Tribeca Film Festival review: Zooey Dechanel & Anton Yelchin roam ‘The Driftless Area’ of confusion & crime

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — 1 Comment ↓

To say that The Driftless Area is cryptic is an understatement. I’m still not quite sure what happened, but the characters are so complex and interwoven that even though you’re confused, you can’t wait to see what happens next.

After he returns home after college, Pierre (Anton Yelchin) meets and falls in love with Stella (Zooey Deschanel). He gets mixed up in some trouble with a criminal (John Hawkes) and circumstances unravel.

Along the way, we meet Pierre’s best friend, the always likeable and honest Alia Shawkat, Stella’s protector, Frank Langella, and the ever-entertaining Aubrey Plaza. I would consider this to be an ensemble cast because of how much they stand out, yet never overshadow.

Based on a book of the same name, the author, Tom Drury, also co-wrote the screenplay with director, Zachary Sluser. The beautiful landscapes and minimal score provide a calm ride into the lives of each character. Rather than painting as heroes or villains, all have humor and a grounding in reality that is usually just reserved for comedies.

Anyone interested in the fate versus free-will conversation will love this surreal journey.

One screening left this Saturday!

Tribeca Film Festival review: Jennifer Connelly & Cillian Murphy as Mother & Son in ‘Aloft’

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Cillian Murphy as Ivan
Photo by Allen Fraser, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

A woman, in search for a cure for her youngest son, discovers her own ability to heal others. However, a tragic accident prevents her from curing him and threatens to break up her family.

Mélanie Laurent as Ressmore
Photo by Jose Haro, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Jennifer Connelly is cold and rigid as the young mother, but Cillian Murphy is bold and emotional as her oldest son in the bleak Aloft. Told through flashbacks mixed with present time, director and Academy Award®–nominee Claudia Llosa tells a complex story through the eyes of Ivan (Murphy), who travels with Jannia (Mélanie Laurent).

Left to right: Winta McGrath as Gully and Jennifer Connelly as Nana
Photo by Jose Haro, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Jennifer Connelly as Nana
Photo by Jose Haro, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Left to right: Wiliam Shimell as Newman and Zen McGrath as Young Ivan
Photo by Jose Haro, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

The ice and snow provide a perfect backdrop to the chilling tale of how small decisions can have the largest impact. As the story progresses, it only gets colder and it can be hard to tell who you should be rooting for, but Ivan is the most heard. A heart-wrenching story of mother and child, you may have an opinion, but no one knows until it happens to them.

Releasing May 22nd in select theaters, one screening left at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Left to right: Jennifer Connelly and Director Claudia Llosa
Photo by Jose Haro, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Tribeca Film Festival podcast: From screen to screen – Interview with ‘All Work All Play’ Director Patrick Creadon

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

There’s a huge following for the online game League of Legends, as over 67 million players MONTHLY play the game. Director Patrick Creadon focuses on both behind-the-scenes of setting up the tournaments and the some of the teams that are world champions in his new documentary, All Work All Play.

Patrick gives his thoughts on everything from how he learned about League of Legends to how documentary filmmaking has changed since his Sundance hit, Wordplay.

Check out the audio interview with the Cloud 9 team here.

Tribeca Film Festival podcast: 67 million players per month can’t be wrong – Interview with the Cloud 9 team of League of Legends for the work-in-progress ‘All Work All Play’

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Whether you’re a gamer or not, you can appreciate the time and talent it takes to become a world champion. In League of Legends, the free-to-play online game from Riot Games, two teams of five compete. One of the top North American teams, Cloud 9, is profiled in the new documentary All Work All Play, screened as a work-in-progress at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. I sat down with the team before any of us had seen the movie, and asked them about their lives, interests and what it means to be part of an emerging sport, well, e-sport, that is.

In Case You Missed It: Tribeca Film Festival Reviews & Interviews so far

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

It’s only Tuesday of the festival and we’ve got so much coverage that I thought I’d give you a chance to catch up!

Tribeca Film Festival review & podcast: TUMBLEDOWN will win hearts and fans. Including the audio from our roundtable interview with Jason Sudeikis, Dianna Agron, Director Sean Mewshaw, and Writer…

Tribeca Film Festival podcast: Liz has tea with Hannah Murray. They chat her new film BRIDGEND, Game Of Thrones fandom, and what’s up next!

Tribeca Film review: Richard Gere gives and gives as ‘Franny’

Orion is his iconic eagle suit. Photo credit Sun Records

3 docs you simply must see at the Tribeca Film Festival

Stephen Elliott (James Franco) and Neil Elliott (Ed Harris)Anna Kooris

Tribeca Film Festival interview: ‘THE ADDERALL DIARIES’ director Pamela Romanowsky talks fated moments in making the film.

Shia LaBeouf, Love True – Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Tribeca Red Carpet Photos: Shia LaBeouf looking angry & Director Alma Ha’rel at ‘LoveTrue’

James Franco – The Adderall Diaries – Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Tribeca Red Carpet Photos: James Franco, Cynthia Nixon, Christian Slater, Amber Heard & Ed Harris in ‘The Adderall Diaries’

Can’t make it to the Tribeca Film Festival? These movies have distribution and will be available to watch soon!

Tribeca Film Festival review: ‘KING JACK’ astounds.

Tribeca Film Festival review: ‘Among The Believers’ will test your faith.

