Author Archives: Mark DuPré

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About Mark DuPré

Retired (associate) pastor at a Christian church. Retired film professor at Rochester Institute of Technology. Husband for nearly 50 years to the lovely and talented Diane. Father to three children and father-in-law to three more amazing people. I continue some ministry duties even though retired from the pastoral staff position. Right now I'm co-writing a book, co-writing a serious musical drama, and am half-way through writing (on my own a month-long devotional.

2017: Thoughts on Oscar

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Mark DuPré

This year’s nominations are anything but shocking, though you’d think there was drama galore according to some reports. But that’s just an attempt to wring some strum und drang from what is a pretty normal year. Yes, it’s a big … Continue reading →

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Jackie and Hidden Figures

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Mark DuPré

I spent a good portion of my weekend in the early 1960s. First, Jackie, the impressionistic, rather cool story of Jacqueline Kennedy during and shortly after John Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Most attention has been paid to Natalie Portman’s masterful … Continue reading →

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Quick thoughts on the Golden Globe Awards

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Mark DuPré

Meryl Streep is one of our greatest actresses, and I have the utmost respect for her talents. In my mind, she is one of a small handful of genius actors. It makes me ache to see her fall into the … Continue reading →

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La La Land

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Mark DuPré

I haven’t seen Moonlight yet (I live in Rochester, New York, not a major city, and it takes awhile for films to get here at times), but La La Land may well be the best film of the year. It’s … Continue reading →

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Rogue One: My Experience

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Mark DuPré

Note: I usually write serious analyses of the films I see. Not so much here. I’m pretty sure I saw Rogue One. My two sons who don’t live around here, their spouses, and their combined seven children have all been … Continue reading →

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Manchester by the Sea

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Mark DuPré

Manchester by the Sea is a deeply moving, occasionally wrenching, and extraordinary film. It’s a unique mixture of realism and formalism, in combinations one doesn’t usually find. It also features some of the best acting of the year, including a … Continue reading →

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Hacksaw Ridge

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Mark DuPré

Hacksaw Ridge, Mel Gibson’s film about the bravery of World War II medic Desmond Doss during the Battle of Okinawa, is an extraordinary film and a massive Rorschach test. This is Gibson’s return to directing after his monumental success with … Continue reading →

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Allied

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Mark DuPré

Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, The Polar Express, Cast Away) has created an unusual semi-old-fashioned war and romance film in Allied. Unfortunately, most of its early press had to do with its stars—Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard—and their non-existent romance that then … Continue reading →

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Arrival

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Mark DuPré

When I experienced Arrival, I couldn’t help but think of the last line of “The Hollow Men” by T.S. Eliot: “Not with a bang but a whimper.” While the plot—worldwide alien visitation and the struggle to communicate—sounds like many another … Continue reading →

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The Accountant

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Mark DuPré

There’s a good film in here somewhere. As it stands now, it’s a good-looking, generally well-acted, occasionally very confusing jumble. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, probably best known for Miracle, The Accountant is the story of an autistic accountant with ninja … Continue reading →

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