Summer is here and event movie season is upon us. There are many types of event films, from the overblown special effects extravaganza to the highly anticipated sequel; we’ll be getting plenty of all types this summer. While I may be known as a critic around these parts I’ll declare this an opinion-free article and just […]
Beyond the blockbusters and the movies on the block, there are several independent and international films and festivals worth looking forward to this summer. For films theatrically, there are lots of alternatives to a vacation, presenting both breathtaking and challenging experiences for all. Let’s dig deeper into that mound of sand for some real buried treasures. […]
In Maggie, a mysterious disease is wreaking havoc on humanity, turning people into zombie-like creatures who rot and spread their disease through a bite. The disease can take up to eight weeks to fully overtake the host, and here we see the human drama of a family dealing with a world in crisis while their […]
For Albert Maysles’ final documentary feature he chose to focus on 94-year-old New York fashion mainstay Iris Apfel. The film Iris documents Apfel’s careers as a fashion icon, interior designer, jewelry designer, and all around taste-maker. Much of the movie is made up of “day in the life” style segments, following Iris to meetings, […]
It’s always good to see quality local productions, and Almost Mercy doesn’t disappoint. Almost Mercy presents us with the story of small town outcasts Jackson and Emily, two burgeoning sociopaths who grew up being picked on, put down and put in their place by the arbiters of so-called normal society. Jackson and Emily meet in […]
Lost River is a failing Detroit area town named after its reservoir, which was created by flooding a nearby town where streetlights can still be seen hovering above the water’s surface. We meet many of Lost River’s inhabitants and the film focuses on mother and son Billie and Bones. Billie needs a job to […]
Dark Star is a documentary that gives us an intimate view of the life and world of acclaimed artist H.R. Giger. We are treated to interviews with those who knew him best as well as given limited, but important background information on his upbringing. The film documents his cluttered home, a trip to an […]
Neither Malcolm McDowell, Jane Seymour, nor Keith Carradine* ever won an Academy Award for acting, but they all contribute Oscar-level performances to Bereave, a low-budget drama that won the big jury prize, Best Feature, at the recent Southeastern New England Film Festival (SENE Fest) in Providence. Independent film usually concentrates on genres such as horror […]
Signe Baumane is an independent animator originally from Latvia, now living and working in New York City. For years, she travelled the world with her animated shorts; most recently, she created her first feature, Rocks in My Pockets. Animation, as Signe points out, is a medium, not a genre as many label it. Anything can be […]
The organizers of SENE, the 7th annual Southeast New England Film, Music, and Arts Festival, honored individuals who have made outstanding contributions to promoting the arts. This took place during the Limelight Party, which was held Thurs, April 23, at the Warwick Museum of Art. Among the honorees were John and Betty Jane Berberian, owners […]