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Tag Archives: family

‘FIRE AT WILL’ (Tribeca 2025) Authentic familial chaos

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Tribeca 2025 rainbow logoFIRE AT WILL

Fire at Will (2025) - [www.imdb.com]

Morgan Gruer‘s Tribeca 2025 short FIRE AT WILL is one of the most relatable films to come out of this year’s program. In nine minutes, we witness a mother and father attempting to prepare their four children to sign their will with a notary who will soon be arriving at the house. Blindsided at every turn, the conversation does not go as anticipated. 

fire at will kidsFIRE AT WILL looks fantastic. Jared Levy‘s camerawork is most immersed and intimate. Kyle Moriarty‘s quick-take editing is perfect. The fast-paced dialogue filled with self-absorbed personalities is every kitchen table conversation featuring adult children and their parents. As the firstborn of four loud children in an Irish Italian household, I can attest to the authenticity in the chaos of Gruer’s script, right down to the mother storming out in emotionally exhausted dramatics and the unspoken connection between father and artistic daughter. The cast nails each ping-pong match beat. FIRE AT WILL is a spectacular treatment for a feature. I need to know what happens next.

 

Director: Morgan Gruer
Producer: Sandra Tan
Screenwriter: Morgan Gruer
Cinematographer: Jared Levy
Editor: Kyle Moriarity
Executive Producer: Kerri Mandelbaum, Rob Neft, Morgan Gruer
Associate Producer: Wendy Neft-Sanda, Sarah Zaccardo, Donald Milsten, Teddy Gruer, Hannah Gruer
Co-Producer: Justin Lacob, Nicola Smith, Sam Gruer, Naomi Milsten Gruer
Production Manager: Beatriz Barbieri
Production Company: Prom Creative
Sound Design & Mix: Calvin Pia, Felt Sound

1st Assistant Director: Darcy Thompson
Color Grade: Jared Rosenthal
Cast: Scott Cohen, Amy Stiller, Ellie Sachs, Lucas Zelnick, Rebecca Gever, Julia DiCesare

Tribeca 2025 icon

For all things Tribeca, click here!

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Posted in Comedy, Drama, Events, Family, Features, Female Filmmaker, Film Festival, Genre, Liz, New York City, New York City, News, Reviews, Short Film, Tribeca Film Festival, Woman Lead, Women, Women in Film | Tagged Amy Stiller, Ellie Sachs, family, fire at will, Julia DiCesare, Lucas Zelnick, Morgan Gruer, Rebecca Gever, scott cohen, Tribeca 2025 | Leave a reply

Review: ‘Sometimes Always Never’ is as charming as its leading man, Bill Nighy.

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply


Alan (Bill Nighy) is a stylish tailor with moves as sharp as his suits. He has spent years searching tirelessly for his missing son Michael who stormed out over a game of Scrabble. With a body to identify and his family torn apart, Alan must repair the relationship with his youngest son Peter (Sam Riley) and solve the mystery of an online player who he thinks could be Michael, so he can finally move on and reunite his family.

Bill Nighy is his nonchalant, charming self as an eccentric, and brilliant Scrabble obsessed tailor. This gem of a film shows how family rubs off on you even when you don’t want them to. Sometimes Always Never is a film about communication. The cast’s chemistry is ideal. That perfect push and pull you need in a complex and loaded family dynamic. The beautiful and deliberate visual moments add to the quirky nature and balance out the underlying sadness. The cinematography is simply breathtaking. The final act will feel like an emotional homecoming. The writing is spectacular.

Sometimes Always Never is not a flashy film. It’s about multigenerational relationships. It’s about living in the present. You can watch the film in virtual cinemas Friday June 12th and on On Demand  July 10th.

Full list of virtual cinemas HERE!

Directed by: Carl Hunter
Written by: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Cast: Bill Nighy, Sam Riley, Alice Lowe, Jenny Agutter, Tim McInnerny

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Posted in Go To The Movies, in theaters, Liz, Poster, Release, Reviews, Streaming, Trailer, VOD, What To Watch This Week | Tagged Alice Lowe, Bill Nighy, Blue Fox Entertainment, Carl Hunter, drama, family, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Jenny Agutter, Sam Riley, scrabble, Tim McInnerny | Leave a reply

Review: ‘A Violent Separation’

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

In Theaters and On-Demand May 17, 2019
Directed by: Kevin and Michael Goetz (A Scenic Route)

In a quiet midwestern town, Norman Young (Brenton Thwaites) is faced with an impossible decision; arrest his older brother Ray (Ben Robson) for murder or help him cover it up. Norman chooses family. As the ensuing investigation withers, neither of the brothers are prepared for the weight of their guilt or how that guilt will strain their loyalty to those closest to them.

