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1970’s Charitable Frenzy Explained in ‘Dear Mr. Brody’ (Review)

4Mar

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

1970’s Charitable Frenzy Explained in ‘Dear Mr. Brody’ (Review)

In 'Dear Mr. Brody,' the latest documentary from director Keith Maitland ('Tower'), we're introduced to a seemingly well-intentioned 21-year-old named Michael James Brody Jr. Brody caused a genuine national frenzy in 1970 when he announced he would be giving away his entire inheritance, allegedly worth $25 million or more, to people in need. He encouraged people to write him letters to let him know why they needed money. The plan was to distribute as much of it as he could for the betterment of society. Or so the story goes. Maitland attempts to uncover the bizarre backstory behind Brody's giveaway by speaking to his widow, several friends, and multiple letter writers from the original campaign. You see, Brody was quickly overwhelmed by the response to his quest to give awa...

LISTEN: SHAED Covers Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”

2Mar

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Music

LISTEN: SHAED Covers Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”

In honor of the 30th anniversary of its original release, SHAED has released a cover of Nirvana's "Come As You Are". Originally released on March 2nd, 1992, the Washington D.C.-based group put their own spin on the track. "Come As You Are" was the second single to be released off of the landmark Nevermind album from Nirvana. It followed the release of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and marked the last time the band had a Top 40 hit on their hands. Recorded in 1991 and produced by Butch Vig, there was some reluctance on even releasing the song as a single due to similarities to Killing Joke's "Eighties". Ultimately it was released and the rest, as they say, is history. SHAED made a name for themselves with the breakout hit "Trampoline" in the summer of 2018. Their album High Dive followe...

2Mar

By Ambur MasenNo Comments

Features, Interviews, Music

A Chat With The Young Legend, MAYKO.

"...the whole purpose of music, in my opinion, is to transport people into a place, into a feeling..." If there is any name you need to remember in 2022, it's Mayko's. You're certainly going to be seeing it everywhere soon. You may already be familiar with Mayko through his release with Sable Valley, or perhaps you remember him from a vibe.digital podcast, or stumbled upon him another way. (If not, you can get introduced to Mayko in our “Release Radar’s Greatest Hits, Volume 3”). Perhaps the best way to get to know him is through his own words, though, right? Well, we were lucky enough to be able to interview Mayko about his art and artistry, what he’s learned on his journey so far–as well as what’s coming next for ‘The Young Legend’. For y...

‘Cyrano’ Charms With Musical Remake (Review)

25Feb

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Cyrano’ Charms With Musical Remake (Review)

Wikipedia lists at least 24 film adaptations of 'Cyrano de Bergerac,' either in direct or derivative versions. Based on a play from 1897, most versions find our lead character pining for a beautiful woman and afraid to put himself out there on account of his large nose. Joe Wright's charming new adaptation is based on an Off Broadway musical reimagining of the story that was done for the stage by Erica Schmidt and starring her husband, Peter Dinklage, in the titular role. Haley Bennett also reprises her role as Roxanne from this stage version, which includes a beautiful score and delightful original songs from Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, and Matt Berninger of The National. https://youtu.be/EpuImNBJXTE Edmond Rostand's original play was loosely based on the true st...

Catch Up With ‘Flee’ Before the Academy Awards (Review)

22Feb

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Catch Up With ‘Flee’ Before the Academy Awards (Review)

Danish drama 'Flee' is one of the most unique nominees at this year's Academy Awards. It earned a nomination for Best International Feature Film, but also made history for its inclusion in the categories for Best Animated Feature and Best Documentary Feature. The film, which world premiered at Sundance last year, introduces us to a man in Denmark who finally breaks his silence on being a child refugee. Director Jonas Poher Rasmussen tells the intensely personal story of one his best friends from high school. We're introduced to him as Amin Nawabi, but that's a pseudonym. Combined with the animation, it allows Amin to tell his story, but remain protected. Born in Kabul, Amin's family was torn apart after their father was arrested and the country was torn apart by war. In...

