For its eighth annual edition, the Bentonville Film Festival once again purported to be all-inclusive. Its tagline reads: ‘Championing Women and Diverse Voices’. Academy Award winner Geena Davis chairs this festival in Arkansas State. Physical events took place from June 22nd-26th, with virtual events running to July 3rd. The Competition Narrative entry The Unknown… Continue reading Benetonville Fest Highlights
Tag: film critics
Cinema Culture War, Again
20th Century Culture War My first job, working a multiplex movie theater with 8 cinemas. I got to see movies for free. Invite friends and have popcorn. The Culture Wars of the Reagan Years were happening. Of course it reached my city and the theater I worked that summer. Martin Scorsese made “The Last Temptation of Christ”.… Continue reading Cinema Culture War, Again
Why the Fuss?
Senegalese-French filmmaker Maimouna Doucoure unwittingly stepped in the middle of the American Culture Wars. Her small film has gotten a lot of attention. “Cuties” is the story of a girl from a poor Paris neighbourhood trying to find her way in life. Ignore the Outrage! According to some, it promotes Child Sexuality. On social… Continue reading Why the Fuss?
Chat Cinema Stay In
In these times when we are being asked to “Stay Inside” it is important to still have connect with colleagues. The Chat Cinema gang got together over Skype to have a conversation about films. Our stay home recommendations to watch until the crisis is over. Some surprises happened over the course of the 4 way digital meet up.
Chat Cinema Podcast
The last Chat Cinema of the year. A bit of a conversation about the state of Cinema. Many auteurs are having a hard time adapting to the new trend of Hollywood. Director Martin Scorsese comments raised many eyebrows.
Man Made Accomplishment
Watching the documentary “Man Made” the other day made me think. In the 21stcentury transgender people continue to have a precarious existence in our society. Violence, unemployment, rejection, and death always lie in wait. The average lifespan of a transgender person is 30, a frightening statistic. Director T. Cooper’s focuses on 4 transgender men. Each… Continue reading Man Made Accomplishment
Chat Cinema talks #MeToo
This Chat Cinema Podcast came with a lot of thought. We debated on how to cover the topic. The #MeToo Movement has affected every part of the entertainment industry. In light of the revelations, Hollywood is going through a period self reflection. I worked in the film business. The “casting couch” was very much a… Continue reading Chat Cinema talks #MeToo
The Netflix Effect
The Netflix effect is real. The streaming has effected the cinema world like no other technology. The Chat Cinema Team, Steve, Kristin, and Breck discuss the shockwaves.
Did I Say Something Wrong?
A Trapped Artist Inside Dealing with bureaucrats with artistic pretensions is a balancing act. On the one hand they crave the hell with life mentality of Fassbinder, the go your own path of a Bowie, the respectability of Nolan mingled with the steady monthly salary of a state tax officer. Nowhere do I see… Continue reading Did I Say Something Wrong?
Chat Cinema Episode 2
Our Real Feelings on the Fest. If you ask film critics a question you will get an response. If you ask film critics for opinions, get the pen and paper ready for this Chat Cinema We love the Berlinale but feel the time has come for major changes. This is the space for hundreds of… Continue reading Chat Cinema Episode 2