Category: Comedy
American Fiction: Review
No Matter What Challenges and Stereotypes You Face in Life, You Are Not Immune from the Challenges Within Your Own Family
Release dates: December 15, 2023 (United States)
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Genre: Comedy, drama
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Director and writer Cord Jefferson theatrical directorial debut ‘American Fiction’, based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett, tells the challenges of writer and academic Thelonious "Monk" Ellison Jeffrey Wright) as he tries to comes to terms with the success and fame of writers/authors, especially Sinatra Golden (Issa Rae) whose books are full of all the stereotypes about African American while at the same time trying to cope with family dynamic with his sister Lisa Ellison (Tracee Ellis Ross), brother Clifford "Cliff" Ellison (Sterling K. Brown), his mother Agnes Ellison Leslie Uggams and affairs of the heart with Coraline (Erika Alexander).
American Fiction takes you through the up and downs of family life. You can share in the tough times of loss and the good times of celebration. It shows that being educated with financial means does not shield you from life’s trials and tribulations.
We are reminded of the importance of being seen and having our humanity acknowledged during a conversation between Monk and Cliff.
Monk said, “what if he rejected you? Referring to their father. Cliff, “at least he would have rejected the real me.”
Cord’s script finds a visually interesting way of bringing Monk’s characters Willey the Wonker (Keith David) along with his son, to life as he drafts his book full of African American stereotypes. It is like a live play within the film. This style used through-out brought added dimension to the film
The beautiful setting of his home state of Massachusetts, his family home and beach house shows without words the upper middle-class lifestyle that Monk and his family enjoyed.
As Monk struggles to understand the value in Sinatra Golden’s successful book He has a conversation with Sinatra and refers to the potential of a writer when Sinatra said, “potential is what they see when they think a person is not good enough.”
There is so much truth in her statement. It makes you think about the stereotype people hold that lets you know they do not think highly of the people they demean. how non-minorities think of people of color
About Jefferey Cord
Jefferey Cord’s T.V. credits include Succession, The Good Place, Master of None, and his 2020 Emmy winning episode This Extraordinary Being. He began his writing career with publications The Ringer, GQ, the New Yorker, and later serving as the editor of Gawker .
Production companies: Orion Pictures, MRC Film, T-Street Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
Distributors: Amazon MGM Studios
Release dates: December 15, 2023 (United States)
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Cinematographer: Cristina Dunlap
Editor: Hilda Rasula
Music: Laura Karpman
Watch the First Official trailer from writer and director Cord Jefferson’s Theatrical Directorial Debut American Fiction Premiering in the United States December 15th
Release dates: December 15, 2023 United States
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Genre: Comedy, drama
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Writer and director Cord Jefferson's theatrical directorial debut American Fiction debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8th and makes its limited theatrical release in the United States on December 15, 2023.
Cord Jefferson's romantic comedy film American Fiction shares the story of Monk, a writer , who becomes fed up with Black Americans being stereotyped in entertainment,as he goes on a quest to prove his point and writes a book full of all those kinds of exploitation and the results it has on his life.Starring in American Fiction is Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown.
About Cord Jefferson
Cord’s T.V. credits include Succession, The Good Place, Master of None, and his 2020 Emmy winning episode This Extraordinary Being. He began his writing career with publications The Ringer, GQ, the New Yorker, and later serving as the editor of Gawker
Release dates: December 15, 2023 (United States)
Production companies: Orion Pictures, MRC Film, T-Street Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
Distributors: Amazon MGM Studios
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Cinematographer: Cristina Dunlap
Editor: Hilda Rasula
Music: Laura Karpman
Production companies: Orion Pictures, MRC Film, T-Street Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
Distributors: Amazon MGM Studios
Release dates: December 15, 2023 United States
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Cinematographer: Cristina Dunlap
Editor: Hilda Rasula
Music: Laura Karpman
SICK GIRL in Theaters and On Digital and On Demand October 20, 2023
DIRECTOR: Jennifer Cram
WRITER: Jennifer Cram
CAST: Nina Dobrev, Brandon Mychal Smith, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Koenig, Haley Magnus, Ray Mckinnon, Dan Bakkedahl, Wendi Mclendon-Covey
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Distributor: Lionsgate
When Wren Pepper (Nina Dobrev) feels her closest friends slipping away, she lets loose a little white lie that snowballs into a colossal, life-altering event. Jennifer Cram’s feature film debut is a hilarious take on the price of insecurity and the rewards of true friendship. Wendi McLendon-Covey (The Goldbergs), Dan Bakkedahl (Veep), Brandon Mychal Smith (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Sherry Cola (Good Trouble) join Dobrev in a brilliant comedy you won’t want to miss.