Tribeca Film Festival review: ‘COME DOWN MOLLY’ is a drug induced introspection

Tribeca Film Festival reviews: ‘DEMOCRATS’ and ‘VIAJE’. Both are sweet and sour for drastically different reasons

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL begins tomorrow! RND has a few (40) recommendations

Tribeca Film Festival 2015 Has Begun! Drive-In Movies & Free Events!

Tribeca Film Festival Theme: New York Stories – National Lampoon, James Franco, Christopher Walken & More!

Get 2 Free Tickets for the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday April 24th – Courtesy of AT&T’s Film For All Friday

3 Ways to View ‘Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck’ – Tribeca Film Festival, Lincoln Center or HBO

Free Screening of ‘Back to the Future’ and other Free Events of the Tribeca Film Festival

Tickets to the Tribeca Film Festival Now on Sale!

Victor Levin’s ‘5 to 7′ brings Parisian romance to New York City.

TFF 2015: Tribeca Talks Free Events Starting In One Month!

Monty Python Cast to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail at 2015 Tribeca Film Festival

Tribeca Film Festival: Free Program Storyscapes

Tribeca Film Festival review & podcast: TUMBLEDOWN will win hearts and fans. Including the audio from our roundtable interview with Jason Sudeikis, Dianna Agron, Director Sean Mewshaw, and Writer Desiree Van Til.

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — 4 Comments ↓

Music is part of our souls. It can heal, it can hurt, it’s like a sense memory. We’ve lost great artists in their prime like, Leonard Cohen, Kurt Cobain, and Elliot Smith. The impact of their death is felt each time we hear one of their songs. Imagine, for a moment, that your very favorite artist suddenly dies. Now imagine you were married to them. This is the very premise of TUMBLEDOWN. Hannah is the widow of indie folk singer Hunter Miles. She is hounded by gossip seekers on a daily basis. When Hofstra professor and true fan Andrew tries to get in touch with her, she brushes him off… and brushes him off again… and again. Only until realizing that her dream of writing Hunter’s story is one she cannot accomplish on her own, does she let her highly guarded heart open just a crack. Andrew and Hannah strike a deal; Andrew writes a biography on her terms for $50k. With the encouragement of his music industry girlfriend Finley, Andrew drives from NYC to Maine and moves into Hannah’s guest bedroom. He is then exposed to a world a true fan can only dream of, with one massive catch. Hannah will not stop mourning her late husband. Can fan and family see eye to eye. Can trust break down the walls of Hannah’s suffering? Will intellect stifle healing. In a film where it’s head vs heart, who wins?

Rebecca Hall is flawless as Hannah. Witty, independent, strong headed, Hall plays a woman unwilling to move on with her life. Jason Sudeikis as Andrew is unstoppable. Smart, and quippy as ever, this role is something new for Sudeikis. I love this side of him and hope that the industry, and more writers, take note of his innate ability to be funny in a non-slapstick kind of way. These two are an absolute powerhouse as they match wits with one another in each scene. Rounding out an incredible cast is Dianna Agron as Finley. Life after GLEE fame should treat her well if she keeps up such a strong, believable presence on the big screen. Blythe Danner and Richard Masur play Hannah’s parents. Deeply supportive and yet totally realistic, these two are the perfect counter balance to Andrew’s inability to let go of presumption. Finally, Griffin Dunne plays Hannah’s editor and owner of the town beloved book shop. He brings warmth and charm only a small town holds.

The film was 8 years in the making. Writer Desi Van Til thoughtfully crafted this story partly as a personal healing piece for a lost friend. She skillfully captures the heart of New England, the desperation of grief, and the hold that music has on everyone’s heart. For Director Sean Mewshaw, his first feature length film is a total success. It’s shot in such a way that truly shows the quaintness of the area. Finding “Hunter Miles” or singer Damien Jurado was one of his triumphs. He perfectly encapsulates the feel of the character that was created by Desi, Rebecca, Jason, and Sean. Coming in after the film was already in the can, with his music and lyrics, he “created” a musician we’re all discovering for the first time, but feel like we’ve now lost as well. It might also help that Sean and Desi are husband and wife! This team is a real tour de force and without any solid knowledge (only mere mentions) I predict many captivating projects coming down the pipeline from these two.

Grief is something so personal. No matter how big the hit we feel, it still leaves a hole in our hearts and souls. Sometimes music helps. Sometimes it’s a trigger. Either way, the songs live on long after we’re gone. So sing, I say. TUMBLEDOWN is easily in my top three narrative selections to come out the this year’s festival. It is a must see and definitely a must hear.

I was fortunate enough to attend a roundtable interview with Dianna Agron, Jason Sudeikis, Desi Van Til and Sean Mewshaw. We talk issues from the film, insight into the project’s journey, as well as Jason and Dianna’s other releases at the fest. Take a listen to the absolute joy around the table: *You can hear me ask a question about journalistic responsibility and one about Dianna’s similarities to the character of Hannah.* Enjoy the voices of TUMBLEDOWN!

You can still catch a screening of TUMBLEDOWN at the fest this Thursday!! I cannot imagine this film not getting distribution. We will most certainly keep you updated here at RND.

