May 2013
10 posts
1 tag
What You Need To Know...
CONTRIBUTOR FOR: The Large Association of Movie Blogs (LAMB) [Film Festival Contributor] Filmophilia [Features Writer]
RECOGNITION: Nominated for Best Movie Genre Blog - Independent Cinema; as voted on by The Large Association of Movie Blogs (2013)
30 tags
100 Things (Independent) Movies Have Taught Me
This is the last of it…
91. Smoking week for medicinal purposes is sociably acceptable… even in cinematic reality. Also, it’s so much easier to get your stoner best friend to tell off your horrible significant other for you. [50/50] 92.You just can’t trust doctors. [The Good Doctor]
93. It can be all too convenient to avoid emotional attachments but being connected to others...
8 tags
Indie Shorts: PostSecret - Fifty People, One...
It was a simple concept - one question (What is your secret?) and fifty people to answer it. What it created was a beautiful short film on the hopes, aspirations, fears, joys, and dreams. It’s alot of touching moments superimposed with humorous antedotes. I love everything about this, and its shot beautifully. That is why this short has been going around the internet now for three years. Enjoy.
...
12 tags
"I Wish We Could Just Run Away": A Review of "The...
Director Baz Luhrmann had a vision for The Great Gatsby; a fact that can not be denied. What can also be said is that Luhrmann chooses to overwhelm the senses rather than caress them. Gone is much of the carefully paced momentum that allowed us to fall into the rhythm of the words of the wonderful F. Scott Fitzgerald and in its place is heavy-handed interpretation that is more spectacle than...
12 tags
20 tags
Other Book to Film Adaptations Featuring the Cast...
No matter if it turns out to be a hit, is bombed by critics and audiences, or falls somewhere in between, one thing is for sure, The Great Gatsby, the reimagining of the great F. Scott Fitzgerld American classic novel by the king of glitzy stylized film aesthetic Baz Luhrmann, is one of the most anticipated movies this year. Anyone who has read the novel can contend that it is a story that smartly...
21 tags
Music Complements: "To The Wonder"
I’m introducing a new music feature on this blog where I sort of create my own soundtrack for different movies I have watched recently. I came up with the idea a couple of days ago when I was listening to some of my favorite songs on my iPod and it reminded me are certain dramatic situations I have seen play out on the big screen or perfectly described a character’s motivations, feelings, or...
12 tags
30 tags
Must Watch List (May 2013)
Here is a list of mainstream but mostly independent releases that represent the films I most want to see and/or the films I would recommend to others. As always, check back in my Film Calendar section to see related blog posts on these films after I see them.
[May 10]
The Great Gatsby: The reimagining of the great F. Scott Fitzgerld American classic novel by the king of glitzy stylized film...
30 tags
Tribeca Debriefed
First time getting a ticket package (well, worth it on opening weekend). A great friend that I shared the experience with. Some insight on how to mingle in with the photographers for some great photo opportunities. Tribeca 2013 was a great experience up there with all my film festing experiences. Here is a recap of the who, what, where, and why of it all…
The Unforgettable Moments These...
April 2013
15 posts
12 tags
Tribeca [Day 4/5]: "The Moment" and "Möbius"
My time at Tribeca 2013 came to a close with, unfortunately, some film screenings that weren’t really worth my effort. In a way I feel tricked, dubbed even into investing my time. However, that’s the price you pay for going on blind faith at film festivals; you’re not given much more than a three line synopsis and maybe one promo still from the movie to gone on. It’s always a leap of faith, and...
26 tags
18 tags
Tribeca [Day 3]: "The Reluctant Fundamentalist"
As I was by myself for the rest of the festival, much of my third day was spent walking around the city, particularly a trek between Tribeca and SoHo and back again. If I ever was fortunate enough to live in Manhattan (and I say that to mean ‘have alot of money’) I would definitely live in this area of the city. One thing to note though; independent bookstores in SoHo (and I really try and support...
20 tags
Tribeca [Day 2]: Alittle Southern Hospitality,...
Day 2 of my 2013 Tribeca Film Festival experience found me and my friend meeting up with some of her friends for Sunday brunch at Southern Hospitality, the BBQ place co-owned by none other than Justin Timberlake. You know with the resurgence of JT the performer (I choose to forgot that period of time there when he tried to act) it’s time to really care about him again. So I wanted to care about...
