Flix Not to Miss: ‘Making Mr. Right’ (1987) by Susan Seidelman
I always enjoy a good romantic comedy, and Susan Seidelman provides a quirky, offbeat example of the genre with a touch of sci-fi in Making Mr. Right. Comedian Ann Magnuson is terrific as a high-powered image consultant who’s tasked with creating a more human android, played by a young John Malkovich. Unfortunately, she succeeds a little too...
READ MORE#TBT Flix Not to Miss: ‘Vagabond’
When I first saw Vagabond (1985) by French New Wave filmmaker Agnès Varda, it was a revelation. Varda’s story begins with finding a woman’s frozen body lying in a ditch, and the movie pieces together the last weeks of the young woman’s life through interviews with people who met her on her travels. Sandrine Bonnaire gives...
READ MORE#TBT Flix Not to Miss: ‘Gas Food Lodging’
Gas Food Lodging (1992) by Allison Anders is one of those films that has stayed with me over the years. It resonated at the time I saw it as well as years later when I decided to revisit it. Anders has directed a few gems, but this is my favorite. It’s gritty without being mean, hopeful...
READ MOREFlix Not to Miss: ‘Mansfield Park’
Particia Rozema is a wonderfully subtle director who’s made some terrific films. I recently re-watched one of my favorites, Mansfield Park. It’s a wonderful adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, with a slightly modern treatment of some of the more shocking events. Frances O’Connor is a delightfully sly Fanny Brice, and Jonny Lee Miller is smoldering...
READ MOREFlix Not to Miss: ‘Top of the Lake’
Oscar winner Jane Campion is one of the most talented contemporary, female directors who sadly hasn’t come out with a new film in awhile. That she decided to make a detective miniseries is fascinating. But don’t expect the typical crime procedural. Top of the Lake is an interesting, moody character study of life in the outback, anchored...
READ MOREFlix Not to Miss: ‘Enough Said’
Nicole Holofcener is one of those rare directors who consistently delivers solid films and Enough Said is one of her best. This is the first time she worked with iconic actors James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and she brings them both to wonderful new places. The film is funny, awkward, uncomfortable and ultimately life-affirming, reminding us that...
READ MORENYWIFT Success Story: ‘In Montauk’ and the Value of PR
Lukas Hassel and Nina Kaczorowski in a scene from In Montauk, written and directed by NYWIFT member Kim Cummings. Photo by Aja Nisenson. Independent filmmaking on a micro-budget is a lonely business. People come and go throughout the process. As the filmmaker, you’re the only constant day in and day out. It’s not that you...
READ MOREProject Spotlight : In Montauk by Kim Cummings
Note: some spoilers Written and directed by NYWIFT member Kim Cummings, In Montauk is a full length feature about Julie (Nina Kaczorowski) a married photographer, who heads to a small Montauk motel after the summer crowds leave to prepare for her first photography exhibition. While at the hotel, Julie meets Christian (Lukas Hassel) a musician...
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