Divinely-Ordered Serendipity = Finding Vivian Maier

By: Vernon Nickerson The writer-director dynamic duo of John Maloof and Charlie Siskel unite their creative powers to exquisitely present the heroic, tragic and thoroughly entertaining documentary, “Finding Vivian Maier”. Ms. Maier, an amazing and prolific street photographer masquerading as a nanny for children of the final half of the 20th century, is a heroine of sorts herself by the end of Maloof and Siskel’s … Continue reading Divinely-Ordered Serendipity = Finding Vivian Maier

MontequeMarch 25, 2015

And a little child shall lead them: Rusty Cundieff’s new feature film, “White Water”

By: Vernon Nickerson Perhaps the most powerful thing about Director Rusty Cundieff’s film, “White Water” is its ability to tell a based-upon-real-events story of the segregated community of Opelika, Alabama in 1963 to a new generation of children and their parents. The screen play, written by the team of Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein, is an adaptation of the childrens’ book of the same name … Continue reading And a little child shall lead them: Rusty Cundieff’s new feature film, “White Water”

MontequeMarch 25, 2015

Blurring the lines between fantasy and reality: A review of Shira Geffen’s film, Self-Made

By: Vernon Nickerson Written and directed by Shira Geffen, Self Made tells the story of two women – one Israeli, the other Palestinian- who are trapped within their respective worlds. After a mix-up at a checkpoint, they find themselves living the life of the other on the opposite side of the border. I found the story particularly compelling and provocative because all of it … Continue reading Blurring the lines between fantasy and reality: A review of Shira Geffen’s film, Self-Made

MontequeMarch 25, 2015March 25, 2015

“Love Hunter”: An America Story

By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau Love Hunter is a wonderful story about reaching out and following ones dreams at the same time it is a cautionary tale about what happens when one stops caring and thinking about others. It is here when a person can becomes lost in a world of their own making, solely thinking about themselves and their needs. In the 1990’s, … Continue reading “Love Hunter”: An America Story

MontequeMarch 25, 2015May 26, 2015

2015 Slamdance Film Festival Review: 20 YEARS OF MADNESS, a documentary directed by Jeremy Royce.

By: Monteque Pope- Le Beau When the eccentric cast of a mid-90s Public Access show in Detroit reunite after 20 years to make a new episode, they are forced to take a hard look at their lives and reconcile their teenage dreams with the realities of adulthood. When one is young we are often full of dreams and hope. It is not a time to not to … Continue reading 2015 Slamdance Film Festival Review: 20 YEARS OF MADNESS, a documentary directed by Jeremy Royce.

MontequeFebruary 4, 2015June 9, 2015

A Superman Underdog Story for the Ages: I AM THOR (Official Selection of the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival)

By: Vernon Nicerson Can a 20th Century super-smart-and-talented entertainment impresario find happiness in the 21st Century? After watching force of nature Jon Mikl Thor and a stellar supporting cast in the Ryan Wise and Alan Higbee documentary, “I AM THOR”, I am fully inclined to shout ABSOF**KINGLUTELY! As the compelling story of the life and times of bodybuilder/rocker/master entertainer and merchandiser unfolds, it makes perfect … Continue reading A Superman Underdog Story for the Ages: I AM THOR (Official Selection of the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival)

MontequeFebruary 4, 2015February 4, 2015

Movie Review, Social Issues

The simple power of abiding love, Slamdance 2015 feature film Reveiw: “THE RESURRECTION OF JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS”

By: Vernon Nickerson It took a village to raise former professional wrestling star Jake “The Snake” Roberts from the depths of alcohol and substance abuse that almost ate him alive in Writer-Director Steve Yu’s documentary feature film, THE “RESURRECTION OF JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS”. Watching how a team of helping professionals and other wrestlers in recovery from their addictions came alongside their friend and … Continue reading The simple power of abiding love, Slamdance 2015 feature film Reveiw: “THE RESURRECTION OF JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS”

MontequeJanuary 27, 2015

Getting your sexy/gory/bloody movie freak on with “Clinger”, a 2015 Slamdance Festival selection

By: Vernon Nickerson Clinger, a 2015 Slamdance Festival Selection and the first feature film of the creative team of Director Michael Steves and Co-writers Bubba Fish and Gabi Chennisi Duncombe is a funhouse ride of a film. Jennifer Laporte (Fern Petersen) and Vincente Martella (Robert Klingher her creepily attentive and aptly-named first love) make the most of a good story and strong supporting cast in … Continue reading Getting your sexy/gory/bloody movie freak on with “Clinger”, a 2015 Slamdance Festival selection

MontequeJanuary 27, 2015

Arts, Movie Review

2015 Slamdance Film Festival Review: Alisi Telengut’s Tears of Inge

By Vernon Nickerson Alisi Telengut’s short- Tears of Inge is a delightful depiction of the fluidity of relationships between an planet earth and its nomadic inhabitants: male and female, earth, camels in childbirth, humans and camels, and earth, animals and humans. A four-plus minute feast of hand-painted animated impressionist art brings the “canvas” of film to 3-D quality life (without those annoying … Continue reading 2015 Slamdance Film Festival Review: Alisi Telengut’s Tears of Inge

MontequeJanuary 27, 2015June 9, 2015

Deep in the Midst of Winter- A review of “Bob And The Trees”, a 2015 Sundance Film Festival NEXT Selection Feature Film

