Happy Birthday James Caan!
See reviews of the best of the actor!
 The Godfather 1972 dir.Francis Ford Coppola starring Marlon Brando Al Pacino |  Thief 1981 dir. Michael Mann starring Caan Tuesday Weld |
 Misery 1990 dir. Rob Reiner Starring Kathy Bates James Caan |  Dick Tracy 1990 dir. by Warren Beatty starring Warren Beatty Madonna Al Pacino |
 The Dark Backward 1991 dir. Adam Rifkin Starring Judd Nelson Bill Paxton |  Bottle Rocket 1996 dir. Wes Anderson starring Luke Wilson Owen Wilson |
 Get Smart 2008 Directed by Peter Segal Starring Steve Carell Hathaway |  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2009 dir. Phil Lord Chris Miller Starring Anna Faris Bill Hader |
Happy Birthday: Amy Smart (March 26th)
Happy Birthday to actress Amy Smart.
See reviews of her best films:
 Crank 2: High Voltagedir. Mark Neveldine Brian Taylor Starring Jason Statham |  CRANK2006 dir. Mark Neveldine Brian Taylor Stars: Jason Statham Amy Smart |
 Varsity Blues1999 dir. Brian Robbins Starring James Van Der Beek Jon Voight |  Starsky and Hutch2004 dir. Todd Phillips Starring Ben Stiller Owen Wilson |
Happy Birthday: Leslie Mann (March 26)
Happy Birthday to actress Leslie Mann.
See reviews of her best films:
 The Cable Guy1996 dir. Ben Stiller starring Jim Carrey Matthew Broderick |  She’s the One1996 dir. Edward Burns Starring Mike McGlone Cameron Diaz Jennifer Aniston |
 The 40 Year Old Virgin2005 dir. Apatow starring Steve Carell |  Knocked Up2007 dir. Apatow Starring Seth Rogen Katherine Heigl |
 Drillbit Taylor2008 Directed by Steven Brill Starring Owen Wilson Nate Hartley Troy Gentile |  Shorts2009 dir. Rodriguez Starring Jimmy Bennett James Spader |
 FUNNY PEOPLE2009 dir. Apatow Starring Adam Sandler Seth Rogan Mann |  17 Again2009 dir. Burr Steers Starring Zac Efron Matthew Perry |
Happy Birthday: Keira Knightley (March 26)
Happy Birthday to actress Keira Knightley.
See reviews of her best films:
 SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD dir. Lorene Scafaria Cast: Steve Carell |  Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl 2003 dir. Gore Verbinski |
 Pride & Prejudice2005 dir. Joe Wright Starring Keira Knightley Judi Dench |  The Jacket2005 dir. John Maybury starring Adrien Brody Knightley |
 Atonement2007 dir. Joe Wright Starring Knightley James McAvoy |  Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest2006 dir. Gore Verbinski |
 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End2007 dir. Gore Verbinski Starring Johnny Deep Knightley |  The Duchess2008 dir. Saul Dibb Starring Knightley Ralph Fiennes |
 ANNA KARENINA 2012 dir. Joe Wright Stars: Keira Knightley Jude Law |  A DANGEROUS METHOD dir. David Cronenberg Stars: Michael Fassbender Keira Knightley |
Interview with 1st AD John McKeown (50/50, Albert Nobbs)
The role of an Assistant Director – 1st AD on a film includes tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, and maintaining order on the set.
John McKeown has worked in the AD department, mainly as a 1st AD, on over 40+ productions in the last 20 years. He is a fountain of knowledge, which is evident when reading this interview.
Interview with John McKeown:
Matthew Toffolo: In your 20+ year career, do you have a favorite and/or memorable experience?
John McKeown: Those 20+ years went by in a flash!
I’ve seen a lot of sunrises and sunsets around the world and I have my job to thank for that.
Shooting in India was a truly memorable experience. It’s a place I hope to return to.
I’ve been lucky enough to work on action movies, dramas, comedies and most…
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Interview with Festival Director Mark Starks (Superhero Short Film Fest)
Come celebrate the 1st Annual Superhero Short Film Fest at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library Auditorium in Midland, MI on Monday April 18, 2016! Superhero Short Film Fest features a Live Screening of the Top 10 Films, followed by a Costume/Cosplay Contest!
https://filmfreeway.com/festival/SuperheroShortFilmFest
Interview with Mark Starks:
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Mark Starks: Our value – and purpose – is to curate, provide imprimatur and thus help shape the culture of the local community by exhibiting quality films from independent filmmakers.
MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?
MS: Highlights of the festival include a special screening of the teaser trailer MALELOVENT, the first US 2-D, hand-drawn animated horror movie, starring Morena Baccarin, William Shatner, Ray Wise, Bill Moseley and Dani Lennon, and LIBERATOR – an award-winning 18-minute short starring Lou Ferrigno as a disgraced, washed-up ex-superhero trying to get his life back on the rails. The film also stars Peta Wilson, Michael Dorn and Ed Asner. We’ll also be screening the first episode of WACKY WALLY’S VINTAGE TOYS!, featuring Wally Wingert, a voice actor and pal-of-mine from Hollywood. Wally was the announcer for the last four years of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The Top 10 selected films embrace a diversity of genres, including comedy, drama, action, and fantasy. We conclude with an open costume/cosplay contest.
MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?
MS: Strong writing is essential, along with acting, directing, editing and sound. Many of the selected films have outstanding special effects. For low-budget films, they really push the envelope. Then there is the obvious element of hero(es) with a problem or goal to give the story drive. Lastly, the audience must believe what each is fighting about.
MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
MS: I think a lot of great films are overlooked at festivals, due in part to the volume of submissions. But thankfully, with the advent of digital media and the democratization of filmmaking, there are new avenues for the filmmaker to explore, including speciality theaters, VOD, or simply via social media. A film may be may not get a fair shake on the festival route but become the next viral sensation!
MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
MS: We are excited to offer a de facto four-wall release for filmmakers through festival-run programs and partnerships above and beyond the event itself. We’re motivated by the terrific support of fans, sponsors and the community.
MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?
MS: The festival has obviously grown tremendously since its inception. There are currently more than 3000 active film festivals worldwide. …and there are many more categories, including experimental, independent and animation. I participated in my first film festival in 1978, in middle school, where I screened my Super-8 animated films. It’s great to see more diversity and support than ever for the independent filmmaker.
MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?
MS: I see more festivals on more screens, along with sponsors and community partners, and continued growth in overall attendance. Look for a record number of guests participating in all of the events the film festival has to offer.
In regards to our festival, we plan to include more activities, including signings and panel discussions. Recently, I was a panelist at Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles. We screened a segment of my motion comic book series, MARTIAN. I was truly impressed by the size and scope of the event.
MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?
MS: Actually, it is the 1966 feature, BATMAN, with Adam West and Burt Ward. As a child, I never missed an episode of the television series. I didn’t see the first run of the film in theaters, but was thrilled to see it for the first time as The ABC Sunday Night Movie. I remember scanning TV Guide back then to see when it would air again. So, as a child, I racked up a lot of viewings of BATMAN – maybe too many. I enjoy seeing the surviving cast members at autograph shows, and even wrote a biography on Johnny Green and the Greenmen, one of the BATMAN guest-stars.
My favorite Hollywood actor is Paul Ganus, a classmate from Midland. It’s a Michigan thing – like Kate Upton and the (Detroit) Tigers.
MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?
MS: A great story, with engaging characters that you can relate to and root for.
MT: How is the film scene in your city?
MS: Thriving! The MATRIX: MIDLAND Festival at Midland Center for the Arts (one of our sponsors) showcases films, and the Chippewa Nature Center is proud to host one of the stops on the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.
Mark Starks, Festival Director, is an award-winning writer, author and independent film producer. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University (BAA – Journalism/Broadcasting & Cinematic Arts).
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go tohttp://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Movie Review: MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (USA 2016) ***
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (USA 2016) ***
Directed by Kirk Jones
Review by Gilbert Seah
Cold on the heels of the big ethnic comedy $240 million hit MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, numero 2, the sequel arrives 14 years after audiences have forgotten everything about the first. The entire cast is supposedly all present though the director has changed hands.
Written and starring Nia Vardalos, the film is, as the title implies about her Greek family and another big wedding. In the first film and in this one, Toula (Vardalos) has to learn how to deal with her Greek parents and this time around her now grown up 17-year old teen daughter, Paris (Elena Kampouris) adds more problems. One wonders why Paris is not named Athens or Athena.
