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“The Home,” Swedish Horror Film, Premieres at SXSW on March 10, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“The Home,” a Swedish horror movie, based on the novel by Mat’s Strandberg, premiered at SXSW on March 10, 2025, with its Director Matthias Skoglund and stars Gizem Erdogan and Philip Oros present. The movie focuses on a son (Joel, played by Philip Oros) putting his ailing mother, Monika (Anki Liden) in a nursing home
“The Tallest Dwarf” Screens at SXSW 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“The Tallest Dwarf” was a 92 minute documentary that screened at SXSW 2025 on March 10th helmed by Julie Forrest Wyman, who directed and produced. Debra Schaffner wrote and edited the film, and many Little People appear as Julie and other members of the group bond and talk about their feelings towards being far
“The Age of Disclosure”—Or Is It? - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Director Dan Farah worked 2 and ½ years on his documentary “The Age of Disclosure.” Previously Farah had produced Steven Spielberg’s “Ready Player One” and has numerous other credits on IMDB.com. In "The Age of Disclosure," which premiered at SXSW on Sunday, March 9th, 2025 at the Paramount Theater in downtown Austin, 34 government, military
“My Uncle Jens” @SXSW Paints A Portrait of Immigrant Woes - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“My Uncle Jens” is a joint Norwegian/Romanian production which marks the feature film debut at SXSW 2025 of Screenwriter/Director Brwa Vahabpour. Uncle Jens might more accurately be dubbed Uncle Khdr, as the main character has come to Oslo from the Iranian part of Kurdistan. He adopts the alias Jens. Brwa Vahabpour is writing about a
“The Beguiling” Screens at SXSW on March 9, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
A United States Premiere of “The Beguiling,” a 15 and ½ minute short about native American Indians, premieres at SXSW Film and TV Festival Sunday, March 9, at the Rollins Theater at the Long Center. The shorts start at 9:45 and run until 11:30 p.m. A second showing will be held at the Alamo on
“Another Simple Favor” Opens SXSW on March 7, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Opening night of SXSW 2025 was a star-studded affair. Paul Feig, Director of "Another Simple Favor" was present with Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick and numerous co-stars in attendance. He was fashionably attired in a very western fringed soft leather look. Suffice it to say that the true fans in the audience seemed happy. Among the
“The Studio” Screens at SXSW 2025 on Opening Night - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Seth Rogen and friends came to downtown Austin in golf carts for the Premiere of their new television series “The Studio.” Accompanied by Evan Goldberg, Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn and Executive Producer Peter Huyck, the first two episodes of the new series gave me the most laughs since Bob Odenkirk in “Lucky
Justin Trudeau Addresses Tariffs on Canada on March 4, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unleashed a historic speech scorching Donald Trump's idiocy over his disastrous new tariffs: "This is a very dumb thing to do." "The United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend. At the same time, they're talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing
Last-Minute Musing(s) on the 2025 Oscars - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Since this is Oscar Sunday, I am going to (stream-of-consciousness) run through the nominees, in the hopes that some of you are doing the same thing right about now. The Red Carpet is about to start, and who is going to win? (The tension mounts.) Our ballots are distributed to the Usual Suspects and the
How’s the Insurrection Coming Along, Then? - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
by Mark Gimein, Managing Editor of "The Week" "Am I the sucker? For as long as I can remember I thought that the United States stood for democratic values and individual liberty. These were supposed to be the guiding lights of American foreign policy, even if the principles might not always be absolute or the
2025 Oscars Are In the Books - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The 97th Academy Awards are in the books. "Anora" came on strong at the finish to snag a Best Actress award for new-comer Mikey Madison.The shift towards "Anora" prompted the best line of the evening, when Conan O'Brien (the host) said, "Apparently Americans like seeing someone stand up to a powerful Russian." Anora won five
A.I. Analyzes the 2/28/2025 Meeting Between Trump & Zelenskyy - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
An intriguing analysis has been circulating online regarding the psychological aspects of Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and Vance, conducted using ChatGPT. From this analysis, it becomes evident that we have witnessed a true masterclass in gaslighting, manipulation, and coercion on the part of Trump and his entourage. Let’s break down the key points: 1. Blaming
Best of the 2025 Nominated Films - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
BEST PICTURE Here are my thoughts on this year’s Oscar nominees: Full disclosure: I’ve only seen 9 of the 10 nominated films. I did not see “I’m Still Here.” But, still 90% is higher than the average viewer. My personal favorite of the nominated films is “The Brutalist.” I was amazed at the fact
Feb. 28, 2025: Democracy in Peril - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
There are moments in history where you can feel the tectonic plates of power shifting under your feet, the precise seconds when empires declare themselves rotten and ready to collapse. February 28, 2025, was one of those moments—a grotesque display of unchecked narcissism, geopolitical idiocy, and the full-throttle transformation of American foreign policy into a
“You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Till It’s Gone” - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
By Susan Caskle Big, if true. Elon Musk claims DOGE is uncovering all kinds of waste and fraud, outrageous scams perpetrated on the American people. These scams are so blatant and obvious that even youngsters untrained in forensic accounting can find them in moments. The implication is that federal workers, who are experts in
Trump Data: The Past Is Predictive of the Future - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
A real question from a Trump supporter: ‘Why do many say Trump supporters are stupid?’ (from Adam Troy Castro) THE SERIOUS ANSWER: Here’s what the majority of anti-Trump voters honestly seem to feel about Trump supporters: That when you saw a man who had owned a fraudulent University, intent on scamming poor people, you thought "Fine."