3:30 PM – THU 4/23 REGAL CINEMAS BATTERY PARK 11-11

ADD $13.50

To find out more about TUMBLEDOWN in the Tribeca Film Guide 2015

Tribeca Film Festival podcast: Liz has tea with Hannah Murray. They chat her new film BRIDGEND, Game Of Thrones fandom, and what’s up next!

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — 1 Comment ↓

Once you find out that a film is based on true events, it tends to enter a different realm. What happens when the usual teenage fair in your new town is one of depression and morbidity? Bridgend captures the imagination and haunts the mind long after you leave the theater. It’s a mysterious and ethereal film, from the locations, to the performances, until the very last scene. Hannah Murray talks about what is was like to be in an area where teens feel so hopeless and trapped that suicide is a logical solution. Passionate about a deadly pact, call it peer pressure or perhaps mob mentality, her character Sara is lured into this strange arena. Can she hold onto herself long enough? That’s the ultimate question. Hannah gives us one of most intriguing performance so far. This is not easy material to tackle, but a real success by director Jeppe Rønde and the entire cast. Take a listen to her thoughts on this unusual phenomenon, what’s it like to be part of one of the biggest shows on television, and what she’s filming right now. For you listening pleasure, we give you a special edition of Girls On Film.

SYNOPSIS: When a police investigator is tasked with investigating a recent string of unexplained tragedies, he arrives in the notorious Welsh county of Bridgend with his daughter Sara (Hannah Murray). Naïve and curious, Sara slowly works her way in with a clique of wild teenagers and discovers what bonds them together so tightly—the ritualistic celebration of their friends’ suicides. Initially frightened by the revelation, her eventual participation in this peculiar observance is cemented when she falls in love with Jamie (Josh O’Connor), another member of the menacing group. The unrelenting darkness that engulfs her peers encroaches on Sara, tainting her relationship with her father and threatening her sanity.

Director Jeppe Rønde‘s debut film is based on a real-life town, which has baffled the world by recording at least 79 suicides since 2007. Darkly lush scenes set in the Welsh countryside are juxtaposed with claustrophobic village twists and turns, creating a sophisticated and gothic depiction of the Bridgend mystery.

You can catch the last screening of BRIDGEND at the festival and read more on the film here: Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015

Tribeca Film Festival review: ‘KING JACK’ astounds.

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

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.

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.

Young 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

Tribeca Film review: Richard Gere gives and gives as ‘Franny’

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — 1 Comment ↓

Franny – tickets still available!

As someone who loves to give, I am aware there are boundaries of that giving that can make people feel uncomfortable. Although his heart is in the right place, Franny gladly crosses those boundaries. While there are several moments that hit an emotional nerve, it wasn’t enough to make up for the uneven story.

Richard Gere stars as Franny, a wealthy philanthropist who has become addicted to morphine after a tragic accident involving his best friends. He’s been very reclusive until their daughter, Olivia (Dakota Fanning) comes back into his life. Franny showers her and her new husband with everything they could ever want.

The movie has many themes and is unable to execute any of them fully. It shifts from being about family, to a story of addiction to what it means to give too much. Franny is clearly troubled from his past yet we’re only given a glimpse into any of it.

A missed opportunity was to really show how someone with so much wealth and resources can have their addiction overlooked. There were hints, but it inevitably failed. While Richard Gere delivers a powerful performance, it loses something by the lack of solid supporting cast storylines. It was ultimately predictable and flat.

Tribeca Film Festival interview: ‘THE ADDERALL DIARIES’ director Pamela Romanowsky talks fated moments in making the film.

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — 2 Comments ↓

Stephen Elliott (James Franco) and Neil Elliott (Ed Harris)Anna Kooris

Director Pamela Romanowsky‘s debut feature is not a meek choice. Tackling the page to screen adaptation of Stephen Elliott‘s memoir THE ADDERALL DIARIES seems like something that was written in the stars. Speaking of stars, the film is lead by an outstanding performance by James Franco as a pill popping, destructive behavior addicted, emotionally ravaged man. Under the guise of writer’s block, Stephen lets himself become distracted by a murder case that seems to resonate with his memories of the past; memories that have made him a famous author so far. When his father’s ghost returns to haunt him, life spirals into an seemingly endless line of poor life choices. One person’s truth may not be what it seems.

On the heels of TRUE STORY, Franco plays Elliott with a ferocity that is totally organic. Hitting highs and lows so sharp, I can safely say I am impressed. Ed Harris portrays his strong willed father. A constant trigger throughout the film, this role was made for Harris, literally. Amber Heard is beautiful and honest as a NYT journalist fighting childhood demons of her own. Christian Slater is charming as ever and a master of emotional disguise as the subject Stephen longs to understand. Cleverly edited and stunningly shot, THE ADDERALL DIARIES is a sensory and emotional overload of a film. You will find something that connects with you, I guarantee it.

I was fortunate enough to sit down with Pamela Romanowsky and talk about the journey that became this project.

Liz: Just saw the movie and I really liked it. How did you happen upon Stephen’s novel?

Pamela: Well, there are two parts to this story. I first happened upon it because I live near a really great independent bookstore called “Word” in Greenpoint. I saw it in the window and that is often how I buy books, ” What does Word have?” So I just read it as a casual reader and loved it, thought about it a lot, it really stayed with me. It’s the kind of story that takes a lot of processing. Then separately from that, James Franco and I went to grad school together and are good friends and we hadn’t worked together yet. Then I had the opportunity to make the short with him for The Color of Time. We had a great creative connection and a great time working together. James approached me with The Adderall Diaries. I actually just found out yesterday that it was the first book he optioned.

