2016 Slamdance Film Review: “The Tail Job”

By: Alystar McKenneh-O’Neill “The Tail Job” is a quirky comedy about a man Nicholas, who spends the night in a cab on a goose chase, following his fiancé who he thinks is cheating. The film is well cast, especially the cabbie Trevor,  played by Craig Anderson who  uses road rage and tricks to keep the meter running. And Blair Dwyer who plays the jealous boyfriend Nicholas … Continue reading 2016 Slamdance Film Review: “The Tail Job”

A review Of “Gored” A Life And Death Defying Dance Of Love

  By : Alystar McKenneh-O’Neil   Gored is a feature length documentary about Antonio Barrera, the most gored matador in modern history. Antonio Barrera takes us through his life and explains why he became a matador.  While Antonio describes his relationship with the bull as his closest relationship even more so than his wife. He becomes more relatable, even if you are against bullfighting every … Continue reading A review Of “Gored” A Life And Death Defying Dance Of Love

“On Her Own” A Story Of Unwavering Resilience, Preseverance And Faith

By: Austin Winter-Chase ON HER OWN was selected for VIDEO LIBRARIAN magazine’s BEST DOCUMENTARIES list of 2015  It has also gone on  to great acclaim to be a part of other Film Festivals such as Hot Docs Film Festival,  Doc Fest Film Festival and many more. While reflecting about what the consequences of our impact is having and how we can better be stewards of the … Continue reading “On Her Own” A Story Of Unwavering Resilience, Preseverance And Faith

2016 Slamdance Film Review: NEPTUNE

By: McKenneh-O’Neill Despite the hand held camera work and lens choices which made NEPTUNE difficult to watch at times, the overall story was edgy and interesting. Newcomer Jane Ackermann’s very fresh performance was hit and miss at times but William McDonough is a standout for his very raw and emotional depiction of Herb Quinn. Given the small budget, this was indeed a labor of love … Continue reading 2016 Slamdance Film Review: NEPTUNE

2016 Slamdance Film Review: PARTNERS

By: Alystar McKenneh-O’Neill The subtlety with which the film “Partners” brings to light the delicate nuances of relationships, and confronts those small intense moments of angst and verbal assaults we use to right ourselves before getting back to business as usual, is brilliant! Yes, it’s short but very relatable no matter who you are. I laughed as I recounted so many past moments in my own … Continue reading 2016 Slamdance Film Review: PARTNERS

2016 Slamdance Film Review: “DEAD HANDS DIG DEEP”

By: Alystar McKenneh-O’Neill WOW! If you ever wonder how the other, darker side lives, watch this documentary. Director Jai Love exposes the very bloody, hard core community of deathrock, as he examines the self destructive life of Edwin Borsheim from the band Kettle Cadavers. Edwin Borsheim makes Charles Manson look like an amateur as he walks us through his years of self degradation, self mutilation … Continue reading 2016 Slamdance Film Review: “DEAD HANDS DIG DEEP”

2016 Slamdance Film Review ” MY ENEMIES”

By: Alystar McKenneh-O’Neill I would not have been surprised to find the characters dressed in 1900’s period clothing because it feels like a period piece. A good choice made by Director Stephane Gehami to perhaps bring us closer to the frame of mind of the lead character Isabelle, played by Louise Marleau, who finds her last chance at love with the young poet/novelist Cedric, played … Continue reading 2016 Slamdance Film Review ” MY ENEMIES”

2016 Slamdance Film Review: “How To Plan An Orgy In A Small Town”

By: Alystar McKenneh-O’Neill The movie could have gone so many other directions, when it took a left turn into the most delightful story. After her mother’s death, Cassie (Jewel Staite) heads to the small town she escaped from after high school, where she expects and finds the old gang just as catty as she left them. But then the story takes a turn south and … Continue reading 2016 Slamdance Film Review: “How To Plan An Orgy In A Small Town”

A Review Of “All About E” A Simplistic Lesson In Self Acceptance

By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau What does it take for someone to stop running from themselves and face who they are? How hard can it be to step up and be your true self without fear or worry of what others may think about you let alone your family? Sometimes it may be harder than one might think! In the film “All about E” E played … Continue reading A Review Of “All About E” A Simplistic Lesson In Self Acceptance

2015 AFI Film Festival Wrap Up

By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau   The Art Of Monteque had the wonderful pleasure of attending the 2015 AFI Film Festival. Just like years pass this year’s Film Festival did not disappoint. With extravagant galas, wonderful premieres and those wonderful treasures that make going to a film festival worthwhile.The AFI panels were wonderful and very informative. Along with the panels discussing the emergence of virtual reality … Continue reading 2015 AFI Film Festival Wrap Up

