Silver Case a film which shines
By Ron Gilbert
After finally seeing this film on the big screen, at the LA Film & TV Festival at the magnificent Chaplin theater in front of an enthusiastic audience and I was blown away by the production values.
This film is a great example for any filmmaker who wants the crash into the Hollywood film scene using their own vision and not governed by corporate film studio executives.
Director C...
“Marina Abramovic The Artist Is Present” captivates the audience
by Ron Gilbert
In all honesty ,I must say that I was not familiar with the career of the incredibly creative artist, Marina Abramovic, but after seeing this documentary I would be the first in line to see her live in action.
The advantage audiences will have in seeing this documentary is that the film explores her 40 year career and traces her roots in Yugoslavia, where she was raised by communist parents in a h...
Dances with Films 2012 in HollywoodDances with Films trots into its 15th Year in Hollywood
by Ron Gilbert
The Dances with Films FIlm Festival has planted its’ footing along the stars on Hollywood Boulevard at the Mann Chinese theatre. Festival directors Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent have moved this festival into the ranks of a festival to be reckoned with. As the saying goes the “Truth is in the Pudding” and after attending this festival now in its’ second day ,the theatre i...
Stan Lee Marvels audience at Catalina Film Festival 2012
by Ron Gilbert
Stan Lee preferred to appear at the opening of the 2nd Catalina film festival on the same day of the record breaking weekend release of "The Avengers". The attendees loved having him there for 2 days on which he appeared and discussed his marvelous journey after the audience viewed "The Avengers" which preceded the documentary "With Great Power" -The Stan Lee Story. Stan is very pe...
Morgan Spurlock is the the greatest example of a filmmaker who thinks outside the box and has the imagination and inspiration of a true artist.
I compare him to the artist Andy Warhol because he sees what others may view but his artistic talent allows him to create something unique. Perhaps his determination to be a filmmaker after being rejected by the USC film school several times but finally making the cut at the NYU film school opened his eyes in a ...
Crazy Horse ,an erotic documentary on the Parisian Cabaret
by Ron Gilbert
All I keep hearing on my mind’s sound track when I watched this documentary by talented director Frederick Wiseman , were the lyrics “you make me crazy”.
Years ago I had the good fortune to visit the Landmark Le Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris and so my memories were still intact. This film is a very inside view of the workings of this famed cabaret where all these beautiful dancers are more than just sexy...
by Ron Gilbert
Now it in its thirteenth year this Film Festival .offers a Scandinavian Cinema combined with a Smorgasbord treat starting on January 7, 8, 14, 15 at Writers Guild Theater (135 S. Doheny/at Wilshire) in Beverly Hills. I have been very fortunate to be in attendance at this film festival and have chosen this fest instead of Palms Springs and Sundance on my weekends.
The five Nordic Oscar submissions plus additional current feature films, shorts, and documentaries...
By Ron Gilbert
Director, Lech Majewski does a brilliant orchestration in this film which is like watching an artist visually show how his painting is created and all of his inspirations.
Opening this complex painting via a combination of actors and horses with blue screen effects and 2D backdrops with historical, religious, contemporary and symbolic figures, with biblical travails depicted alongside sufferings of Flemish citizens persecuted by representati...
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 a personal reflection
By Ron Gilbert
This film won the Sundance Film Festival editing award which was well earned. Watching this powerful documentary brought back some very strong memories for me because I was a college student at City College in New York in the midst of Harlem during that early period. What surprises me most of all is that it took over 30 years to present this documentary which was directed by Göran Hugo Olsson w...
2011 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
By Ron Gilbert
You must
explore the LA Film Festival this year to view what has happened to downtown LA
and the films offered. I have seen many of the documentaries and they are must
see films. Of course we have the blockbuster films like Green Lantern but many
indie films are worth watching, This year you can use your phone to view what’s
happening,
Film Independent Goes Mobile for 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival
The fre...
2011 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL
By Ron Gilbert
You must
explore the LA Film Festival this year to view what has happened to downtown LA
and the films offered. I have seen many of the documentaries and they are must
see films. Of course we have the blockbuster films like Green Lantern but many
indie films are worth watching, This year you can use your phone to view what’s
happening,
Film Independent Goes Mobile for 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival
The fre...
Somewhere Between a
very emotional documentary at LAFF
By Ron Gilbert
Director Linda Goldstein Knowlton has created a very touching
and personal film about four adopted girls from China. It seems that China has
a One Child Policy and girls are usually placed up for adoption based on that
and of course other reasons like too many children in the household.
Knowlton knows the adoption procedure from the inside because
she also adopted a Chinese girl 5 years ag...
Somewhere Between a
very emotional documentary at LAFF
By Ron Gilbert
Director Linda Goldstein Knowlton has created a very touching
and personal film about four adopted girls from China. It seems that China has
a One Child Policy and girls are usually placed up for adoption based on that
and of course other reasons like too many children in the household.
