SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES SHORTS FOR 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

68 Short-Form Stories — Drama, Comedies, Animation, Docs and More (L-R) Come Swim, Credit: John Guleserian; Night Shift, Credit: Estee Ochoa; The Robbery, Credit: Lowell Meyer.  Sixty-eight short films, announced today, will complement the lineup of longer fare at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The short film slate aligns thematically with other Festival categories, including Midnight and The New Climate, the Festival’s new programming strand … Continue reading SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES SHORTS FOR 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

PREMIERES, MIDNIGHT, KIDS, AND MORE: LATEST ADDITIONS TO 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP

Premieres, Documentary Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, Kids and Special Events: From Documentary and Horror to Romance and Episodic (L-R) The Killing Ground, Courtesy of Sundance Institute; The Polka King, Credit: Andre Bowden Schwartz; My Life as a Zucchini, Courtesy of Sundance Institute. The final pieces of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival feature film program fall into place today, as Sundance Institute announces the lineup for Premieres, Documentary … Continue reading PREMIERES, MIDNIGHT, KIDS, AND MORE: LATEST ADDITIONS TO 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP

New Frontier Showcases Storytelling’s Future at 2017 Sundance Film Festival

  Now in its second decade of breaking new ground at the forefront of art and technology, Sundance Institute has curated an in-depth vision of storytelling’s future for the 2017 edition of New Frontier at the Sundance Film Festival, January 19-29 in Park City. The full slate — including storyworlds in Augmented Reality headsets, projection-mapped acrobatics, a VR beauty salon producing neuroscience data via the … Continue reading New Frontier Showcases Storytelling’s Future at 2017 Sundance Film Festival

2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: COMPETITION AND NEXT LINEUP

Sundance Institute convenes a full slate of provocative and agenda-setting independent films at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival,  the 66 films selected for U.S. Competition, World Competition and NEXT, as well as a slate of environmentally focused programming under the Festival’s New Climate program. The Festival hosts screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort January 19-29. The Festival celebrates creativity … Continue reading 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: COMPETITION AND NEXT LINEUP

From The Remarkable Plants of Texas

  By: Jannie Vaught   As this gardener wanders through the extensive history and availability of the many native plants of Texas, I find some interesting and thought provoking plants. In my list of “Things that make you go hum.” The Common Persimmon is one. Not to be confused with the Texas Persimmon, The little black fruited persimmon. The Common persimmon, Diospyros virginianan L. There are … Continue reading From The Remarkable Plants of Texas

Film Review Of Director Li Lu Complex Meditation Which is “There Is a New World Somewhere”

  By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Director Li Lu delivers a Tour de Force in her debut feature film “There Is a New World Somewhere” Director Li Lu masterfully crafts a story about the growing pains of life. “There Is a New World Somewhere” is a film which shows the journey we take in life is not as cut and dry as we might think. The … Continue reading Film Review Of Director Li Lu Complex Meditation Which is “There Is a New World Somewhere”

Film Review Of “HOW TO LET GO OF THE WORLD AND LOVE ALL THE THINGS CLIMATE CAN’T CHANGE”

By Saga Elmotaseb What is going on with the world today? Why are we not taking better care of our planet? Do we not see and hear and read the catastrophes of climate change and the worsening effects it’s having on our planet? Acclaimed and Oscar® Nominated director Josh Fox (GASLAND) takes us on a world wide journey where he personally injects himself into regions … Continue reading Film Review Of “HOW TO LET GO OF THE WORLD AND LOVE ALL THE THINGS CLIMATE CAN’T CHANGE”

Interview with Writer,Producer, Director Alicia Slimmer and Star Stef Dawson of The Film “Creedmoria”!

By Saga Elmotaseb If you love the 80’s and who doesn’t? This is your film. I totally loved “Creedmoria”! The story follows your typical dysfunctional East Coast family from one trial and error to the next. All seen thru the point of view of the main character, Candy, joyfully portrayed by Stef Dawson, who steals the show with her innocent mischievousness and spunky carrot top … Continue reading Interview with Writer,Producer, Director Alicia Slimmer and Star Stef Dawson of The Film “Creedmoria”!

Film Review of Director Guy-Roger Duvert’s film “Virtual Revolution”

By: Vernon Nickerson “Is it possible to force people into freedom? And if it is, should it be done?” This is the question posed by Nash, the anti-hero of Writer/Director Guy-Roger Duvert’s film, “Virtual Revolution”.  Wonderfully complicating matters, the audience is masterfully taken on a sci-fi action adventure in parallel worlds to help viewers make up their own minds about the question. First, Duvert introduces … Continue reading Film Review of Director Guy-Roger Duvert’s film “Virtual Revolution”

Pumpkin Power Now! A review of “A Tricky Treat”

