by Karen Tortora-Lee on September 14, 2011
The Thornhills of Park Avenue (L-R: Bill Connington, Anthony Haden-Guest, Juliette Bennett)
We recently wrote about Bill Connington’s success with his award winning play, Zombie (based on the novella by Joyce Carol Oates). The short film based on the play- winner of “Best Short Film (Horror)” at the Washington D.C. International Film Festival will be shown as part of The Williamsburg International Film Festival — Knitting Factory | 9/23/2011 | 12 AM – and (if you’re down that way) at The Atlanta Horror Film Festival in a few days on September 16.
In Zombie Connington plays a mild-mannered “normal-seeming” serial killer who abducts innocent victims and attempts to turn them into his zombie slaves.
But if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea the versatile Connington will flex his comic muscles for you as an upscale Society investment banker trying to discover the meaning of life in the short film The Thornhills of Park Avenue. Written by Connington the film co-stars Juliette Bennett and Anthony Haden-Guest.
“A young Park Avenue couple invites a British writer and cartoonist for cocktails. Quips and satire ensue. The story is: what is more important: money or happiness? The answer? Cocktails, apparently…”
The Thornhills of Park Avenue will be screened at the Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival (Sept 15 – 18 / Concord New Hampsire) on September 17th.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on August 21, 2011
Bill Connington Long Island Film Fest
The short film ZOMBIE will be screened on Monday, August 22 at the New York City International Film Festival. The program of shorts is at 11:35 am – 1 pm at the Abingdon Theater, 312 West 36th Street, 2nd floor. ZOMBIE is the last film on that morning’s program. Tickets are $5.
ZOMBIE tells the story of a mild-mannered “normal-seeming” serial killer, who abducts innocent victims, and attempts to turn them into his “zombie” slaves. The stage play was presented at the New York International Fringe Festival, Off-Broadway at Theater Row for an extended run, and at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in New York. It was also recently performed in Seattle, and a production is planned for Mexico City. Continue Reading…
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on November 30, 2010
One of the very cool things about this series is that each month they randomly pick an audience member to star in a film to be shown the following month at Iron Mule. So if you’ve been sitting around waiting for your star turn, your odds will be significantly increased just by sitting in this audience. What else do you have to do on December 4th?
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by Lina Zeldovich on September 29, 2010
Zaritsas: Russian Women in New York – a life-changing documentary by Elena Beloff will be screened on Oct 24 at the Astoria/LIC Film Festival.
Elena Beloff, a graduate of the New School University where she had studied film production, wanted to make movies since she was a little girl in her hometown in Tatarstan, Russia. When she was in high school she came to the USA as an exchange student and returned later to pursue her dreams. While living in New York Elena came across the infamous phenomena of the Russian women stereotype as materialistic gold-diggers and mail-order brides so she decided to make a film to explore the alleged stereotypes. As she was composing her student version of Zaritsas, she worked as an extra on the set of Law & Order where she met Vincent D’Onofrio who also starred in Men in Black and produced The Whole Wide World, and who became interested in her work and sponsored her film.
Elena’s documentary tells the stories of five Russian women in New York. Sasha, an exchange student loved the city and decided to stay. Katya’s dream is to quit her prestigious job at La Perla and become a photographer. The rapper Elena Ouri lives and breathes her songs and music – many about her vision of God. Tatiana rebuilt herself from rape and loss of her husband. Irina, an exotic dancer, takes refuge at a spiritual retreat to rebuild herself, and finds a job in the New York Jewelry district – with the emotional support of all the other women in the film.
Continue Reading…
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by Anne Jordanova on September 16, 2010
“Picture Me- A Model’s Diary” is the new documentary following the rise of high fashion model Sara Ziff, over the course of several years, by her then filmmaker boyfriend Ole Schell.
It first premiered at the 2009 Gen Art Film Festival in New York, and it is shocking, honest, and disturbing.
