Blogcritics Author: Lisa Damian

Filmmaker Interview: Scott Prendergast of Kabluey

Lisa Damian — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:18:21 EDT

A conversation with indie filmmaker Prendergast about his latest project.
Scott Prendergast wrote, directed, and starred in the movie Kabluey, which he referred to as a "melancomedy" about Salman, an awkward but well-intentioned man, and his sister-in-law, Leslie (played by Lisa Kudrow), who are thrown together amidst an array of personal difficulties. While Leslie's husband is away at war, Salman steps in...

Movie Review: Dakota Skye at the Waterfront Film Festival

Lisa Damian — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 07:22:00 EDT

Dakota Skye offers a new twist on the superhero movie theme.
There's a new superhero in town, and her name is Dakota Skye. She's not the type of superhero who flies around saving the world. In fact, she struggles with the simple things that most teenage girls do, such as trying to figure out her love life, work through issues with her friends, and graduate from high school. What is her super power?...

Flight Lesson Review: Project Pilot

Lisa Damian — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:16:06 EDT

Soar the skies -- you can learn to fly! Project Pilot makes it easy to find a flight instructor near you.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly an airplane? Project Pilot, a program founded by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), now makes flight lessons easily accessible for anyone who has ever toyed with the idea of soaring through the sky. The ProjectPilot.org website features a database of over 3,500 U.S. flight schools,...

2008 Waterfront Film Festival a Success

Lisa Damian — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:19:39 EDT

A look at the 10th Annual Waterfront Film Festival.
The 10th Annual Waterfront Film Festival on the scenic shore of Lake Michigan was held June 12-15 in the artsy village of Saugatuck, MI. Midwest premieres and world premieres were among the eclectic selection of full-length feature films offered at the festival. Dozens of film shorts, seminars on various film-related topics, and special events were...

Free Book Giveaway: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Lisa Damian — Wed, 4 Jun 2008 13:10:57 EDT

Free Book Giveaway Contest: Win a copy of The Host by Stephenie Meyer!
The Hatchette Book Group publishers sent a shiny new hardcover edition of the The Host by Stephenie Meyer for a free giveaway. You may toss your name into the hat to enter this contest by filling out the entry form by Saturday, June 21, 2008. Please be sure to include your name and complete contact information for shipping purposes. In order to be...

Book Review: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Lisa Damian — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:54:43 EDT

The Host is a chilling science fiction romance about what it means to be human and to truly love another
The Host, by number-one New York Times bestselling author Stephenie Meyer, is a riveting page-turner that was nearly impossible to put down. It is the kind of book that keeps me up reading late into the night, and when I turned the final 619th page, I still wished for more. To describe it simply as a science fiction tale about body snatchers...

Book Review: Ruinair by Paul Kilduff

Lisa Damian — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:15:37 EDT

In-flight entertainment and humorous account of traveling throughout Europe on low budget airlines.
Ruinair by Dubliner Paul Kilduff remained solidly planted as the number one bestselling nonfiction book in Ireland for its first seven weeks of publication. It has since gained in popularity throughout Europe, and for obvious reason. Kilduff's humorous account of traveling on Ryanair and other low fares airlines throughout Europe should...

Product Review: "Bakugan" Toys

Lisa Damian — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:54:17 EDT

Check out Bakugan - the new hit anime battle toy game.
Bakugan is quickly becoming the latest hit in anime character battle games. It has been selling quickly in toy stores across the U.S. and Canada, and was named one of the top toys of 2008 by Time Magazine and Newsday.Much like Pokemon, Bakugan features both a cartoon show and a competitive card game, with many accessories to accompany it. The show...

Book Review: The Mayor's Tongue by Nathaniel Rich

Lisa Damian — Sat, 10 May 2008 22:31:59 EDT

An ambitious work about the power of language in all its many forms.
Nathaniel Rich's debut novel, The Mayor's Tongue, is an ambitious work about the power of language in all its many forms -- spoken, written, and nonverbal -- and its ability to define and transform us as people. Concurrent plots about young man Eugene Brentani and older man Mr. Schmitz interweave both fantasy and fictional memoir, and the...

FOX-NYTVF Announces Comedy Script Contest

Lisa Damian — Tue, 6 May 2008 13:40:19 EDT

Enter to win a television comedy series script deal from FOX and the New York Television Festival!
Have you ever dreamed of writing for television?Fox Broadcasting Company and the New York Television Festival have teamed up to host the FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest. Aspiring writers may submit a half-hour pilot script intended for an original comedy series. The winner will receive $25,000 and a chance for a script deal from FOX. Other...