Independent films are often tossed by the wayside and never see the light of day in movie theaters. With the advent of mass cable TV production, low-budget projects get shoved under the rug even more. While they may be done on the cheap, some turn out to be outstanding, moving, and timely. The latter is true of In the Orchard. It's a feature film directed by Christopher … [Read more...]
When Comedians Go Off the Rails and Step Over the Line
In the early 80s, I walked into The Improvisation in Hollywood. It was an ordinary evening, nothing special, but the list of comedians who showed up was epic. Robin Williams, Jay Leno, Bill Maher, Rosanne Barr, Brad Hall, Sam Kinison, Richard Lewis, Fritz Coleman and several more I can’t remember because it was so long ago. With the exception of Robin Williams, most were fairly … [Read more...]
LA Theater Review: Chicanas, Cholas, y Chisme at CASA 0101
You would think I was Latina with all the reviews I’ve done for CASA 0101 Theatre in Boyle Heights, but I’m just a Jewish girl from the Valley. Still, I’m amazed at the work that they put forth every time I attend. Its recent production, Chicanas, Cholas, y Chisme VI: Stand Up! Speak Out! is a collection of short plays written and performed by mostly women that touch on timely … [Read more...]
Doping and Putin – Documentary Film Icarus Suddenly Takes a Turn
I attended a screening of the documentary film Icarus because we're on the list to attend screenings for Academy Award-nominated films. There was a Q & A after the screening with the star/director Bryan Fogel and producer Dan Cogan. Bryan, who is also an amateur cyclist, set out to investigate the world of doping in sports. He wanted to see how easy it was to game … [Read more...]
LA Theater Review: Beauty and the Beast – The Musical – at CASA 0101
One of the things I love about Beauty and the Beast is that its central heroine, Belle, isn’t afraid to be herself and doesn’t go with the program just because it’s what is expected of her. She’s thought of as the village weirdo because she reads books and doesn’t go gaga over big hunks like Gaston. I adored the recent Disney film even more than the original cartoon, and just … [Read more...]
