Co-written by Cathryn Michon, Audrey Wells, Maya Forbes, W. Bruce Cameron and Wally Wolodarsky and directed by Lasse Hallström, A Dog’s Purpose, based on the novel by W. Bruce Cameron, is the touching tale of one dog’s search for his place and the meaning of life. As his soul travels far and wide in search… Continue reading A DOG’S PURPOSE
Tag: Lindsy M. Bissonnette
DR. FEELGOOD
Dr. Feelgood: Dealer or Healer? written by Eve Marson in partnership with writers Sarah Goldblatt, David Boodell and Mark Monroe, is the story of William Hurwitz, a doctor sentenced to 25 years in prison for his liberal distribution of pain medication. Marson interviews past patients and Hurwitz himself to learn more about the human body… Continue reading DR. FEELGOOD
TONI ERDMANN
As the glass ceiling remains stubbornly intact, personal boundaries shatter in this beautifully witty and deeply thoughtful film. Written and directed by Maren Ade, Toni Erdmann is a delightfully uncomfortable interpretation of the complications of an atypical father-daughter relationship. As one gag-comedy-loving father tries to connect with his corporate business-only daughter, pandemonium ensues as their… Continue reading TONI ERDMANN
QUARRIES
In hopes of beginning her own journey to recovery and self-worth, “Kat” (Nicole Marie Johnson) leaves her abusive boyfriend and joins a hiking expedition, made up of other disparaged women, for a several-day long hike. Unfortunately, Kat gets much more than she bargained for, and so does the rest of the group when they realize… Continue reading QUARRIES
Behind “The Cove”-The Quiet Japanese Speak Out
Behind “The Cove”-The Quiet Japanese Speak Out is filmmaker Keiko Yagi’s response to The Cove, which won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature in 2010. In her bold pursuit of the truth, Yagi produces a film that breaks down the whaling industry, explains the historical significance of whaling, and bravely highlights the one-sidedness of… Continue reading Behind “The Cove”-The Quiet Japanese Speak Out
3000 NIGHTS
When an innocent Palestinian woman is thrown into a jail cell with Israeli women, her life becomes a living hell as she struggles to survive. Unfortunately, it is only the beginning for this young schoolteacher, she faces almost a decade of long nights, hard days, and endless fighting. 3000 Layla, also known as 3000 Nights,… Continue reading 3000 NIGHTS
NATIONAL BIRD
This documentary follows the stories of three whistleblowers who were a part of the U.S. drone program. The film follows these veterans closely through the aftermath of their actions, and provides an inside look on the effects of the drone war, which has been kept hidden from the public eye. Daring, fearless, and chilling, Director Sonia… Continue reading NATIONAL BIRD
DON’T CALL ME SON
Writer/Director Anna Muylaert brings to life the absolute and utter chaos that one family endures in her film Mãe Só Há Uma also known as Don’t Call Me Son. The film is about what happens when two kids suddenly discover they are not their mother’s children. It deals with the struggle to accept ones new… Continue reading DON’T CALL ME SON
NEW LIFE
New Life, co-written by Erin Bethea and Candice Irion, attempts to capture the complicated relationship of two childhood sweethearts as they learn to deal with long distance, and the pay-off of sticking together through thick and thin. Unfortunately, with overly dramatic writing and unsupported melodramatic performances, the film has trouble relaying the beautiful nature of… Continue reading NEW LIFE
THE UNCONDEMNED
The Uncondemned, written and directed by Michele Mitchell, takes an inside look at the first trial of rape as a war crime in history. The documentary follows the lives of lawyers and activists that charged Mayor Akeyesu with crimes against humanity, and shows interviews with the women who were brave enough to speak out against… Continue reading THE UNCONDEMNED
100 YEARS: OWFFJ
Full Title = 100 Years: One Woman’s Fight for Justice 100 Years, One Woman’s Fight for Justice is an absolute must see. Writer/director Melinda Janko follows Elouise Cobell, a Native American and banker, who fights for her people when the U.S. government refuses to give 300,000 Native Americans fair pay and compensation for using and… Continue reading 100 YEARS: OWFFJ
ALL IN TIME
Co-written and directed by Marina Donahue, All in Time is the story of a banker named “Charlie” (Sean Modica) who quits his well-paying New York City job, moves back home, and follows his dream of managing a rock band. But when things begin to fall apart, he is forced to make the difficult decision of… Continue reading ALL IN TIME
GIRL ASLEEP
Girl Asleep, directed by Rosemary Myers, combines fantasy and reality into a quirky and whimsical coming-of-age story. This Australian film views the world through the eyes of an anxiety-riddled almost-15-year-old girl. While eccentric and interesting in concept, the film does not meet expectations. From low budget action scenes, to poor character development, and over stylized… Continue reading GIRL ASLEEP
