Director Sophia Castuera and Actress/Writer Ali Edwards of LADY PARTS PRODUCTIONS talked with our Gadi Elkon about their feature film, AUGUST AT TWENTY TWO.
SITE 13 – Interview with Co-Writer Director and Lead Actor Nathan Faudree
Writer/Director/Actor Nathan Faudree talked with our Gadi Elkon about SITE 13, the long history behind the film and so much more!
BARBIE – A Review by Cynthia Flores
BARBIE – A Review by Cynthia Flores
I had the privilege of going to a screening of this film with local influencers and fans of the Barbie doll in the local DFW area. I did not anticipate the sea of pink outfits I would sit amongst during the screening. It was so much fun to see all sizes and age ranges dressed in their favorite Barbie-esque attire. And don’t even get me started on all the Kens that showed up. They were styling as well.
At the event, I saw the merchandising the theaters would have for this film. Be prepared to shell out an average of $20 per keepsake item to hold your popcorn and soda during the movie. The film is based on a Mattel toy, so you have to expect this level of merchandising. And I’ll warn you, you will want to collect each of those pink lovelies they have available. So bring your wallet.
The film Barbie on its surface has a simple storyline, but it is actually layered with female empowerment messages. Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) lives in her flamingo-pink Dreamhouse, surrounded by other Barbies in theirs. All of this takes place in Barbie Land. All the Kens live there as well somewhere.
Part of the fun of watching the film is seeing who appears as a Barbie or a Ken. It’s packed with a well-known cast of actors and actresses playing all the Barbies and human characters. There are people like Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, John Cena, and the best narrator ever, Dame Helen Mirren, in the cast.
One principal, “Ken” (Ryan Gosling), lives only to love Stereotypical Barbie. He tries to impress her and stand out from all the other Kens. Life is perfect and going along as it always has until Stereotypical Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her perfect pink world and her existence. When the signs of her distress start adding up, she must visit Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon). She is the doll that was played with too much and wrecked by her person. Leaving her marked up and sitting in a split position. She is considered wise and known to help fix broken Barbies. Weird Barbie sends Stereotypical Barbie to the real world to repair the tear between her and the human playing with her.
Once there, Stereotypical Barbie and Ken, who has tagged along, find the family she feels has played with her and caused all these troubles for her in Barbie Land. Surly Teenager Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt) and her mom Gloria (America Ferrera), who works at Mattel as a receptionist for the CEO (Will Ferrell).
This is not the first time a Barbie has crossed over to the real world. The longer she is there, the more damage is done to both worlds. So the CEO and all his board of men in black suits frantically chase Stereotypical Barbie around LA to get her back in her box. Her only help comes from Gloria and Sasha.
The rest of the film is a fun and wacky look at what happens to Barbie Land when an enlightened Ken, who has learned about patriarchy in the real world, returns and teaches all the other Kens how to be dudes in charge—turning Barbie Land upside down. Stereotypical Barbie has brought Gloria and Sasha back to a shattered Barbie Land, and together they must set everything right.
The film Barbie was directed and co-written by Oscar Nominee Greta Gerwin. Her wry and intelligent voice on the subject matter was the perfect match. Her projects are known for strong female characters, so the fact that Margot Robbie and Warner Bros, who owned the rights to make the film tapped her on the shoulder to tackle this project was brilliant. The iconic Barbie doll, which has its haters and a legion of fans worldwide, needed Gerwin’s voice as a storyteller and filmmaker. She and her co-writer Noah Baumbach who have worked together before, have managed to take an inanimate object like the Barbie doll and make it a compelling character. While still showing some of the magic children feel playing with her. I especially enjoyed their nod to the literary classic The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams at the end of the film’s storyline. Once you see the movie, you will know what I am talking about.
Barbie, the film is a visual feast for the eyes. The soundtrack will be on repeat this summer, and everyone will want to own something they saw on the screen. The only fault I find in the movie is some of the storyline and odd dance sequences that the Kens have in the film. I wouldn’t have missed some of that being cut out of the film completely. It fell flat compared to the energy of the Barbies. Also, if you think this will be a cool movie to take your children, who are still young enough to play with the dolls right now, think again. It’s PG-13 for a reason. This film was not made for the kiddie demographic, and they would soon be bored and left behind as the story progresses.
