REVIEW: Nor’easter

REVIEW: Nor’easter

by Christopher McKittrick 

Father Erik (David Call) is a young priest on an island off the coast of Maine who is new to the island after the previous priest left under less-than-holy circumstances.  Along with the problem of a dwindled congregation, he is confronted by a family torn apart by the disappearance of their son.  Josh went missing when he was eleven years old and his father, Richard (Richard Berkins) is adamant that his son is still alive, but his long-suffering wife Ellen (Haviland Morris) enlists Erik’s help in convincing Richard to have a funeral for Josh.  After Richard finally agrees to finally “bury” his son, Josh (Liam Aiken), now sixteen, reappears.  When asked where he has been the only response he offers his parents and the police is, “I heard I was dead. I didn’t like that.”  However, he reveals the truth to Erik before disappearing again, and Erik, bound by his vows, is unable to reveal Josh’s whereabouts.  However, Erik will not let that prevent him from returning Josh home again.

Opening Night Red Carpet Photos of 2013 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles

Opening Night Red Carpet Photos of 2013 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles

The 11th Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles kicked-off Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Arclight Hollywood in Los Angeles with a red carpet and the Los Angeles premiere of Anurag Kashyap’s GANGS OF WASSEYPUR, followed by a gala. 

Celebrities in attendance included Actress Freida Pinto and director Anurag Kashyap (pictured above).

The film festival, which runs through April 14, is showcasing 30 plus narrative and documentary features and short films.

Marijuana Documentary California 90420 Headed to Netflix for 420 Day

Marijuana Documentary California 90420 Headed to Netflix for 420 Day

Feature documentary CALIFORNIA, 90420 that focuses on the rapidly growing marijuana trade in California and profiles leaders of California’s marijuana legalization efforts, will expand to meet the anticipated increased demand prior to National Weed Day, April 20, 2013, aka 420 day.

Recently available on DVD, Amazon VOD, iTunes and Free on Hulu, CALIFORNIA 90420 will be released on Netflix around 4/20/2013, a date celebrated as a holiday each year in the marijuana community.

I Used to Be Darker from 2013 Sundance Film Festival To Be Released in the Fall

I Used to Be Darker from 2013 Sundance Film Festival To Be Released in the Fall

Matt Porterfield’s “I Used to Be Darker,” which premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. will be released this Fall by Strand Releasing. 

Starring Deragh Campbell, Hannah Gross, Ned Oldham and Kim Taylor, the film tells the story of when Taryn, a Northern Irish runaway, finds herself in trouble in Ocean City, MD, she seeks refuge with her aunt and uncle in Baltimore. But Kim and Bill have problems of their own: they’re trying to handle the end of their marriage gracefully for the sake of their daughter Abby, just home from her first year of college.

NOR’EASTER to Screen at the 2013 Sarasota International Film Festival

NOR’EASTER to Screen at the 2013 Sarasota International Film Festival

NOR’EASTER is screening this upcoming weekend at the 2013 Sarasota International Film Festival in Sarasota, Florida. NOR’EASTER was written and directed by Andrew Brotzman.

A young priest, Erik (David Call, TINY FURNITURE, Gossip Girl) serves as the lone Catholic authority on a small island off the coast of Maine. After a poorly attended mass, Erik is visited by Ellen Greene, the mother of Joshua, a child who has been missing for five years. Josh’s absence has pushed Ellen’s marriage to the breaking point, and though her husband strenuously objects, she and the priest decide to hold a symbolic funeral in an effort to move on.

Juries Announced For 2013 Tribeca Film Festival incl. Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Haggis

Juries Announced For 2013 Tribeca Film Festival incl. Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Haggis

 

Bryce Dallas-Howard, Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Haggis, Taraji P. Henson, Riley Keough, Kenny Lonergan, Eva Longoria, Sheila Nevins, Josh Radnor and Evan Rachel Wood are among the diverse group of 42 industry leaders, including award-winning filmmakers, writers, producers, acclaimed actors, respected journalists and entrepreneurs, who will serve as the jurors of the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF).

The jury will be divided among the seven competitive Festival categories. The winning films, filmmakers and actors in each category will be announced at the TFF Awards Night ceremony, streamed live on TribecaFilm.com on April 25. The 2013 Festival runs from April 17 –28.

Following is a list of all 2013 Festival and Tribeca Film Institute jurors and their respective categories.

Cinematographer Bill Butler to Receive Charleston International Film Festival Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

Cinematographer Bill Butler to Receive Charleston International Film Festival Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

 

Bill Butler, the respected and innovative cinematographer, who has worked on films including Jaws, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Grease, Rocky II – IV, Flipper, Stripes, Anaconda and many, many more will be honored at the 2013 Charleston International Film Festival.

To celebrate Butler and his contributions to the industry, Charleston International Film Festival (CIFF), is presenting him with the festival’s inaugural lifetime achievement award. The award will be presented during the Awards Gala and festival finale on Sunday, April 28.

Civil War Drama ‘The Retrieval’ Takes Top Award at 2013 Phoenix Film Festival

Civil War Drama ‘The Retrieval’ Takes Top Award at 2013 Phoenix Film Festival

The Retrieval

The 13th Phoenix Film Festival, which ran from April 4-11, 2013, and screened more than 150 films, wrapped on Sunday night with the announcement of this year’s Copper Wing Award winners.

The Retrieval, a civil war drama, scored three awards including the Cox Audience Award. Best Picture, went to Putzel, a heartwarming and hilarious tale of a man who realizes that sometimes you have to leave home to find yourself and to find true love. Best Documentary went to Los Wild Ones, a music documentary about LA based indie record label, Wild Records, directed by Phoenix’s own, Elise Salomon.