Adams Traktor Drops Optimistic New Single “You Found A Way”

22Feb

By mendowerksNo Comments

Features, Music

Adams Traktor Drops Optimistic New Single “You Found A Way”

The new single from Adams Traktor is a bit of a departure from their previous work. "You Found A Way" finds songwriter JR Smith switching it up from the darker lyrics present on previous songs. Instead, the track is more of an upbeat love song. It combines elements of rock, pop, and even a hint of some 80s era synth. Adams Traktor is a project formed by JR Smith who is originally from Seattle. While from the west coast, he has called Europe home for more than two decades. Having worked in the technology field, music has always been a major part of his existence. According to an article in Vogue, he went for a five-month job and up staying. Smith's goal with Adam's Traktor is to explore and take alternative rock music to another level. On "You Found A Way" he taps into his own life e...

Interview: Actor/Writer Jessica Pinfield Discusses Award-Winning Short Film ‘Red Giant’

15Feb

By Matt Shiverdecker1 Comment

Features, Film, Interviews

Interview: Actor/Writer Jessica Pinfield Discusses Award-Winning Short Film ‘Red Giant’

In early 2020, actor and writer Jessica Pinfield was able to bring her first screenplay to life when cameras rolled on a short film called 'Red Giant.' Her co-star in the film, Leven Rambin, was also the director and the two women had a very successful run on the festival circuit last year picking up accolades at the Indie Short Fest, IndieXFest, and the Phoenix Film Festival among many others. The apocalyptic drama was recently posted online (watch 'Red Giant' on Vimeo) and I had a chance to catch up with Jessica to talk about the film and find out what she's working on next. Jessica Pinfield winning Best LGBTQ Film of 2021 at the Independent Short Awards Can you tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind 'Red Giant' and what the process was like going from an idea ...

YA Novel Adaptation ‘The Sky is Everywhere’ Premieres Today on Apple TV+ (Review)

11Feb

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

YA Novel Adaptation ‘The Sky is Everywhere’ Premieres Today on Apple TV+ (Review)

It's been a long road to release for 'The Sky is Everywhere,' a charming and occasionally heartbreaking adaptation of Jandy Nelson's 2010 debut young adult novel. Warner Bros. first optioned the book back in 2015. By 2019, the project ended up at Apple, where they used their partnership with indie studio A24 to hand it over to critically acclaimed director Josephine Decker ('Madeline's Madeline,' 'Shirley'). Grace Kaufman in “The Sky Is Everywhere,” premiering February 11, 2022 in select theaters and globally on Apple TV+. In this teenage melodrama, Lennie (Grace Kaufman) and her older sister Bailey (Havana Rose Liu) have grown up in the pacific northwest, raised by their grandmother (Cherry Jones) and uncle (Jason Segel). When Bailey tragically and unexpectedly dies, it sends Le...

What’s Past is Prologue With Kanye West in ‘jeen-yuhs’ (Review)

10Feb

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

What’s Past is Prologue With Kanye West in ‘jeen-yuhs’ (Review)

In recent years, the mention of Kanye West's name has become an automatic tune out for me. His ridiculous antics, including launching a failed Presidential campaign, might be comical if they weren't indicative of a man struggling with mental illness surrounded by people who enable his worst impulses. A new documentary film series from Netflix takes us back to the start. Filmmakers Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah have taken 21 years worth of intimate footage and given us the good, the bad, and the ugly. It's all here, perhaps much to Kanye's chagrin. Right before Act 1 premiered at Sundance last month, he declared that he must have final cut. As recently as this Monday, Kanye posted online that he thought all the narration should be redone by Drake (in the film, it's us...

Interview: Jackie Bristow Releases Vibrant New Single “Livin’ For Love”

4Feb

By SimonNo Comments

Features, Interviews

Interview: Jackie Bristow Releases Vibrant New Single “Livin’ For Love”

Nashville-based, New Zealand-born, Jackie Bristow is set to take the country music world by storm. Her new single "Livin' For Love" is out now and sets the table nicely for the release of her new album. Outsider is Bristow's fifth studio album and is due out in March. We recently had a chance to catch up with the talented singer/songwriter. Be sure to check out the interview (and music video) below. We'll get into some of the challenges of filming a music video while on lockdown. Plus we have more info on which popular HBO show you may have recently heard one of her older songs. When COVID arrived in March of 2020, while visiting family in New Zealand, Bristow was unable to return to the United States. Thankfully due to advances in technology, she was able to collaborate with produ...