17 tags
15 tags
Tribeca [Day 1]: Kicking around Tribeca & Chelsea...
New York City. Tribeca Film Festival. Fourth year. Let’s do this. My first day at Tribeca (Saturday of opening weekend) wasn’t really a full day (I flew in that afternoon) but it was one that had me exploring the place that it all started - the Tribeca (Triangle Below Canal Street) neighorhood that was the namesake of the festival and then heading to spend the evening in Chelsea. This year, my...
15 tags
Tribeca Film Festival 2013: Meet the Filmmakers
More filmmaker profiles have been released by Indiewire in support of the Tribeca Film Festival. Here is a spotlight on two more Tribeca 2013 film selections which, in my opinion, are must see movies from first time filmmakers:
Bluebird (starring Amy Morton, Adam Driver, John Slattery, Margo Martindale): On a freezing January evening, school bus driver Lesley completes her route, but her final...
16 tags
16 tags
Tribeca Film Festival 2013: Meet the Filmmakers
In continuation of my first post on filmmakers for this year’s festival, here are some more filmmakers profiles/interviews for the films that made my top picks list for this years festival brought to you by Tribeca Film:
The Moment (starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Martin Henderson): After a tumultuous affair between international photojournalist Lee and troubled artist John ends in John’s...
9 tags
27 tags
Tribeca Film Festival 2013: Special Events
As I mentioned in my festival guide, there is alot to see and do in association with the Tribeca Film Festival outside of the film screenings and post-screening panel discussion with director/cast. Tribeca is all about the merging of film with other facets of entertainment. This year’s festival is no exception. Take a look at some of the cool things that the 2013 festival has to offer....
20 tags
Tribeca Film Festival 2013: Meet the Filmmakers
As a part of the series from Indiewire in support of the Tribeca Film Festival, invited directors with Tribeca selections in the festival are featured. Here are some filmmakers profiles/interviews for the films that made my top picks list for this years festival:
A Case of You (starring Justin Long, Evan Rachel Wood, Peter Dinklage, Sam Rockwell, Vince Vaughn, Sienna Miller): A young writer named...
10 tags
20 tags
Five (Independent) Movies That Challenge The...
I love a good psychological thriller that allows you to decipher what is real and what is not or leave you to wonder if there is a true reality in the story at all. In honor of the release of Danny Boyle’s Trance, which sets prominently on my must watch list, here are some movies I endorse skewed toward independent cinema. Of course there are the standby favorites that everyone knows...
mayarudolphs asked: Hello! I just want to say I really enjoy your reviews. I'm fairly new to independent film (I got into them around 2011) and your blog definitely has inspired and opened my eyes to so many incredible films. Hopefully I'm making sense; I want to thank you for such an amazing and inspiring blog.
30 tags
Must Watch List (April 2013)
Seems like alot of the great little indies from festivals of 2012 and 2013 are all being nestled together for release this spring. So much so that I had to do a post on just April film releases alone. Here are the ones I am most excited about and will be heading to the theater (or VOD) for. Check back in my Film Calendar section to see related blog posts on these films after I see them.
[April 5]
...
March 2013
19 posts
15 tags
Watched and Wore: "Celeste and Jesse Forever"
<—-WATCHED THIS Synopsis: Celeste and Jesse met in high school, married young and are growing apart. This divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people.
My Take: Celeste and Jesse Forever stands as a romantic comedy that tries to reverse the formula. Instead off witnessing two people fall in love and try and overcome the obstacles put in their way to...
10 tags
16 tags
16 tags
Film Review: "The Spectacular Now"
From the 2013 Atlanta Film Festival, closing night…
I have to preface this whole review of The Spectacular Now by saying that I had been hesitant in seeing this movie for awhile. I remember going through the Sundance 2013 selections in the film festival guide, seeing the description of this movie, and deciding that I did not want to see yet another adolescent movie that was so…...
7 tags
7 tags
Be Independent: 8 Questions with Filmmaker Nicole...
How would you define the actual role of a filmmaker?
I would define the role of a filmmaker as an architect of living stories, fresh ideas and possibilities beyond what we may normally experience as human beings. It is a role that allows filmmakers to create new, boundless universes where people can see their wildest fantasies, dreams, fears or beliefs come true. That may or may not involve...
