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.

Actors and Line Readers

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Mark DuPré

There’s a difference between actors and line-readers, and it’s easy to confuse the second with the first. For instance, Ryan Reynolds is a great line-reader, but just an OK actor. In The Proposal, his line “Hence the boat” may well … Continue reading →

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Oz: The Great and Powerful

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Mark DuPré

With the unsurprising and evocative title this film has, Oz: The Great and Powerful fairly begs for an easily dismissive and disparaging riff on its title as a first line of a review. So OK—this film is neither great nor … Continue reading →

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2013 Oscar Predictions: Final Thoughts

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Wow! This is the most difficult year to predict in recent memory. Sentiments are shifting faster than gears at a NASCAR competition. Conventional wisdom of a whole week ago is laughed at as hopelessly outdated today. But we have to … Continue reading →

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2013 Oscar Predications, Part One

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Mark DuPré

This is Part One because these are my first thoughts, or my thoughts of the moment. I will continue to brainstorm and think this week, and may post another set of thoughts closer to next Sunday. This year is a … Continue reading →

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Silver Linings Playbook

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Mark DuPré

A famous film critic once revealed one of the “dirty little secrets” of professional critics. They see so many films that they often overrate a film that’s different or fresh just because it’s outside the norm and a change of … Continue reading →

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Omissions from A to Z: Oscar Nominations for 2012

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Mark DuPré

The Oscar nominations are out, and they are both predictable and surprising-bordering-on-shocking. With the possibilities of up to 10 pictures getting a Best Picture nod, the suspense in that category is related more to “how many?” than who gets in. … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on the 2013 Golden Globes

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Mark DuPré

The Golden Globe Awards are fun, and aren’t really meant to be taken seriously. Yes, sometimes it creates a phony buzz around a film that some folks tie into what happens with the Academy Awards. This year, the nominations for … Continue reading →

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Django Unchained

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Mark DuPré

My film students know full well how much I don’t “appreciate” the work of Quentin Tarantino. I softened a bit with Inglourious Basterds, a lusciously filmed work that contained genuine moments of love, suspense, and an acknowledgement of historical tragedy. … Continue reading →

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Les Misérables

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Mark DuPré

Les Misérables succeeds on so many levels, I almost lost count. In many ways, it’s a film in the narrow category of films made from sung-through musicals. In that context, it really only has The Phantom of the Opera to … Continue reading →

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Skyfall

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Mark DuPré

Skyfall, the latest James Bond film,is an apologia for the whole Bond series. It rather pointedly keeps reminding us of the value of the “old ways,” old-style weapons and gadgets, and the worth of old-timers—all the while re-populating the franchise … Continue reading →

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