Anyone who loves or is knowledgeable about music knows what the name and the ever-so-unique man defines. Alex Winter’s fantastic documentary, “Zappa,” was made possible by being one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns since crowdfunding became a thing. In only one month’s time the campaign achieved over a million dollars. Frank Zappa’s legacy is strong. Winter was granted ... more >
MOVIES
Six Feet Under’s Alan Ball dazzles with his new film “Uncle Frank” and here’s some thoughts on it
Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis and Peter Macdissi
Directed by Alan Ball
Alan Ball continues to amaze with his explorations of the human condition, not just for gay Americans but for anyone who has ever had a secret, felt at war with himself or seeks to better his or her situation. The writer of “American Beauty” and creator of the HBO series “Six Feet Under” has written and directed a new film, “Uncle Frank,” that explores many of the themes common to all of Ball’s ... more >
Without making compromises knockout Romanian documentary “Collective,” a great big, and much-needed, boost for journalism, casts the spotlight on a nation’s corruption-ridden healthcare system while
Directed by Alexander NanauIf living in this world has taught us nothing else, it is that we have long learned that when those in power lie and manipulate facts, a serpent of deceit is born and slithers through our societies devouring what is true and fair. “Collective” is a Romanian film that examines cutting through bullshit fed to the public by corrupt people in power in order to get to the facts and achieve ... more >
Guy Pearce as dyed-in-the-wool forger in “The Last Vermeer” (OUR REVIEW)
Guy Pearce, Claes Bang and Vicky Krieps
Directed by Dan Friedkin
Han Van Meegeren was such a cunning, apt artist that he convinced the world his own paintings were actually painted centuries earlier by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. In fact, such a believer in his own talent was Van Meegeren that during World War II, he sold one of his phony Vermeers to Hermann Göring himself. The postwar aftermath of this incredibly unlikely but true tale forms the core of ... more >
A film of many sinners and few saints, “The Devil All the Time” | REVIEW
Bill Skarsgård, Donald Ray Pollock, Tom Holland and Riley Keough
“The Devil All the Time” is the excellent adaptation of the deliciously nasty and viciously grim novel from Donald Ray Pollock, who also narrates the film. This is the kind of southern pulp that grabs its audience by the hair and places them among the violent nature of its characters, all the while weaving a down-home gothic tale soaking in religiosity. But this is far from the wistful “come to ... more >
Greetings from DOC NYC 2020 ! “The Walrus and the Whistler,” “Collective,” “Belushi” and “A Crime on the Bayou” (and more) top our list
Like nearly all film festivals in 2020, DOC NYC has switched to a virtual paradigm this year, but the quality of nonfiction films coming out of this celebration of the factual is still wondrous. The festival kicks off Wednesday and goes on until the 19th. There are so many great offerings this year, and it’s nearly impossible to catch them all, but here are some quality entrants to keep on your ... more >
Lesley Manville rules the screen in “Let him go” | REVIEW
Diane Lane, Kevin Costner and Lesley Manville
Directed by Thomas Bezucha
“There's no way to escape the fact that we've grown up in a violent culture, we can't get away from it, it's part of our heritage. I think part of it is that we have always felt somewhat helpless in the face of this vast continent. Helplessness is answered in many ways, but one of them is violence.” Sam Shepard wrote those words which have become a potent mirror to our country’s mindset since ... more >