See New Clip – Lionsgate’s The Re-Education of Molly Singer”- Opens in Theaters and Digital/On Demand on September 29th, 2023
Director: Andy Palmer
Writer: Todd Friedman, Kevin Haskins
Cast: Britt Robertson, Ty Simpkins. Nico Santos, Cierra Ramirez, Holland Roden, Wendie Malick, Jaime Pressly
Rating: R for sexual content, pervasive language and some drug use.
Genre: Comedy
In college, attorney Molly Singer (Britt Robertson) was the life of every party. Now, she’s about to be fired because she can’t leave her partying ways behind. Molly’s boss, Brenda (Jaime Pressly), tells Molly there’s one way to save her job: re-enroll at her old alma mater, befriend Brenda’s socially awkward son, Elliot (Ty Simpkins), and take him from zero to campus hero. Aided by her best friend (Nico Santos), Molly goes to battle with stuck-up hall monitors, boozed-up frat brothers, and her old archenemy in a hilarious quest through the past to save her future. Run Time: 120 minutes
Distributor: Lionsgate
2023 Pan African Film and Arts Festival Film Guide
Over 150 films from 40 countries, in 19 languages, including 50 World and 22 North American premieres!
Today, the PAFF announced its full lineup for its upcoming in-person festival Feb. 9-20, 2023. Now in its 31st year, the Festival is returning to the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD and the adjacent Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza will host its renowned fine art show featuring over 100 established and emerging fine artists and quality craftspeople from all over the Black Diaspora. This year’s film festival features over 150 films from 40 countries, in 19 languages, including 50 World and 22 North American premieres. Of the films selected for the Festival, 39% are helmed by female, queer or non-binary filmmakers.
The Festival film guide is available here.
Passes on sale now and can be purchased here.
Individual tickets go on sale on January 31, 2023.
Toronto International Film Festival 2022 Intl Premiere of South African Caper Heist Comedy Feature Film “The Umbrella Men”
Mila played by Bronté Snell, Cope played by Rob Van Vuuren, Tiger played by Joey Rasdien, Jerome played by Jaques De Silva, Mortimer played by Keenan Arrison
“The Umbrella Men” will have its world premiere on September 10th, 2022, followed by an additional two public screenings, as well as press & industry screenings as a part of TIFF.
The international premiere of the extraordinary South African caper heist comedy feature film, “The Umbrella Men,” selected for Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) set for September 10th, 2022, as a selection of the international arm of its Contemporary World Cinema slate.
“The Umbrella Men” is directed by John Barker (“Bunny Chow: Know Thyself,” “Isibaya”) and is written by John Barker and Philip Roberts and stars the captivating talents of Jaques Da Silva, Shamilla Miller (“Love Lies and Hybrids”), Keenan Arrison (“Atlantis”) and Bronte Snell (“Atlantis”). Produced by Joel Phiri, Dan Jawitz, Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, Themba Mfebe and John Barker, “The Umbrella Men” draws inspiration and comparisons to critical and audience favorites in this incredible ensemble genre including: “The LadyKillers,” “Set It Off,” “The Inside Man,” “Sexy Beast,” “The Italian Job,” and “Ocean’s Eleven,” among others.
