CLOSE
Movie Review

by -
0 918
Image from Leg. Trotta's office

Recently released Netflix docuseries, Gone Girls, is a three-part series which chronicles the desperate attempts by Shannan Gilbert’s mother to locate her missing daughter, last seen on Gilgo Beach. Through Mrs. Gilbert’s unrelenting efforts to find Shannan, law officials uncovered the Gilgo Beach serial murders. Under a corrupt Suffolk District Attorney and Police Chief, the Suffolk County Police Department apparently failed to fully investigate her case possibly because she was allegedly listed as a sex worker and not considered a priority.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta was interviewed in episode two of the series based on his expertise and knowledge of the corruption scandal within the Suffolk County Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Legislator Trotta stressed that then County Executive Steve Bellone was warned many times not to promote James Burke as Chief of Police as he had been featured on the cover of Newsday for having sex with a known prostitute, while on duty and in his county issued police vehicle, and losing his service revolver to her. According to Trotta, “had the right person been chief of police, these murders probably would have been solved earlier, and the families had some peace of mind sooner.”

“I am pleased that Suffolk County is moving in the right direction, and I sincerely hope that justice will soon prevail in the Gilgo Beach murders and that all members of law enforcement will realize that all deaths matter regardless of one’s occupation,” said Legislator Rob Trotta.

by -
0 801
Joe Pomarico

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) will host a screening of a short comedy, drama, and thriller film block by West Babylon director Joe Pomarico on Saturday, June 21st at 1 p.m. at LIMEHOF’s museum, located at 97 Main Street, in Stony Brook, NY. This event is part of LIMEHOF’s Monthly Local Filmmakers Series, which places the spotlight on Long Island-based movie directors and their films.

”I am deeply honored to be a part of the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s local filmmaker series,” said Pomarico. “Having my films shown here is not only personally meaningful, but also a powerful way to shine a light on the incredible talent of Long Island filmmakers. It’s incredibly challenging to get the right people to recognize my films—especially as an independent filmmaker working with limited resources and without the backing that many others have. The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is a respected platform that amplifies the voices of underrepresented filmmakers, and brings our work to a wider, more influential audience.”

The film block will feature Pomarico’s latest TV pilot, “Roach the Coach” (with equipment provided by Canon), starring Ronkonkoma comedian Chris Roach and Jeni Pomper. This film is about a veteran professional standup comedian who takes an aspiring young comic under his wing and mentors her into becoming the entertainer of her dreams. The block will also include Pomarico’s short films, “Soldiers Love to Come Home” (2008), “Gus” (2010), “My Butterfly” (2011), “This is Love” (2013), “Jiggle the Handle” (2022), “Hairbreadth Escape” (2023), and “Feline Abduction” (2023), among other selections.

The film series is sponsored by Rob Eberle of Magnetic Vine and G&R Events. There will be a Q&A with Pomarico following the screening, emceed by LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham.

“The LIMEHOF Local Filmmakers Series is a celebration of the incredible filmmaking talent emerging from our region,” said Needham. “Each month, we showcase the creativity, passion, and dedication of local filmmakers, providing them with a platform to share their work and connect with audiences who appreciate the power of storytelling. This series is an important part of our mission to support the arts and highlight Long Island’s impact on the entertainment industry.”

LIMEHOF welcomes nominations of local film directors and movies for consideration to feature in the series. For more information, contact LIMEHOF at[email protected].

About Director, Writer, Editor, Producer, Actor, and Painter Joe Pomarico

Joe Pomarico is a filmmaker best known for his intense films that capture and magnify the little moments in life that many of us would take for granted or pass without notice. Expanding on these moments draws out the hidden connections between Mr. Pomarico’s characters and exposes his audience to subtle emotions of a world that otherwise would end up on the cutting-room floor in the hands of another filmmaker. Whether it’s a pair of eyes bordering on seduction or an awkward handshake, Mr. Pomarico has an appreciation for all levels of human interactions, and his appreciation resounds loudly in his films. He can manipulate the tiny gray lines of emotions to such a wonderful extent that the natural conversation and action between characters lead to great thrills for his audience.

