Baby Driver: Music drives Edgar Wright’s Action Thriller

Baby Driver is one of the best films of the first half of 2017 and director Edgar Wright uses music to the film’s advantage. Written and directed by Edgar Wright, Baby Driver stars Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Jon Bernthal, Eiza Gonzalez, with Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx. My initial thought as I watched the movie last Wednesday was that Baby Driver utilizes the music at a level that the Guardians of the Galaxy…

"Baby Driver: Music drives Edgar Wright’s Action Thriller"

Beatriz at Dinner: Healer takes on Business Mogul

Beatriz at Dinner offers intriguing social commentary as a healer takes on a business mogul at dinner and throughout the evening. Directed by Miguel Arteta from a screenplay written by Mike White, the indie film stars Salma Hayek, John Lithgow, Connie Britton, Jay Duplass, Amy Landecker, Chloë Sevigny, David Warshofsky, and John Early. Beatriz  (Hayek) is invited to her client’s dinner party at her Newport Beach mansion when her car breaks down.  Beatriz is so…

"Beatriz at Dinner: Healer takes on Business Mogul"

Look & See celebrates Wendell Berry

Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry celebrates the life of the acclaimed Kentucky poet, teacher, farmer, and activist, Wendell Berry. Laura Dunn directed, produced, and edited the film while Jeff Sewell serves as co-director, producer , and visual designer.  Filmmakers Robert Redford and Terrence Malick executive produce.  Owsley Brown III, Gill Holland, Brenda Mitchell, Elaine Mussellman, and Nick Offerman co-produced the film. In addition to the aforementioned Berry, the main people interviewed include…

"Look & See celebrates Wendell Berry"

2:22 – What If Groundhog Day Was A Thriller?

If Groundhog Day had been made as a thriller, it’s possible that 2:22 could have been that film. Directed by Paul Currie from a screenplay written by Todd Stein and Nathan Parker, 2:22 stars Michael Huisman, Teresa Palmer, and Sam Reid. Dylan Branson (Michael Huisman) is an air traffic controller at JFK airport.  While guiding plans to and from the ground, a flash of light occurs at 2:22 PM and when he comes to moments…

"2:22 – What If Groundhog Day Was A Thriller?"

Studio Tentpoles are hurting this summer

There’s no denying the power that Rotten Tomatoes has on making or breaking a studio tentpole. This is something that we’ve been seeing at the box office since the summer movie season started.  Studio tentpoles aren’t critic-proof no matter how many times these actors or filmmakers say that it wasn’t made for the critics.  Critics are people, too.  The first thing I ask myself when I start to write a screenplay is whether it’s a…

"Studio Tentpoles are hurting this summer"

Neighborhood Food Drive is A Unique Dark Comedy

Neighborhood Food Drive is a unique comedy that sends a message of what you shouldn’t do if your restaurant has a negative image. Jerzy Rose directs from a screenplay by Halle Butler, Mike Lopez, and Rose.  The dark comedy stars Lyra Hill, Bruce Bundy, Ruby McCollister, Marcos Barnes, and Ted Tremper.  Jared Larson, Mike Lopez, Halle Butler, Rhoda Griffis, Chris Sullivan, John Parsons, Tommy Heffron, and Johnathan Nieves also star. Madeline (Hill) and Naomi (Bundy)…

"Neighborhood Food Drive is A Unique Dark Comedy"

Jurassic Park at 24: How Steven Spielberg’s Film Changed My Life

Jurassic Park was released 24 years ago on June 11, 1993 and this film changed my life as it was the one that set me on a course of wanting a filmmaking career. I still remember the first time I watched the film in 1993 at Showcase Cinemas and how I flinched when the Tyrannosaurus Rex appeared on screen for the first time.  To this day, I still find myself either quoting the film or…

"Jurassic Park at 24: How Steven Spielberg’s Film Changed My Life"

Conan O’Brien is returning to San Diego Comic-Con

Conan O’Brien will be returning to San Diego Comic Con in July and will be taping Conan at the Sprekels Theater from Wednesday, July 19 through Saturday, July 22.  The episodes will air on TBS in Conan‘s usual time slot except for Friday night and will be made available to watch across the TBS and Team Coco’s digital, mobile and VOD platforms on the day after episodes air. While the show tapes in San Diego,…

"Conan O’Brien is returning to San Diego Comic-Con"

Looking for Leia: Star Wars fangirl documentary reaches Kickstarter goal

Looking for Leia, an upcoming Star Wars fangirl documentary, has reached the $25,000 goal of the film’s Kickstarter campaign.  With 358 backers, the goal was reached this morning with another 38 hours to go. “I love seeing how much conversation we’re having about issues of access and representation in media, and Looking for Leia is definitely a part of that conversation,” says Annalise Ophelian, Psy.D., producer and director of Looking for Leia. “This is a…

"Looking for Leia: Star Wars fangirl documentary reaches Kickstarter goal"

The Pages heads into production in Chicago

Principal photography started this week in Chicago on The Pages with Tika Sumpter, Ben Tavassoli, and Jamie Lee Curtis headlining the cast. “I’m thrilled to collaborate with this truly stellar cast and amazing crew to tell the story of The Pages,” said Joe Chappelle, writer and director of The Pages.  “That Colleen and I are able to produce this movie in our hometown of Chicago makes it especially rewarding.  For me, The Pages explores the challenges…

"The Pages heads into production in Chicago"