An incredible cinematic ride, embracing the best of caper heist comedy set in the colourful and culture-rich Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town “The Umbrella Men” is a must-see TIFF film. “The Umbrella Men” follows a troupe of musicians who are forced to rob a bank during the city’s Carnival in an effort to save their beloved nightclub – spiritual home to their whole community. The music is written by South African Jazz pianist extraordinaire, Kyle Shepard.
The film has received excellent reviews at home in South Africa. For example, The Sunday Times (South Africa) wrote that “through the “Afrikaaps” phrases, nuances and Humour, Barker has beautifully captured a marginalised and often misrepresented culture.” The film is being sold in Toronto by Known Associates Entertainment.
SQUEAL: Film Review
PRESENTS
To Live Free and Starve, Or To Eat and Die In Bondage
Director Aik Karapetian fable SQUEAL brings the Greek mythical goddess Circe to life through his female lead Kirke (Laura Siliņa), a pig farmer’s daughter, named after the Goddess. When she encounters Samuel (Kevin Janssens), who is searching for his father. A man he has never seen or met.
Photo 1-Kevin Janssens in Aik Karapetian's SQUEAL (Photo Credit_ GOOD DEED ENTERTAINMENT)
Kevin Janssens and the magical pig in Aik Karapetian's SQUEAL (Photo Cr
Looking at the interactions between Kirke and Samuel on the farm, I am reminded of slave masters and their treatment of their slaves and their bondage on the plantations and their treatment of the slaves that automatically creates a dark picture of what is to come.
According to Karapetian, “My focus was originality and simplicity, but at the same time speaking about the universal topics of love, freedom, greed, brutality, tenderness and jealousy.”
These topics of love, freedom, greed, brutality, tenderness and jealousy vividly comes through with the dialogue and film plot written by Aik Karapetian, Aleksandr Rodionov.
Aik Karapetian's SQUEAL (Photo Credit_ GOOD DEED ENTERTAINMENT) b
Something that stands out is how Aik Karapetian flipped the script and has his female lead behind the abductions, enslavement and brutality of Samuel (Kevin Janssens). It reminds me of the film Misery with Kathy Bates and James Caan.What stands out? SQUEAL is an engaging film that struggles with the human animal’s desire for security and freedom. See it.
Release Date: Theatrical: Aug 19, 2022 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 19, 2022
Distributor: Good Deed Entertainment
Producer: Inese Boka-Grube, Gints Grube
Production Co: Good Deed Entertainment And Cranked Up Films
Run Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Cast: Kevin Janssens,Laura Siliņa,Aigars Vilims,Normunds Griestiņš,Juris Bartkevičs,Guntis Pilsums
Director: Aik Karapetian
Writers: Aik Karapetian,Ale][ksandr Rodionov
Cinematography: Jurģis Kmins
Editor: Paula Popmane
Composer: Justine Bourgeus
Run Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
ABOUT GOOD DEED ENTERTAINMENT
Good Deed Entertainment (GDE) is an Ohio based independent studio dedicated to producing, financing, and distributing quality entertainment for under-served audiences. Its distribution slate includes recent releases Summertime, Ma Belle, My Beauty, and Lucky Grandma, in addition to the Academy Award nominated, Loving Vincent, and Spirit Award nominated, To Dust.
’18 1/2′: Review
Year: 2021
Director: Dan Mirvish
Starring: Willa Fitzgerald, John Magaro, Vondie Curtis Hall, Catherine Curtin, Richard Kind, Sullivan Jones, Alanna Saunders, Claire Saunders, Ted Raimi, Jon Cryer, Bruce Campbell
Genre: Comedy/Thriller
Run time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
When You Don’t Know What Happened, Let Your Imagination Run Wild
Director Dan Mirvish’s comical thriller “18 1/2” is about, what was, the biggest political crime in American history, until January 6th, t the erased 18 ½ minutes of Richard Nixon’s Watergate tapes.
