Tag: Movie Review

Healthy Living, Movie Review

The Need to Grow A Life Transforming Film

By Vernon Nickerson Sometimes the best independent films are life-transforming. Other times watching and listening to an exceptionally well-told story makes the heart sing. From the collaborative team of Rob Herring (Writer-Director) and Ryan Wirick (Director), The Need to Grow is that film. The subtitle, “Save the SOIL, Save the WORLD,” summarizes an intimate journey of a mother and Girl Scout Troup leader (Ms. Monica … Continue reading The Need to Grow A Life Transforming Film

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Arts

SEE “SUMMER Of SOUL” AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE

By Vernon Nickerson Where were you in summer 1969? Can’t remember? Not born yet? That’s okay. I have the perfect film for where you needed to be in 1969 on the day man walked on the moon. GO SEE SUMMER SOUL AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE! A Questlove Jam: “Summer of Soul”, Or, when the Revolution Could Not Be Televised, is more than a documentary. … Continue reading SEE “SUMMER Of SOUL” AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE

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Arts, Movie Review

’12 Mighty Orphans’ Offers a Story of Hope During Tough Times

By Mike Szymanski Everyone wants a story of hope during tough times, and this is a story inspired by true events during the tough times of the Great Depression. How appropriate then, to bring the story to light today in the middle of some very tough times, too. With a stellar familiar cast and a ripe pack of new talent, “12 Mighty Orphans” reminds me … Continue reading ’12 Mighty Orphans’ Offers a Story of Hope During Tough Times

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Arts, Movie Review

A Summer Blockbuster in Independent Film: “Skin Deep: Formulating a Legacy” Is A Serious Piece Of 2021 Summertime Fun!

By Vernon Nickerson In the new film, “Skin Deep: Formulating a Legacy”, we are reminded that while “Jersey Shore” was becoming a cultural phenomenon, an actual phenomenally talented entrepreneur and cosmetic chemistry genius was working against relentless odds and a jaw-dropping series of unfortunate events. Thanks to the star and Executive Producer Vince Spinnato, a Jersey native and proud graduate of Vineland High School, we … Continue reading A Summer Blockbuster in Independent Film: “Skin Deep: Formulating a Legacy” Is A Serious Piece Of 2021 Summertime Fun!

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Movie Review

“LEYLAK”: A Quiet and Powerful Film Depicting A Family’s Grief Observed in the 2020-2021 COVID 19 Pandemic

By Vernon Nickerson 500,000 deaths to date. Once upon a time it was only 100,000; 25,000 of those were from NY, NY. Thankfully, 61 died in New York with a family’s remembrance. This is where “Leylak” (the Turkish word for mauve and or lilac) begins. Historically, the color symbolizes spring and mourning the loss of a loved one. Both themes frame the story simply and … Continue reading “LEYLAK”: A Quiet and Powerful Film Depicting A Family’s Grief Observed in the 2020-2021 COVID 19 Pandemic

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Arts, Movie Review

A Review of “Anatomy of Wings” : A Thing of Beauty and a Joy Forever

By Vernon Nickerson Won’t regret, can’t forget what they did for love. I am besotted by this film, as witness my first thoughts after watching “Anatomy of Wings” for the first time. On the wings of love, they fly like an eagle. “Anatomy of Wings”, masterfully helmed by educator and director Kirsten D’Andrea Hollander in collaboration with her entire production crew, is an example of … Continue reading A Review of “Anatomy of Wings” : A Thing of Beauty and a Joy Forever

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Movie Review

Well, Hello, Workhorse Queen! – A Review Of A New Film From Angela Washko

By Vernon Nickerson Angela Washko Director/ Writer/ Producer masterfully leads an ensemble Drag Queen village cast to raise a fabulous film extravaganza, “Workhorse Queen” ! If there’s a niche in the LGTBQ+ community for a beautiful, powerful, profound and inspirational and moving tale perfectly pitched, have I got a “Workhorse Queen” and her family to meet that need. Masterfully, tastefully, and damn freakishly satisfying, too! … Continue reading Well, Hello, Workhorse Queen! – A Review Of A New Film From Angela Washko

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Movie Review

A Review Of SEASPIRACY: A Secret Plan To Do Harm To the Ocean’s Ecosystems

By Vernon Nickerson Seaspiracy, which I am defining for purposes of this review as a secret plan to do harm to the ocean’s ecosystems comes out on Netflix in a time when a flood of revelations across multiple disciplines has rushed forth in the vacuum created by the absence of Donald J. Trump’s shrill science denial ignorance. If the cruelty and savage slaughter towards sentient … Continue reading A Review Of SEASPIRACY: A Secret Plan To Do Harm To the Ocean’s Ecosystems

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Arts

“SOFTIE”: For God, for Kenya, and for Family- Boniface Mwangi’s story aims for NO ONE Left Behind

By Vernon Nickerson From writer/director Sam Soko comes a powerful documentary of an underdog/longshot Kenyan political candidate that is anything but soft. The hero of “Softie”, photojournalist-cum-candidate for prime minister Boniface Mwangi may be soft-spoken, but his actions are bold, loud, and in-your-face. In a nation-state that has known continuous internal conflict since the fifth Century through two world wars, Idi Amin and Donald J. … Continue reading “SOFTIE”: For God, for Kenya, and for Family- Boniface Mwangi’s story aims for NO ONE Left Behind

