There are some especially strong documentaries out there to see to celebrate some LGBTQ Americans who have made incredible contributions to this land, its culture and, more importantly, its present. “My Name Is Pauli Murray” Directors: Julie Cohen and Betsy West Pauli Murray (featured image) might be among the most important lawyers of the twentieth century that most of us (myself included) had ... more >
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MOVIE REVIEW | “23 Walks” is one of THE YEAR’S BEST
Starring Dave Johns and Alison Steadman Directed by Paul Morrison Writer-director Paul Morrison has fashioned an endearingly sweet later-in-life romance fable that follows two senior citizens who first meet walking their dogs and then, over the course of several seasons, deal with the joys, pittfalls and pains of what it means to start a relationship at any age, never mind in the autumn of the ... more >
BRIEFLY CONSIDERED: “Tougher than a Tank” and “Prince of Luna Park”
“Tougher Than a Tank” Marine Eddie Ryan was hit in the head by friendly fire in Iraq, and his condition was so grave that his parents came to his bedside expecting to say goodbye. Against all odds, Ryan not only survived but was soon able to speak and use his left arm. He maintained his sense of humor, even if certain emotional cues were now absent due to his injuries. The medical bills were ... more >
SHORT FILM OUTING: L.A.’s DANCES WITH FILM FESTIVAL to showcase a short that caught our fancy
I’m a fan of a short film that can tell a complete story and foster a solid atmosphere in only so many screen minutes. Accordingly, if you happen to be in Los Angeles in time for the Dances With Film Festival, on september 1st do yourself a favor and check out “A Good Couple,” a dreamy psychological thriller from filmmaker Robert Gregson. Gregson’s short stars Julie Ann Earls and Alex Mandell ... more >
Nearly thirty years later he’s back: “CANDYMAN” | MOVIE REVIEW
Directed by Nia DaCosta Stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett Co-written by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld and Nia DaCosta "Candyman" is now out in theaters Earlier this week I re-watched the original “Candyman” from 1992 in which a pair of enterprising though credulous graduate students (Virginia Madsen and Kasi Lemmons) seek to catalog and/or debunk Chicago ... more >
MOVIE REVIEW: “The Night House” starring Rebecca Hall, Sarah Goldberg and Stacy Martin and directed by David Bruckner
The new thriller “The Night House” indeed has its share of jump scares, though thankfully this rather clever and intelligent supernatural thriller from director David Bruckner (working from a screenplay by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski) has much more on its mind than simply inducing fright in the viewer—which it certainly accomplishes. The filmmakers give us no time to breathe as we are ... more >
SMALL TALK WITH BIG PEOPLE | filmmaker Marina Zenovich of WHAT HAPPENS IN HOLLYWOOD
There’s what goes on in the film biz and then there’s what really goes on in Tinseltown. That’s what documentary filmmaker Marina Zenovich (director of last year’s “Lance,” about disgraced biker Lance Armstrong) was seeking to get at with her new film, “What Happens in Hollywood.” The documentary, which is now available on Roku, shows women, and some men, speaking candidly about the sexism and ... more >