Mr. Pomarico does not only have a talent for filmmaking, but he is also a gifted painter. At an early age, Mr. Pomarico demonstrated an ability to capture on canvas composition, depth, and perception in his paintings. His closest friend, mentor, and grandfather— Augustus Massaro—noticed this gift in the young Pomarico when he was seven years old and nurtured it. Through his grandfather, Mr. Pomarico learned to blend colors and shapes with paint and to subtly transform a blank canvas into a landscape of his imagination.

Later, his grandfather introduced Mr. Pomarico to the world of film and filmmaking, and it did not take long for this gifted student to realize his calling. With the skills that were bestowed on him and the knowledge he was taught, Mr. Pomarico developed strong skills for directing films. With his close attention to detail that he acquired from the painting of landscapes, and years of studying thousands of films, Mr. Pomarico has matured into an excellent storyteller and is poised to be a great feature film director as well as an Oscar-winning contender.

In addition to creating his own films, Pomarico worked as an assistant to Spike Lee. His experiences have proven invaluable on every project he takes on, regardless of budget, whether it’s a microbudget indie film or a Hollywood production.  Joe Pomarico and his wife Christine James Walker have been producing partners for over a decade, collaborating on numerous projects including Jiggle the Handle and the feature film Mentally Apart, both currently streaming on Amazon. Her latest work was acting alongside the late, great Treat Williams in his final role in FEUD: Capote vs The Swans directed by Oscar nominated director Gus Van Sant.

Pomarico’s next venture, a short film titled Darling of Pearl, is currently fundraising on Kickstarter.  DARLING OF PEARL tells the heartfelt story of a young black man and a young white woman who fall deeply in love during the racially charged late 1960s after his return home from the Vietnam war. The narrative unfolds across time, with sentimental transitions between their youthful years and his elderly time, where he reflects on their love while being patiently hopeful for a sign from his soul mate.

Director Joe Pomarico’s Film Block

Soldiers Love to Come Home (2008) Synopsis: A veteran surprises his beloved wife after his time in war. (Shot in Dix Hills.)

Roach the Coach (TV pilot) (2025) Film equipment provided by Canon.
Synopsis: A veteran professional standup comedian (Chris Roach) takes an aspiring young comic (Jeni Pomper) under his wing and mentors her into becoming the entertainer of her dreams. (Shot in Levittown’s “Governors Comedy Club” and Dix Hills.)

Feline Abduction (2023) Synopsis: Jean is on a hunt for the person responsible of her pussycat Puffin’s death in this “Naked Gun”-inspired slapstick comedy. This entry was made for a 48-hour film contest and with no budget. (Shot in Lindenhurst and West Babylon.)

Doritos Commercial: “Crash the Superbowl Contest: Belt Something Out” (2024) Made with no crew and no budget. (Shot in Ronkonkoma.)

AMC FearFest ’08: “Joe Pomarico’s Greatest Fear” (2008) FearFest ’08 film contest hosted by the AMC Channel. Judged by Rob Zombie, this film came in second place. (Shot in Dix Hills.)

Jiggle the Handle (2022) Synopsis: When two adult siblings reunite due to unfortunate events, they are pressured into welcoming a Mob-connected roommate. This passion project was filmed with no crew and no budget. (Shot in Ronkonkoma, West Babylon, Babylon Beaches, and Pennsylvania.)

Hairbreadth Escape (2023) Synopsis: A widow makes contact with her deceased husband from a parallel universe. This entry was for a 48-hour film contest. It was filmed with no budget. (Shot in East Meadow.)

