- Bogdanovich Receives Visionary Award
Peter Bogdanovich received the American Visionary Award at the 16th annual Florida Film Festival during a recent special event with the legendary director and film scholar. The event, held at Enzian Theater in Maitland, included an archival 35mm print screening of his 1973 Oscar-winning Depression-era comedy "Paper Moon," starring Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, and Madeline Kahn in the story of a bible-toting con man forced into delivering a young orphan to her relatives in Kansas. - "Kamp Katrina" – A Review
"Kamp Katrina," a moving documentary about a small group of Hurricane Katrina survivors in New Orleans, had its East Coast premiere at the Florida Film Festival recently. Ms. Pearl, a native American and lifetime New Orleans resident, offers her backyard garden as a temporary tent city for 14 residents who lost their homes because of the hurricane and subsequent flooding. For up to six months, Ms. Pearl and her construction-worker husband generously provide space, hot and cold running water, and comfort to the displaced survivors, many of whom have problems with substance abuse and mental illness. - "Away From Her" - A Review
Among the many wonderful independent spotlight films in this year's Florida Film Festival, "Away From Her" stands out as an exceptionally tender tale of loving, aging, and suffering with dignity. Directed by Canadian actress Sarah Polley and based on the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" by Alice Munro, the movie introduces an aging couple married for almost 50 years. Fiona (Julie Christie) shows symptoms of progressing Alzheimer's disease and her husband Grant (Gordon Pinsent) is faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to place her in a permanent care facility. - "The TV Set" - A Review
As the opening night selection at the Florida Film Festival, "The TV Set" establishes just the right tone for a 10-day celebration of movies: intelligent, funny, thought-provoking, and star-studded. Written and directed by Jake Kasdan, who has worked on television shows such as "Freaks and Geeks" and directed films including "Orange County," this new independent comedy peeks behind the doors of a television network as it struggles to bring a new show to the small screen. - "Breach" - A Review
Lesson to employers: Be careful to whom you assign the offices with windows – and without. Based on the true story of FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who sold government secrets to the Russians for 22 years in the worst case of treason in modern American history, "Breach" delivers on its promise of suspense and thrills. We follow the final two nail-biting months before Hanssen's arrest as a young FBI trainee spies on him. - "The Number 23" – A Review
It's no accident that the release date for the film "The Number 23" is February 23. In fact, in the world of Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey), nothing about 23 is a coincidence: Everything he sees, hears, and especially reads relates to that cursed number. - "Blood and Chocolate" – A Review
Life is confusing for the beautiful 19-year-old Vivian (Agnes Bruckner). She's an orphan living with a single aunt who seems to harbor resentment towards her. Her cousin is uncomfortably possessive. Her family is forcing her into a union with a much-older man whom she doesn’t love. She found a handsome young artist who wants a relationship with her despite her family's resistance. Oh, and she's a werewolf. - An Interview with "My Date With Drew" Star Brian Herzlinger
Most date movies are fictional stories about two people perfectly suited for each other, but enormous obstacles stand in their way. In the documentary film, "My Date With Drew" you would have a hard time finding anyone who thinks that fledgling filmmaker Brian Herzlinger and superstar Drew Barrymore are perfectly suited for each other. However, the obstacles to their ever even meeting – much less dating or falling in love – are certainly enormous. - Examining Dream Sequences in Eragon
The fantasy adventure "Eragon," based on book one of Christopher Paolini's trilogy about a young Dragon Rider, has been drawing criticism for borrowing ideas from the "Harry Potter" series, "Star Wars" series, and most notably "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Another element that "Eragon" has in common with these other films is its use of dream sequences – in this case false dreams sent by an evil sorcerer working for a corrupt king. - Stadium Seating Offers the Best Seat in the House
With so many advances in home theater equipment, low-priced movie rental options, and exciting new bonus features included with DVDs, the cineplexes had to do something to keep all those seats occupied – so they decided to change all those seats. Now for the feature presentation: Stadium-style seating, where the audience can enjoy movie magic in seats more comfortable and convenient than in most homes. - It's a Wonderful Date Movie - Six Great Films for the Holidays
During the holiday season, studios launch their biggest family film releases and television networks crank out the traditional heartwarming classics of yesteryear. But who says the holidays are strictly for snuggling with the kids in front of a family film and warding off kisses from Aunt Mildred after she's had a little too much spiked egg nog? This season strive to add more romance to the holidays by renting these great date movies that highlight the holidays. (Better yet, buy copies and give them to your favorite date as gifts.) - Science Fiction Conventions 101
So you want to find out the latest gossip about the next “Star Trek” spin-off television series. You need to debate the overlapping qualities between science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. You can’t wait to “do the time warp again.” It sounds like you’re ready for a sci-fi convention. - Babel – A Review
You might expect a film titled "Babel" (relating to the Biblical Tower of Babel) to explore language barriers, miscommunications, and lack of communication. But would you expect a movie about communication to take an uncomfortably long 142 minutes to get the point across? - The Science of Sleep - A Review
Sigmund Freud once wrote that going to the movies is much like going to sleep. - Hero Today, Gone Tomorrow Part I: Mel Gibson and Other Celebrities Falling Down
Can we believe media reports of the scandal swirling around actor-director Mel Gibson? That he was arrested for drunken driving, spewed angry racist remarks and received preferential treatment? Should we care whether or not “American Idol’s” Simon Cowell has a girl in every port?
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