The film is basically sitcom material – funny and laugh-out loud in parts as most sitcoms are. There are several stories on display here, the main one of which is the wedding of Toula’s parents Gus (Michael Constantine) and Maria (Lainie Kazan). As the story goes, their original marriage was not signed by the priest during the War and so they are not legally wed. Maria wants to be proposed to properly and not be taken for granted while Gus is too proud to do so. The other story is that of Toula being the fixer of the family’s problems. She needs to ‘date’ her husband, Ian (John Corbett) again. Another is Paris going to college. They want her to stay in Chicago but she wants to flee the nest to a college in NYC. Other subplots (too many for ones comfort) involves a gay family member coming-out, Gus’ reunion with his misunderstood brother and Gus’ ancestry. Most of the film goes exactly as expected down predictability lane without much fanfare though garnishing a few laughs.
The first movie made a ton of money despite horrid critical reviews. This second has only obtained a mere 25% approval rating (at the writing of this review) but of course, this might mean nothing. Though 14 years may be a long time for a sequel to bang on the success of the first, there should be sufficient Greeks and other ethnic immigrants who would appreciate this well-intentioned comedy.
The actors do well playing the parts. Andrea Martin from SCTV steals every scene she is in, as the fast and smart-talking aunt who is never afraid to show it. Writer Varalos and director Kirk Jones keep their film tame as family fare. Jones is best known for his Irish comedy hit WAKING NED DEVINE.
The film contains a lot of Greek that is to like. There are lots of Greek food, music and dances on display as the word Opa! that also appears on the license plate of their cars.
It should be warned too that the film is overly well-intentioned. The feel good parts are overdone and it seems that the film has been written for the family who only watches the Disney Channel. GREEK WEDDING 2 is ok entrainment and perhaps once every 14 years or so is the perfect time interval for any new entry.
RIP Garry Shandling. Read his best quotes. #GarryShandling
The great Garry Shandling died today. In tribute to the great comedian, here are his best quotes:
Nice guys finish first. If you don’t know that, then you don’t know where the finish line is.
I practice safe sex – I use an airbag.
I don’t know why men are so fascinated with television and I think it has something to do with – if I may judge from my own father, who used to sit and stare at the TV while my mother was speaking to him – I think that’s a man’s way of tuning out.
Without comedy as a defense mechanism I wouldn’t be able to survive.
Women need to know that not all guys are going to hurt them the way that the guy did before they started dating me. I know guys I wouldn’t go out with.
They should put expiration dates on clothing so we men will know when they go out of style.
The best television series ever is probably The Twilight Zone.
Some people can fake it their whole lives.
I think it’s one of the main negative emotional ingredients that fuels show business, because there’s so much at stake and the fear of failure looms large.
But I really like hosting, I think it’s a strength of mine. It allows me to improvise, and I love the spontaneity of that, and I think I’m funny behind the desk when interviewing someone.
Everyone at a party is uncomfortable. Knowing that makes me more comfortable.
I feel that everything I do in my life I can do in a shorter time than most men can. It’s the quality, not the quantity.
I play basketball on Sundays and I’m a very spiritual guy; I read a lot of Eastern philosophy and I meditate.
I don’t like this reality television, I have to be honest, … I think real people should not be on television. It’s for special people like us, people who have trained and studied to appear to be real.
Read the “What I Learned” Garry Shandling interview from Esquiire:
http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/a1949/esq0103-jan-shandling/
Interview with Executive Director Joseph Shahadi (The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival)
The Art of Brooklyn is a nonprofit, founded in 2011 that celebrates, nurtures and supports Brooklyn’s independent film scene– a local scene with global influence. We produce an annual film festival, curate our own VOD streaming channel and create original, branded media about Brooklyn art and culture.
The 6th Annual AoBFF runs June 8-12, 2016 at multiple venues across the Borough.
www.aobff.org
www.brooklynondemand.com
Interview with Joseph Shahadi:Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Joseph Shahadi: The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival (http://www.theartofbrooklyn.org/art-of-brooklyn-film-festival.html) is the only international independent film festival in the world dedicated to the vibrant Brooklyn indie film scene. We screen films and entertain audiences across the entire borough, including neighborhoods traditionally underserved by cultural events. And we are committed to inclusion among filmmakers, film genres, and audiences. The Brooklyn scene is overflowing with talent, in every neighborhood and community. But since Manhattan-adjacent north Brooklyn neighborhoods are often seen as the focus for art and culture, the bulk of Kings County is excluded. AoBFF has successfully expanded the notion of “Brooklyn” to include the entire borough again.