Using his vivid imaginations to create a narrative and characters that never existed, it is a White House transcriber, who works for OMB (U.S. Office of Management and Budget), Connie Lashley (Willa Fitzgerald) who, while transcribing her final tape of the day, hears the voices of Nixon (Bruce Campbell) and Haig (Ted Raimi). This leads to a great discovery.
Realizing the importance of what she has heard, she teams up with New York Times reporter Paul Marrow (John Magaro) and they both decide to listen to the tape together, in private, In order to listen to the tape together, Connie and Paul rent a room from Jack (Richard Kind) at a local hotel. A creepy and dreary place that provide a great backdrop for the what is to follow.
Having the tape with the missing 18 ½ minutes creates a paranoia of being watched and conversations listened to, leading to Connie and Paul looking over their shoulder at every turn. Which can not be missed as they encounter a group of hippies and their leader Barry (Sullivan Jones), and staying in the cottage next door, Samuel (Vondie Curtis-Hall) and Lena (Catherine Curtin) that leads to many funny encounters that eventually turn dark.
“18 1/2” transports you right into the 1970s with its authentic costumes, set designs and photography. Every detail of Costume designer Sarah Cogan is realistic of clothes worn during this period, giving the impression of a film made in the 1970s.
“18 1/2” is a must see and very entertaining comedic thriller that feeds into the many conspiracy theories about Nixon, his secretary Rose Mary Woods and the missing 18 ½ minutes of the Watergate tape.
Release Date: May 27, 2022
Distributor: Adventure Entertainment
Co-executive Producer: Dana Altman, Frédéric Forestier
Production Co: 101 Films International, Bugeater Films and Kyyba Films, Syncopated Daydreams and Terry Keefe Media.
Run time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Starring: Willa Fitzgerald, John Magaro, Vondie Curtis Hall, Catherine Curtin, Richard Kind, Sullivan Jones, Alanna Saunders, Claire Saunders, Ted Raimi, Jon Cryer, Bruce Campbell
Director: Dan Mirvish
Story by: Daniel Moya, Dan Mirvish
Cinematography: Elle Schneider
Editor: Dan Mirvish
Music: Luis Guerra
Run time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Film Threat Award This! Announces 2022 The Best of Independent Film Winners
Film Threat Celebrates The Best of Indie Filmmaking at Live In-Theater Ceremony
Film Threat,led by founder and filmmaker Chris Gore, and in conjunction with their partner Magical Threads, are thrilled to announce the Award This! 2022 winners. Award This!! nominees were selected from the nearly 2,000 indie films reviewed on Film Threat in 2021 (this year we extended our deadline into the first quarter of 2022 due to the pandemic). Award This! returned for its fourth year with a live in-person, in-theater event on Saturday, May 21st at non-profit arthouse cinema the Frida Cinema to honor the best and brightest in independent film. Film Threat’s Award This! has become an independent film industry staple celebrating the best in independent cinema.
“This years’ incredibly diverse Award This! nominees made deliberations brutal for our team. Amid two years of literal pandemic struggle, we saw the independent spirit in all its glory. We are honored to share our winners and encourage you to watch this years’ nominees,” said Chris Gore.
This years’ Award This! bold and diverse categories including Indie Sci-Fi, Indie Horror, Indie Comedy, Indie LGBTQ+ Film, Indie Action/Thriller, WTF Indie, Indie Romantic Comedy, Indie Drama, Music Documentary, Pop Culture Documentary, Socially-Relevant Documentary, Best Director, Best Directress, Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100K), and Indie Movie of the Year. The nominating board of Award This! is comprised of the staff of Film Threat’s editors and critics which number 30+ worldwide along with an advisory board of media figures and independent film luminaries.
Below please find this years’ winning films along side the complete list of independent films nominated for the Film Threat’s 2022 Award This! event.
Award This! Film About Movies or Filmmaking
Clapboard Jungle
Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters
Clerk.