I give Barbie 4 stars. It’s for all the people that grew up playing with the dolls. You know who you are. So you and your best friends must wear your best pink outfits or accessories, go to a theater near you, and enjoy this fun summer hit.
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Written by: Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
Rated: PG-13
Selig Rating: 4 Stars
Running Time: 1hr 54 min
Comedy/ Fantasy
Wide Release: Only in Theaters July 21st
Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Ariana Greenblatt
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
BARBIE – A Review by Jenn Rohm
BARBIE – A Review by Jenn Rohm
Greta Gerwig has directed and co-written with Noah Baumbach a story I didn’t realize I was waiting for. Growing up I used my imagination and played with dolls. One of which told me I could be anything I wanted to be including Astronaut, Doctor, or even President of the United States. Now many years past those days apparently the doll has more to teach with this summer release of Barbie.
Starting with a slightly familiar opening, the change for girls playing with baby dolls and pretending to be a mom one day is pushed aside with the introduction of a blond-haired, blue-eyed, swimsuit-wearing doll that takes care of herself. We are taken to Barbieland with endless opportunities and options available to all Barbie and her girlfriends. As we go through a great day with “Stereotypical Barbie” (Margo Robbie) greetings of “Hello Barbie” abound. Toward the end of the day, she starts to ask some questions that are not standard for Barbieland. Facing some rather drastic changes she goes to “Weird Barbie” (Kate McKinnon) for assistance. This sets “Stereotypical Barbie” off on her adventure. She heads to the country of California (according to the map and story) only to learn what she thought was happening in the real world isn’t. Oh, and Ken is there ready to beach while looking for approval from Barbie.
Gerwig and Baumbach provided a script that allowed the cast to not take itself so seriously that the pink shine went away. One of my favorites is a line from the narrator when Robbie’s Barbie is upset. (You will have to see the movie to hear for yourself.) It was also not so campy that the important topics being presented got lost.
The movie brought back so many childhood memories. Many of these were due to the talent of the Art Decoration, Set Decoration, Costume Design, Makeup, and Art Departments. The care given to details such as a shower that sounds like running water, yet no water is present, to a closet that is a boxed outfit with accessories is a large part of what has me in love with this movie.
The cast brought all the various versions of Barbie, Ken, and Friends to life. We have Midge and her 2002 pregnancy scandal. (A removable baby bump with a baby inside did not go over well with the public.) Mentions of Skipper and babysitting antics are in the script. We also have one Allan/Alan, who isn’t with Midge in the film, but according to the product line, they were married in the 90s.
The film has a few things that did disappoint such as a Ken serenade that had me checking how long it ran and some of the dance sequences that could have been shorter. The history of Barbie herself is touched on, but pieces of the story are missing.
This is a movie for an older audience. It is not a G-rated friendly for all Barbie adventure that will keep younger audiences’ attention. There are deeper topics including patriarchy, consumerism, impossible societal standards, self-image, and self-worth being represented. You do not have to be a Barbie fan or have played with Barbie to get something out of this film.
I could go on, but I would rather you have time to go see the film for yourself. As for me, I will be watching this film many more times and buying a copy for home as soon as I can. Now where are my Golden Dream and Sun Lovin Barbie?
Director: Greta Gerwig
Written By: Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach
Cast: Margot Robbie, Ariana Greenblatt, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for suggestive references and brief language
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Selig Rating: 5 stars
Runtime: 1h 54m
Release Date: July 21, 2023
Movie Site: Barbie Official Movie Site
Trailer: Barbie Official Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well there was nothing else . . .
1 Star – Total waste of time.
OPPENHEIMER – A Review by John Strange
OPPENHEIMER – A Review by John Strange
J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man most responsible for the United States’ successful development of the atomic bomb, was a free thinker. This is what made him a powerhouse in theoretical physics but also made the government uncertain of his loyalty to this country.
