Tag: Film Review

Movie Review

“Don’t Read This On A Plane”: The Discovery Of One’s Hidden Truth

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau “Don’t Read This On A Plane” is a delightfully funny and poignant film about finding what it is you truly want out of life. Who would not enjoy traveling across the European country side meeting wonderfully interesting people while having the privilege of visiting some of the most beautiful and prestigious book bookstores Europe has ever known. Yet sometimes a trip … Continue reading “Don’t Read This On A Plane”: The Discovery Of One’s Hidden Truth

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Arts

A Year In The Life Of Jack And Yaya

By Joanna Panayi Jack & Yaya captures a year in the life of childhood best friends who grew up defying gender norms to transitioning in their twenties. Jack and Yaya grew up together as next-door neighbors in a rural area, supporting each other when they realized they were both transgender. This film highlights their friendship through present-day and juxtaposed archival videos with Jack, Yaya, and their … Continue reading A Year In The Life Of Jack And Yaya

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Arts, Movie Review

“Days of the Whale” Review: A Relevant Message For Today

By Joanna Panayi Director Catalina Arroyave Restrepo was born in Medellín, Colombia. In 2010 she co-funded Rara, an-art house producing company based in Medellín. Her debut film, Days of the Whale, won two screenplay awards, the most important Colombian production fund (FDC), and had its world premiere at the 2019 SXSW film festival. It will have a U.S. virtual cinema release on July 24, 2020. Days … Continue reading “Days of the Whale” Review: A Relevant Message For Today

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Movie Review

Pot Luck film A Fresh, Versatile Perspective On The Cannabis Industry

By Joanna Panayi From Emmy-nominated and award-winning filmmaker Jane Wells, Pot Luck, is a 3 Generations production narrated by Robin Quivers. This documentary takes us on an enlightening adventure across the Colorado state, exploring the normality of the legalization of cannabis. Pot luck is an insightful analysis of the legalization of cannabis’s direct, cultural, and structural impacts on society. The documentary focuses on the pros … Continue reading Pot Luck film A Fresh, Versatile Perspective On The Cannabis Industry

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Arts, Movie Review

Rachel Mason Reopens a World of Memories and Family Dynamics in her Netflix Hit ‘Circus of Books’

By Mike Szymanski When I first met Rachel Mason, I was unprepared for the wave of personal emotions, memories and love that would overcome me after first being touched by this talented performance-artist-turned-filmmaker. Her touching family story is told in “Circus of Books” which thankfully has eclipsed “Tiger King” as Netflix’s go-to odd documentary. It’s a story about her family, but it was also about … Continue reading Rachel Mason Reopens a World of Memories and Family Dynamics in her Netflix Hit ‘Circus of Books’

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Movie Review

Angelfish: To Live Your Life To The Fullest, Surround Yourself With The Right People 

By Sanyukta Thakare The coming of age love story will remind you of all the right reasons for falling in love. It also talks about being surrounded by the right people, who listen, love and support you. The story follows Eva a young Puerto Rican woman and Brendan, an Irish-American man, both struggle in their own world full of responsibility but with each other’s support, they … Continue reading Angelfish: To Live Your Life To The Fullest, Surround Yourself With The Right People 

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Arts, Movie Review

“Adventure Boyz” Is About Surfing The Real World More Than The Virtual One

By Sanyukta Thakare “Adventure Boyz” will take you on an innocent bike ride down the familiar path, reminding you of the happy old days. But ex motorcycle speedway champ Mike Harris, does not have the same carefree experience in the story. We meet Mike who has given all his life to his passion and hopes his kids will do the same, but when he finds … Continue reading “Adventure Boyz” Is About Surfing The Real World More Than The Virtual One

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Arts, Movie Review

“The Prison Within”: The Hurt People. Hurt Other People — Empathy Can Safe Lives And Heal Communities

By Sanyukta Thakare The Prison Within is about taking a long and hard look at yourself and separating you from your actions to gain and better perspective and take on responsibility. The documentary explores the destructive impact untreated trauma has on individuals and communities through the powerful stories of survivors of violent crimes and prisoners incarcerated for murder in San Quentin prison. As a viewer, … Continue reading “The Prison Within”: The Hurt People. Hurt Other People — Empathy Can Safe Lives And Heal Communities

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Movie Review

Michael Vick An American Tale Of The Rise Of A Imperfect Legend

By Vernon Nickerson America has the highest expectations for the uber- talented athlete, the high-performing iconoclasts and innovators who literally often change the way a particular sport is played. When performing at their peak, theses athletes are in equal parts feared, respected and held in awe by fans. Whether or not it is fair, these expectations of perfection carry over into every aspect of the … Continue reading Michael Vick An American Tale Of The Rise Of A Imperfect Legend

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Arts

Bastard’s Road Talks About The Strength To Keep Going, Something that Is Important in today’s time

By Sanyukta Thakare Bastard’s Road is a journey taken on with no self-interest or benefit. It was meant to be a medium of survival, but instead, it becomes a beacon of love, and hope for so many others. Directed by Brian Morrison, the documentary feature may help many veterans as well as their family members who are in need of inspiration to keep going and … Continue reading Bastard’s Road Talks About The Strength To Keep Going, Something that Is Important in today’s time