This is Love (2013) Synopsis: This is an experimental story within a dance. An emotionally intense, cultivating dance with a twist ending, this film combines the performance of a tango crossed with a ballet. “Spaghetti Western” music sets the ambient tone of the piece. A proposal is set for the beautiful Gisela, a wounded angel with a heart of gold. She needs to make her final decision whether to stay with the man she so desperately loves or end their ties indefinitely—even if that means taking drastic measures. Inspired by Maestro Ennio Morricone. (Shot in East Setauket.)

Gus (2010): Synopsis: Seen through the eyes of director Joe Pomarico, this film tells a story of how art influences and increases the bond between grandfather and grandson. (Shot in Syosset.)

My Butterfly (2011) Synopsis: A tragic love story, inspired by the music and times of Maria Callas, this 1950s period piece plays like an opera. Jack, a handsome young man, meets Maria, a beautiful writer. The two develop a relationship that parallels the intensity of the accompanying soundtrack of arias (most of which are sung by Maria Callas). The situation is complicated when their relationship is challenged by a highly intense, powerful, and stunning young woman, Eve, who appears on the scene. (Shot in Sands Point, Village Club of Sands Point, and Port Washington.)

About LIMEHOF

Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms.  In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook, New York. To date, the organization has inducted more than 130 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.

 

by -
0 650

By Heidi Sutton

A classic adventure returns for Father’s Day! Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade heads to select theaters nationwide on Saturday, June 14, Sunday, June 15 and Wednesday, June 18, courtesy of Fathom Entertainment Big Screen Classics and Paramount Pictures.

The 1989 action adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Jeffrey Boam, based on a story by George Lucas and Menno Meyjes, is the third installment in the Indiana Jones film series and the sequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

Sean Connery and Harrison Ford in a scene from the film.

There’s nothing more exciting than trying to keep up with the Joneses in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indy’s Nazi enemies are back and have kidnapped his father, Professor Henry Jones Sr. (Sean Connery), to aid them in their search for the Holy Grail. Following a trail from America to Venice to the deserts of the Middle East, it’s up to Indy (Harrison Ford) to save his father, save the Grail, and save the day in this non-stop, action-packed adventure the whole family will treasure.

Each screening features an exclusive introduction by cinema critic and historian Leonard Maltin, discussing the landmark film’s timeless appeal and offering special insight.

Locally the film will be screened at AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, Regal Ronkonkoma, Island 16: Cinema de Lux in Holtsville, Showcase Cinema de lux in Farmingdale, Regal UA Farmingdale, and Regal Deer Park.

Fathom’s Big Screen Classics series continues with the following films heading to select theaters nationwide:

— Clueless in honor of its 30th anniversary on June 29 and June 30

— This is Spinal Tap in honor of its 41st anniversary on July 5, July 6 and July 7

— One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in honor of its 50th anniversary on July 13 and July 16

— Sunset Boulevard in honor of its 75th anniversary on August 3 and August 4

— The Sound of Music in honor of its 60th anniversary on September 13, 14 and 17

— Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago — The Ultimate Directors Cut on November 5 and November 9

For times and tickets, visit www.fathomentertainment.com.

 

 

by -
0 973
From left, Ben Yang, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio in a scene from 'Karate Kid: Legends.' Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

The Karate Kid was the sleeper hit of 1984, grossing $100 million in the United States and Canada. The film received mostly good reviews, was deemed a “feel-good” movie and made the film’s star, twenty-two-year-old Ralph Macchio, into an international teen idol. 

A scene from ‘Karate Kid: Legends’. Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

The Karate Kid  spawned multiple sequels: The Karate Kid Part II (1986), The Karate Kid Part III (1989), The New Karate Kid (1994), and The Karate Kid (2010), a remake of the original. An animated series, action figures, video games, comic books, a board game, and even an unproduced Broadway musical (in the works in 2020) are just part of the Karate Kid’s descendants. The most interesting addition is Cobra Kai (2018-2025), a streaming series of sixty-five episodes that included original stars Macchio and William Zabka. The exceptional show picked up thirty-four years after the first film. Cobra Kai was a worthy successor and addition to the franchise legacy.

