REVIEW: “Women Talking” (2022) — Keith & the Movies

(CLICK HERE to read my full review in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) Forming the very marrow of Sarah Polley’s quietly lacerating new drama “Women Talking” are the bold and timely themes of female survival and solidarity. That alone is enough for an engrossing story. But part of what makes Polley’s film adaptation of Miriam Toews’ 2018 […]…

TSM 243 — Daddy Needs a Drink

Photo by Kyle Thompson Maybe it’s being locked in the closet. Maybe it’s the surprise knuckles to the middle of my back. Maybe it’s seeing my breath on the air as I curl under the thin blanket. Maybe it’s his forcing himself into me. The day of my liberation it is mid-January. Daddy is drunk,…

#FF — Almost Like Home

PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox When we were given tours of the rooms that were available, the director proudly showed off the few who had tubs. “Just think of soaking in hot water and bubble bath when winter comes!” she gushed to my mother. The tub, nutritious meals, and the view were the biggest selling…

dVerse — Poetics — The Death of Dolores Haze

That summer when sweet dew was on the rose she danced and played along the merry lane while mother hummed a tune and hung the clothes. Yet ill winds soon would spin the weather vane. A stranger from Bigtown, in fancy clothes, arrived and said he’d traveled on the train. Slack-jawed and bug-eyed, looked just…