Continue Reading…
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by Antonio Miniño on April 1, 2010
It’s creeping up, you can tell by the rainy days and not-so-freezing weather. There’s also that mixed fashion I so love in Spring and the month of April; half the population is braving the still somewhat crisp temperatures and taking off the layers and boots, while the other is still hiding behind the winter parkas that will soon be packed in storage boxes or donated to Goodwill.
These are a couple of suggestions of things that make me go Yes! plus places and events you shouldn’t miss out on during the month of April.
April Wear
The most important element that should grace the wardrobe of both men and women in April is a new pair of shades, and by new I mean old. Retro is the fresh look for Spring 2010, from round glasses (Gaga goes googoo over them), retro Ray-Bans (color me 80s), and always in fashion – not leaving us anytime soon – aviator or pilot glasses.
Jeremy Scott Mickey Mouse Glasses
Continue Reading…
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by Anne Jordanova on March 12, 2010
Lincoln Center Film Society
In the next two weeks, The Film Society of Lincoln Center is showcasing the BEST of France within the past year. This includes the US premieres of big hits from Cannes Film Festival, 2009, as well as winners from the Cesar Awards (French equivalent to the Academy Awards), and in addition-several young auteurs. Every night has a new event-ranging from the film premiere, to a Q and A, or a showcase of Short Films from France with in-person appearances by Michel Gondy, Vincent Lindon, Yvan Attal, Stéphane Brizé, Julie Gayet, Christophe Honoré, Cédric Kahn, Virginie Ledoyen, Chiara Mastroianni, and François Ozon.
Thursday the 11th was the opening night of Farewell (L’Affaire Farewell) (Dir., Christian Carion) with in-person appearances from France’s top actor/director Guillaume Canet (Tell No One, The BEACH). Tickets are on sale now.
I will bring coverage from the event, as well as the actor Q and A with Vincet Lindon, and next Tuesday and Thursday’s short film event. Stay tuned!
Click Here for more information.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on October 29, 2009
I have to admit, I didn’t get to see Coraline The Movie when it was playing, mainly because I cover so much theatre that I just don’t get a chance to get out to the movies as much as I used to. But apparently the movie’s director Henry Selick wants to change all that — becuae he’s hitting the pavement in November and seems to be making the rounds specifically for me with not one but TWO different events aimed for the type of person who doesn’t just like to see a movie, but likes to delve in and get the backstory.
If you’re more interested in a screening of Coraline then this choice is for you:
Coraline
With writer/director Henry Selick in person
Thursday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.
Directors Guild Theatre, 110 West 57 Street, Manhattan
2009, 100 mins. Focus Features. Presented in Dolby Digital 3-D. Directed by Henry Selick. With the voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Ian McShane. Selick adapts Neil Gaiman’s book about a girl who is bored in her new home until she discovers a door and finds an alternative version of her life on the other side. Film critic A.O. Scott wrote in The New York Times that Coraline “lingers in an atmosphere that is creepy, wonderfully strange and full of feeling.”
Call 718.784.4520 to make your reservation.
However, if Mr. Selick himself seems facinating to you, then set your clock one day earlier, and head downtown (not up) to:
AN EVENING WITH HENRY SELICK
Wednesday, November 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Crosby Street Hotel, 79 Crosby Street (between Spring and Prince)
Henry Selick will discuss his career and show clips from his films, including Coraline, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and James and the Giant Peach, in a discussion moderated by Chief Curator David Schwartz. Selick’s work is characterized by its emotional and textural richness, and by its adherence to the physicality and hand-made quality of stop-motion animation.
Order online or call 718.784.4520.
I have to admit, I didn’t get to see Coraline (the movie) when it was playing –mainly because I cover so much theatre that I just don’t get a chance to get out to the movies as much as I used to [I unfortunately missed MCC Theater's production of Coraline the Musical as well. Sheesh!]. But apparently the movie’s director Henry Selick wants to change all that — because he’s hitting the pavement in November and seems to be making the rounds specifically for me with not one but TWO different events aimed for the type of person who doesn’t just like to see a movie, but likes to delve in and get the back story.
Continue Reading…
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