Unfortunately, Karate Kid: Legends, the sixth big-screen entry, is, at best, on the level of direct-to-video. The basic, well-worn plot concerns Li Fong (Ben Wang) moving from Beijing to the United States when his mother (Ming-Na Wen), a doctor, lands a position in a New York City hospital. Dr. Fong does not approve of martial arts due to the death of her older son, who was stabbed to death by thugs led by his defeated rival. Li has studied kung fu with Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and now must abandon his training in the wuguan (dojo).

On his first day in the City, Li “meets cute” Mia Lipani (Sadie Stanley), daughter of Victory Pizza owner Victor (Joshua Jackson), who is in debt to loan sharks. Quickly, Li runs afoul of Conor Day (Aramis Knight), a karate champion who also happens to be Sadie’s ex. What follows is a simplistic yet somehow convoluted plot whereby Mr. Han arrives to prepare Li for a major tournament with a $50,000 prize. Mr. Han also recruits California-based Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) to co-train Li in a blend of kung fu and karate. The connection between kung fu and karate is part of a refrain of “two branches/one tree” from the prologue—a clip with Macchio and his teacher, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), snagged from The Karate Kid II. 

Director Jonathan Entwistle does little with Rob Lieber’s by-the-numbers screenplay. Events are presented, but with little conflict, as the film meanders toward its predictable conclusion. The film relies on sitcom jokes and obvious montages, saccharine encounters, and often trite, strained dialogue. Peripheral elements of Chinese culture are given short shrift. Themes of guilt and responsibility barely register and then are quickly dismissed. 

The most delightful moment is the brief tag in the final minutes—a tease of what the entire outing could have been. Legacy only manages to achieve a level of “fine” because of the assembled actors. The cast is pleasant, and the performances are uniformly more than acceptable. Wang channels a Michael J. Fox vibe, making him charismatic and easy to root for. His chemistry with the likable Stanley is believable. Jackson plays her father like a low-rent George Clooney, but not without a certain appeal. 

Wen tries to find dimension in the grieving mother but is given few colors to play with and saddled with pedestrian lines: “You practice violence; you get violence in return.” The screenplay gives Knight’s sadistic bad boy zero background and no definition, flattening any possible wrinkle to the story: He is a stock psychopath, set up to be knocked over like a villainous bowling pin. Wyatt Oleff’s geeky tutor, Alan, seems like an afterthought.

Macchio, as always, owns Daniel and tries to bring both depth and lightness to the flabby proceedings. Chan is absolutely charming as the kung fu school’s shifu (master), and he and Macchio have an easy give-and-take that is the film’s highlight. Chan’s comic timing and smooth delivery enhance the underwhelming film.

It would be unfair to say the franchise is tired. Cobra Kai reinvented The Karate Kid surprisingly and engagingly, elevating and even surpassing the original films in many ways. Sadly, the Legends experience is cotton candy—but not in the festive carnival of memory and nostalgia. Instead, Karate Kid: Legends is muted and overly sweet, lacking substance and, ultimately, unmemorable.

Rated PG-13, the film is now playing in local theaters.

by -
0 522
Julian Schlossberg, center, heads to the CAC on June 1.

Legendary producer and conversationalist, Julian Schlossberg, will be appearing at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on Sunday, June 1 at 2:30 p.m. with the first East Coast screening in 35 years of his zany comedy, In The Spirit, with Elaine May, Peter Falk and Marlo Thomas topping the cast. 

Afterwards there will be a discussion and book-signing reception for his new insider memoir marking six decades in show business, Try Not to Hold it Against Me: A Producer’s Life. The program also includes a hilarious film promo written and directed by Elaine May herself. Tickets are available at www.cinemaartscentre.org, by calling 631-423-7611 and at the box office.

by -
0 813
Photo from Staller Center Facebook

This summer marks a major milestone as the Stony Brook Film Festival  celebrates its 30th anniversary at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts. Running from Thursday, July 17, through Saturday, July 26, audiences are invited to experience ten nights of extraordinary films from around the world, including world premieres, U.S. debuts, and must-sees that you cannot see anywhere else.

