing on interesting examples and testing out theories that can open up the conversation. Which is why episode number twenty four of Cross Talk is a genre defying theme that stands out – triumph over adversity.

We’re back at it, spending time on three case studies of film that exemplify this idea and which might not be your first pick. We talk about the accessibility of The King’s Speech, the imbalances of anti-heroes in The Big Short, and how Michael Keaton has finally turned it around in Birdman: Or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance.

This is gonna be an episode full of warm and fuzzies. Check it out below!

This episode should make you feel good in another way. We’ve officially added Mike Dadural to the cast! Yeah yeah!

Now for the repeater section of the test. What did you think of the episode? Any comments on how we can do things differently? Would you have chosen the three films that we did? We really do want you to join in on the conversation and let us know what you thought!

Please comment, subscribe, and share this video with friends. As always, be excellent to one another!

Tim!()

Why Keanu Was Born To Play John Wick (Cross Talk Ep. 23)

Posted on by Tim Kuefler

 

I think it’s safe to say that when you really start to watch a lot of films like me (read: five new ones a week), themes show up in patterns, actors run across movies, and tropes abound. This means that when the world is asking for more live action Disney adaptations, we offer you insight into the process of death. In this case, we is Me, myself and Irene.

Just kidding, there isn’t much in the way of death in that movie.

But it’s not like Jim Carrey can’t act in movies that feature death – The Number 23 is an interesting example, for instance. It’s a terrible movie to be sure, but it explores ideas of murder, death, and mental health in quite a hot mess. If you haven’t seen it, I’m actually going to stick my neck out and suggest you give it a shot. It’s super messed up.

 

So yeah, death is a great theme to explore in film. That being said, it’s way too obvious to focus in on death scenes that show up in movies, and definitely, definitely not films with the word death in their title.

 

Death, Death, Die, Die

 

Which is why Chris and I decided this week was a perfect time to continue our exploration of themes that defy genres and to deviate completely from the obvious examples of death in film. Instead, we pay special attention to three of our favourite movies about death, featuring the return of Mike Dadural. Mike’s choice features a lot of violence in it –

A sweet story about a man that loved and lost, then somehow inadvertently pissed off a russian gangster. That gangster retaliated by stealing his car, and straight up murdering the bereaved’s new puppy. A puppy which was purchased by a dying wife that knew such a gift would help in healing.

That movie is John Wick. And it is likely the swan song of Keanu Reeves career. Plus we talked about a movie from the 90s about med students that go legally dead and bring each other back to life. AND we talk about an Oscar bait Will Smith movie that includes at least seven pounds worth of vital organs before a planned suicide.

This is episode twenty three of Cross Talk. This is death as a part of life.

Man we have good chemistry, it’s like Mike was born to play this role. Bad pun? Yes. The truth? Double yes.

But what did you think of the episode? Any comments on how we can do things differently? Would you have chosen the three films that we did? We really do want you to join in on the conversation and let us know what you thought!

Please comment, subscribe, and share this video with friends. As always, be excellent to one another!

Tim!