L: He is such a fan of page to screen, all of which so far have been really successful. It’s such a bold move because it can go so wrong.

P: He picks Difficult books.

L: He really does.

P: It was a really great moment of synchronicity. He wanted to help me make my first feature and with a book we both loved.

L: I think his performance was one of his best and so clearly has a lot to do with your relationship. You had such a great cast full of talent. Ed Harris, what a juicy role for him. I also really enjoyed the juxtaposition of memories talk to me about the editing choices.

P: I developed the visual style with my DP who was also a collaborator from grad school. I met a lot of my people there. Bruce also shot my piece for The Color of Time so we had already talked about how to approach memories cinematically. We used steady cam alot because it felt organic. This is a character who is always in motion, and practically it allowed us to shoot quickly, to be intuitive, to find shots within the scene as we went. And the use of slow motion… you know memory is such a hard thing to describe to someone else but to me, the things that you tend to recall over and over are these small moments and details so it almost like you’re seeing it in slow motion.

L: it is incredibly effective. It is so aesthetically beautiful.

Did you guys have a lot of rehearsal time? Everything feels really organic. Yet there are some truly physically demand scenes.

P: I think as is often in indie film, but I had the advantage of knowing a lot of these actors and Ed, I met at the Sundance Directors Lab.

L: Had he been cast already or did he just come in and read for you?

P: No, he was my advisor at the lab. Coincidentally he was also the person I wrote this role for! His photo was on my writing board the whole time but I never actually thought I was going to get a chance to meet him. So when we were at Sundance, low and behold Ed Harris walks in and I was like ” Oh my God, Ed Harris is here!” It just happened that he was there, it just happened that he was my advisor, and it just happened to be the week I was shooting my father/son scene. So when he was leaving I had to tell him, “You know, thank you so much for helping me and so I wrote this role for you and I don’t know if you’d ever think about doing it but I am gonna keep asking you forever.” And truthfully I didn’t have a back-up plan, I didn’t see anyone else playing this role. It took me 9 months to talk him into it. So I had a lot of time to talk it over with him. It was the same with all the other actors. Rehearsal is really important so right before we would shoot each scene I would kick everyone out and we would run the scene through.

L: As soon as I walked out of the theater I said, “I have to buy this book now. I am completely intrigued. I have to read it.” It has so many relevant issues that even if you’ve never experienced them personally, you would gravitate towards this story. We all have our own way to interpret what our memories are. And I think the older you get and the longer you live with your interpretation, that becomes your truth. It was beautiful to see that on screen. Thank you so much for talking with me.

P: Thank You! Enjoy the rest of your fest!

L: You too! I look forward to talking to you for whatever comes next.

THE ADDERALL DIARIES ticket and showtime information can be found here in the Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015.

TFF 2015 NARRATIVE FEATURE

Release Year: 2015

Runtime: 87 minutes

Directed By: Pamela Romanowsky

Country: USA

Elliott (James Franco), a once-successful novelist inflicted with writer’s block and an Adderall addiction strives to escape his problems by delving into the world of a high-profile murder case. Amber Heard, Ed Harris, and Cynthia Nixon co-star in this adaptation of Elliott’s best-selling memoir. | Read More

Tribeca Red Carpet Photos: Shia LaBeouf looking angry & Director Alma Ha’rel at ‘LoveTrue’

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Alma Har'el, Love True - Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Alma Har’el, Love True – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Alma Har'el & Rafael Marmor, Love True - Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Alma Har’el & Rafael Marmor, Love True – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Shia LaBeouf, Love True – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Tribeca Red Carpet Photos: James Franco, Cynthia Nixon, Christian Slater, Amber Heard & Ed Harris in ‘The Adderall Diaries’

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Amber Heard - The Adderall Diaries - Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Amber Heard – The Adderall Diaries – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Only RUSH tickets are available for The Adderall Diaries – as you can see it’s a star-studded cast! Look for Liz’s review and interview soon!

James Franco – The Adderall Diaries – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Ed Harris - The Adderall Diaries - Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Ed Harris – The Adderall Diaries – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Cynthia Nixon - The Adderall Diaries - Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Cynthia Nixon – The Adderall Diaries – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Christian Slater - The Adderall Diaries - Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Christian Slater – The Adderall Diaries – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Timothée Chalamet - The Adderall Diaries - Photo Credit: Natalie Samuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Timothée Chalamet – The Adderall Diaries – Photo Credit: Natalie Shmuel, Luna Rouge Pictures

Tribeca Film Festival review: ‘COME DOWN MOLLY’ is a drug induced introspection

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — 1 Comment ↓

COME DOWN MOLLY– Narrative, Drama, Comedy

While I have never done mushrooms, myself, I do know a few people who have. I’ve heard it all. “I was chased by giants bugs!”, “I felt one with nature.”, “It’s totally backed by science now.” While the plot of Come Down Molly does revolve around a new mom taking a much deserved break to munch on some serious vegetation, honestly, the film isn’t really about drugs at all. It is is completely about identity. Oftentimes, new moms aren’t given a voice of their own. Feeling pressured by society to be perfect and to adore every single minuscule moment of their child’s life, they are merely human beings. Every mother needs time to herself to maintain a sense of sanity and a sense of self. Molly takes the day to reconnect with her key group of male childhood friends. Just before venturing out into the vast wilderness of The Rocky Mountains, the group partakes in some recreational mushroom delicacies. Most of the movie is spent wandering the open fields and streams laughing and reminiscing.