Early Bird Passes are on sale now, offering the best value for access to the film screenings and festival events. Pass options include the VIP Gold Pass, Regular Pass, and the Flex Pass, which grants access to any five days of the festival. Whether you’re a longtime attendee or a first-time guest, there’s a pass to match your interest and availability. Pass prices increase after June 9, so film lovers are encouraged to secure their passes early for the best price at stonybrookfilmfestival.com.

What began in 1995 as a modest campus initiative to enliven the quiet summer months has grown into a nationally recognized festival known for its bold storytelling and strong community of filmmakers and filmgoers. Over the past three decades, the festival has remained a champion of hard-to-find films, selected from over 2,000 annual submissions, and continues to thrive as a live, in-theater experience. This year’s lineup features 36 amazing short films and powerful feature-length dramas, thrillers, and comedies—many of which are screening for the very first time. These exceptional American independent and international titles cannot be seen in local theaters or streamed on any platform. They are only available on the region’s largest screen at Staller.

All passholders receive guaranteed Priority Seating, entry to filmmaker Q&As, eligibility to vote for the Audience Choice Awards, discounts at local partner businesses, and a commemorative festival gift. Each pass level includes its own set of perks, which can be found at stonybrookfilmfestival.com/pass.

Take this opportunity to be part of a cinematic tradition 30 years in the making. For more information and to purchase Early Bird Passes, visit stonybrookfilmfestival.com.

by -
0 829

The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook recently hosted Huntington Film Director Sean Quincy King  who screened his latest film ScreamWalkers on May 17. This event was part of LIMEHOF’s Monthly Local Filmmakers Series putting the spotlight on Long Island Directors and their films.

“We’re so appreciative of the spotlight and the opportunity to screen here,” said King. “Having a place like LIMEHOF to screen local movies and feature local talent is so invaluable because it gives other people the opportunity to see what’s happening locally and to inspire. For someone who just started a band or just picked up a movie camera for the first time…to see that there is a place here that is interested and is willing to feature you and give you a chance. Filmmakers beg for that kind of opportunity.”

The film series is sponsored by Rob Eberle of Magnetic Vine and G&R Events. Following the screening, there was a Q&A panel emceed by LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham. Director Sean King, Bob Heckman, Will Puntarich, Glenn McBride Jr. and Peter Bune Jr. participated.

“The LIMEHOF Local Filmmakers Series is a celebration of the incredible filmmaking talent emerging from our region,” said Needham. “Each month, we showcase the creativity, passion, and dedication of local filmmakers, providing them with a platform to share their work and connect with audiences who appreciate the power of storytelling. This series is an important part of our mission to support the arts and highlight Long Island’s impact on the entertainment industry.”

Sean Qunicy King is an award-winning director, cinematographer, producer and actor whose films and TV credits include the cult classic comedy/horror TV show The Ghouligans! (2005-2015). He is also known for his cinematography work on the award-winning films Night For Day (2008), The Night Never Sleeps (2012), Send No Flowers (2013), and Cigarette Soup (2014). King has also worked as director on many commercials, documentaries, feature and television projects as well, such as Lost Suburbia (2007), This Mortal Coil (2010), and Hunter’s Moon(2015).

Screamwalkers was shot on Long Island in Huntington, Northport, Farmingville, and Setauket and stars actors from Long Island including Elizabeth Davoli, Glenn McBride Jr., Sasha Graham, Andy Rowell, Jason Seidl, Celia Spero, Rose Stark, Will Puntarich, Dino Castelli, Jen Elyse Feldy, Bernard Jackson, Ariann Huether, Ed Huether, Arabelis Griffin, Talia Griffin, Aidan P. Finnegan, Joe Winchell and Matt Weir.

