CHICKEN WITH PLUMS
Set in Tehran in 1958 (when the Shah was on the throne of what was still known as Persia) Nasser Ali Khan an obsessive and brilliant musician is driven to suicidal despair when his wife smashes up his irreplaceable violin in a fit of (justified) pique. He very melodramatically takes to his bed for 8 … Continue reading
CHICO AND RITA
To select a Animated Movie for the Opening Night Gala of an International Film Festival is a brave decision, and in Miami it almost worked. The movie was Chico & Rita, a delightful narrative that traced the whole incredible culture of Cuban music over the past 60 years and the major influences it had on … Continue reading
CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT
What better way to celebrate Chinese New Year at Sundance than selecting ‘CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT’ as my first movie of the day. Evidently that old curmudgeon Chairman Mao banned boxing in China as he said it was the sport of capitalism and thus very bad. It wasn’t until after Mohammed Ali visited China in 1979 as a goodwill ambassador that … Continue reading
Chocolate City
‘Y’all seen Magic Mike right? Now we gonna add a little chocolate’ intones Michael Jai White before the opening credits of the movie. What he fails to mention is that they have also added a lot more cheese and a great deal of soap too in this all-black take off of the 2012 smash hit … Continue reading
Christine
The tragic event of 29 years old news reporter Christine Chubbock who very dramatically blew her brains out live on local TV in Sarasota back in 1974 is a well-recorded incident that is hard to forget. However, what is not known at all is what could have possibly happened in Christine’s life that was so very dire … Continue reading