By: Vernon Nickerson Whether you are a snow lover or just missing the surreal peace and quiet of freshly fallen snow, you will feel right at home with Bob and his family in writer/Director Diego Ongaro’s drama, Bob and The Trees. Bob is a sustainable-forester/logger/farmer/husband/father at odds with his inevitable transition into the world of fifty something men. His love of gangsta rap helps him … Continue reading Deep in the Midst of Winter- A review of “Bob And The Trees”, a 2015 Sundance Film Festival NEXT Selection Feature Film

MontequeJanuary 26, 2015January 15, 2015

2014 AFI Film Festival Review: Questions that demand answers….A.K.A. the movie “Girlhood”

By: Vernon Nickerson The France depicted in Writer/Director Céline Sciamma’s film “Girlhood” (in French with English subtitles) is apparently failing its children of color. Which is being featured at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. When the main character, Marieme, alias Vic, played by Karidja Touré cannot qualify to continue her education in high school because she has been forced to raise her 2 younger … Continue reading 2014 AFI Film Festival Review: Questions that demand answers….A.K.A. the movie “Girlhood”

MontequeJanuary 25, 2015June 9, 2015

Water And Power Review: A Tale Of Brotherly Love

By Vernon Nickerson Guns, Gangs, Politicians…and Brotherly Love in LA With the City of Angels as it’s backdrop this is a wonderful mystical tale of love, devotion, heroes,villains and the rise and fall from grace. The story is told with such a minimalist style that makes it is in itself a work of art. Monteque Pope -Le Beau Writer-Director Richard Montoya’s gritty urban fantasy, Water … Continue reading Water And Power Review: A Tale Of Brotherly Love

MontequeJanuary 19, 2015January 7, 2015

“Loitering with Intent” A journey of Self Discovery

By: Monteque Pope- Le beau “Loitering with Intent” masterfully shows that sometimes the decisions that we make are not always the best, but sometimes they are what makes us who we are. It is a wonderful chaotic comical statement in which sometimes no matter what we do to right the past; we just can’t go home again. Rafael and Dominic are best friends and actors … Continue reading “Loitering with Intent” A journey of Self Discovery

MontequeJanuary 16, 2015November 19, 2015

“Big Eyes” Review : Connecting The Dots…The Amazing True Story Of The Evolution Of Artist Margaret Keane

By Vernon Nickerson Tim Burton’s (DARK SHADOWS, ALICE IN WONDERLAND) latest directorial tour de force, “Big Eyes”, is the true story of renowned painter Margaret Keane and her “wanna-be-artist” second husband Walter Keane, who claimed full credit for her work for over a decade. Four-time Academy Award-nominee Amy Adams turns in a flawless performance as artist Margaret Keane. She is introduced as a 1950’s housewife … Continue reading “Big Eyes” Review : Connecting The Dots…The Amazing True Story Of The Evolution Of Artist Margaret Keane

MontequeDecember 23, 2014December 26, 2014

2014 AFI Film Festival Review: “Selma”, Ava DuVernay’s Powerful Story

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Director Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” is the hard reality in the life of revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King jr. (David Oyelowo) who was the lightning rod for change in the Civil Rights at a time when there was so little hope and forever altered history. “Selma” is not just a story of a movement, but also a story about … Continue reading 2014 AFI Film Festival Review: “Selma”, Ava DuVernay’s Powerful Story

MontequeDecember 16, 2014June 9, 2015

The Beauty And Tragedy Of “The Sublime and Beautiful”

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Tragedy can strike on the most ordinary day and sometimes love is not enough to soothe the pain after a devastating loss. Director Blake Robbins masterfully paints a interweaving story dealing with family, relationships, and loss with a eye of a great artist. He skillfully takes one on a journey in this surreal moment which exist in the life of … Continue reading The Beauty And Tragedy Of “The Sublime and Beautiful”

MontequeDecember 16, 2014December 16, 2014

Arts, Movie Review

2014 AFI Film Festival Wrap Up

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau and Austin Winter-Chase As The Art Of Monteque says goodbye to the 2014 AFI Film Festival, we would like to touch on a few festival highlights. Yes, there were a few hiccups, misunderstandings, a few people getting a bit too rowdy, and the long lines to see the films were way too long, but the festival volunteers were always there being helpful … Continue reading 2014 AFI Film Festival Wrap Up

MontequeDecember 12, 2014December 12, 2014

Film Review: “Black or White”

By Monteque Pope Le Beau Loss plays a large and difficult role in “Black Or White” causing the worlds of two families to be turned upside-down. “Black Or White” is the story of Elliot Anderson a grandfather (Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter Eloise (Jillian Estel) after his wife is killed in a horrible car … Continue reading Film Review: “Black or White”

MontequeNovember 24, 2014May 26, 2015

2014 AFI Film Festival Review: “A Most Violent Year”

By Austin Winter-Chase A tale of doing what’s right or either doing what’s easy. Sometimes the risk is not in trying to make your dreams come true, but in trying to be true to yourself. In “A Most Violent Year” we follow a young married couple; Abel and Anna Morales (Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastin) as they try to achieve the American dream in the most … Continue reading 2014 AFI Film Festival Review: “A Most Violent Year”

MontequeNovember 10, 2014December 16, 2014

The Terrifying Adventure That Is Hollows Grove

By Austin Winter-Chase Hollows Grove is a tantalizing fun horror film. in the form of a docudrama. Filmmaker Craig Efros (who wrote Hollows Grove and this is his directorial debut) sets the stage for a nail biting, edge of the seat horror roller coaster ride. When a young documentary filmmaker Harold Maxwell goes along on a adventure to document what his friends the Spirit and Paranormal … Continue reading The Terrifying Adventure That Is Hollows Grove

MontequeOctober 11, 2014December 16, 2014