The dialogue feels super natural most likely due to the casting choices of Writer/Director Gregory Kohn. Molly’s friends consist of Greg’s closest actor buddies. The seemingly improvised, hilariously witty repartee is key in convincing the audience to go along with a documentary style narrative. Eléonore Hendricks‘ performance is beautiful and down to earth. She has an easy likability about her. Surrounded by the gentleman in the cast, sparks fly. The setting itself, is glorious. The quiet moments are some of the most prolific. Regardless of life experience, this film gives a solid voice to everyone struggling to maintain a sense of who they are and where they thought they’d be by now. Come Down Molly is a cinematic dream.

Directed by: Gregory Kohn

In this expressionist odyssey exploring the lonely side of entering adulthood, struggling new mother Molly (Eléonore Hendricks) joins her old high school group of guy friends at a secluded mountain home. Amidst tears, laughter, and mushrooms, they connect with nature, one another, and themselves.

Find out more about Come Down Molly at Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015

Tribeca Film Festival review: ‘Among The Believers’ will test your faith.

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — 1 Comment ↓

Aziz testing a young student on his “studies”.

AMONG THE BELIEVERS– Documentary

9/11 turned the world on it’s head. What we think we know about religion has been bundled into talking points by one side of the coin. Captured by fear and ignorance we label quickly but never rush to understand. Among the Believers is a riveting documentary that takes the audience inside the infamous Red Mosques and into the mind of Abdul Aziz Ghazi, ISIS supporter, Taliban ally, and teacher of the jihadist movement to children all over Pakistan. Acting a s “dean” Aziz takes children from poor Pakistani families under the guise that he will house, clothe and educate their children for them. What’s really going on is the indoctrination of oftentimes infantile members of a society that doesn’t know any better. These children “study” the Quran from sunrise until 9pm everyday. Not until they are deemed worthy do they even understand the verses they are forced to memorize and chant incessantly. Religion does funny things to people and, no matter which religion, extremists are out there.

Young girls have few choices in Pakistan. If she is not educated, she is often married off.

This documentary is beautifully balanced with open minded Muslims living in the surrounding neighborhoods of the madrassah (Islamic seminaries) locations. Advocates like Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, speak out in public platforms, such as mass media outlets and lectures. The majority of Pakistan’s population is vehemently against the imposition of Sharia law throughout the country. The question continues to be; How do you fight religion?

As an audience member you will endure a visceral reaction to the ideas onscreen. You will feel a passionate push back in one way or another. Among The Believers is sometimes difficult to watch, but I understand that it is a rather important film.

www.amongthebelieversfilm.com

To Learn More About Screenings of Among The Believers, visit

Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015

Directed By: Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi

An unsettling and eye opening exploration into the spread of the radical Islamic school Red Mosque, which trains legions of children to devote their lives to jihad, or holy war, from a very young age. With incredible access and chilling footage, Among the Believers is a timely and relevant look into the causes that have led to the growth of radical Islam in Pakistan and around the world.

Tribeca Film Festival reviews: ‘DEMOCRATS’ and ‘VIAJE’. Both are sweet and sour for drastically different reasons

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — 1 Comment ↓

Democrats- Documentary

In a place where the people are being silenced by the old regime, free speech is punished, in a country that has produced a landscape of mindless and terrified sheep, this absorbing documentary takes us behind the curtain of the political system in Zimbabwe. Politics is full of pretenders. They fully admit to glazing over the truth and using bullying tactics to coral followers like cattle. A broken system attempts to fix itself with the formation of a dual party constitutional committee. We are privy to embattled showdowns with one party busing on “locals” for support and the opposition party fighting for it’s people’s lives, literally. Can two men guide an entire country through peaceful transition?

This is a drastic portrait of how money and power control politics. Talking points, denial, broken promises are all things we understand in the United States, but in Zimbabwe, in the shadow of Mugabe, this is something altogether next level for these people. The lies and the violence are all on camera. Despite this, it is two steps forward and 20 steps back. Whichever side you happen to be, DEMOCRATS is a brave and brilliantly cut together piece of art. The filmmakers and all those involved must be saluted for standing for something in a place where nothing is the norm.

Directed and written by Camilla Nielsson
(Denmark)—North American Premiere

In the wake of Robert Mugabe’s highly criticized 2008 presidential win, a constitutional committee was created in an effort to transition Zimbabwe away from authoritarian leadership. With unprecedented access to the two political rivals overseeing the committee, this riveting, firsthand account of a country’s fraught first steps towards democracy plays at once like an intimate political thriller and unlikely buddy film. In English, Shona with subtitles.

Viaje- Narrative, Comedy

Lust at first sight is relatively common. Taking a chance on a stranger, these days, is pretty uncommon. Luciana and Pedro meet at a costume party and decide to leave together on a whim. Alcohol fueled inhibition leads to the prolonged weekend together camping. This film is about two people learning about each other, trusting each other, going with the flow. Relationships are complicated, but maybe, this one doesn’t have to be.