The next LIMEOHF Local Filmmaker series film series event will be on June 21st and feature West Babylon Film Director Joe Pomarico. LIMEHOF welcomes nominations of local film directors and movies for consideration to feature in the series. For more information: Contact LIMEHOF at [email protected]

About LIMEHOF

Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms.  In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook, New York. To date, the organization has inducted more than 130 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.

###

by -
0 1743
From left, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro and Vince Vaughn in a scene from 'Nonnas'. Photo by Jeong Park/Netflix

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

At Enoteca Maria we celebrate cultural diversity by serving cuisines from around the world, but we do it in the most uniquely authentic way possible. Real grandmothers from every country across the globe are invited and hired as chefs to cook the recipes handed down to them that they cook at home for their families, that make up the fabric of the culture they were born and raised in. We aspire to build cultural connections through the universal language of cooking […].

Culture is a resource worth preserving. After all a tree can’t grow and change without its roots. 

— from the Enoteca Maria website

In Nonnas, Netflix offers a highly fictionalized but loving celebration of Joe Scravella’s Staten Island restaurant, Enoteca Maria. Novelist-turned filmmaker Stephen Chboksy leaves his edge behind in directing Liz Maccie’s by-the-numbers screenplay and presents a heartfelt but wholly predictable salute to family and food.

The film opens with young Joe (Theodore Helm) and a Sunday dinner in Brooklyn, watching his mother and grandmother in the kitchen, while the extended clan eats, sings, and dances in the living room. Observing his grandmother add ingredients to the sauce pot, the boy asks, “How do you know how much to use?” His grandmother responds: “You feel it in your heart. You put in your heart.” The rest of Nonnas’ two hours fall along the same line in simplicity and intent.

The story fast forwards several decades. The grown Joe (Vince Vaughn) has lost his mother to cancer. Saddened and more than a little broken, he stares into the emptiness stretching before him. After some emotional struggle, he uses the two hundred thousand dollars inherited from his mother’s insurance policy to open a restaurant to honor her memory. His concept is simple: he will hire “nonnas” (Italian grandmothers) as chefs.

He first recruits his mother’s best friend, the irascible Roberta (Lorraine Bracco). He then runs an ad in Craig’s List, garnering a “retired” nun, Teresa (Talia Shire), and Antonella (Brenda Vaccaro), the neighbor of Joe’s high school prom date, Olivia (Linda Cardellini). His mother’s hairdresser, Gia (Susan Sarandon), rounds out the staff, serving as pastry chef. His childhood friend, Bruno, with a touch of strong-arming from Bruno’s wife, Stella (Drea de Matteo), reluctantly serves as contractor. 

Nonnas follows this rag-tag crew as they benignly bicker and quickly join forces to open the restaurant. They face predictable challenges—code issues, building violations, a kitchen fire (from an incinerated sheep’s head used for Capuzzelle), opening in a thunderstorm to no business, a snobbish food critic (Campbell Scott), etc. The problem is that the hurdles feel artificial; therefore, nothing plays on two levels—whether grief or goals. No point is allowed to simmer; everything must come to an immediate boil, then taken off the stove. There is a brief food fight, a makeover montage, and a vague drinking scene with personal revelations, but no surprises.

The dialogue is a string of clichés and aphorisms: “The tomato is the heart of your dish. If you don’t have heart, you don’t have nothin’.” “You make the food. People eat the food. You make people happy.” “Food is love.” “Age is not a disease.” And, stated more than once, “One does not grow old at the table.” 

Vince Vaughn is not plumbing any depths; his performance falls into his long line of likable everymen. But his wide-eyed charm and easy earnestness hold center. The same is true of the entire cast. The quartet of kitchen cooks play to type but are delightful as they do so. Cardellini’s widow is just the right romance-light that Joe—and the story—needs. Everyone seems to be in on the celebration and having a terrific time. 

While Nonnas could easily be accused of overly sentimental (tipping occasionally into saccharine), its genuine sincerity comes through. The combination of food-porn-with-a-point and making the family you need synthesize in this Italian Valentine. Borrowing from another culture’s cuisine, Nonnas is pure schmaltz.