Brenton Thwaites is the one thing that truly shines in this film. His emotional journey is a tad more interesting, but not by much. That is a reflection of the writing and not his abilities. He does the best he can and should be commended for it. While the cinematography is lovely, this script ends up feeling really anticlimactic and frankly pretty dull. I can see what it was trying to do but there was very little in the way of character development outside of the first 20 minutes. Even then, it was small-town cliche. Alycia Debnam-Carey is vastly underutilized and her character is overly simplistic. You knew exactly where this was going from the very beginning and the final scene between brothers was telegraphed from a mile away. The investigation (the driving force of the plot) was not very thorough which led to little to no intrigue. A Violent Separation needed more meat on the bones for my taste.

Starring: 
Brenton Thwaites (“Titans,” The Giver)
Ben Robson (“Animal Kingdom,” “Vikings”)
Alycia Debnam-Carey (“Fear the Walking Dead,” “The 100”)
Claire Holt (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Pretty Little Liars”)
Ted Levine (Silence of the Lambs, “Monk”)
Francesca Eastwood (Outlaws and Angels, M.F.A.)
Gerald McRaney (“This Is Us,” “Promised Land”)
Peter Michael Goetz (Father of the Bride Part II, My Girl)

Kevin and Michael Goetz’s film explores how far we will go to protect the ones we love. Screen Media will release A VIOLENT SEPARATION in theaters and on-demand May 17, 2019.

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Posted in Go To The Movies, in theaters, Poster, Release, Reviews, Trailer, VOD, What To Watch This Week, Woman Lead, Women in Film | Tagged A VIOLENT SEPARATION, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Ben Robson, Brenton Thwaites, family, Kevin Goetz, Liz, Michael Goetz, murder, Small town, thriller | Leave a reply

Review: ‘All These Small Moments’ is what life is made of.

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

SYNOPSIS: A teenage boy’s infatuation with a woman he sees on the bus further complicates his already tumultuous adolescence.

There is something about this film that stuck with me. While it might appear to be about a young man’s infatuation with an older woman he sees on the bus every day, it’s really about everything else going on around him. All These Small Moments is a film about a family breaking down. It’s about first love, and adolescence, and loss, and discovery. There is not one single loose thread in this honestly written script. It’s a true ensemble piece. I didn’t know I was missing Molly Ringwald in my life on a regular basis until I saw her in this role of Carla, a mother at the end of her emotional rope. Harley Quinn Smith does such a perfect job I thought I was watching myself in a flashback of high school… or in college. Somewhere between bold and shy, she takes the reigns of Lindsay and rides this opportunity further than one might expect from her actual time on screen. Brendan Meyer’s Howie is the driving force of this story. Giving a quirkier but completely believable performance rounds out a film that really does take the small moments and show us that each of them adds up to a much larger meaning. There are no massive explosions, no crazy otherworldly occurrences, just regular down-to-earth scenarios that happen as they would in any other family’s life in America, statistically speaking. That’s entirely the point. Although, there is a cool animated opening sequence with some pretty sweet music. You can see All These Small Moments in theaters and On Demand and Digital HD today. 

ALL THESE SMALL MOMENTS features emotionally raw performances by veteran actors Molly Ringwald (“Riverdale,” Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club) and Brian d’Arcy James (“13 Reasons Why,” First Man, Spotlight) with breakthrough performances from up-and-comers Brendan Meyer (“The OA,” Fear The Walking Dead: Flight 462, The Guest), Sam McCarthy  (“Condor,” “The Blacklist,” The Jim Gaffigan Show”), Harley Quinn Smith (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Yoga Hosers, Holidays) and Jemima Kirke (“Maniac,” “Girls,” The Little Hours). The film is the theatrical film debut for writer and director Melissa B. Miller Costanzo who previously worked in the art department on such films as IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, THE FIGHTER and PRECIOUS.

