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“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
“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
“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
“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
“Buscando Alma” Is 2025 Oscar-Eligible Short - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
"Buscando Alma," a 15 minute 21 second short, has qualified for the 2025 Academy Awards in competition in Atlanta. It is also a timely subject, given the Trump administration's vow to deport millions of immigrants. It is directed by a woman and stars a trans-gender female, also topics that are current. "Buscando Alma" was written
Key Considerations When Shipping Motorcycles Across the U.S. - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Key Considerations When Shipping Motorcycles Across the U.S. Shipping a motorcycle across the United States can be a convenient and efficient way to transport your bike, whether you're relocating, selling a motorcycle to a buyer in another state, or heading to a rally. However, it's not as simple as loading your bike onto a
Scott Beck & Bryan Woods Talk “Heretic” - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
One of the most interesting and well-scripted films out now is “Heretic,” a horror/suspense thriller written and directed by the boys from Bettendorf (Iowa), Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who gave us “A Quiet Place” back in 2018. During my interview with them at SXSW on March 10, 2018, I wrote, “I’m predicting ‘A Quiet
Five Oscar-Eligible Shorts - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Here are 5 more Oscar-eligible shorts in an attempt to acquaint audiences with some of the contenders for this year's Academy Awards: "Moeder," "Then Comes the Body," "Fireline," "Will I See You Again?" and "Sunflower." “Moeder” – This 20 minute film, directed by Salomon Ligthelm focused on the deaths of 298 civilian passengers when the
Behind the Cards: Legendary Movie Moments Set in Casinos - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
From the opulent halls of traditional land-based casinos to the digital world of online casino for real money platforms, gambling has adapted to a massive change in the broader social change in technology and accessibility. This evolution translates to gambling taking center stage in global cinematic storytelling, an irresistible backdrop. The casino scene from Monte
Requiem for a Dream: Trump Wins; World Loses - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
I'm sitting here on election night, watching the blue wall fall and feeling dejected, but not as "taken off guard" as I felt in 2016 after Hillary Clinton lost her much-vaunted race against Agent Orange. I am convinced that Donald J. Trump (and cohorts) have bought the presidency (Thanks, Elon!, she said ruefully) and misogyny,
Valor Team Is Working Towards State Berth on Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
So it's one day post the presidential election, and I am turning my attention to the granddaughter's volleyball tournament action. Oddly enough, the Valor team played another Valor team tonight, after winning all of their regular season games to get to this night, They still have to win a game this coming Tuesday night at
What I Did to Help Kamala Harris Win the Presidency Over DJT - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Driving to Austin (Texas) from Illinois is always a multi-day trek. We generally spend one night in St. Louis with family. (Thanks, Mark!) After that, normally, we take our own sweet time, but my spouse decreed that we would not leave until Saturday (Nov. 2) and that has made all the difference. I don't know
“Here” Closes the 60th Chicago International Film Festival with Director Robert Zemeckis “Here” - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Robert Zemeckis often produces movies at the fore-front of technology (Back to the Future (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Forrest Gump (1994), Contact (1997), The Polar Express (2004)). The Chicago native returned to his hometown for closing night of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival with “Here.” “Here” is also cinematically ground-breaking. Since the entire film is shot
“Jenny Pen Rules” At the 60th Chicago International Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
In 2021, when I was covering Sundance as Press, a small film entitled “Coming Home in the Dark” from New Zealand caught my eye. I watched this story based on an Owen Marshall short story and directed by James Ashcroft. It showed a family having a lovely time in a scenic pastoral setting
“Blitz” is Steve McQueen Film Screened at CIFF 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Blitz,” from British director Steve McQueen, depicts Londoners during the Blitz of World War II in 1940. The harrowing drama focuses on a young bi-racial boy (Elliott Heffernan) sent to the countryside by his mother (Saoirse Ronan) for safekeeping. Approximately 500,000 young children were sent to the countryside from London to protect them from the blitz.