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Arts, LGTQ, Movie Review

Film Review of “In France Michelle Is A Man’s Name”

By Vernon Nickerson How many fathers have introduced/given their transgendered children things as adults as if they were children who were never allowed to say no thanks and or reject the offer? Writer-Director Em Weinsten highlights in a taut short film the primary issue of this dynamic where something is demanded from another without asking permission or without determining if a “gift” was what was … Continue reading Film Review of “In France Michelle Is A Man’s Name”

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Arts, Movie Review

“GNT” A Short Film About Female Self Validation

By Joanna Panayi Directed by Sara Hirner and Rosemary Vasquez Brown, “GNT” is an edgy animated short created by and for women. Honest conversations between young females inspire this short film to expose the repeated cycle that is self-validation. We see the female characters Glenn, Nikki, and Tammy’s contradictory friendship as it often relies upon social standards. Glenn constantly measures her self-worth based on her … Continue reading “GNT” A Short Film About Female Self Validation

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Arts, Movie Review

“The Fourfold” Film Review: Animation for Big Screens!

By Vernon Nickerson Alisi Telengut’s animated film and Official Selection at Sundance 2021, “The Fourfold”, is a visual feast of nature, sound, color, and humans in animation. As soon as it opens in theaters post-pandemic,  you can look forward to enjoying it on the big screen where it was born to be seen. Based on the ancient animistic beliefs and shamanic rituals in Mongolia and … Continue reading “The Fourfold” Film Review: Animation for Big Screens!

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Movie Review

2021 Slamdance Film Festival Film Review of “Man Under Table or: I’m Writing a Movie”

By Vernon Nickerson I found music video director / filmmaker / actor Noel David Taylor’s “Man Under Table or: I’m Writing a Movie” fascinating. It is unique as a film made PRE-COVID-19 and released in the midst of a global pandemic which has changed irrevocably how films are marketed/ distributed and “build an audience” in the neo-virtual digital media multiverse. Watching “Man Under Table or: … Continue reading 2021 Slamdance Film Festival Film Review of “Man Under Table or: I’m Writing a Movie”

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Movie Review

Film review of Critically Acclaimed “Cut Throat City”

By Vernon Nickerson What would happen if a diverse POC cast made a 21st century redux of Les Miserables? It would be “Cut Throat City”. From director RZA and writer P.G. Cuschieri comes the explosive “Cut Throat City”, the story of four boyhood friends from New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward who return after Hurricane Katrina to decimated homes, no jobs, and no help from FEMA. … Continue reading Film review of Critically Acclaimed “Cut Throat City”

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Arts

Mother’s Day Memories- A Film by Bill Hoversten

By Vernon Nickerson The power of film to illuminate and educate the audience shines throughout “Mother’s Day Memories”, a short feature film currently selected for eight international film festivals. The tight ensemble cast hits all the right notes to convey the slow erasure of the multiple lives impacted when a parent is losing their memories due to Alzheimers. Bill Hoversten packs every word, every gesture, … Continue reading Mother’s Day Memories- A Film by Bill Hoversten

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Movie Review

“Softie” Film Review

By Liisa Cohen “Softie”, a film by Sam Soko is a perfectly paced, gut wrenching account of Boniface Mwangi as we follow this photojournalist turned political activist turned MP candidate on his personal journey. Boniface “Softie” Mwangi has long fought injustices in his country as a political activist. Now he’s taking the next step by running for office in a regional Kenyan election. From the … Continue reading “Softie” Film Review

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Arts

“FINDING YINGYING” Movie Review

By Liisa Cohen Director Jiayan “Jenny” Shitakes takes us on a gripping and intimate journey of devastating loss and the struggle of a grieving family to exist. Yingying Zhang, a 26-year-old Chinese student, comes to the U.S. to study. In her detailed and beautiful diaries, the aspiring young scientist and teacher is full of optimism, hoping to also be married and a mother someday. Within … Continue reading “FINDING YINGYING” Movie Review

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Arts, Movie Review

“NASRIN” Movie Review

By Liisa Cohen The opening frames had my heart pounding, the ending frames had me in tears. NASRIN is a deeply moving, heart breaking and all too real story of Nasrin Sotoudeh, an attorney, human rights activist and political prisoner in Iran. With the back drop of modern day Iran, director/ writer/producer Jeff Kaufman and cinematographer “anonymous” risked their lives to tell the story of … Continue reading “NASRIN” Movie Review

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Arts, Movie Review

MR SOUL! So Before It’s Time

By Liisa Cohen Completely captivating, “MR SOUL!” is not just a documentary about Ellis B. Haizlip and his 1968-1973 Public Television show “Mr. SOUL!”. “Mr. SOUL!” is a deeply moving, beautifully edited, must see, absorbed and cherished film about a television show that started a movement reflecting the SOUL of all black people and the man behind this push . “MR. SOUL!” showcased black and … Continue reading MR SOUL! So Before It’s Time

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Arts, Movie Review

“The Terrible Adventure” Empowers Children For a Better Tomorrow

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Writer and Director Kel Thompson’s independent feature film “The Terrible Adventure” is a delightfully sweet children’s film. “The Terrible Adventure” was the creative idea of Director Kel Thompson and his children. In the age of Greta Thunberg, “The Terrible Adventure” give gives a powerful message to children that there is nothing they can’t achieve. In the style James Albert Varney Jr’s … Continue reading “The Terrible Adventure” Empowers Children For a Better Tomorrow

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