Enoteca Maria opened in 2007 and, unlike as portrayed in its cinematic counterpart, was an immediate success and continues to thrive. If Nonnas is not quite art, it cannot help being a boon for the restaurant and its mission.

Rated PG, the film is now streaming on Netflix.

See trailer here.

 

by -
0 1262
Huntington film director Sean Quincy King

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF), 97 Main St, Stony Brook will welcome Film Director Sean Quincy King for a special screening his latest film, Screamwalkers, on Saturday, May 17th at 1 p.m. The event is part of LIMEHOF’s Monthly Local Filmmakers Series putting the spotlight on Long Island Directors and their films. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase and free to LIMEHOF members.

“Being born and raised here on Long Island, having my work showcased in the LIMEHOF is beyond a dream,” said King, a resident of Huntington. “It is a privilege to be able to make movies and television here on the island near my friends and family, and to have even a small involvement with the LIMEHOF humbles me greatly.”

The film series is sponsored by Rob Eberle of Magnetic Vine and G&R Events. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A penal emceed by LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham. Sean King (Director), Glenn McBride Jr. (Actor), Celia Spero (Actor), and Peter Bune Jr. (Producer) are expected to participate.

“The LIMEHOF Local Filmmakers Series is a celebration of the incredible filmmaking talent emerging from our region,” said Needham. “Each month, we showcase the creativity, passion, and dedication of local filmmakers, providing them with a platform to share their work and connect with audiences who appreciate the power of storytelling. This series is an important part of our mission to support the arts and highlight Long Island’s impact on the entertainment industry.”

Sean Qunicy King is an award-winning director, cinematographer, producer and actor whose films and TV credits include the cult classic comedy/horror TV show The Ghouligans! (2005-2015). He is also known for his cinematography work on the award-winning films Night For Day (2008), The Night Never Sleeps (2012), Send No Flowers (2013), and Cigarette Soup (2014). King has also worked as director on many commercials, documentaries, feature and television projects as well, such as Lost Suburbia (2007), This Mortal Coil (2010), and Hunter’s Moon(2015). 

Screamwalkers was shot on Long Island in Huntington, Northport, Farmingville, and Setauket and stars actors from Long Island including Elizabeth Davoli, Glenn McBride Jr., Sasha Graham, Andy Rowell, Jason Seidl, Celia Spero, Rose Stark, Will Puntarich, Dino Castelli, Jen Elyse Feldy, Bernard Jackson, Ariann Huether, Ed Huether, Arabelis Griffin, Talia Griffin, Aidan P. Finnegan, Joe Winchell and Matt Weir.

LIMEHOF welcomes nominations of local film directors and movies for consideration to feature in the series. For more information: Contact LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham at 631-394-8387.

About Screamwalkers

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31911908/

From the creators of the cult hit show “The Ghouligans!”, and the renowned haunted attraction “Dark Night Halloween World” comes “Screamwalkers”, an original 90’s style shot-on-video slasher movie.

Synopsis- In the quiet town of Marblehead, a chilling pattern emerges as the body count steadily rises. At the heart of these bizarre killings stands CJ Wyatt (Elizabeth Davoli), a student grappling with the recent loss of her boyfriend, the latest victim of a ruthless murderer.

Each murder among her circle of friends draws the killer ominously closer to CJ. Detective Joe Penny (Glenn McBride Jr.) becomes her sole ally in a police force plagued by dysfunction. Amidst mounting pressure, he races against time, piecing together clues that might lead to the killer’s identity. With every passing day, the list of victims grows, pushing CJ and Penny to confront the terrifying reality of the “Screamwalkers”!