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Posted in Go To The Movies, in theaters, Poster, Release, Reviews, Trailer, VOD, What To Watch This Week, Woman Lead, Women in Film | Tagged adolescence, all these small moments, brendan meyer, family, FilmFestival, harley quinn smith, Liz, Melissa B. Miller Costanzo, Molly Ringwald, Orion Classics, Tribeca Film Festival, tribeca film festival 2018 | Leave a reply

DOC NYC review: ‘FAMILY IN TRANSITION’ is more complicated than it appears.

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

This doc explores the boundaries we push for love and acceptance. Amit is a husband, a father, and business owner. She is also transgender. This story is about her transition and how it affects the family and friends that surround her. It’s a timely film here in the US as the government is attempting to legally discredit transgender identity by legally defining gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth. Amit has four children with her wife Galit. Daughter Agam is beyond wise for her years and the most vocal about their unique family dynamics. She understands that people’s ignorance is not her problem. She chooses to surround herself with open-minded peers. The emotional toll of transitioning seems endless. It has the highest highs and lowest lows. How does a marriage survive when circumstance completely changes? What happens after she goes to Thailand for gender reassignment surgery for a month? It’s not a glamorous film. It’s real, it’s honest. It’s exactly what people need to see. Family in Transition is a story of unconditional love and the ultimate sacrifices we make to become whole from the inside out.

DOC NYC International Premiere on November 11 / Opening Nov 16 in LA and Nov 23 in NY

Amit, a husband, and father of four, living in Nahariya, Israel, reveals to his family that he’s a transgender woman. Amit’s wife, Galit, decides to stick with Amit through this journey. Despite personal difficulties and social stigmas, the family insists on staying together, believing that love will overcome all difficulties.

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Posted in Documentary, Events, Foreign Films, Go To The Movies, in theaters, New York City, Poster, Release, Reviews, Trailer, What To Watch This Week, Woman Lead, Women in Film | Tagged #transgender, abramorama, doc, DOC NYC, doc nyc, DOC NYC 2018, family, Family in Transition, FilmFestival, israel, Liz, Ofir Trainin, Tal Barda | Leave a reply

Review: ‘IDEAL HOME’ is filled with love and laughs.

Posted on June 29, 2018 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

presents

IDEAL HOMEA film by Andrew Fleming

Synopsis: IDEAL HOME is the touching and humorous story of Erasmus and Paul (Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd), a bickering gay couple whose life is turned inside out when a ten-year old boy shows up at their door claiming to be Erasmus’ grandson. Neither Paul, nor Erasmus, are ready to give up their extravagant lifestyles to be parents, but maybe this little kid has thing or two to teach them about the value of family.

Steve Coogan and Paul Rudd make a convincing couple in this absurdly hilarious and heartwarming comedy. Coogan plays eccentricity to the max as reality tv chef and newfound grandfather. His commitment to a joke, visually or otherwise, has definitely met its match in costar Paul Rudd. What makes Rudd’s performance so spectacular is the subtle mannerisms and genuine emotional connection to his character’s backstory. Redemption and the desire to make the relationship between Erasmus and Paul last drives the performance’s authenticity. Jack Gore as mistreated young Bill is the epitome of a child with no filter. Although still so young, he possesses the maturity that any writer or director would die to work with. The comic chemistry is delicious and the film’s message that a family is about love and learning is front and center through raunchy humor and tender truth. It’s a gorgeous nod to the LGBT community and their families. We need more of these stories. I have to say that Ideal Home is undoubtedly one of my favorites of the year. I am sold. 

Opening in theaters and VOD on June 29th

Written & Directed by Andrew Fleming (The Craft, Dick, Hamlet 2)
Starring Steve Coogan, Paul Rudd, Jack Gore (Billions, Wonder Wheel), Jake McDorman (Lady Bird, CBS’s 2018 revival of Murphy Brown, Limitless the TV series, Shameless), Alison Pill
Produced by Aaron Ryder, Maria Teresa Arida,
Clark Peterson, Maxime Remillard
Executive Producers Steve Coogan, Gabrielle Tana, Lisa Wolofsky

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Posted in Go To The Movies, in theaters, Poster, Release, Reviews, Trailer, VOD, What To Watch This Week | Tagged Alison Pill, Andrew Fleming, Brainstorm Media, CBS's 2018 revival of Murphy Brown, comedy, Dick, family, Hamlet 2), Jack Gore (Billions, Jake McDorman (Lady Bird, LGBT, Limitless the TV series, Liz, paul rudd, Shameless), Steve Coogan, the craft, Wonder Wheel | Leave a reply

