Belfast, Ireland in 1985 is home to the fiery and foul-mouthed Anne Malloy who lives with her Aunt Emma Malloy who seeks the help of the Catholic Church in a frequent confession of her sins which are practically non existant. Anne, too seeks confession, but for a different reason which has more to do with the good looking Father Reilly than salvation of her soul. The Troubles are the backdrop in the lives of the characters, but these individuals have inured themselves to the violence as they try to cope as best they can. The issue is how successfully can you cope when you live in a war zone?
Read More »Carole Di Tosti
Theater Review (NYC Off Broadway): ‘Ziegfield’s Midnight Frolic’ by Cynthia von Buhler
In her day Ziegfeld Follies star Olive Thomas was a celebrity and beauty who was Ziegfeld's mistress. Her life took an interesting turn when she married Jack Pickford and took an even more eventful turn when she went with him to the lavish Hotel Ritz in Paris. Behind the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties style and scantily dressed Ziegfeld Follies girls is the story of Olive Thomas and Ziegfield's Midnight Frolic. And what a story it is.
Read More »2015 Tribeca Film Festival Review: ‘Palio’ in Its World Premiere
The Palio, the phenomenal horse race which has been held every summer since 1238 in Siena, Italy is indescribable in its beauty, its corruptions and its excitement. The Palio's culture and the strategies necessary to understand in order to win the race have been like following a dark passage into the arcane unknown, until now.
Read More »2015 Tribeca Film Festival Review: ‘Bridgend’ in Its North American Premiere
When mysterious suicides bring an inspector and his daughter Sara to the town of Bridgend, Wales, there is no respite for the father and daughter. Both caught up in the evil atmospheres of the town and the surrounding dark forests. Sara becomes estranged from her father and the inspector grows more tyrannical as the situation moves from bad to worse. There is no explanation why teens are killing themselves and everyone wonders who will be next.
Read More »Theater Review (NYC Off-Broadway): ‘Dinner With The Boys’ By and Starring Dan Lauria
Charlie and Dom are hiding out in a remote area of New Jersey expecting a dinner guest, Big Anthony Jr. They know this dinner will be a reckoning with Big Anthony. In fact it may be the last supper for one or both of them. Only, who is playing the part of Judas?
Read More »Movie Review: ‘The Human Experiment,’ Narrated by Sean Penn
Every day we are using products which contain chemicals that have not been tested or their use regulated by the EPA or FDA. The Safe Chemicals Act that Frank Lautenberg (Sen. D. NJ) introduced in congress is in limbo. There are 80,000 chemicals on the market. How many of these are toxic and shouldn't we know the risks we are taking when we are using them? The film shows why we don't know, and in a moderate tone points out this position is egregious and patently indefensible
Read More »‘Dinner With the Boys’ Written by and Starring Dan Lauria Begins Previews Off-Broadway April 21
Lauria's play is a comedy about two guys connected to a tight crime family who now face a dilemma that may or may not have to do with refusing offers and swimming with the fishes. After a successful run in New Jersey it opens Off-Broadway next month.
Read More »Movie Review: ‘Effie Gray,’ Starring Dakota Fanning and Emma Thompson
Effie Gray lived a fairy-tale marriage with celebrated art critic John Ruskin. But despite the glittering world of high society, wealth and a sumptuous estate, she was miserable and became more and more afraid.
Read More »Theater Review (NYC): ‘Money Lab’ Conceived and Curated by Edward Einhorn
What is the value of art to the souls of an audience? This fascinating show presents the dilemma of art vs. life's necessities. Which does our culture deem more valuable? Which do we deem more valuable?
Read More »Vino 2015: Walk Around Tasting Highlights, Stefania Pepe
Following the typical Slow Wine categorization, Biodynamic wines may not have an organic certification, but they follow the principles of adhering to rigorous agricultural standards.
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