Through Frances McDormand’s Commanding Performance, The Award-Winning “Nomadland” Explores A Hidden Traveler Community Right In Front of Us

Through Frances McDormand’s Commanding Performance, The Award-Winning “Nomadland” Explores A Hidden Traveler Community Right In Front of Us

Review by Brad Balfour Nomadland Director: Chloe Zhao Cast: Frances McDormand, David Straithairn, Linda May, Swankie, Bob Wells When I  hit college, lo those many years ago, I met a young Irish Catholic woman— named Eileen, of course — fell...
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Sad Story of a Jazz Great Recalled in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”

Sad Story of a Jazz Great Recalled in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”

Review by Brad Balfour The United States vs. Billie Holiday Director: Lee Daniels Writers: Suzan-Lori Parks (screenplay), Johann Hari (book, Chasing the Scream) Cast: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund When I decided to view The United States vs. Bill...
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Two Powerful Women Helm Two Very Different Action Thrillers — “Wonder Woman 1984” And “Monster Hunter”

Two Powerful Women Helm Two Very Different Action Thrillers — “Wonder Woman 1984” And “Monster Hunter”

Review by Brad Balfour Wonder Woman 1984 director: Patty Jenkins cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen Monster Hunter director: Paul W. S. Anderson cast: Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, Tip “T. I.” Harris, ...
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Thinking About The Forefront of Controversy and Crime In A Netflix Doc Series

Thinking About The Forefront of Controversy and Crime In A Netflix Doc Series

Opinion by Brad Balfour Once again child abuse is in the news, although this time coming out of the fulsome mouths of such Republican nut cases as newly elected Georgia Congressional representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. The right-wing Q-Anon conspiracy belie...
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Director Rory Duffy Explores The Intersection of Brexit and Belfast And Beyond in Making The Doc A Fragile Peace

Director Rory Duffy Explores The Intersection of Brexit and Belfast And Beyond in Making The Doc A Fragile Peace

Interview by Brad Balfour In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed, putting an end to the 30-year conflict known as The Troubles, ushering in a springtime of peace. This peace is now threatened by the specter of Brexit. Brexit...
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Director Charlotte Moore Invites Us to Virtually See “Meet Me in St. Louis” at Irish Repertory Theatre

Director Charlotte Moore Invites Us to Virtually See “Meet Me in St. Louis” at Irish Repertory Theatre

Interview by Brad Balfour Meet Me in St. Louis: A Holiday Special in Song and on Screen Runs December 11, 2020 – January 2, 2021 Book by Hugh Wheeler Songs by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane Based on The Kensington...
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Late “White Christmas” Star Rosemary Clooney’s Seasonal Revival

Late “White Christmas” Star Rosemary Clooney’s Seasonal Revival

With the holiday season in mind, the song and film White Christmas is also ever-present. That and the fact that her nephew George is starring in a new film, the late Rosemary Clooney makes her presence know once again. In...
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Celebrate Halloween With A Night For Horror Masked By Cinema

Celebrate Halloween With A Night For Horror Masked By Cinema

Overview by Brad Balfour [photo: Glenn Hughes] When I recently found a new edition of Irish author Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” it led me back into one of the greatest stories ever told. It’s a classic tome about a legendary character...
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“Tenet” Is The Timeless Word That Propels Christopher Nolan’s Latest Film

“Tenet” Is The Timeless Word That Propels Christopher Nolan’s Latest Film

Review by Brad Balfour Director: Christopher Nolan Cast: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh As cited by Wikipedia, a tenet is one of the principles on which a belief or theory is...
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Drive-In Theaters Return To New York and Beyond – Thanks to The Corona-verse

Drive-In Theaters Return To New York and Beyond – Thanks to The Corona-verse

Story by Brad Balfour It’s an understatement to say that 2020 has brought on some unexpected twists — like a global pandemic, lockdowns and social distancing — and the resurgence of drive-in theaters is also one result. Tribeca Films is...
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