Review: ‘The Family I Had’

Posted on December 31, 2017 by ReelReviewsOverBrews — Leave a reply

The Family I Had

Release Date: December 21, 2017 at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery

Guest review from Reel Reviews Over Brews

Charity walks a fine line between love and fear of her son Paris. It’s been ten years since he killed her daughter and she is left questioning his chance at redemption and her ability to forgive. We peel back the layers to reveal a family history previously marked by intra-family violence as she embraces motherhood for a third time with a new baby boy. Widely varying accounts from family members concerning how this tragedy came about crossed with intimate family videos, diaries and other personal media render a deeply nuanced and complicated portrait of a broken family striving to overcome the unthinkable.

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The Family I Had grabs your attention from the first 5 minutes and doesn’t look back. It takes a look into the lives of Charity and Paris Bennett. Paris murdered his younger sister, Ella, when he was 13 and is currently in prison for 20 years until he can be released. In the mean time, Charity has been trying to figure out why. This is the question that follows throughout the movie and every stone uncovered leads to more questions of what Paris’s motive was or even if he is really as empathetic as he seems in the interviews.

If you are a fan of crime documentaries, then this one is a must see. We don’t see a need to watch any more than once, but it’s definitely worth the initial watch. It would have been informative to hear from the psychologists working with Paris (or at least a written statement) explaining to the viewers what a sociopath diagnosis is and how what Paris was presenting to the camera (a high level of empathy and regret) is not true to that diagnosis.

By the end of The Family I Had we were wondering how Paris will actually be upon his release. Will he be true to his word? Or are Charity and her new son, Phoenix, in danger of a repeat from the past. Only time will tell.

Reel ROB Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Post Credits Scene: No

We want to thank our friends at Reel News Daily for allowing us to do this guest review!

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Posted in News, Reel Reviews Over Brews, Reviews | Tagged Broken, Carlye Rubin, Charity Bennett, documentary, family, Investigation Discovery, Katie Green, Motto Pictures, murder, Paris Bennett, Smoke & Apple Films, The Family I Had, violent | Leave a reply

NYFF54 Review: ’20th CENTURY WOMEN’, the ladies have it.

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

nyff54-banner

20th CENTURY WOMEN20th-century-women-poster

  • Mike Mills
  • 2016
  • USA
  • 118 minutes

Mike Mills’s texturally and behaviorally rich new comedy seems to keep redefining itself as it goes along, creating a moving group portrait of particular people in a particular place (Santa Barbara) at a particular moment in the 20th century (1979), one lovingly attended detail at a time. The great Annette Bening, in one of her very best performances, is Dorothea, a single mother raising her teenage son, Jamie (Lucas Jade Zumann), in a sprawling bohemian house, which is shared by an itinerant carpenter (Billy Crudup) and a punk artist with a Bowie haircut (Greta Gerwig) and frequented by Jamie’s rebellious friend Julie (Elle Fanning). 20th Century Women is warm, funny, and a work of passionate artistry. An A24 release.

nyff54-20th-century-women-2cw-final-originalWriter/Director Mike Mills knows women. He appreciates the ins and outs, the nuances of age and stage and the humor in everyday life. Annette Bening asks one of her tenants Abbie, and son’s high school aged best friend, Julie to teach him how to be a food man. Since his father is out of the picture and mother Dorothea has trouble keeping an age appropriate man around for long, she had enlisted help. thankfully she has been thus far successful in raising an open-minded and perfectly curious boy. His inspiration for exploring the world is only enhanced by the eclectic females he is surrounded by. The film is funny and sweet. It’s a bit if a time capsule and yet somehow remains timeless in the theme of self discovery. The transitions are like colorful music videos mixed with punk  music from Talking Heads and Black Flag.

