The premise of Free Trip to Egypt on its own is enough to grab any person’s attention who is remotely aware of the state of our world’s societal and political issues. A Muslim man of Egyptian heritage, Tarek Mounib, sets… Read More ›
indie film
Documentary “Father The Flame” brings the fading art of pipe-making into vibrant focus.
If a viewer were to visit director Chad Terpstra’s Father The Flame website, the About page contains a lovely adaptation of the René Magritte line from “The Treachery of Images” now-reading “Ceci n’est pas un filme de pipe,” or “This is… Read More ›
Writer/director Sarah Pirozek’s teenage noir “#Like” pulses with the energy of a ‘70s thriller. [Brooklyn Film Festival]
There’s a constant argument between generations about who had it worse vs. who had it better. The “always on” digital generation may scoff at the concept of their predecessors’ reliance on books for information, while the analog generation derides their… Read More ›
“Extracurricular Activities” is a surprisingly smart and funny dark romp.
A good dark comedy can be a blessing in disguise. It’s a way for an audience to embrace and enjoy the darker sides of themselves vicariously through the terrible acts of others. Even better, since it’s all imaginary, who cares… Read More ›
Inconvenience turns to opportunity in the musical “Stuck”.
In 2008, writer Riley Thomas premiered his musical Stuck at the La Costa Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. From there, it moved to off-Broadway in 2012 before being commissioned as a film in 2016. With screenings taking place at festivals as… Read More ›
After every “Storm” comes a chance at a new beginning. [Tribeca Film Festival]
There’s a notion that bigger is always better. Creators of short films disprove this notion every day. The latest is Storm by writer/director Will Kindrick, currently screening in the short program section “Down to Earth” in 2019’s Tribeca Film Festival…. Read More ›
Short film “The Shipment” is an absolute labor of love. [Tribeca Film Festival]
The fact that this film was created is a notable achievement in itself. Director Bobby Bala made remarkable sacrifices of time, energy, and financial stability to even make the science fiction short, The Shipment, a reality. Fittingly, the story itself… Read More ›
A reliance on generic scares make the unique “The Wind” more of a breeze than a cyclone.
When it comes to often-trod-upon Hollywood genres, there might not be one more used than that of the American Western. The Western has received a bit of a boost in the last decade with films like True Grit, Bone Tomahawk,… Read More ›
Irish dramedy “Lost & Found” ponders the interconnectedness of our everyday lives.
Writer/director Liam O Mochain’s Lost & Found is an honest labor of love. While filming over five years in Ireland, Mochain drew from stories he either experienced himself, knew others personally experienced, or knew as urban legends to create a… Read More ›
Competition, not sports, is what matters in “Varsity Punks”.
Competition brings out both the best in us and the worst in us. It pushes us to be the strongest version of ourselves, yet, only when it’s partnered with the right mentorship does it actually bring out the best. Perhaps… Read More ›
Gather round and hear the heroic tale of “When Jeff Tried to Save the World”.
Little day-to-day triumphs often mean more in the long run than any big win. Sure, big wins are more noticeable, but the victories which come from plugging away, day after day, the ones which bring comfort when the struggles come,… Read More ›
Documentary “A Whale of a Tale” offers an unbiased look at globally scrutinized Japanese village Taiji.
Those that claim art cannot affect change haven’t lived under the scrutiny resulting from a painting, a song, or a story. They are blind to the way a community shifts its stance or approach because of a strongly worded letter…. Read More ›
Six Must-See Films at the 2018 DC Black Film Festival.
The DC Black Film Festival returns on Thursday, August 16, 2018, with a kick-off event at the Capitol Hill Hotel before the film screenings begin at The Miracle Theatre. Over the course of its three-day run, the DC BFF will… Read More ›
“Rock Rubber 45s” is the autobiographical story of prolific cultural phenom Bobbito García.
Blacktop ball, pro ball, trick ball. A&R rep, radio host, world-renowned DJ. Freelance sneakerhead, sneaker designer, founder of a cultural movement. Businessman, author, filmmaker. Entrepreneur, activist, globalist. These disparate concepts are connected by one legendary man whose influence stretches through… Read More ›
Documentary “Pressing On” leaves its imprint on audiences in an infectious, rock n’ roll ride.
Of the things we take for granted, the written word is possibly the highest on the list. Before Johannes Gutenberg devised the printing press in 1440, there was little focus on or desire for the common person to read, which… Read More ›
‘The Endless’ is a nubilous and existential supernatural ride.
It really is a glorious time to be a horror fan. Once relegated to midnight broadcasts on cable channels and the whole of October at your local Cineplex, now it’s a whole new ballgame. In 2017 alone audiences had Get… Read More ›
‘Blur’ is a meditation on the corruptive power of digital technology.
After a world premiere screening in 2015, director George D’Amato took Blur, the indie film he co-wrote with Todd McGinnis, on a worldwide festival tour. Now back home, D’Amato is looking for distribution so that a larger audience can get… Read More ›
Powerful documentary “The Judge” sheds light on the first female Shari’a court judge.
A well-executed documentary works on multiple levels. There’s the central story the director explores, but then there’s some other aspect that finds its way on in, often by surprise. Sometimes these elements overshadow the central story, others they enhance –… Read More ›