“Retirement:” The 7-Minute Short That Tells the Truth - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
I recently had the pleasure of viewing a 7-minute short that is to screen at SXSW in March entitled “Retirement.” From Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland. It was written by John Kelly and Tara Lawall and was an absolute delight. If you have the opportunity, don’t miss it. It is narrated by Domhnall Gleason (Bill Weasley in
Writing: The Art of Creative Invention - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Based on a true story – The art of creative invention to tell a complete story By Lisa Montalto As we all know, an autobiography or memoir is based on a true story, but there are also other forms of writing where the story happened. When a novel is written based on a true
“Omaha” Is A Film For Our Times from Debut Feature Film Director Cole Webley - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Omaha” is the first feature film from working cinematographer Cole Webley, who has numerous IMDB credits for shorts and commercial work. He told Kate Erland of “IndieWire:” When you’re in this business, when a script comes along that everybody knows just needs to be made into a film, the writing’s on the wall.” That
Character Matters, But Does It Matter in 2025? - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Something that the MAGA group seems to need to be reminded about is that CHARACTER MATTERS. A person's past actions are the single best predictor of their future actions, as I was once told by a job recruiter running "mock" interviews for my Rhetoric students at Eastern Iowa Community College, CHARACTER, DOES INDEED MATTER. A
America, We Have A Problem. WAKE UP! - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Why Musk’s Nazi Salute Matters” –from Zach Beauchamp of “Vox” “Elon Musk doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt,” said Zack Beauchamp. While speaking at President Trump’s inauguration, Musk twice thrust his arm out in a Nazi salute---there’s “no other plausible interpretation of his gesture.” Some tried to dismiss it as merely an awkward moment,
Houston Art Museum: February 8th, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
A few of us from the OLLI bridge group traveled from Austin to Houston over the weekend to take in the Gauguin exhibit that is only going to be featured there. The sculpture gardens outside the museum and the standing collection(s) were also extremely nice, and it was a beautiful 83 degree day (in February!).
“Sorry, Baby” at Sundance 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
One of the films that “sold” at Sundance 2025 (to A24) was the 103 minute comedy/drama feature “Sorry, Baby,” which went for $8 million. Shot in Massachusetts, it was also one of the films I had been looking forward to the most, because Lucas Hedges (Oscar-nominated for his role as Patrick Chandler in 2016’s “Manchester
“Andre Is An Idiot” Sundance Film Promotes Colonoscopies at 45 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Andre Ricciardi was an eccentric advertising man who lived an interesting and unusual life. Even one of his daughters (Tallula and Delilah) described her father as “he looks like someone who lives on the street.” In this 88-minute film we learn that Andre has dubbed himself an idiot because he rejected his best friend Lee’s
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” Screens at Sundance Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” about the Putin-dictated shift in Russia’s schools was made possible by a young Russian schoolteacher named Pavel (“Pasha”) Talankin. At the time of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pasha was serving as the school videotographer and event coordinator for Karabash Elementary School, the biggest school in what is a very small
“2000 Meters to Andriivka” Premieres at Sundance, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
AP journalist Mstyslav Chernov filmed “20 Days in Mariupol” two years ago. His first documentary showing the Russian invasion of Mariupol won the Oscar as Best Documentary of the year at the 2024 Academy Awards. At Sundance this year the 97-minute documentary “2000 Meters to Andriivka” embeds Chernov and Cinematographer Alex Babenko with troops advancing
“Train Dreams” is Break-Out Film at Sundance 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
One of the big break-out success stories of Sundance 2025, so far, is “Train Dreams,” the 102 minute film based on Denis Johnson’s novella. Director Clint Bentley premiered the film on January 26th at the Library Center Theatre in Park City and it has since been snapped up by Netflix for a figure said to
“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” at Sundance 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Deaf actress and activist Marlee Matlin was born 58 years ago in Morton Grove, Illinois. When asked to do a PBS Masters biography of her life, she requested a deaf director. Shoshanna Stern became the guiding force behind this autobiographical recounting of Matlin’s life and career. She lost her hearing at 18 months of