The cast is a dream. Billy Crudup is masculine but sensitive and thoughtful. Elle Fanning plays boy crazy, rebellion Julie with a wonderful mix of overconfidence and softness to remind us all of our teenage years. Lucas Jade Zumann is the anchor of this film in plot and reality. His innocence on-screen is wildly refreshing. Greta Gerwig is as strong and wonderful as always. Her vulnerability is unsurpassed as a punk artist and cancer survivor dealing with societal expectations of healing. Annette Bening, as bohemian mother Dorothea, owns the screen. She is pure magic in presence and delivery. I’m pulling for a nomination for Gerwig and Bening this year as I think they both at least deserve the nod.  20th Century Women is ensemble casting perfection. Without a doubt you are watching a real family on the screen. With Mike Mills‘ screenplay so full of insight, I vote they show kids this film in school and throw out those laughably outdated sex ed videos. You can catch the film when it opens this Christmas.

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Posted in Events, New York City, New York City, News, Poster, Release, Reviews, Trailer, Woman Lead, Women in Film | Tagged 20th Century Women, a24, Annette Bening, billy crudup, Black Flag, Elle Fanning, family, feminism, FilmFestival, Great Gerwig, Liz, lucas jade zumann, mike mills, New York Film Festival, nyff, nyff liz, nyff2016, punk music, Talking Heads, time capsule | Leave a reply

NYFF54 Reviews: ‘SIERANEVADA’ & ‘THE REHEARSAL’

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

nyff54-banner

SIERANEVADAnyff54-sieranevada-mimi-cornel-branescu-valer-dellakeza_courtesy-elle-driverSieranevada takes a peek inside a grieving family and the reality of being stuck in a small space with the people you love and hate. Days after the death of the family patriarch and the recent Charlie Hebdo attacks, we find our cast gathered together to honor their beloved father. While they wait for the priest to arrive, we discover, little by little, the chaos, the meddling, the selfish, emotionally unstable ways that only your own family can throw at you all at once. Director Cristi Puiu, makes us, the audience, a fly on the wall for 3 solid hrs. This might pose a challenge for some viewers. The camera, mostly stationary, pans back and forth in place for extended periods of time, catching whispers, shouts, and much chain smoking predominantly from a hallway position. While the actors try desperately not to step on each other or wake the baby while they wait to eat once the elusive priest finally arrives. The dialogue is a beautiful mix of over the top arguments, manic bereavement, and laughter at internet conspiracy theories. It’s undeniably relatable. Only a big family dynamic can get your blood boiling and creative juices flowing for that long. nyff54-sieranevada-2_courtesy-elle-driver


THE REHEARSALnyff54-the-rehearsal-actors-kieran-charnock-james-rolleston-michelle-ny-alice-englert-and-scotty-cotte-courtesy-of-matthew-klitscherHaving graduated drama school only blocks from the NYFF, I can relate to The Rehearsal on a very personal  level. Based on the novel Eleanor Catton‘s debut novel of the same name. Director/writer Alison Maclean‘s film version is slightly different but the themes remain the same. Teachers taking advantage of their students. It was lovely to see the authenticity of a performing arts school portrayed on the big screen. It’s been a while since both the discipline and seemingly ridiculous have been combined to give the viewer a slice of life in a conservatory style education. No one is nice to you. everyone is competition. The teachers are their to teach you with hard life lessons. But this story is also about the emotional responsibility of not only the teachers, but the students as they grow into mature adults. Our main plot revolves around the lives and work of the kids. More specifically, their final project. The dialogue is evenhanded in humor and drama. The performances are extremely solid.The final scene is cinematic perfection. nyff54-the-rehearsal-actors-michelle-ny-and-kerry-fox-courtesy-of-matthew-klitscher

 

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Posted in Events, in theaters, New York City, New York City, Page to Screen, Reviews | Tagged Alison Maclean, Charlie Hebdo, Cristi Puiu, drama school, Eleanor Catton, emotional responsibility, family, Film Festival, FilmFestival, grief, Liz, mourning, New York Film Festival, new york film festival, New Zealand, nyff, nyff2016, nyff54, Review, Romanian, Sieranevada, The Rehearsal | Leave a reply

Review: ‘UNCLE NICK’ is not your typical holiday fare.