Oppenheimer from director Christopher Nolan follows the genius over a period of years as he attends school in Europe, through the development and use of the A-bomb, and to his fall from grace at the hands of his political adversaries.
I am told the story is fairly true as told in the film. The film is at times a bit confusing as Nolan shotguns events at you in his attempt to get everything into the THREE-HOUR run time. But we get the idea that Oppenheimer’s mind was elastic enough to grasp what was needed to build the bomb, but that imaginative ability was also his downfall as he was able to see many futures where his work might destroy the world.
The story is full of odd visual effects, almost to the point of annoyance. I realized it was distracting when I realized I was spending more and more time looking closely at each new character as they entered the drama to determine who the actor behind the makeup was. David Krumholtz as Isidor Rabi was just the beginning. The talent brought together to play the key roles in this film is impressive. I challenge you to see how many you recognize.
There is nudity and sex in the film, so it is not suitable for youngsters to watch, even if you want them to learn about this important historical person.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey, Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, Kenneth Branagh, David Krumholtz, Gary Oldman, Casey Affleck, Matthew Modine, Tony Goldwyn, Scott Grimes
MPAA Rating: R (for some sexuality, nudity, and language)
Selig Rating: 3.8 Stars
Runtime: 189 Min.
Release Date: 07/21/2023
Wide Release
Language: English
Movie Site: OPPENHEIMER Official Site
Trailer: OPPENHEIMER Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
INTERVIEW with Writer/Actress Arielle Raycene
Writer Actor Arielle Raycene talked with our Gadi Elkon about everything Arielle Ray.
Film Festival Doctor to represent Oscar-winner Tim Webber’s Directorial Debut “FLITE”
Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith, an award-winning film festival strategist, published author, and founder of The Film Festival Doctor, is representing Tim Webber’s directorial debut “FLITE.” Webber, the Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor of “Gravity” and chief creative officer at visual effects company Framestore, has made his directorial debut with a short film titled “FLITE” to demonstrate the potential of the studio’s newly developed and groundbreaking visual effects.
Smith’s work focuses on developing targeted film festival strategies for filmmakers to get their films seen by audiences around the world. She and her team have helped their clients win over 1,900 awards and have secured hundreds of festival screenings, including the Sundance, Tribeca, Palm Springs, Locarno, Cinequest, Nashville, and BFI London Film Festivals.
“FLITE” is a British-based sci-fi film that tells the story of a semi-submerged London of 2053, where a reigning hoverboard world champion finds herself imprisoned in a luxury high-rise apartment by her controlling manager. The kindness of a stranger allows her to take flight in a daring and precarious escape – but all does not go as planned. Can bleeding-edge new memory extraction technology help save her from certain death?
“FLITE” recently launched in Poland and screened in competition and as one of the opening night short films at the Oscar-qualifying ANIMATOR International Animated Film Festival. An announcement will be made shortly regarding its North American premiere.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Smith completed her Ph.D. in Film and Audience Research in Wales. Since August 2021, she has been establishing her presence in the USA, where she is Dallas’s only film festival strategist. For more information on “FLITE” and The Film Festival Doctor, visit www.thefilmfestivaldoctor.com.
Tel-Aviv Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Annual “Opera in the Park” Tradition with a Special Production of Madame Butterfly
On August 3rd, the Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo, in collaboration with the Israeli Opera, will continue the tradition of free opera productions at Ganne Yehushua Park with a special production of the beloved opera, Madame Butterfly. Produced by renowned Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, Madame Butterfly is among the greatest operas of all time. In accordance with long-standing tradition, the event will be moderated by the mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ron Huldai.
Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo: “‘Opera in the Park,’ a 20-year Tel-Aviv tradition, that allows tens of thousands of local and international opera lovers to experience the beauty and magic of the opera beneath the starry sky in an accessible way. I created the tradition inspired by the belief that every person in the country deserves the opportunity to enjoy art, and opera in particular. I am immensely proud that this event attracts a diverse audience every year, drawing in everyone from avid fans of the opera to first-timers. This year, theatergoers will undergo an emotional and artistic journey as they enjoy the timeless beauty of one of the most renowned operatic masterpieces ever composed. I implore everyone to come and enjoy the show with us this year!”