“Sally” & “Marlee Matlin” Screen at Sundance, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The first two Sundance 2025 offerings I watched turned out to have very similar themes, although focused on two very different people. “Sally,” was a 103 minute documentary helmed by Cristina Costa, which screened at the Ray Theatre in Park City at Sundance 2025 on January 28th, 2025. The second 97-minute documentary, directed by deaf
“Inkwo for When the Starving Return” at Sundance, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
"INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN" debuted January 24th at Sundance in the Animated Shorts Film Program with three additional in-person screenings to follow. The film will also screen online across North America January 29th, 7:00 AM PST through February 3rd, 3:55 AM PST. The series is in development. It is being coproduced by Spotted Fawn Productions (SFP) and
“Inkwo for When the Starving Return” Series at Sundance - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
"INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN" debuted January 24th at Sundance in the Animated Shorts Film Program with three additional in-person screenings to follow. The film will also screen online across North America January 29th, 7:00 AM PST through February 3rd, 3:55 AM PST. The series is from Spotted Fawn Productions (SFP), an Indigenous-led and community-oriented Vancouver-based studio founded
Australian Short “Stranger, Brother” Screens at Sundance on September 25, 2025 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Tiaki Teremoana of "Stranger, Brother" (Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival). The opening sequence at Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, January 25th, 2025, for “Stranger, Brother,” an Australian short directed by Tongan/Australian director Annelise Hickey, is a beautiful ocean scene, silhouetting charismatic lead Tiaki Teremoanna who plays Adam. The music (Will Morrissey composed) is good. The
“Scarecrows: Appalachian Tales” by Steve Rasnic Tem - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Steve Rasnic Tem has compiled a second new collection of short stories, “Scarecrows: Appalachian Tales,” that revisit the Appalachian states like Tennessee and Virginia, sketching memorable stories of the miners and kinfolk who live there. When I read the story “Willie the Philologist,” the third story of the twenty-six stories in the 180 page
“Everyday Horrors:” Short Stories By Steve Rasnic Tem - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Steve Rasnic Tem has written over 500 published short stories. His stories have won awards from the International Horror Guild, the Horror Writers’ Association, and he has won the British and World Fantasy Awards. His novels and writing with his late wife Melanie Tem are also lauded. His short fiction has been compared to that
“Ryan Can’t Read” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Ryan Can’t Read” is a depressing 2025 Oscar-eligible short that tells the story of Ryan, who, as the title suggests, is illiterate. Since there are estimated to be at least 8 million others in the United Kingdom who cannot read, Ryan is not alone. Lewis Ian Bray plays Ryan. Lewis is “neurodivergent” in real life.
“Marion” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Marion” is a story about the only female bull-jumper in France, Caroline Nogues-Larbere. Who knew that France had a sport called “La Course Landaise” which looks a lot like a bullfight, except that the bullfighters don’t kill the bull but simply jump out of the way of the charging animal? DIRECTORS Joe Weiland and
“In the Garden of the Tulips” Short Is Oscar-Eligible - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“In the Garden of Tulips” – This 19 minute 88 second short was the favorite of a friend who had seen it. It is directed by Julia R. Eihu. Julia Eihu’s previous writing/directing credit for “Yasamin” was a nominee for the 2018 Grand Jury Prize at the AFI Film Fest. Ava Lalezarzadeh played Mimi in
“Sister Wives” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Sister Wives” – Director/Star Louisa Connolly-Burnham plays Kaidence, the wife of a polygamous husband (Mormon) who must welcome a new wife, 19-year-old Galilee, into her home. Galilee is played by Mia McKenna-Bruce. This is actually streaming on Channel 14, which, I assume, is British, as it has qualified for Best British film and Best Actress
“Motherland” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short from Jasmin Mozzafari - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Motherland” – This 24 minute 21 second short dealt with a couple--an Iranian man and a girl from Iowa--- who are meeting the girl’s in-laws for the first time. The Jasmin Mozaffari film is set against the backdrop of the Iranian hostage crisis, which took place in 1979 and lasted for 444 days during
“His Mother” Is 2025 Oscar-eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“His Mother,” a 13 minute and 39 second short film that is Oscar eligible, stars Jennifer Lawrence look-alike Bethany Anne Lind as the mother of a young man who is threatening violence at his college, Southern Tech. Young Harrison Miller, age 19, 5’ 10”, has left a variety of clues that he is about to