Various Artists-So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross (J Records) After the tragic death earlier this year of one of the greatest soul voices of his generation, it is nice to see a tribute to this consummate artist and spine-tingly good singer who pretty much defined the quiet storm and smooth jazz genres. The lineup … Continue reading
Tristan Prettyman – Twentythree (Virgin) Who knew? It turns out that there is a burgeoning folk and rock subgenre coming out of the Southern California surf scene. First there was Jewel (who, granted, was a transplant), then Switchfoot, a group that values hanging ten as much as Christian Rock. Then came the surprise success of pro … Continue reading
NEW ORDER – ITEM (A COLLECTION and NEW ORDER STORY) (2005) Starring Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Gillian Gilbert, Stephen Morris, Ian Curtis, Tony Wilson, Bono, Arthur Baker, John Barnes, Rob Gretton, Quincy Jones, John Robie, Jon Savage, Peter Saville, Neil Tennant, Pete Tong and the voice of Jenny Seagrove. Screenplay by Pascal Laugier. Directed by … Continue reading
ATOM EGOYAN FINDING THE TRUTH IN DIRECTING by Brad Balfour For Canadian director Atom Egoyan creating Where the Truth Lies offered a challenge of constructing something that was almost a genre film but not quite. Wrestling with musician/composer Rupert Holmes’ novel of the same name, Egoyan takes a story that plays on the conventions of the classic … Continue reading
New York Metro Vocal Arts Ensemble Operation Opera by Ronald Sklar “Opera is the one art form that combines them all,” says José Alejandro Guzman, guest conductor for the New York Metro Vocal Arts Ensemble (NYMVAE). “If you like dance, singing, ballet, plays or orchestras — scenery or costumes — comedy or drama or melodrama … Continue reading
HOUSE OF VOICES (a.k.a. SAINT ANGE) (2005) Starring Virginie Ledoyen, Lou Doillon, Catriona MacColl, Dorina Lazar, Jeróme Soufflet, Virginie Darmon, Marie Henry, Eric Pratt and Christophe Lemaire. Screenplay by Pascal Laugier. Directed by Pascal Laugier. Distributed by Rogue Pictures. 100 minutes. Rated R. Released in France as Saint Ange in 2004 and then slipped straight into the … Continue reading
Christopher Kennedy Lawford No Penalty for Early Withdrawal by Ronald Sklar “The brilliance about being a drug addict and an alcoholic is that I’ve had my worst day,” Christopher Kennedy Lawford says. “Nobody can do to me what I already did far worse to myself. In terms of telling the truth about myself, no matter … Continue reading
Holly Hunter Has Nine Livesby Brad Balfour In the nine vignette-composed feature Nine Lives by director Rodrigo Garcia, Oscar-winning actress Holly Hunter joins an ensemble cast of other established actors such as Glenn Close and Aidan Quinn, in talking about the lives of various women at moments of crisis. Since this project had a scant budget and time constraints, … Continue reading
DAKOTA FANNING LIVES OUT HER DREAMS by Brad Balfour Though Dakota Fanning may only be eleven years old, the Georgia born actress has garnered more good reviews than most actresses twice or triple her age. Since she starred in I Am Sam, the pre-teen has become as big a name for family audiences as Julia Roberts … Continue reading
Peter Funt Speaking Candidly by Ronald Sklar With Rhino’s release of the most classic of Candid Camera broadcasts (Candid Camera: Five Decades of Smiles), we can relive and re-examine the show that not only entertained us but taught us about human nature. The concept was nurtured and taken to icon status by its late host and producer, … Continue reading