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Movie Review

Terry Sawchuk Did Not Regret A Minute Of His Life, He Lived And Died A Goalie

Goalie blurs the line between real and reel from the start, we get to see the best and the worst of Terry Sawchuk’s life as it passes by in the memories of those who lived and played with him. Terry had a troubled pasted, but nobody knew how it affected him until after the end. ‘Goalies go first,’ we hear the cast say it numerous … Continue reading Terry Sawchuk Did Not Regret A Minute Of His Life, He Lived And Died A Goalie

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Movie Review

Sanzaru, Warns You Against The Power Of Secrets

By Sanyukta Thakare SANZARU is a Gothic tale, a journey to the heart of a haunted house. A house haunted, as much by death, as by secrets.   Sanzaru does not belong in your immediate ideas of horror, there are no creepy faces or bodies lurking in the dark. Instead, we meet the demons of our minds and our pasts. The only way out is … Continue reading Sanzaru, Warns You Against The Power Of Secrets

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Arts, Movie Review

Aaron With’s Out Of Tune Will Premiere At The 2020 Slamdance Film Festival

By Steven Buckner When I first saw Director Aaron With’s Out Of Tune, I have to admit that I never saw a movie like this and that is a good thing. It is a story about a civilization that worships a musical chord. One might think how can a civilization worship a musical chord. Well that is why you need to see this movie! Between … Continue reading Aaron With’s Out Of Tune Will Premiere At The 2020 Slamdance Film Festival

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Movie Review

Murmur: A Glorious Summer in the Winter of Our Discontent

By Vernon Nickerson Murmur, a film written and directed by Heather Young, making its debut at the 2020 Slamdance Film Festival, takes an intimate look at the intersections between 1. a lonely and heartsick mother who longs to love and be loved in return, 2. the substances the mother has used to numb her pain, 3. a lonely and heartsick dog who desperately wants tender … Continue reading Murmur: A Glorious Summer in the Winter of Our Discontent

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Movie Review

La Restauración A Tale Of Damnation And Redemption

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Director Alonso Llosa’s tragicomedy La Restauración will have its World Premiere at the 2020 Santa Barbara International Film Festival. La Restauración is a poignant cautionary tale about excess, greed, disillusionment and elitism. The story takes place in a period of rapid urban growth in Peru when money is flowing freely allowing those who were once unable to graduate to the elite … Continue reading La Restauración A Tale Of Damnation And Redemption

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Arts

Gem Of A Film

By Steven Buckner Writer/Director Tammy Minoff’s richly layered, award winning directorial debut “Limerence,” cleverly tips the scales on Hollywood’s approach to a romantic comedy. Women get to see themselves in female lead Rosemary—as complex, independent and real, breaking the stereotypes society has fed us. Limerence starts off right away as a romantic comedy with Rosemary (Tammy Minoff) who moves to Venice CA pursues a career … Continue reading Gem Of A Film

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Movie Review

2020 Sundance Film Festival Review Of “LITTLE CHIEF”- A Poignant Winter’s Tale

By Vernon Nickerson Ouch! That’s what many black preachers jokingly tell their congregants to shout when the sermon is directly applicable to their lives. i.e., stepping on their toes. As a second-year special education teacher at an inner-city Title 1 school, “Ouch!” was my immediate reaction to Erica Tremblay’s visually powerful short, “Little Chief”, from the first minute until the last. In too many classrooms … Continue reading 2020 Sundance Film Festival Review Of “LITTLE CHIEF”- A Poignant Winter’s Tale

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Movie Review

LIMERENCE- Found or Lost? You Decide

    By: Vernon Nickerson, How I Found Limerence, the fun film   In the midst of a winter of interminable international crises and drama give yourself a break and go see Limerence, a Slamdance Festival feature film and the brainchild of Writer/Director/Producer/Lead Actor Tammy Minoff, The film begins by defining itself in its opening title: LIMERENCE (noun.) a state of mind which results from … Continue reading LIMERENCE- Found or Lost? You Decide

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Arts, Movie Review

All Aboard for Shoot to Marry, Steve Markle’s 21st Century ‘Love Train’

By Vernon Nickerson “Love is beautiful and painful…what else is there?” Thankfully, there is also Shoot to Marry, a 2020 Slamdance Film Festival selection. Written, produced, and directed by documentarian Steve Markle, Shoot to Marry is a quirky video memoir of one man’s journey (Markle) in search of a life partner.  From a home base in Toronto, Steve introduces the audience to an array of … Continue reading All Aboard for Shoot to Marry, Steve Markle’s 21st Century ‘Love Train’

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Arts, Movie Review

Nino Aldi’s “TRIBES” World Premiere At The 2020 Santa Barbara Film Festival

TRIBES, or, what humankind might accomplish if it only had eleven minutes in a speeding subway car!   By Vernon Nickerson, TRIBES, directed by the incredibly talented Nino Aldi, is an absolute gem of an emotional roller coaster and a featured short at the 2020 Santa Barbara Film Festival. Full-disclosure, toy guns particularly and toy weapons of any kind in general were forbidden in my … Continue reading Nino Aldi’s “TRIBES” World Premiere At The 2020 Santa Barbara Film Festival

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