GENERATION STARTUP
Generation Startup, directed by Cheryl Miller Houser and Cynthia Wade, shows the struggle of creating and maintaining a new business. And all of the hard work, dedication and perseverance it takes to see concepts through to execution. The documentary follows six recent graduates through their success, and failure, while following their dreams. If you are… Continue reading GENERATION STARTUP
BRIDGET JONES’S BABY
Bridget Jones’s Baby is pretty much everything you could ever want it to be, and a little bit more. From the fantastic cast and their wonderful performances, to the soundtrack that will bring you back, this film is a must see. It is the perfect film to wrap up the Bridget Jones franchise, with every… Continue reading BRIDGET JONES’S BABY
AS I OPEN MY EYES (2015)
As tensions between government officials and civilians rise, one teen and her political rock band have a plan to inform the people of Tunisia, much to the chagrin of her anxious mother. Directed by Leyla Bouzid and co-written by Bouzid and Marie-Sophie Chambon, As I Open My Eyes is a contemporary coming of age story… Continue reading AS I OPEN MY EYES (2015)
COME WHAT MAY
Co-written by Laure Irrmann, Come What May is the heartfelt tale of a father’s determination to be reunited with his son. As he treks through sorrow, destruction, and devastation as World War II sweeps through Europe, this father’s love knows no bounds. This affectionate film highlights the importance of a father’s love and fortitude, and… Continue reading COME WHAT MAY
EQUAL MEANS EQUAL
From the brilliant minds of writer/director Kamala Lopez and co-screenwriter Gini Sikes, Equal Means Equal exposes the American government for the not-so-subtle misogyny that hides within its legislation. Policy jargon is broken down into simple facts as Lopez navigates and exposes the very laws that are designed to discretely discriminate against women. Despite women making… Continue reading EQUAL MEANS EQUAL
MIA MADRE
Mia Madre, co-written by Nanni Moretti,Valia Santella, Gaia Manzini, and Chiara Valerio, follows famous film director “Margherita” (Margherita Buy) as she struggles to come to terms with her mother’s hospitalization and dwindling health. While attempting to devote equal time to both her film and her dying mother she begins to tear at the seams. This… Continue reading MIA MADRE
WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
When Two Worlds Collide is a chilling documentary about the Amazonian indigenous tribes in Peru, and how their lives are drastically affected by encroaching corporate companies. Co-directed by Heidi Brandenburg, this documentary exposes the Peruvian government by depicting the pain and suffering of the indigenous people caused by underhanded deals with big companies. These companies… Continue reading WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
DISORDER
Written and directed by Alice Winocour, Disorder follows a soldier back from Afghanistan as he struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and coping with hallucinations and hearing loss. Through the help of some friends, “Vincent” (Matthais Schoenaerts) secures a job as a member of a security team to earn some extra cash. The job seems simple:… Continue reading DISORDER
MY KING
Directed and co-written by Maïwenn, My King (Mon Roi) depicts the turbulent story of a woman, who has just begun rehabilitation after a terrible skiing accident, and is now completely dependent on the doctors, nurses, and staff at the center while she heals. With nothing but time on her hands, and excruciating work ahead of her,… Continue reading MY KING
OLYMPIC PRIDE, AMERICAN PREJUDICE
Filled with spine-chilling and horrifying footage of events leading up to and during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice follows the 18 African-American athletes who competed in one of the most controversial Olympic Games in history. This documentary goes so far as to courageously confront the Jesse Owens bias in American media while shining light… Continue reading OLYMPIC PRIDE, AMERICAN PREJUDICE
TALLULAH
Lu and her boyfriend Nico are living out of their van enjoying the thrills of life without attachments. But Lu’s life takes a drastic turn when Nico disappears, and she kidnaps a wealthy housewife’s toddler. Loosely based on writer/director Sîan Heder’s own experiences, Tallulah is the quirky tale of an independent vagabond who learns the… Continue reading TALLULAH
THE CHILDHOOD OF A LEADER (2015)
Loosely based on Jean-Paul Sartre’s short story by the same name, The Childhood of a Leader, adapted by director Brady Corbet and his co-writer Mona Fastvold, tells the chilling tale of a young boy’s unnerving childhood, which includes a distant mother, and an absent, brutish father. But instead of Sartre’s story, which follows Lucien in… Continue reading THE CHILDHOOD OF A LEADER (2015)