The fresh approach to the production of “Screamwalkers” has been the talk of the micro budget film community for much of 2024. The $12,000 budget allowed minimum time and resources, which made the producers adapt with creativity. The movie runs 65 minutes and was shot using an analog Canon camcorder from 1994. “Screamwalkers” has already won “Best Feature Film” at the Long Island International Film Expo and continues to garner overall very positive reviews from both critics and audiences.

by -
0 740
The cast of 'Miss Austen'. Photo courtesy of PBS

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

The following is based on viewing Part One of Masterpiece’s presentation of ‘Miss Austen.’

Jane Austen’s correspondence was vast, with an estimation of her penning thousands of letters: Only 160 remain. For reasons unknown, years after Austen’s death, her sister, Cassandra, burned the bulk of Jane’s letters.

Gill Hornby’s intriguing and entertaining Miss Austen: A Novel of the Austen Sisters (2020) speculates why. Hornby’s fictional explanation captures Jane Austen’s style, tone, and diction, with Hornby remarkably echoing Austen’s sly wit and keen observations. Hornby’s book could be seen as a seventh novel in Austen’s sadly small canon. 

A scene from ‘Miss Austen.’ Photo courtesy of PBS

Played in two timelines, the story follows the older Cassandra, in 1830, traveling to Kintbury on the pretext of helping Isabella Fowle, who is mourning her father’s death. However, Cassandra’s true motivation is retrieving the letters written by Jane and herself to Eliza Fowle, Isabella’s mother. Hornby uses Cassandra’s discovery and reading of the cache to flashback to the late 18th and early 19th century. 

In the teleplay, Andrea Gibb puts Isabella’s father, Reverend Fowle, on his deathbed (flickering candles and soft focus), imparting Cassandra a dying wish for Isabella. In this moment, the series sets itself at odds with the source—darker and leaning into the drama (or even melodrama)—rather than the edgier, droller, but more inspired world of the novel. Both touch on the themes of women in society, family obligations, and the pressure for marriage and children. But the approaches are distinctly different, with Gibb’s version trodding heavily, highlighting the romantic elements. The teleplay’s tone (and Aisling Walsh’s direction) departs from Hornby, and in essence, Austen: the author’s brilliance was balancing heartbreak with humor, satire with a sense of humanity. Lacking these vital elements, the filmed version seems bleached and untextured. 

Keeley Hawes is particularly effective as the older Cassandra, conveying thought with subtlety and presenting the older Austen sister as a woman missing nothing but keeping her own counsel. Synnøve Karlsen easily matches her as the young Cassandra, giving an equally rich performance. Patsy Ferran makes Jane quirky and likable and easily drops the few bon mots expected of the witty writer. However, along with Madeline Walker’s pleasant Eliza Fowle, the relationships feel more Little Women than Mansfield Park. 

Rose Leslie’s Isabella is lovely if reinvented as a more traditional heroine. Jessica Hynes’ waspish sister-in-law, Mary, is more ominous than necessary due less to her choice than the approach to her plotline. The same is true of the always wonderful Phyllis Logan, who plays matriarch Mrs. Austen. The book’s Mrs. Austen possesses more than a few shades of Mrs. Bennett; instead, she is given a less colorful portrait to create. Mirren Mack, in her brief appearance, manages the right blend of “respectful impudence” as the Fowles’ maid, Dinah. As for the men, they do little but respond or spout platitudes. 

Ultimately, the major point is legacy. When clergyman Mr. Dundas (Thomas Coombes, in a delightfully wicked cameo suggesting Pride and Prejudice’s unctuous Mr. Collins) suggests to Cassandra that the world is lacking a definitive biography so the public could know the real Jane Austen, she rebukes him. “Everything one needs to know about Jane Austen is to be found in the pages of her novels. There is nothing more.” In essence, this is the thesis. Jane’s life should be defined only by what she offered the public, and her private life and thoughts should remain just that—private. 

Miss Austen offers an interesting—if fictional—glimpse into one of the great literary figures of all time. That said, it is clearly the old saw: “The book was better.” 

The four-part series streams Sundays on PBS.org through May 18.

123...53Next Page 1 of 53
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©