25 tags
A Survey in Film: Food, Southern Folk, & the New...
In the last week, I’ve seen alot of Matthew McConaughey. For the record, this is not a complaint. Between Netflix’ing Killer Joe (yes, I FINALLY saw it) and attending the opening night screening of Mud for the Atlanta Film Festival (quite a coup from Sundance, ATL film), I have witness some of what has been considered the new era of Matthew McConaughey. He wipes off that...
10 tags
30 tags
100 Things (Independent) Movies Have Taught Me
My list is almost done…
81. It never pays to sleep with the offspring of your enemy. [The Trouble With Bliss] 82. Dogs aren’t all that bad; in fact, they their very existence can lead you to become a millionaire. Oh, and being a fast-talking gypsy boxer can come in handy. [Snatch]
83. Even the littlest people can be the bravest. [Beasts of the Southern Wild] 84. You should...
8 tags
A Guide to the Tribeca Film Festival
As we move into spring (hello, warm weather!), I’m back again, this time discussing the best ways to navigate the biggest film festival of the season in North America (sorry SxSW) - the Tribeca Film Festival (TFF). I have alot of love for Tribeca since it was my very first festival I attended back in 2010. As many festivals have recognizable directors connected with them, Tribeca has people like...
8 tags
Indie Shorts: "The Division of Gravity"
Who says you short films can not be just as powerful and all encompassing as features? I came across the short, The Division of Gravity this week when I was watching shorts for the London in Genres series that just wrapped up. I thought I would share it since it is still sticking with me. Through beautiful composition, The Division Of Gravity depicts, in the beginning of the film, the very...
10 tags
30 tags
Tribeca Film Festival 2013: My Picks
Yesterday, I presented the beginnings of my list of movies to see at this year’s festival, and today is the rest of my list as the last of the announcements have been made. The following movies are films that caught my eye from the 33 films of the Spotlight section, as well as the 6 films of the Special Screenings and the 7 films of the Midnight lineup. I think these have some solid...
19 tags
Tribeca Film Festival 2013: My Picks
New York City is about to see me again very soon… Yesterday, Tribeca Film Festival made their first of two announcements of the films slated for this year’s festival. The first one always includes the 12 films in the World Narrative Competition, 12 films in World Documentary Competition, and 22 films in the out-of-competition Viewpoints section. I wanted to list the films from these...
7 tags
30 tags
London In Genres: The Collection
18 genres. 13 contributors. 1 great city. I sincerely would like to thank everyone who contributed their time and skills to make this collection a reality. As a reminder, here is what ‘London in Genres’ is all about. I hope that this stands as a great collection of London-centric films for many people out there to enjoy. I really want to do this series again, so if you have any suggestions as to...
15 tags
Right Now, I'm Loving...
» Aaron Paul: From me, the admiration started with his recent, more serious turn into indie film with the 2012 Sundance hit Smashed (which recently ended its theatrical run) and it continues as I make my way through the seasons, by way of marathons, of the critically-acclaimed TV show Breaking Bad. Let’s just say I’m coming to understand the Emmy win. I hope to see more of him...
13 tags
February 2013
11 posts
8 tags
Oscars 2013 Best Animated Short: "Paperman"
Have you guys seen the Disney short (and now Oscar winning Best Animated short) Paperman? I have to be honest; all my attention is always on the feature films and never on the shorts. Well, I specially tracked this one down. I’m happy to report that its as beautifully charming as it has been suggested at the awards ceremony and in the press. Set in 1940s New York, it’s a black...
5 tags
Independent Spirit Awards: Andy Samberg
I have to make a confession: I kinda shamefully skipping the Indie Awards (since I had SLP kinda swept the whole thing) and went directly to the Oscars this year. So, today, I’m back tracking to take in some of the highlights of the ceremony which for me is always the opening monologue. I think previously Seth Rogen mostly killed so this time, it was seeing with SNL alum Andy Samberg would...
19 tags
12 tags
10 tags
Watched & Wore: "Beginners"
<—-WATCHED THIS
Synopsis: Beginners explores the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver (Ewan McGregor). Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna (Mélanie Laurent) only months after his father Hal Fields (Christopher Plummer) has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father, who, following the death of his wife...
10 tags
