“Plain Clothes ” The Light And Darkness of the PTSD

By: Austin Winter-Chase   This is a deeply moving and insightful film about PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and the  toll it takes  on one’s life “Plain Clothes” is written and directed by Sam Jaeger (Parenthood, American Sniper) who also stars as Officer Cole. Officer Cole is a person struggling to balance his dark and stressful work with his family life. It is hard but  Officer Cole is doing … Continue reading “Plain Clothes ” The Light And Darkness of the PTSD

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

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”

“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

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.

She shoots, she SCORES! Dana Nachman’s Masterful Slamdance Documentary, Bat Kid Begins: The Wish Heard Around The World

By: Vernon Nickerson Or, as that legendary South American soccer commentator shouts, GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!  In “Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around The World”, Emmy Award-winning writer/director Dana Nachman has powerfully brought the story of one boy’s Make-A-Wish fulfillment to the big screen.  Miles Scott ( AKA “Batkid” ), a young leukemia survivor who wished to be Batman, is introduced to the audience via his parents, Nick … Continue reading She shoots, she SCORES! Dana Nachman’s Masterful Slamdance Documentary, Bat Kid Begins: The Wish Heard Around The World

Hoping that We Are NOT Alone In The  Michael Madsen’s documentary, The Visit

By Vernon Nickerson The Visit showed at the 2015 Sundance film Festival. Watching Director Michael Madsen’s visual feast of a documentary, “The Visit”, I was reminded of the central premise of the Dr. Seuss story, “Horton Hears A Who”.  If our scientists, governments and military officials are to be believed, someday, somewhere out there, someone(thing) that has always been watching  and listening to Earthlings’ version … Continue reading Hoping that We Are NOT Alone In The  Michael Madsen’s documentary, The Visit

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)

BELLA THORNE LEADS CAST OF ‘PERFECT HIGH’; PRODUCTION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1

  Victoria, British Columbia, February 2, 2015 – Vancouver-based Sepia Films and LA-based Just Singer Entertainment have announced the start of production on PERFECT HIGH, a Lifetime movie set in the disturbing world of teenage heroin use. Inspired by the shocking rise in heroin addiction among suburban teenagers, PERFECT HIGH starsBella Thorne (Blended; Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day; Shake it … Continue reading BELLA THORNE LEADS CAST OF ‘PERFECT HIGH’; PRODUCTION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1

DEAR WHITE PEOPLE GROSSES $4.4M – BREAKING DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE RECORD FOR FILM THAT HAS CROWDFUNDED

Part of Record Breaking Two-Year Run for Film On Indiegogo   Park City, UTAH January 28, 2014 – Indiegogo, the world’s largest crowdfunding platform, announced today that Sundance award winner Dear White People, which raised its initial production funds on Indiegogo, has broken the U.S. domestic box office record for a film that has crowdfunded. Since its opening on October 17, 2014 the film has grossed $4,404,154 domestically to date, … Continue reading DEAR WHITE PEOPLE GROSSES $4.4M – BREAKING DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE RECORD FOR FILM THAT HAS CROWDFUNDED

SLAMDANCE STUDIOS LAUNCHES FILM COLLECTION ON HULU

  New Agreement Will Make a Selection of Slamdance Films Available for Viewers to Stream (LOS ANGELES, CA—January 28, 2015) Slamdance Film Festival’s commercial distribution enterprise Slamdance Studios has announced that independent flm lovers will be able to stream a selection of its flms on Hulu beginning today. Combining visionaries of independent flm and Slamdance’s unique and trusted brand, 12 feature programs from Slamdance alumni … Continue reading SLAMDANCE STUDIOS LAUNCHES FILM COLLECTION ON HULU

Sundance Institute and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Award $60,000 In Science-in-Film Prizes at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival

The Stanford Prison Experiment by Kyle Patrick Alvarez wins Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize Jonathan Minard and Scott Rashap (Archive) Receive Sundance Institute / Sloan Fellowship Jon Noble (Tyfus) and Cutter Hodierne and John Hibey (Otzi) Receive Sundance Institute / Sloan Commissioning Grants Sundance Institute today announced the Science-in Film-Prizes that support the development and exhibition of new independent film projects that explore science … Continue reading Sundance Institute and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Award $60,000 In Science-in-Film Prizes at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival

The Hidden Gems of Sundance 2015

  By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau Images By: The Sundance Film Festival Here in the beauty that is Park City surrounded by tall snowcap mountains The 2015 Sundance Film Festival has returned with an outstanding selection of films, filmmakers and artist of which has made this years festival one to remember. From Robert Redford’s wonderfully fun film “A Walk In The Woods” to Director Adam Salky’s shockingly … Continue reading The Hidden Gems of Sundance 2015

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

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

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”

Sundance 15: A Power Keg Of Diverse Talent

By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau   Storytellers broaden our minds: engaging, provoking, inspiring and ultimately connecting us.   Robert Redford, President and Founder There was  a deep chill in the air as people trickle into Park City. Some of them were local and some had traveled far and wide to attend the 2015 Sundance film Festival. There was an anticipation in the air which  everyone was captured by. … Continue reading Sundance 15: A Power Keg Of Diverse Talent

Bob and the Trees- A Winter Tale for Guys: In Conversation with Writer/Director Diego Ongaro

  By: Vernon Nickerson Edited By: Calleen Page   The Art of Monteque sat down this week with Diego Ongaro, Writer and Director of the 2015 Sundance NEXT feature film Bob and the Trees. We talked about the making of the film and becoming an artist.  Bob and the Trees seems to have a lot of complex undertones about the struggles of life, did you … Continue reading Bob and the Trees- A Winter Tale for Guys: In Conversation with Writer/Director Diego Ongaro

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