— by BEV QUESTAD — I am quite interested in the complex issues swirling around immigration because I shelter an immigrant from a third world country in my own home. As an orphan, he had no opportunity for a decent education in his home country and no prospects for a career. But after immigrating here, […][...]
Review: For the Love of Spock
— by BEV QUESTAD — The raised eyebrow, the split fingers salutation, the mind meld and the dignified pointed ears: Spock represented a logically-evolved mind dedicated to the search for truth. Leonard Nimoy, who embodied this Star Trek (ST) character, became inextricably linked to his self-controlled TV persona and his own name became interchangeable. When […][...]
Review: Sonita
— by BEV QUESTAD — Even though girls are not allowed to perform in Afghanistan or Iran, Sonita is absolutely obsessed with singing. This brave documentary follows her as she dangerously competes in, and then wins, an international online rap contest. Award-winning filmmaker Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami knew she had an unusual subject for her documentary. Sonita, […][...]
The Top 5 Games of Thrones Twists … So Far
— by SEAN GERSKI — In the day of the DVR, no television shows are more valuable than those that require appointment viewing. Shows that need to be watched not only that same night, but must be viewed live, are few and far between now. Sports, and a few key reality shows, will always merit […][...]
Review: A Beautiful Now
— by BEV QUESTAD — Daniela Amavia, the writer/director/producer of this haunting psychological study, is a stunning Greek model for Chanel and Dior who became an actress, director and producer. Shot in 18 days, “A Beautiful Now” is an insightful study not only into Amavia’s own life, but possibly into the lives of a confused […][...]
Review: Complete Unknown
— by RON WILKINSON — Writer/director Joshua Marston won the Silver Bear at Berlin in 2011 for Best Screenplay for “The Forgiveness of Blood” (shared with Andamion Murataj). You would never know it from “Complete Unknown,” a self-absorbed essay on the foibles of New York’s advantaged class. Co-written with debut screenwriter Julian Sheppard, the screenplay […][...]
Review: Morgan
— by RON WILKINSON — Not just another android gone bad, Luke Scott’s neo-Frankenstein soft peddles the techno-babble and gets right to the point. Artificial human female Morgan is acting up and something must be done. “Risk Management” specialist Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) is dispatched to the research site to get a first-hand look at […][...]
Review: Don’t Breathe
— by RON WILKINSON — Breakout writer/director Fede Alvarez unleashes a corker of a teen caper horror flick with “Don’t Breathe.” The movie starts out slow with the usual semi-lame dialogue and pretzel logic, but things pick up quite nicely right to the end. The screenplay, co-written with Rodo Sayagues, features three marginalized teenagers in […][...]
Review: Lo and Behold
— by RON WILKINSON — Werner Herzog has made some great documentaries in his time. This is not one of them. A confused hodge-podge of social criticism, sci-fi prognostics and impending internet doom, the film unfolds like a bad dream. Aimless interviews with academics that are either blithering mad or talking so far over the […][...]