Every year since its inception 20 years ago, thousands of people of all ages have flocked to Ganne Yehushua to enjoy “Opera in the Park” and take in the artistry and storytelling of the opera free of charge.
Madame Butterfly, composed by Giacomo Puccini and based on the short story by John Luther Long, is considered to be one of the most famous operas of all time. The reputation and name of Madame Butterfly precede it, and not only among die-hard lovers of the opera. Several of the arias featured in the opera have become well-known in general popular culture.
Madame Butterfly details the tragic tale of Cio Cio San, a young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval officer named Pinkerton, with devastating consequences. After they marry, Pinkerton leaves Japan, leaving her destitute, alone, and pregnant with his child. Upon his return to Japan after three years of absence, she discovers that he has married an American woman, and the couple wants to adopt her child. She chooses to preserve her dignity and take her own life, allowing her son to be left with his father and father’s wife.
The opera will be conducted by Dan Ettinger, the musical director of the Israeli Opera. It will be directed by Gadi Schecter, who has directed previous iterations of “Opera in the Park.” Much of the talented cast hails from the Israeli Opera, including soprano singer Alla Vasilevitsky in the titular role, baritone Oded Reich in the role of Sharpless, mezzo-soprano Shay Bloch, and tenor Joseph Dennis. The opera will also feature dancers. The Israeli Opera Choir will be accompanied by the Israeli Rishon LeZion Symphony Orchestra.
Madame Butterfly in Ganne Yehushua Park
Thursday | August 3rd, 2023 | Doors open: 7:00 | Show starts: 8:30
Conductor: Dan Ettinger
Director: Gadi Schecter
Set and Costume Designer: Niv Manor
Lightning Designer: Eyal Levy Sharon
Choreographer: Kim Gordon
Video Designer: Yoav Cohen
Sound Designer: Yuval Zilberstein
Cast:
Madame Butterfly: Alla Vasilevitsky
Lt. Pinkerton: Joseph Dennis
Sharpless: Oded Reich
Suzuki: Shay Bloch
Goro: Eitan Drori
Keith Pinkerton: Gal Kohav
The Bonze: Yair Polishook
Imperial Commissioner: Shahaf Regev
Dolore: Eli Nachmani
The Israeli Opera Choir Conducted by Itai Berkovitch
The Opera Orchestra: The Israeli Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion
Translation Subtitle: Israel Yuval
Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-6 – Own the Out-of-this-World Box Set on Blu-ray™ & DVD September 12, 2023
OOH WEE! Go on an intergalactic adventure across the multi-verse with the epic release of the Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-6 boxed set on Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 12, 2023. Get Schwifty while you binge on one of cable’s #1 watched comedies that follows the sci-fi misadventures of genius scientist Rick and his family. Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-6 includes all 61 episodes from six seasons of the award-winning series, copious special features, audio commentary, deleted scenes, “Inside the Episode” segments, numerous featurettes, animatic sketches, and more. For a limited time, fans who purchase the set will also receive an exclusive Rick and Morty poster.
ABOUT RICK AND MORTY:
Rick and Morty is the critically acclaimed, Emmy-award-winning half-hour animated comedy series on Adult Swim that follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on insanely dangerous adventures across the universe. Rick Sanchez is living with his daughter Beth’s family and constantly bringing her, his son-in-law Jerry, granddaughter Summer, and grandson Morty into intergalactic escapades.
Debuting in 112 countries in 38 languages, Rick and Morty has captured substantial international viewership. The series has ranked as one of the top series for Max, both domestically and globally. Lifetime to date, Rick and Morty has been viewed over 10 billion times globally, across linear, digital, and streaming.
Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-6 will be available on Blu-Ray Discs and DVD to purchase online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.
Pricing and series information:
Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-6
Includes 61 episodes from all six seasons, plus all the bonus materials that have been lovingly created over the years, and carefully curated for you now.
