The 2016 New Orleans Film Festival kicked off its 27th year by opening with the U.S. premiere of Rob Reiner’s new film LBJ. That genius bit of programming was due to the high quality of the presidential bio film and the fact that it was shot in New Orleans. LBJ started the fest that […]
Moonlight
In just his second feature film, writer/director Barry Jenkins tells a compelling story about sexual repression and ambiguity through the eyes of a vulnerable and confused little boy, who grows up to question his sexual identity as a teen and then finds a thin measure of serenity as a young man. Based on […]
Kevin Hart: What Now?
Has success spoiled Kevin Hart? Forbes Magazine lists him as 2016’s highest paid comedian with an annual income of $87.5 million, from June 1 2015, to June 1 2016. Unlike many of his cohorts (Jerry Seinfeld, etc.) Hart makes lots of his income from live performances in large stadiums where he can earn $1 million […]
The Birth of a Nation
Finally a filmmaker unearths one of the biggest secrets in American history: slave revolts. It’s a lesson rarely mentioned in history books, though it’s common knowledge to anyone who has taken a black history course. Kudos to actor-turned-director Nate Parker for shepherding this ambitious project from the kernel of an idea to the completion […]
The 13th, Ava DuVernay’s Enlightening Documentary, Opens 2016 New York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival celebrates its 54th year by trying something new. For the first time in history, its Opening Night World Premiere will be a documentary. Even more noteworthy, this non-fiction film is by director Ava DuVernay (Selma) and it focuses on America’s deep problem with its criminal justice/penal system and […]
Toronto Comes Alive During 2016 International Film Festival
There are film festivals all over the world. Few however, take over an entire city and engage locals and visitors on the level of the Toronto International Film Festival. An estimated 480,000 filmgoers attend screenings, eyeball celebrities and scout out the up-and-coming filmmakers at TIFF. As participants take in the festivities, they tour the […]
Richmond, VA: Dining and Dashing Around the 2016 Jazz Festival
The seventh annual Richmond Jazz Festival ran from August 11th to the 14th, in venues around town and culminated at the lush 100-acre Maymont Park with a two-day outdoor fest. Musicians like Herbie Hancock, Stephanie Mills, The Roots and Diane Schuur thrilled music fans. And when festival goers weren’t lapping up the music they […]
Music Lovers Gather at the 2016 Richmond Jazz Festival
On a hot mid-August summer weekend in Richmond, Virginia, thousands of music lovers gathered for the seventh annual Richmond Jazz Festival. They picnicked, socialized and strolled around the verdant lawns of the vast, 100-acre Maymont estate, splitting their time between three concert stages that were filled with world-class musicians: Herbie Hancock, Stephanie Mills, Arrested Development, […]
Miss Sharon Jones!
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings is a Grammy-nominated R&B band from Brooklyn. Their groove is funky like James Brown’s. Jones’ gyrations are as wild and ferocious as Tina Tuner’s. The group’s soul shake and their lead singer’s indomitable spirit blend into something very special, heartfelt and familial. When Jones is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, […]
Star Trek Beyond
The big debate shouldn’t be if this is the best Star Trek film ever. The more interesting conversation is about whether Star Trek Beyond is a better sci-fi space adventure film than 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens. On most levels, the answer is yes. J.J. Abrams is out as director and comes […]