California Dreams at the Sarasota Film Fest

Thanks to my sweet and generous co-worker Carrie, I was able to attend one of the independent films at the Sarasota Film Fest. First kudos to the SFF which struck me as very well organized. The Rochester Film Fest in comparison seemed haphazard and confused in comparison. But then again, I felt haphazard and confused… Continue reading California Dreams at the Sarasota Film Fest

Non-Fiction Book Review: Radical Candor

Since we’re in the drought of movie season, here’s another book review: Staff Member Book Review: Radical Candor by Kim Scott Being a retired school teacher, I’ve been to plenty of workshops where the presenter spends the first hour telling you what they’re going to tell you. Annoying, right? Well, the good news is, reading… Continue reading Non-Fiction Book Review: Radical Candor

New and Improved: Thank Goodness For Chuck Klosterman

New Non-Fiction Book Review by Roxanne Baker: Hey, it’s a cinematic desert out there, so here’s a book review. X: A Highly Specific, Defiantly Incomplete History of the 21st Century by Chuck Klosterman I’ve never liked buffets; mass produced food in vats, yuck. However, what if all my favorite foods from Sarasota’s best restaurants were… Continue reading New and Improved: Thank Goodness For Chuck Klosterman

Good Fences Make Good Actors: August Wilson’s Fences

I read the criticisms of the movie version of Fences (‘too confined and stagey”) and as a result, didn’t go for a time. I’ve taught the play and was obviously moved by the story, with an added sentimental attachment to the physical book (which is now on the shelf at Bloomfield Central School) after seeing… Continue reading Good Fences Make Good Actors: August Wilson’s Fences

Neruda, Who Knew Ya?

So I go to Neruda after work, thinking my cursory review of Rotten Tomatoes said it had a comedic air. Little did I know, I was in for lightening quick subtitles. Holy Chilean speed read! Well worth it though and while I did not see “No”, Pablo Larrain’s other famous movie also starring Gael Gracia… Continue reading Neruda, Who Knew Ya?

You’ve earned the right…Moscow, Belgium

In an attempt to preserve my budget, I talked myself out of seeing Toni Erdmann a second time and instead did a library borrow of a foreign film called Moscow, Belgium. I know, I know, it’s old, from 2008, but the familial conflicts so timeless and universal, that it could have been made yesterday. I… Continue reading You’ve earned the right…Moscow, Belgium

O’ Captain, Middling Captain: Captain Fantastic

Red Box Rental: While my best buddy was here in Ft. Meyers for the last time until the next yule tide, we rented Captain Fantastic (Oscar nominated Viggo Mortensen), after I pulled my movie snob card and outvoted his Melissa McCarthy as girl scout master coach pick. But before you place the Oscar medallion around… Continue reading O’ Captain, Middling Captain: Captain Fantastic

French Movie: misogyne….for shame “Elle”

If my blog could be a live feed, which I’m sure might be possible on Facebook (which I loathe, which I consult begrudgingly once a week), we would learn together the name and sex of the writer and director of “Elle”, possibly the worst movie I’ve seen in years. So here we go. I did… Continue reading French Movie: misogyne….for shame “Elle”

20th Century Women: At least one Goddess

Please listen to one of my favorite Jazz singer’s Gregory Porter as you read this blog: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=gregroy+porter+time+is+ticking&view=detail&mid=C79BF22AB3363629ABC9C79BF22AB3363629ABC9&FORM=VIRE The best thing a movie can do to you is make you realize, as Gregory Porter sings, that time is ticking. And 20th Century Women does just that, quietly sneaking up on you to say, “Pssst, what are… Continue reading 20th Century Women: At least one Goddess