PRODUCT SRP
Blu-ray $129.99 SRP ($119.99 in Canada)
DVD $114.99 SRP ($99.99 in Canada)
Audio: English, French
Subtitles: English SDH, French
Running Time: 1,342 minutes
Rated: TV-MA
Ted Raimi Psychological Thriller Failure! Set for World Premiere at FrightFest August 28
UK-French sales agent, distribution and production company Alief has announced that the Ted Raimi led psychological thriller, Failure!, will have its World Premiere at FrightFeston August 28th. Alief picked up worldwide rights at the Cannes Film Festival in May after Failure! made its debut at the Fantastic Pavillion. To mark the occasion, a teaser trailer and poster has been released.
Failure! follows James (Raimi – The Quarry, Ash v Evil Dead, Creepshow) who has a big debt with the bank and is given one hour to choose between financial ruin or murder in order to protect his family. As the hour progresses he finds his home and phone invaded by multiple characters pulling him in different directions, gradually adding to his distress and his unravelling. But who is real and who isn’t?
As well as Raimi, the film also stars Merrick McCartha (Senior Year), Melissa Diaz (Ruthless), John Paul Medrano (Seven Days) and Daniel Kuhlman (Voodoo MacBeth) and Noel Douglas Orput.
Director Alex Kahuam returns to FrightFest after his 2021 genre film debut, Forgiveness. His psychological thriller Failure! is shot in a single 87-minute take, making him the first Mexican director to do so in the United States. Portrayed in three acts, the film’s one shot take brings comparisons to 2022’s intense BAFTA-winning Boiling Point, and 2015’s Victoria.
Kahuam and Raimi produced Failure! along with Marco De Molina, Kayli Fortun and Jose D. Rodriguez via Kahuam’s Promotora NAE and De Molina’s Spacebrain Entertainment.
Raimi says, “Insanely excited to show British audiences this film — I really am — as I’m mostly known to my fans as ‘the horror guy’. I’m proud of that, but this movie is going to show a different side of me that the fans will really dig. Also, it’s at FrightFest, the biggest horror and thriller event in the UK — my kind of moviegoers!”
Paul McEvoy of FrightFest says, “Ted Raimi is sensational in the central role giving a tour de force performance. A dark thriller with an underlying sadness and desperation, Failure! perfectly reflects the mood of our contemporary times.”
Brett Walker, President at Alief, says “We are proud to have Alex Kahuam’s kinetic thriller World Premiere, Failure! in London. FrightFest and its’ genre audiences are a perfect springboard to launch this intense and wonderfully shot film.”
Miguel Angel Govea, Head of Sales & Distribution at Alief, says “Filming a one-take is so ambitious that only a handful of directors have ever dared make their movie in one continuous, unbroken shot. And the latest attempt by Alex Kahuam ‘Failure!’ is everything but… And boy did he nail it. Joining the ranks of Béla Tarr, Mike Figgis, Sam Mendes and Alejandro González Iñárritu among the successful.”
Director, Alex Kahuam, adds, “In 2021 I had the incredible opportunity to have the world premiere of my previous film Forgiveness at FrightFest and now this year we are coming back with Failure! I’m very grateful to Alan, Paul, Ian and Greg for believing in different films who break the traditional and normal form of narrative. The British audiences have always been outstanding supporters of the genre films and we are looking forward to giving them a one-take thriller with black comedy starring brilliant horror icon Ted Raimi.”
FrightFest, the UK’s biggest, best and most beloved community-driven horror & fantasy film festival, returns in a blaze of gory glory to the Cineworld Leicester Square, London, for its 24th edition, this year with pioneering technology & entertainment company Pigeon Shrine as its headline sponsor. The company is the brainchild of Tom Paton, working alongside industry finance veterans Jamie McLeod-Ross and Charley McDougall.
Running from Thursday August 24 – Monday 28 August, Pigeon Shrine FrightFest is a joyful big screen celebration of genre cinema, offering a carnival of carnage, a smorgasbord of shock and a tableau of terror. This year, over five days, audiences can explore the magic of menace, mayhem and mischief with seventy films programmed across four screens. There are twenty-five world, twenty-three International / European and twelve UK premieres, with fourteen countries represented, spanning five continents.
Alief are handling Worldwide sales.