Five Interesting Oscar-Qualifying Shorts - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Five Oscar-eligible shorts have come to me recently. They are “Tea,” “Corpse Fishing,” “Anuja,” “Heart of Texas” and “Deck 5B.” There are more to come, but here’s how the first five struck me, listed in the order I enjoyed them: “Tea” was directed by Blake Rice and starred Michael Gandolfini (“The Many Saints of Newark”),
Finnish Film “Long Good Thursday” Screens at 60th Chicago International Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The Finnish film “Long Good Thursday” screened at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival on Wednesday, October star 23rd, with star Jaana Saarinen in attendance. Director Mika Kaurismaki is not the first to tell the story of the Grump, portrayed by Finnish comedy star Heikki Kinnunen. There are a series of novels concerning the
“September 5” Is Timely Look at the Munich Massacre - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
(Trailer is in German; Film is dubbed in English) On September 5th, 1972, 900 million viewers nationwide watched the first-ever live-and-in-color feed of the Olympics from Munich, Germany. A Palestine terrorist organization known as Black September chose this date, two weeks into the Olympic games, to send 8 operatives into the Olympic Village and
“Nightbitch” Screens on October 21, 2024 at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Marielle Heller walked the Red Carpet outside the Music Box Theater on Monday, October 21st at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival in support of “Nightbitch,” which she co-wrote and directed. The screenplay is based on the book by Rachel Yoder. Heller’s previous directing forays include “Diary of a Teen-aged Girl” (2015), “Can You Ever
Director Antonio Piazza Discusses “Sicilian Letters” at 60th CIFF on October 20, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Writer-Director Antonio Piazza ("Sicilian Ghost Story"), who spoke with me one-on-one on October 20, 2024. Directors Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, who directed “Sicilian Ghost Story” in 2017, return to the screen with “Sicilian Letters,” the story of an attempt to capture real-life Mafia crime boss Matteo Messina Denaro. The crime boss known as the
“Life and Other Problems” Screens at the Chicago International Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Ten years ago in 2014, the news that Marius the giraffe was being put down by the Copenhagen Zoo went viral all the way from Hollywood to Chechnya. This Matt Kestner directed 98-minute documentary about that Marius controversy is a nominee for the Gold Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival. It’s a philosophical
“Okie” Is Great Find @ CIFF This Weekend - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The first thing that struck me about “Okie” were the gorgeous cinematic images. Kudos to Director of Photography Wojciech Kielar. There are so many panoramas and rural vistas that are shot with wide lens beauty. Creston, Illinois, never looked better. The music is good and the acting is top-notch, with Scott Michael Foster (“Greek,” “Crazy
“Unstoppable” Screens at 60th Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 17th, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Unstoppable,” the directorial debut of William Goldenberg, screened on October 17, 2024, at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. The autobiographical story of the life of Arizona State champion wrestler Anthony Robles is based on "Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion" by Anthony Robles. Goldenberg read the book and realized it
60th Chicago International Film Festival Kicks Off Oct. 16-27 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Chicago, Illinois (October 15, 2024) – Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed tomorrow, October 16, 2024 as “Chicago International Film Festival Day” in the state of Illinois, in honor of the Opening Night of this year’s Festival, the 60th edition of the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. Opening Night will take place at the iconic Music
“The Piano Lesson” Opens 60th Chicago International Film Festival, October 16, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Opening night of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival kicked off at the Music Box Theater in Chicago on Wednesday, October 16th, with the appearance of John David Washington (“Tenet,” “Black Klansman”) and his brother Malcolm, who directed and co-wrote (with Virgil Williams) the screenplay for “The Piano Lesson,” based on an August Wilson play.