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

Dark Sky Films Logo

Presents

Uncle Nick poster

Oh, the holidays. A time for an overabundance of food, gifts, parties… and family. Inevitably, someone is going to get a dinner role thrown at them, or maybe that only happens in my family. In the end, love or hate each other, spending time with the people you grew up with will lead to some of the best and worst moments of your life. Brian Posehn still from Uncle Nick

That voice you know so well, that massive stature, that snarky wit. All the things that make Brian Posehn the perfect choice to play the title character in Chris Kasick‘s new Christmas family fiasco film, UNCLE NICK. Nick is an alcoholic and depressed individual who is dreading attending Christmas Eve at his younger brother Cody’s new cougar wife’s house. With his brass balled sister, her adorably down-to-earth husband, his tech obsessed nephew, and over-sexed niece, shit is going to get real. Trying desperately to not hold his tongue, Nick runs through all the inappropriate behaviors expected from “that one family member.” But in reality, could he be the only normal one in the bunch? Probably not. Cast still Uncle Nick

With an outstanding ensemble cast including Paget Brewster, as pristine pharma saleswoman and new sister-in-law, Missi Pyle as Nick’s sister, Michelle, is an awesome reflection of the no-filter nonsense I like to add to my own family dynamic. A little crass and a little class, know your surroundings I always say. Scott Adsit as her husband Kevin is a perfect example of a not uptight, go with the flow, funny guy… with a passion for podcasting, because, why not. Melia Renee as new niece Valerie and grossly the object of Nick’s fantasies, doesn’t make it easy to resist her daddy issues. Jacob Houston and nephew Marcus is the epitome of 16 with his face in his laptop, video game, or phone the entire film plus a dash of volatile sarcasm thrown in for good measure. Beau Ballinger plays Nick’s younger brother Cody, whose former childhood shenanigans cause the animosity that Michelle and Nick still hold, and for the right reasons, trust me. And of course, Brian Posehn, the man himself. I don’t think this man can be unfunny. He captures this role with so much ease, whether you’re laughing at him or with him, rolling your eyes or cringing, his performance is brilliant.Uncle Nick 10 cents beer night still

Mike Demski’s script is just cool. Structurally surprising, he gives us a history lesson in Cleveland baseball intertwined with the narrative as a juxtaposition to the plot. I love me some baseball and somehow, I had never heard this story, and boy is it gold. The dialogue is quippy and sardonic, perfect for the holiday script. Uncle Nick works on many levels. It is not what you’re expecting going in and that’s what makes it great. Unapologetically in your face, do not bring kids to this film. In one way or another, you’ll relate to it, for better or worse.

Lewd, drunken Uncle Nick (Brian Posehn, Mr. Show, The Sarah Silverman Program) stumbles his way through his brother’s cookie cutter-family’s annual Christmas gathering in the hopes of scoring with a super-hot party guest. But the arrival of his equally crass sister coupled with  Nick’s liquor-fueled faux pas cause family secrets to bubble to the surface that might spell disaster for the whole clan before the night is over. Presented by Errol Morris, UNCLE NICK is a raucously funny comedy of inappropriate behavior, uncomfortably interrupted trysts, and a monumental over serving of ten-cent beers.

In Theaters Nationwide December 4th, 2015

THE ANTI-CHRISTMAS MOVIE OF THE YEAR!

UncleNickMovie

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Posted in Go To The Movies, in theaters, Poster, Release, Reviews, Trailer, VOD, What To Watch This Week | Tagged baseball, Beau Balinger, brian posehn, Chris Kasick, comedy, dark sky films, December release, family, history, holiday black comedy, holidays, Jacob Houston, Liz, Melia Renee, Mike Demski, Missi Pyle, Paget Brewster, Review, Scott Adsit, sports, stills, trailer, Uncle Nick, website | Leave a reply

Tribeca Film Festival review: ‘KING JACK’ astounds.

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

KingJack_press_1 Tribeca

Kids are cruel. No matter what socio-economic background they come from, children can be just as vindictive and creative in their torture of one another as grown adults. In Felix Thompson‘s new coming of age narrative KING JACK, we route for one boy in particular. Pushed around by school bullies and antagonized by his older brother, Jack is a typical teenager simply trying to find his place in the world like any other. When Jack’s aunt becomes ill, a cousin moves into the house, displacing any sense of privacy. Given the task of looking after his younger relative only lessens his already weak facade of coolness. Stalked by one serious older bully and his cronies, Jack must come to terms with the cycle of hereditary violence and find out what courage and manhood truly mean.

KingJack_press_2 Tribeca

Felix Thompson‘s does double duty as writer and director. Organically shot and tenderly written, Thompson brings real truth to a script that could have easily been formulaic. Moments of real fear and embarrassment come to life on screen. These are the moments that bring us back to a time that may not have been our favorite but were essential in shaping who we became as adults.