Viaje has some of the most genuine and funny dialogue I have heard in long time. When two people click, this is how they communicate. The chemistry between lead actors Kattia Gonzalez and Fernando Bolaños is palpable and delicious. They are passionate and natural and I could have watched them play off one another for ages. The film’s score is lively and fun. The camera work has a superb energy that keeps up with our vivacious leads. Shot is beautiful black and white and at a tight 70 minutes, Viaje is an honest picture of mature feelings and elegant understandings we face as we grow together and apart.

Directed By: Paz Fábrega

Country: Costa Rica

After meeting at a party, Luciana and Pedro spark up a spontaneous rendezvous when Luciana accompanies Pedro to a national forest on a work trip. Eschewing the fraudulent nature of traditional relationships, the pair explores the beauty in the nature that surrounds them as they indulge in the passions of their encounter and navigate the various meanings of commitment.

Find out more about these two films at Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015

Tribeca Film Festival 2015 Has Begun! Drive-In Movies & Free Events!

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — Leave a reply

Liz and Melissa are your eyes and ears of this year’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. They’ve got a headstart – Liz has already seen 24 and Melissa has seen 15! They’ll be attending the festival, watching movies and interviewing actors and directors. Make sure to follow them to see what they’re up to!

Follow the ladies on:

twitter: @lizwhittemore @dialmformelissa @reelnewsdaily
instagram: @indiebizliz @dialmformelissa @reelnewsdaily
facebook: @reelnewsdaily

What are you seeing this year?

TRIBECA DRIVE-IN FILMS

Clue – 30th Anniversary
Lady and the Tramp – 60th Anniversary
A Faster Horse

FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS

TRIBECA FAMILY FESTIVAL STREET FAIR: April 25, 10am – 6pm Greenwich Street / North of Chambers
Free Screening of: Back to the Future: April 25, 6pm at BMCC
Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day 1: April 23, 10am – 6pm Greenwich Street / North Chambers

Quick facts:

3,147 Feature submissions
- World Premiere: 67
- International Premiere: 4
- North American Premiere: 13
- U.S. Premiere: 5
- New York Premiere: 11
- Restoration: 1
Total Number of Feature Directors: 124
- Feature-Length Female Directors: 32
- Feature-Length Male Directors: 93
- First-Time Directors: 41
- First-Time Female Directors: 14
- First-Time Male Directors: 27
- Returning Directors: 62

Tribeca Film Festival Theme: New York Stories – National Lampoon, James Franco, Christopher Walken & More!

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — 1 Comment ↓

Stephen Elliott (James Franco) and Neil Elliott (Ed Harris)Anna Kooris

The Adderall Diaries – Stay tuned for Liz’s Review & Interview!

Directed and written by Pamela Romanowsky. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative.
Elliott (James Franco), a once-successful novelist inflicted with writer’s block and an Adderall addiction strives to escape his problems by delving into the world of a high-profile murder case. Amber Heard, Ed Harris, and Cynthia Nixon co-star in this adaptation of Elliott’s best-selling memoir.

Anesthesia – Stay tuned for Melissa’s Review

Directed and written by Tim Blake Nelson. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative.
On a snowy night in New York City, a Columbia professor is brutally mugged on the doorsteps of an apartment building. Director Tim Blake Nelson’s haunting meditation of city life traces the chain of events that precipitate the attack, examining the inextricable and unforeseen forces that bring a group of disparate individuals together. Featuring a star-studded ensemble including Sam Waterston, Kristen Stewart, Glenn Close, and Cory Stoll.

Applesauce – Stay tuned for Liz’s Review

Directed and written by Onur Tukel. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative.
TFF alumnus Onur Tukel plays a husband who innocently reveals on talk radio the worst thing he’s ever done. Though his gaffe never makes it on air, it sets off a chain of hilariously uncontrollable events that draw his wife and another couple into an uneasy mixture of infidelities, confessions, and severed body parts.

DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: The Story of the National Lampoon – Stay tuned for Liz’s Review

Directed and written by Douglas Tirola, co-written by Mark Monroe. (USA) – New York Premiere, Documentary.
Using rare, never-before-seen archival footage and in-depth interviews with fans and founders, Douglas Tirola traces National Lampoon’s evolution from underground countercultural movement to mainstream household brand. Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead is a riotous and revealing chronicle of a trailblazing comedic institution and a celebration of creative expression at its radical, envelope- pushing finest.

Indian Point – Stay tuned for Liz’s Review

Directed and written by Ivy Meeropol. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant looms just 35 miles from Times Square. With over 50 million people living in close proximity to the aging facility, its continued operation has generated controversy for the surrounding community. In the brewing fight for clean energy and the catastrophic possibilities of complacency, director Ivy Meeropol weaves a startling portrait of our uncertain nuclear future.

Live From New York!

Directed by Bao Nguyen. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
A New York institution and comedy powerhouse, Saturday Night Live has been churning out hilarious sketches and launching top comedy talent for 40 years. In honor of the occasion, director Bao Nguyen looks back at the show’s history, influence, and most memorable moments.

Character: Asad Ali Photographer: Mobeen Ansari

Song of Lahore – Stay tuned for Melissa’s Review

Directed by Andy Schocken and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. (USA, Pakistan) – World Premiere, Documentary.
Until the late 1970s, the Pakistani city of Lahore was world-renowned for its music. Following the Islamization of Pakistan, many artists struggled to continue their life’s work. Song of Lahore turns the spotlight on a group of stalwart musicians that kept playing and ultimately attracted listeners from around the world. In English, Punjabi, and Urdu with subtitles.