We’ve also developed our own streaming channel, called Brooklyn On Demand (http://www.brooklynondemand.com/) — the only video-on-demand platform for Brooklyn-centric titles. By creating our own channel we’re making Brooklyn’s indie film scene accessible to audiences internationally, and affirming the borough’s importance as a center for independent film and media. Technical.ly recognized us with a 2016 Brooklyn Innovation Award for Brooklyn On Demand.
We are a 21st century film festival; we’ve maximized our value to filmmakers and audiences by expanding the idea of what a film festival can — and should— do.
MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?
JS: Well I can’t tell you about the films yet because our submissions are still open and we watch everything that comes in until midnight of the last day, which is April 22nd this year. (Yes, we’ve programmed films that were submitted to us at the last minute. More than once.) But one thing we do know is that the films will reflect the diversity of Brooklyn’s independent film scene, both in the borough and around the world. In addition to our “main campus” in Downtown Brooklyn, which is easily accessible from all over the borough and Manhattan, we have screenings set for neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn— Sunset Park, Fort Greene, and Bay Ridge.
This year we’ll have more panel discussions than ever, drawn from current events. One of these is about women in film in front of and behind the camera, co-produced with New York Women in Film and Television. And our Guest Festival Director for 2016, award-winning film maker Eric Trenkamp will host an intensive mini-seminar on micro-budget filmmaking alongside representatives of the city and state film offices.
We also throw a pretty great party to kick off the festival every year with amazing food and an open bar.
MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?
JS: We are the only festival in the world that exclusively features films created and catalyzed within Brooklyn’s independent film scene, which has members living and working independently in multiple countries. So in order to qualify for the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival filmmakers have to make a case for how they participate in Brooklyn’s indie film scene either in the borough itself or around the world.
MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
JS: Festivals often overlook films that don’t fit neatly into genre categories because they aren’t sure how to program them. That can have a chilling effect on experimentation in independent filmmaking as that kind of limitation is internalized. We want to support the next generation of filmmakers in pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling so we introduced a category for experimental films called Film As Art, and we give our Vanguard Award for excellence in this category. Frankly, we’ve been surprised at how popular those screenings are. I once sat next to a pair of very old ladies and I gently inquired if they were at the right screening. They informed me that they’d made certain to attend Film As Art, then they watched intently, asked great questions at the talk back and gave me a piece of hard candy on their way out, like a boss. It goes to show that you can’t make assumptions based on an idea of the popular taste: audiences are smarter and cooler than that. At least in Brooklyn.
MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
JS: We were inspired to found the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival in 2011 when we realized that— even though Brooklyn is the site of the first great cultural renaissance of the 21st century— the borough didn’t have a large scale, international, film festival devoted to it’s own scene. We have worked to establish ourselves as a real resource for filmmakers and audiences throughout the borough. We were (and are) motivated to produce an inclusive, international independent film event where everyone feels welcome. As far as we’re concerned there are no “wrong” neighborhoods. In 2012 (the last year see were able to keep careful track) we had guests from every single zip code in Brooklyn.
MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?
JS: We are bigger. Since our start in 2011 we’ve grown every year— with new screening locations, more entries, and a growing network of filmmakers and audience who follow us on social media and look forward to our next festival. We’re now a part of Brooklyn’s cultural landscape.
And of course creating and launching Brooklyn On Demand has been a huge part of our growth as we head into our sixth year. Now we are able to participate in the evolving distribution model that streaming media provides. In October 2015 we launched BKOD as a Roku channel alongside Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime and it has over 100K views and 7000+ subscribers to date. We recently expanded our slate of offerings to include original series as well as films. Soon we’ll start producing our own original content.
MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?
JS: The director Eliot Lester (Nightingale, Blitz), who has been a judge with us for years, called us “Brooklyn’s Tribeca.” That’s as good a description of our goals as any: We want to be Brooklyn’s flagship indie film event and continue to create platforms for the best of the borough’s independent media makers.
MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?
JS: I watch a lot of films for work and pleasure but I always return to movies I loved as a kid. I’ve probably seen David Lynch’s Dune (1984) 75 times. The sleeper must awaken.
MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?
JS: I think what writer Terence Des Pres says about fiction works for all kinds of films too: 1) Vigorous engagement with life, 2) imaginative force to subvert and remake the world, and 3) the sense to keep them “locked in stubborn love with each other.”
MT: How is the film scene in your city?
JS: It’s amazing. Brooklyn has become an international center for independent film and media makers. We are proud to be their film festival.