Knowlton knows the adoption procedure from the inside because
she also adopted a Chinese girl 5 years ag...
Inside the 5th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival
By Ron Gilbert
LA Greek Film Festival 2011This Greek Film festival reveals very personal views of Greece
with very exciting glimpse of places which we would never have the privilege to
see on a tour bus in films with very talented filmmakers. Ersi Danou co-founder
and head of programming has created an amazing combination of films.
Opening night gala at
the Laemmle's Sunset 5 theater located at 8000 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angel...
DUMBSTRUCK is a true family film
By Ron Gilbert
I always enjoyed
ventriloquists as a kid and the skills which they were able to do with their
partners. I refuse to call them dummies because they always seemed smarter then
the humans who made them function but we also know that they are an extension
of their better half.
This film
is an incredible view into their world. It will touch every emotion in your heart,
where you will discover the true feeling of...
“An Article of Hope” at 6th Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival
touches all humanity
By Ron Gilbert
I was
extremely moved by this documentary which goes way beyond the Jewish community
and is an inspiration to all races and religions.
In addition
to having astronaut Buzz Aldrin present to discuss his feelings about this film
were a moment that all of us were extremely fortunate to experience.
Director
Dan Cohen was inspired 7 years ago when he re...
Potiche,
a film which entertains everyone
By
Ron Gilbert
Catherine Deneuve is the French equivalent of our
Elizabeth Taylor. She is an ageless beauty whom I first saw back in my college
days in “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”.
Then of course the film,” Belle du Jour” a few years later. She still seduces
us with a screen presence which has your eyes glued to the screen in her new
film. A star who doesn’t complain about not getting the roles like American actres...
Bill Cunningham New York
Documentary on a Legendary Fashion Photographer
By Ron Gilbert
The preview opening at LACMA presented
by the Costume Council was the best venue to view this film. The Costume
Council provides extraordinary resources to expand audiences’ awareness of
fashion, design, costume and adds to the LAMCA World class Costume and Textile
Collection.
Needless to say all the fans
of Bill Cunningham whose work has graced the fashion world for 5...
Premiere Event - March 31, 2011
By Ron Gilbert
I have been following the journey of this award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary,”MY RUN” which is coming to movie theaters nationwide for an “exclusive one night premiere event” on Thursday, March 31st at 7:00pm (Local Time).Director Tim VandeSteeg and producer Mark Castaldo and co-producer Christine Redlin (who is the voice of the Tim’s late wife) have created an awesome and touching film which has stirred a...
Opening Night of Los
Angeles Italia 2011
by Ron Gilbert
The party has started with Italian friends and family for a celebration
which on this occasion is the Los Angeles Italia Film Fashion and Art Festival.
The festival director Pascal Vicedomini who is from Southern Italy
really has a knack for combining Hollywood
and Italy and
today was the day to reminisce about the Legendary Oscar winning producer Dino
De Laurentiis and honoring him in a way that was well deserved. The...
by Ron Gilbert In September 2005 I first met Jesse when he was co-starring in a production of Orphans written by Lyle Kessler and directed by Ulu Grosbard with Al Pacino in the lead. It wasn’t a well publicized event which was under the auspices of the Actors Studio. As an Actors Studio member I was privileged to see Jesse in the role of the younger of 2 brothers. He had this unique presence as the introverted acrophobic brother and he definitely made an impression on me. The play was supposed...
On the Bowery, a film that inspired director John Cassavetes
By Ron Gilbert
This Oscar nominated film was considered very controversial when it was released but today we are fortunate to see the restored version in addition to a commentary on the making of On The Bowery by Michael Rogosin the son of the director.
In 1956 the year this film was made ,Dwight Eisenhower was president, Reverend Martin Luther King was heavily involved in racial integration in the South, Fidel...
Paul Giamatti inspired me tonight in his performance in Barney’s Version
By Ron Gilbert
Inspiration is the key to getting you up in the morning to start a new day with excitement and fervor and those goals that you have set for yourself in whatever you do. As a writer I need to be inspired so that I can explode with creative dialogue so that you can read about a film that moves me. Tonight that happened. Michael Konyves’ script based on Mordecai Richler’s novel, Richard’s dir...
By Ron Gilbert
After attending this event hosted by festival director Roger Durling who created his Valentine event to Annette which truly came from the heart, I give my vote to Annette Bening for Best Actress. Many reasons moved me to this after seeing clips from her film legacy.
Her passion for theatre in which presenter and Oscar winner Kevin Costner called her our Katherine Hepburn and a Woman for All Seasons and then told her to come over and give him a hug. This was part...
John Cassavetes director inspired by On the Bowery, a film On the Bowery, a film that inspired director John Cassavetes By Ron Gilbert This Oscar nominated film was considered very controversial when it was released but today we are fortunate to see the restored version in addition to a commentary on the making of On The Bowery by Michael Rogosin the son of the director. In 1956 the year this film was made ,Dwight Eisenhower was president, Reverend Martin Luther King was heavily involved in ...