Speedy

Directed by Ted Wilde. (USA) – Newly restored print from the Criterion Collection, Narrative. Silent comedy legend Harold Lloyd stars as a die-hard Yankees fan who can’t keep a job, but is determined to save the last horse-drawn trolley in New York. This lighthearted slapstick classic features visits to Coney Island and Yankee Stadium, an incredible cameo by Babe Ruth, and hair- raising cab rides through the city streets.

TransFatty Lives

Directed by Patrick O’Brien, co-written by Patrick O’Brien, Scott Crowningshield, Lasse Jarvi, Doug Pray. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
Director Patrick O’Brien is TransFatty, the onetime NYC deejay and Internet meme-making superstar. In 2005, O’Brien began to document his life after being diagnosed with ALS and given only two to five years to live. TransFatty Lives is a brazen and illustrative account of what it’s like to live when you find out you are going to die.

Bob Mankoff, Farley KatzPhotographer: Kirsten Johnson

Very Semi-Serious

Directed by Leah Wolchok. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
The New Yorker is the benchmark for the single-panel cartoon. This light-hearted and sometimes poignant look at the art and humor of the iconic drawings shows why they have inspired and even baffled us for decades. Very Semi-Serious is a window into the minds of cartooning legends and hopefuls, including editor Bob Mankoff, shedding light onto their how their humor evolves.

The Wannabe

Directed and written by Nick Sandow. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative.
Gotti-obsessed and hopelessly in love, Thomas (Boardwalk Empire’s Vincent Piazza) and Rose (Academy Award®–winner Patricia Arquette) are looking to fit in to a neighborhood where mob- ties equal social currency. Amidst events surrounding the 1992 trial of John Gotti, Thomas and Rose attempt to make their mark. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese.

When I Live My Life Over Again – Stay tuned for Melissa’s Review

Directed and written by Robert Edwards. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative.
Jude (Amber Heard) is a would-be singer-songwriter still struggling to make her mark. Cash- strapped and homeless, she begrudgingly returns to the Hamptons home of her father (Christopher Walken), an over-the-hill crooner desperately charting his musical comeback, in this spunky, soulful dramedy about the personal costs of artistic ambition and the bonds that carry us through.

The Wolfpack – Stay tuned for Melissa’s Review

Directed by Crystal Moselle. (USA) – New York Premiere, Documentary.
Everything the Angulo brothers know about the outside world they learned from obsessively watching movies. Shut away from bustling New York City by their overprotective father, they cope with their isolation by diligently re-enacting their favorite films. When one of the brothers escapes, the world as they know it will be transformed. A Magnolia Release.

Short Films

Aphasia

Directed by Luke LoCurcio, written by Robin Rose Singer. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Emily is your average 26-year old who texts her friends, chats on Facebook, orders online, and uses GPS to get where she’s going in Aphasia, until one day she suddenly comes face-to-face with the consequences of living a digital life.

The Artist Is Absent: A Short Film on Martin Margiela

Directed and written by Alison Chernick. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
The Artist Is Absent profiles the influential Margiela, who has been a major force in fashion for over 20 years, yet the man himself remains elusive, maintaining his anonymity in an age of celebrity.

Best Man Wins

Directed by Stéphane Dumonceau, written by Frederick Waterman, Stéphane Dumonceau. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative.
When a celebrated New York chef discovers an affair between his super-model wife and his best man in Best Man Wins, he devises a plan to deal with each of them.

Better to Live

Directed by Linda G. Mills. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
Drama majors tackle anxiety, cutting, and suicide, in the unscripted and raw Better to Live, as they build a “reality” show for 5,000 college freshmen.

Blitz

Directed and written by Faraday Okoro, written by Faraday Okoro. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative.
In Blitz a father and son agree to a “winner takes all” chess blitz in order to settle a bet.

Every Day

Directed by Gabe Spitzer. (USA) – New York Premiere, Documentary.
At 86, Joy Johnson was the oldest woman to run the 2013 New York City Marathon. This is the story of an inspiring athlete with an uncommon passion for her sport, and for life.

Last Call

Directed and written by Stefan Nadelman. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
In 1972 Sheldon Nadelman began working as a day-shift bartender at the Terminal bar in midtown Manhattan. Over the next decade he shot over 1500 black-and-white photographs of his customers, who ranged from the working class to the downtrodden. Twenty-five years after the bar closed for good, Sheldon recollects their stories.

Man Under

Directed by Paul Stone. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
Since 2010, over 250 people have been killed by New York City subway trains. Man Under is the personal journey of one MTA motorman’s struggle to get his life back on track after a desperate woman turns his train into her suicide weapon, shedding light on one of NYC’s darkest secrets.

We Live This

Directed and written by James Burns. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.
We Live This is the story of four boys from the projects who have come together to pursue their dreams. Most new Yorkers who ride the MTA have opinions about them, but what lies beneath these young performers is more than what meets the eye.

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL begins tomorrow! RND has a few (40) recommendations

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Liz Whittemore — Leave a reply

This year’s fest is bigger and better than ever! We’re very excited here at Reel News Daily to bring you the very best of what’s screening. Get ready for interviews, roundups, special events, and reviews coming your way. Here are the films we recommend… so far!