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go tohttp://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Interview with Festival Director Allen Myers (The Earth Day Film Festival)
The Earth Day Film Festival is a platform to showcase art and film projects of an Earth sensitive population. Our film festival runs entirely on Clean Energy with Zero Waste goals, holding film screenings around the world on Earth Day and throwing fat festival full good earth love and mind expansion in San Francisco. We match the action to the message.
http://www.earthdayfilmfest.org/
Interview with Allen Myers:
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Allen Myers: As a filmmaker myself, I understand the work it takes and the value of the films for the creators. It’s important that we honor those who are the backbone of the festival: the films and their creators. We have partnered with Ro*co Films, an international film distributor who will be present at the festival to watch the official selections. Ro*co Films will also hold a panel discussion for filmmakers, describing the current climate of film distribution and steps to bring their films to the market. We have an industry mixer where storytellers- our filmmakers- can partner with environmental organizations. We have also spent a lot of time ensuring that our gift bags for film makers are loaded with great gifts expressing our appreciation. This is a holistic and growth oriented approach that I think any film maker would appreciate.
MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?
AM: One of our tag lines is, “Changing the content we celebrate and how we celebrate it.” We are not interested in the traditional regurgitated story lines that are being pumped out by hollywood and other avenues looking for a safe, money making approach. We are looking to be as cohesive as possible in a holistic approach to how an “Earth Day Film Festival” should look. We work to ensure our practices match the messages we share by using clean energy to power all of our screenings and maintaining zero-waste goals. We are also stepping away from traditional black box theater experiences and moving into environments that align with the stories we share. For example, we will screen a block of films around this years theme-Water- onto the sails of a sail boat in the San Francisco Bay. We will have a nature walk with a native plant specialist with filmmakers who will sharing their films in the forest. What you are going to experience is the future of how festivals will operate and the stories that will be shared. Its all incredibly exciting.
MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?
AM: The main requirement we have established is honesty. Is this an honest film? This criteria extends to fiction films too. We select sincere creations, not something that is seeking fame or glory through the traditional channels. We are looking to share stories that inspire us to create a better world. We understand that an earthly experience is a broad experience and we welcome diverse interpretations. We are not set on “nature porn” as some might assume. Some of my favorite films are on the experimental side. There are several stages in this consciousness movement. First is awareness to the veil that has been pulled over us. For most, the initial reaction to this deceit is, understandably, anger. We get a lot of documentaries and films that present that voice. To appreciate films that call others forward into the journey, we present the “Activist Award”. The next phase is application, “what are we doing in our lives to create a better world?” We award this film with “The New Paradigm Award”.
The “Earths Choice Award” goes to the film that has aligned message with produced methods, meaning a environmentally low-impact film about the environment. As you can see we are not a traditional film festival and we are proud of that.
MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
AM: Absolutely, a large part of that has to do with safety. If we continue on the paths that other film festivals have traveled for so long, we will just keep getting more of the same stories and same results.
MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
AM: We are motivated by the shared vision we hold to reconnect humanity to a planet that many of us might feel separated from. That it is somehow just a resource to use, where we believe we are the world and it is through holistic and intentional systems that we will be the healthiest and happiest we can be.
MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?
AM: Growing rapidly!
MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?
AM: I see this festival continuing on the path that it is on and expanding all over the world. Part of our festival is understanding that a film festival celebrating the Earth should not be location specific; it is for the Earth as a whole! For that reason our selected themed films are open to people around the world who wish to screen them in their communities. All we request is that the films be screened with clean energy and that zero waste goals are upheld (meaning no one time use items such as straws, disposable bags etc). The main idea behind this event is to create a global collective consciousness movement, one that is positively directed and focused around themes of environmental remediation, global community and peace. We are excited about current technological developments around the internet and mass communication and would like to utilize that to affect positive action. This year, selected films around the theme of water will be screened in Los Angles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Mexico City, Madrid and New York. I see our awards like the “New Paradigm Award”, “Activist Award” and “Earths Choice” being as coveted as an Academy Award.
MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?
AM: Probably “Baraka”
MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?
AM: Honesty, a true unique voice.
MT: How is the film scene in your city?
AM: San Francisco is rough right now, it’s in a state of ‘pay to play’ and a lot of the artists have up and left for more supportive communities. This does make for great story telling and any artist will tell you that through trial and tribulations some of the best art is brought forward. There are several filmmaker groups and art collectives that continue to share the indy filmmaker voice. Merchants of Reality and the ATA are good examples of that.
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go tohttp://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Festival Reviews 