TFF15-King-JackYoung lead Charlie Plummer is a phenomenon. One would almost think this was a documentary with a performance so incredibly natural. It’s a gutsy role for an actor his age to take on, and he absolutely nails it. In fact, the entire cast is top notch. Not a single beat is missed. Again, a huge nod to Thompson’s ability to direct a cast mainly comprised of teens. Cory Nichols, as cousin Ben, gives a noteworthy performance. Cute, funny, and honest,  I hope we see much more of him in the future.

KING JACK is successful on so many levels. Though, admittedly, at moments it is hard to watch. The film will resonate with anyone who has come home crying, anyone who has been called names, anyone who has felt alone. What makes KING JACK difficult to watch is the very thing that makes it great. I highly recommend you take the entire family to see this feature. Parents: It’s a great insight into what your kids experience with the added complication of technology. Kids: You might just find that Mom and Dad can relate to your life in ways you never thought possible.

You can still catch two more screenings of KING JACK at the festival!!

7:30 PM – FRI 4/24 REGAL CINEMAS BATTERY PARK 11-9
RUSH
2:30 PM – SUN 4/26 BOW TIE CINEMAS CHELSEA 8
RUSH
To find out more about this film, check out the Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015

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Posted in Events, Film Festival, New York City, New York City, News, Reviews, Screenings, Tribeca Film Festival, What To Watch This Week | Tagged bullying, charlie plummer, coming of age, drama, family, felix thompson, FilmFestival, heartwarming, king jack, Liz, narrative, tff, tff2015, tff2015 liz, Tribeca Film Festival, tribeca film festival 2015 | Leave a reply

Liz’s Review: ‘SONG ONE’ plays well

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

 SongOnePoster

Nothing quite captures New York City like it’s sound scrape. The roaring of a passing subway train. The chatter in a coffee house. The songs heard on the streets by the immense talent that envelopes themselves in the starving artist community that creates the fabric of this magical place.  SONG ONE is a beautiful ode to this city. Read More →

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Posted in Go To The Movies, in theaters, Poster, Release, Reviews, Trailer, What To Watch This Week, Woman Lead, Women in Film | Tagged accident, Anne Hathaway, Ben Rosenfield, Cass Dillon, coma, Dan Deacon, drama, Elizabeth Ziman, family, FilmFestival, Gospel Queens, Indie, January release, Jenny Lewis, Johnathan Rice, Johnny Flynn, Jonathan Demme, Kate Barker-Froyland, Liz, Lola Kirke. Paul Whitty, Mary Steenburgen, music, Naomi Shelton, NYC, romance, Sharon Van Etten, Song One, song writing, The Felice Brothers | Leave a reply

Liz’s review: ‘LIFE INSIDE OUT’ and interview with star Maggie Baird

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

LIO poster

My mother always encouraged us to have music on in the kitchen. While she baked or did her lesson plans for her art classes, or made dinner. Chicago, Huey Lewis, and Disney soundtracks were blasting in our car rides back and forth to dance lessons, or girl scouts, or my brother’s karate lessons. My mom was a superhero. My mom is still a super hero. If I can be half the mother she is, I will consider myself a lucky woman. In the new film LIFE INSIDE OUT we are privy to the perfect example of how creative mothers reach their children in very different and very special ways. The talented acting/writing team, Maggie Baird and Lori Nasso, bring to life a story of so many mothers who have lost their own identity to raising their children and keeping their families intact. The story comes from Baird’s true life experience with son Finneas O’Connell. When Baird’s husband was forced to take a job that kept him away from the family, it took an emotional toll on then 12 year old Finneas. Once Maggie rediscovers her songwriting roots, Finneas follows suit. Much to everyone’s surprise, Finneas is a bit of a musical prodigy is his own right. Writing his own songs allowed him to creatively process his own angst and bond with Maggie on a new level. Read More →

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Posted in Clip, Events, Go To The Movies, Interviews, New York City, Poster, Reviews, Trailer, What To Watch This Week, Woman Lead, Women in Film | Tagged Award Winner, Fais Do-Do, family, Festival Circuit, FilmFestival, Finneas O'Connell, Heartland Film Festival, Indie, interview, Jill D'Agnenica, LIFE INSIDE OUT, Liz, liz whittemore, Lori Nasso, Maggie Baird, music | Leave a reply

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