Follow the ladies on:

twitter: @lizwhittemore @dialmformelissa @reelnewsdaily
instagram: @indiebizliz @dialmformelissa @reelnewsdaily
facebook: @reelnewsdaily

Documentary Selections

INDIAN POINT

TFF 2015 DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Release Year: 2015
Runtime: 94 minutes
Directed By: Ivy Meeropol
Country: USA

Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant looms just 35 miles from Times Square. With over 50 million people living in close proximity to the aging facility, its continued operation has generated controversy for the surrounding community. In the brewing fight for clean energy and the catastrophic possibilities of complacency, director Ivy Meeropol weaves a startling portrait of our uncertain nuclear future.

SCREENING TIMES

FRI	4/17	5:30 PM	SVA Theater 2 Beatrice
SUN	4/19	3:45 PM	Regal Cinemas Battery Park 11-1
WED	4/22	3:30 PM	Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 6
FRI	4/24	6:15 PM	Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 4

Free Screening of ‘Back to the Future’ and other Free Events of the Tribeca Film Festival

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — 1 Comment ↓

Back to the Future

From the Oscar®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis comes the original, groundbreaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies ever! Join us for a FREE screening and pre- show program celebrating the 30th anniversary of the film, and featuring special appearances and an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming documentary Back In Time.

6:00 PM – SAT 4/25

BMCC TRIBECA PAC

The Tribeca Family Festival once again invites you to the ultimate street fair and family celebration, where a dazzling array of FREE activities, performances and experiences unfold downtown in Tribeca.

Step onto the Tribeca Studios Backlot and into a filmmaking experience, watch a live chef demonstration from a local restaurant on our Tribeca Food Feast Stage, fly a kite, play video games in the Games for Change Public Arcade, create life-size bubbles in the Bubble Garden, get creative in our Arts & Crafts pavilions, dance to live music and put a smile on your face. It’s time to take to the streets of the neighborhood, so join us for a special day of fun!

FREE – Saturday – April 25th

Prune Nourry: Immersion, 2012 (From the Holy River series), Print mounted on radiology negative viewer, Edition 2/3 + 2 AP, 18 5/8 x 29 1/2 inches

Monday, April 13 – Saturday, April 25

Tribeca Film Festival Artists Awards exhibition, sponsored by CHANEL Works from Daniel Arsham, Robert Bordo, Elizabeth Colomba, Stephen Hannock, Prune Nourry, Jean Pagliuso, Clifford Ross, and Piers Secunda.

Free and open to the public, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A free exhibition of the work will be open to the public from April 13-25 between the hours of 9am- 5pm (closed on April 23), at the Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios, TFF’s new destination for festivalgoers, located at 50 Varick Street in Manhattan. The artwork will be on view throughout the Festival before being presented to the award-winning filmmakers on April 23.

Following is a complete list of the artwork that will be contributed:

Daniel Arsham: Ash Eroded Film Reel, 2014, Volcanic ash, shattered glass, hydrostone, unique, 14 x 14 inches
Robert Bordo: Caw (42), 2010, Tempera on paper, 11 1/4 x 15 3/4 inches
Elizabeth Colombo: Athena, 2015, Oil on canvas, gold leaf frame, 14 x 11 inches
Stephen Hannock: Rockets Over the Delta (Mass MoCA #218), 2015,Acrylic on panel, 8 1/8 x 6 3/4 inches
Prune Nourry: Immersion, 2012 (From the Holy River series), Print mounted on radiology negative viewer, Edition 2/3 + 2 AP, 18 5/8 x 29 1/2 inches
Jean Pagliuso: Black #19, 2009, Hand-applied silver gelatin on rice paper AP1, 23 ¾ x 19 ½ inches
Clifford Ross: Trees II, 2010, Archival Pigment Print on Wood Veneer, 22 ½ x 17 ½ inches
Piers Secunda: Taliban Relief Painting, 2013, Industrial floor paint, 48.2 x 49.6 x 1.6cm

The art exhibition is free and open to the public. For more information on the other programs at the Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios at 50 Varick Street and to purchase a Spring pass that provides full access to the space and events, visit www.tribecafilm.com.

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Thursday, April 16 – Sunday, April 19

Storyscapes presented in collaboration with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin – A juried section at the Festival showcasing groundbreaking exhibits in technology and interactive storytelling.

Free, reservation required; reservations accepted starting April 13 at tribecafilm.com, 12:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Get 2 Free Tickets for the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday April 24th – Courtesy of AT&T’s Film For All Friday

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Melissa Hanson — 1 Comment ↓

The trick is that you have to physically go into an AT&T store. Find a store in the NYC area here: https://tribecafilm.com/filmforall

FILM FOR ALL FRIDAY

AT&T is making screening tickets free on Friday, April 24.
From Monday April 6 to Thursday April 9 reserve your free tickets at participating company-owned AT&T stores in all five boroughs.

To reserve tickets at AT&T retail stores:
1. Visit an AT&T retail store (see list of participating stores below)
2. Select your film using the device provided
3. Enter your email
4. Click to reserve your tickets

Remaining Film For All tickets will be make available online beginning Friday, April 10 right here on tribecafilm.com

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SCREENING TIMES

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FILM FOR ALL FRIDAY

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