Film Fest
Sam and Mattie Make a Zombie Movie – WINNER
Award This! Music Documentary **(This Category was a tie)**
Holding These Moments – WINNER
The Jesus Music
Miss Angela
Rock Camp the Movie
The United States of Insanity – WINNER
Award This! Socially Relevant Documentary **(This Category was a tie)**
Bastards' Road – WINNER
The Boys in Red Hats – WINNER
Finding Kendrick Johnson
Pharma Bro
Rebel Hearts
The Reunited States
Stronger For Life
Award This! Pop Culture Documentary
Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters
Clerk.
Lily Topples the World
More Than Miyagi – WINNER
Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist
Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini
Award This! Documentary
Bastards' Road – WINNER
Clerk.
Finding Kendrick Johnson
Pharma Bro
Sam and Mattie Make a Zombie Movie
The United States of Insanity
Award This! Short Film
ASMR for White Liberals
Billy Kills the Internet – WINNER
BoxLife
Heavy Petting
KIA Summer Sales Event
Snake Dick
Award This! Indie Sci-Fi
The Changed
Glasshouse
God of Dreams – WINNER
Man Under Table
Nebulous Dark
Repeat
Award This! Indie Horror
Agnes
The Great And Terrible Day Of The Lord – WINNER
The Nest
Night At The Eagle Inn
Psycho Goreman
Slashening: The Final Beginning
Award This! Indie Comedy
Donny’s Bar Mitzvah
Golden Arm
Kitty Mammas
Spirit Quest
Tango Shalom – WINNER
Win a Trip to Browntown!
Award This! Indie LGBTQ+ Themed Film
HipBeat
Road Head
Shit & Champagne
Swan Song
X –WINNER
Award This! Indie Animation
Cryptozoo
Flee
The Spine Of Night – WINNER
Award This! Indie Action/Thriller
100 Days to Live
The Beta Test
Delicate State
How To Deter A Robber
Mafia Inc.
Shut In – WINNER
Award This! WTF Indie Like “What The Fuck Is This Move Even? **(This Category was a tie)**
Baby Oopsie
Donny’s Bar Mitzvah
I, Challenger – WINNER
Mother Schmuckers
Road Head
Willy’s Wonderland – WINNER
Award This! Indie Romantic Comedy
Borrelia Borealis
Christmas On The Carousel
Honesty Weekend – WINNER
Lost At Christmas
Threebound
Win a Trip to Browntown!
Award This! Indie Drama
The In-Between
Lola
Shiva Baby
Single Mother By Choice – WINNER
Sweet Thing
Weekenders
Award This! Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100k)
Delicate State - WINNER
God of Dreams
Lola
Road Head
Tango Shalom
Win a Trip to Browntown! – WINNER
Award This! Director **(This Category was a tie)**
The Beta Test (Jim Cummings, P.J. McCabe)
The Changed (Michael Mongillo)
Donny’s Bar Mitzvah (Jonathan Kaufman) – WINNER
God of Dreams (Jurian Isabelle)
Lola (Antonie Allen)
Shit & Champagne (D'Arcy Drollinger)
Shut In (D.J. Caruso)
Single Mother By Choice (Dan Levy Dagerman) – WINNER
Award This! Directress **(This Category was a tie)**
Borrelia Borealis (Kathryne Isabelle Easton) – WINNER
Delicate State (Paula Rhodes) – WINNER
Glasshouse (Kelsey Egan)
Golden Arm (Maureen Bharoocha)
Honesty Weekend (Leslie Thomas)
How To Deter A Robber (Maria Bissell)
The In-Between (Mindy Bledsoe)
Shiva Baby (Emma Seligman)
Award This! Indie Movie of the Year
The Beta Test
Borrelia Borealis
The Changed
Delicate State
Donny’s Bar Mitzvah – WINNER
Night At The Eagle Inn
Repeat
Shiva Baby
Shut In
The Spine Of Night
Check out the official Award This! site for more information, including eligibility requirements for next year and don't forget to follow Award This! on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.