Tag: Vernon Nickerson

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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Book Review, Book Reviews

Life Remixed … A Tale Of Hope From Mike Wilkinson

By Vernon Nickerson I recommend that every library system purchase this book and the audio book. I find Mr. Mike Wilkinson’s words to be inspiring whether in book form or on YouTube, especially when he is being interviewed or on a panel. Life Remixed ( TM) is very appropriate for the newest addition to the self-help pantheon of books entering the 2021 market. It certainly … Continue reading Life Remixed … A Tale Of Hope From Mike Wilkinson

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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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Arts, Book Reviews

Review of “Working Through the Infinite Source”

By Vernon Nickerson We All Have The Power To Reach The Stars Mr. Sandeep Mangeram Agarwal’s book of Poems “ In Working Through the Infinite Source” is a journey and study of one’s own divinity and how through 30 poems written as palms shows the connectivity of humanity through love. With the intention to transform, educate and to heal it is a simple, but profoundly … Continue reading Review of “Working Through the Infinite Source”

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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

“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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Movie Review

Review of “Everything: The Real Thing Story”

Something for everyone, See “Everything – “The Real Thing Story” as soon as you can! By Vernon Nickerson  Wow! Who knew? 1976- America turned 200. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic (pond), “Everything – The Real Thing Story” was making history and breaking barriers. A rabid pink-skinned racist’s rant opens a film about the greatest Black British band that most Americans never knew existed. To really appreciate … Continue reading Review of “Everything: The Real Thing Story”

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Movie Review

2021 Slamdance Film Festival Review Of “Bleeding Audio”: It Is The Holy Grail Of Alternative Punk Band biography…And So Much More!

By Vernon Nickerson Chelsea Christer’s reality drama-documentary “Bleeding Audio” will be a hot ticket for fans of fan favorite punk rockers “The Matches” as soon as tickets are available. If, like most feature length films in the COVID era, it is streamed, that platform had best be prepared to be shredded. Officially, “Bleeding Audio” is the deep, wide and multilayered story of an Oakland California … Continue reading 2021 Slamdance Film Festival Review Of “Bleeding Audio”: It Is The Holy Grail Of Alternative Punk Band biography…And So Much More!

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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

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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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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Introduction to the Artist

An interview with “TRIBES” Director Nino Aldi, Producer/Actor DeStorm (day-storm) Power and Producer/Actor Jake Hunter

By: Vernon Nickerson Edited by: Christopher Roberts “Tribes” is a tremendously poignant and thought provoking film. With a rich textured story “Tribes” paints a picture of humanities complicated identity. It is the consequential poem of our times. Tribes” will be a featured short at the 2020 Santa Barbara Film Festival and The Art Of Monteque had the privilege to do a sit down interview with … Continue reading An interview with “TRIBES” Director Nino Aldi, Producer/Actor DeStorm (day-storm) Power and Producer/Actor Jake Hunter

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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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