A Review Of “Landfill Harmonic” Out Of Ugliness Comes Beauty

By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau Another man’s garbage is indeed another man’s treasure in the film “Landfill Harmonic” it showcases that from garbage can come wondrous beauty. In a place where is beyond apparent poverty and living conditions are substandard, but the norm come see the breathtaking inspiration and creation of the Recycled Orchestra. “Landfill Harmonic” which premiered at the 2015 AFI Film Festival in Official … Continue reading A Review Of “Landfill Harmonic” Out Of Ugliness Comes Beauty

A Review of “Big Eden” Finding Acceptance And Healing

By: Austin Winter-Chase Sometimes it’s very hard for us to face who we are along with  the fact that we all deserve and our own right to be happy. Sometimes you have to go home to find happiness and acceptance, but most importantly to find yourself and to heal. “Big Eden” is a uniquely American fable about home and family. It hits upon the universal … Continue reading A Review of “Big Eden” Finding Acceptance And Healing

A Review Of “Cold Nights Hot Salsa” A Film About Love And Passion

By: Austin Winter-Chase “Most meaningful undertakings are personal. My goal is to tell the story of salsa in such a way that it reaches beyond the dance world. The aspirations of Victor and Katia are just as much my aspirations. They want to reach the top and show to the world what they can do on a dance floor. In making this film I want … Continue reading A Review Of “Cold Nights Hot Salsa” A Film About Love And Passion

A Review Of “Me” A Truly Mind Bending Trip

By: Austin Winter-Chase In the style of Stanley Kubrick with a Clockwork Orange feel director Jefery Levy takes the audience on a psychedelic mind trip of the crazy world that is reality TV. What is real and what is fantasy becomes clearly blurred in this delightfully entertaining and fun film. In the film “Me” director Jefery Levy plays a delusional eccentric who believes he is … Continue reading A Review Of “Me” A Truly Mind Bending Trip

A Review Of “The Tainted Veil” Taking A Look At The Layers Of The Veil

By: Austin Winter-Chase A woman’s mind is a gift. Her beauty is sacred, but she also very powerful. Wars have been launched, civilizations leveled, discoveries made and untold numbers of lives saved because of a woman. There is no difference now then in ancient times of how women are perceived; the only issue now is if a woman is allowed the right and freedom to … Continue reading A Review Of “The Tainted Veil” Taking A Look At The Layers Of The Veil

A Review of “Surviving Me: The Nine Circles Of Sophie”, A Cautionary Tale

By: Austin Winter-Chase   In the middle of the journey of our life I came to myself within a dark wood where the straight way was lost. Dante Alighieri   One might imagine when they go off to college that it will be a piece of cake or moreover a brand new life of freedom. Where they can do what they like, live as they … Continue reading A Review of “Surviving Me: The Nine Circles Of Sophie”, A Cautionary Tale

A Review of “The Key” A Deviously Erotic Story Of The Manipulation Of A Marriage

By: Austin Winter-Chase   THE KEY is an ambitious film, both technically and emotionally, and exactly the kind of film I have always wanted to make. Technology now provides me (and all filmmakers) with the tools to finally fulfill my vision, and I’m so looking forward to what the future holds for us all. Jefery Levy, Director   Jefery Levy’’s 2014 film “The Key” is … Continue reading A Review of “The Key” A Deviously Erotic Story Of The Manipulation Of A Marriage

A Review of “SUMMER” A Beautifully Told Dutch Gay Teen Love Story

By: Austin Winter- Chase Life is hard at any age, but especially when you are a teenager and you’re still trying to figure out who you are and your place in your work in this world.  For sixteen year old Anne  life is a bit more complicated.  She is a beautiful young girl who feels out of place.  Not really knowing how to fit in, … Continue reading A Review of “SUMMER” A Beautifully Told Dutch Gay Teen Love Story

LA Documentary “East LA Interchange” in 2 LA Film Festivals

  By:  Austin Winter-Chase “I came back because I am who I am because of the community I grew up in.” –will.i.am, The Black Eyed Peas Besty Kalin’s award winning documentary and Audience Award Winner for Best Documentary “East LA Interchange” to screen at the New Urbanism Film Festival and the Highland Park Independent Film Festival. In a country where freedom and equality goes hand … Continue reading LA Documentary “East LA Interchange” in 2 LA Film Festivals

The 2015 L A Film Festival Review: “Maiko: Dancing Child”

  By: Vernon Nickerson Norwegian Writer and Director Ase Svenheim Drivenes has crafted a beautiful tone poem of an artist risking all for the love of her chosen profession – prima ballerina – in his film “Maiko: Dancing Child”. It is easy to see why it was nominated as Best Documentary at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival. We are introduced to this story of … Continue reading The 2015 L A Film Festival Review: “Maiko: Dancing Child”