By: Vernon Nickerson In less than four minutes of their short,” A Tricky Treat”, writer Kamal John Iskander and director Patricia Chica exquisitely capture the pure essence of the random moment of adolescent self-loathing, rage and violence directed out toward others. After viewing this film, I wondered silently if in the apocalypse will there only be orange pumpkin people  who sound like Beaver Cleaver’s family … Continue reading Pumpkin Power Now! A review of “A Tricky Treat”

Anatomy Of A Broken System: Eve Manson’s Documentary, Dr. Feelgood

By: Vernon Nickerson Director Eve Marson’s documentary, Dr. Feelgood chronicles the life of Dr. William Hurwitz, M.D. a pain management specialist who was convicted of over 50 counts of narcotics distribution and subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison. Early in the film, it is revealed that Dr. Hurwitz had never illegally treated or illegally prescribed medications to any of his patients and had been … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Broken System: Eve Manson’s Documentary, Dr. Feelgood

TROUBLING THE STILL WATERS OF DENIAL: Writer/Director Derek Hallquist’s Beautifully Crafted Telling of His Father’s Journey

By: Vernon Nickerson Still waters run deep is a proverb of Latin origin now commonly taken to mean that a placid exterior hides a passionate or subtle nature.” (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)   “Denial” Writer and Director Derek Hallquist’s exquisitely composed story of his parent Christine Hallquist’s (nee David Hallquist) life, is the ultimate 21st Century story of speaking truth to power.  The feature film … Continue reading TROUBLING THE STILL WATERS OF DENIAL: Writer/Director Derek Hallquist’s Beautifully Crafted Telling of His Father’s Journey

Film Review Of 2016 Dances With Films Feature, “LILITH’S AWAKENING”

By: Vernon Nickerson Lucy  Is On Top in Monica Demes’s Feature Film, “Lilith’s Awakening”   In “Lilith’s Awakening”, Writer, Director, Monica Demes film noir homage to Dracula, the Vampire is Lucy’s alter-ego portrayed with style and silent film acting panache by Barbara Eugenia. Plot-meets-13th Century rabbinical Lilith literature as our 21st Century heroine Lucy ( actress Sophia Woodward) somehow calls out the Vampire via her … Continue reading Film Review Of 2016 Dances With Films Feature, “LILITH’S AWAKENING”

Film Review Of “TABLOID VIVANT”: Kyle Broom’s Dance Through The Flames Of The Artist’s Creative Journey

By: Vernon Nickerson Writer-Director Kyle Broom’s epic horror fantasy of a man and a woman’s obsession with fame, life and art is a gorgeously gritty deep dive into the 21st-century lives of 2 young artists obsessed with creating their magnum opus. “Tabloid Vivant” cleverly draws upon the true story of acclaimed psychoanalyst Lou Salomé, who famously indulged in her own dalliances with renowned German philosophers … Continue reading Film Review Of “TABLOID VIVANT”: Kyle Broom’s Dance Through The Flames Of The Artist’s Creative Journey

A Review Of The 2016 Dance With Film “Killer Friends”

  By:  Erica Summers   Have you ever want to do away with one of your friends. We are not talking about the friend that is constantly there for you when you’re in need or the friend that makes you cookies when you’re not feeling well. Or the friend that always has the right thing to say to lift your spirits; no, we are talking … Continue reading A Review Of The 2016 Dance With Film “Killer Friends”

A Review of 2016 LA Film Festival Film “Little Hero”

  By:  Erica Summers Because He Is Awesome   “Little  Hero” will have it’s  Los Angeles premiere at 2016 LA Film Festival on June 6th. “Little  Hero” is a  short documentary film  which is touching and deeply emotionally engaging.  This film takes it deeply personal and reflective look at how six year old twins Avery and Xande  perceives the world around them. Avery explains their … Continue reading A Review of 2016 LA Film Festival Film “Little Hero”

A Review Of The 2016 Dance With Film “Breaking Legs” Finding The Strength To Follow One’s Dreams

By: Austin Winter- Chase We all have gone through the awkward and frustrating situation of having to move to a new town, start anew in a strange new house, meet new friends and go to a new school. For some this process was not as traumatic as it was for others. Simply put if you were one of the popular people then you were in. … Continue reading A Review Of The 2016 Dance With Film “Breaking Legs” Finding The Strength To Follow One’s Dreams

A Conversation With Director Brian Donovan Of The 2016 The Dances With Films “KELLY’S HOLLYWOOD”

  By: Saga Elmotaseb Edited By: Colleen Page “KELLY’S HOLLYWOOD” by Director/Actor/DJ: Brian Donovan and brother of Kelly is a brother’s quest to fulfill his disabled sister’s dream of becoming a Hollywood diva which takes an unexpected turn when it starts to threaten his engagement. The film illustrates both the cost and rewards of unconditional love. The Art Of Monteque Had a chance to sit … Continue reading A Conversation With Director Brian Donovan Of The 2016 The Dances With Films “KELLY’S HOLLYWOOD”