Chicago International Film Festival: 2016-2023 (Con’t). - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
(*Photos are nearly all mine, taken at the respective film festivals. Installment #2 describing festivals of the past 21 years I've attended.) 2016: Damien Chazelle showed up to promote “La La Land.” He was very gracious and friendly. I anticipated “La La Land” winning for Best Picture (and so did most of the Academy when
60th Chicago International Film Festival: A Stroll Down Memory Lane – 21 Years of CIFF - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
My first memory of attending a Chicago International Film Festival was 2003’s “The Human Stain” at the Chicago Theater. The film was miscast from the get-go, featuring Anthony Hopkins as a (secretly) Black man and Nicole Kidman as a washer woman. I went to school with Nicholas Meyer ("Time After Time," "Star Trek II: The
“Falling Stars” Presents a Creepy Witch World on October 11 (Just In Time for Halloween) - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
“Falling Rain” is a film about witches written, directed and edited by Richard Karpala (co-directed by Gabriel Bienczycki). It releases on October 11th. The film begins with these words onscreen: “Every year by the full moon of late October witches from high use the night as cover to descend onto earth’s harvest. Skygazers say they
Walz versus Vance on CBS in VP Debate on 10/1/2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
I just watched the Vice Presidential debate between J.D. Vance and Tim Walz.The Talking Heads are suggesting that Walz may have been "in over his head" in debating the slick and chameleon-like Vance, who seems to have made a career of being all things to all people. Vance described Donald J. Trump as "America's
The Attorney-Client Relationship: How Legal Professionals Help You Win - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The attorney-client relationship is a cornerstone of legal success, serving as the bedrock upon which effective legal representation is built. This relationship is not just about the exchange of legal documents and courtroom appearances; it is fundamentally about trust, understanding, and collaboration. Legal professionals play a crucial role in guiding clients through the often complex
“They All Came Out to Montreux” and “The Black Sea” at Nashville Film Festival 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Two documentaries at the Nashville Film Festival caught my eye on Sunday and Monday, September 22 and 23. The first was "They All Came Out to Montreux," followed by "The Black Sea."“They All Came Out to Montreux” was a love letter to the man responsible for creating, founding and sustaining the Montreux Jazz Festival,
World Premiere of “Catch A Killer” on 9/21 at Nashville Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The World Premiere of “Catch A Killer” took place at the Nashville Film Festival on Saturday, September 21st. The idea of a serial killer basing his (or her) kills on famous slasher movies was somewhat original, but the entire film needed work. There are low-budget horror movies out there that show signs of originality (“Cuckoo”
“Saturday Night” Lights Up the Screen at the Nashville Film Festival on 9/21/2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Jason Reitman brought his newest film, “Saturday Night,” a re-enactment of the opening night (October 11, 1975) when “Saturday Night Live” went on the air “live” for the first time to the Nashville Film Festival on September 21, 2024. When “Saturday Night” played to a packed house at the Nashville Film Festival, Writer/Director Reitman
“Bang Bang” with Tim Blake Nelson at Nashville Film Festival on 9/20/2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Tim Blake Nelson Nelson at the 2016 Fantastic Fest Born Timothy Blake Nelson May 11, 1964 (age 60) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. Education Brown University (BA) Juilliard School (GrDip) Occupations Actor playwright director producer screenwriter Years active 1989–present Spouse Lisa Benavides (m. 1994) Children 3 Tim Blake Nelson is the kind of excellent character actor around whom an
“Will & Harper” At Nashville Film Festival on 9/20/2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
The Josh Greenbaum directed documentary “Will and Harper” is showing at select theaters now and will stream on Netflix beginning September 27th. It showed at the Nashville Film Festival on Friday, 9/20/2024 having premiered, originally, at the 40th Sundance Film Festival in January, 2024. The 114 minute documentary depicts Will Ferrell’s 17-day cross-country trip with
“DEVO” Opens the 55th Nashville Film Festival on 9/19/2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Opening night of the 55th Nashville Film Festival on September 19, 2024, highlighted a documentary, DEVO, directed by Chad Smith, which premiered originally on January 21, 2024 at Sundance. As it was introduced to the audience at the Belcourt Theater, the comment was: “So insightful in ways that I never thought it would be.” The
“The Tennessee 11” Examines Gun Violence @ Nashville Film Festival - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
A documentary entitled “The Tennessee 11,” directed by Rod Blackhurst, focuses on eleven Tennessee citizens who came together to try to reach consensus on solutions to gun violence in the state. The eleven were: Tim Carroll, Arriell Gipson Martin, William Green, Jaila Hampton, Ron Johnson, Brandi Kellett, Mariah Levison, Adam Luke, Alyssa Pearman, Ashley Phillips,
2024 Emmies: In the Books, September 15, 2024 - Weekly Wilson - Blog of Author Connie C. Wilson
Just finished watching the Emmies and---although not a comprehensive run-down of who won what---here are some impressions of the evening. Eugene Levy and his son Dan Levy (“Schitt’s Creek”) hosted and did an excellent job. SHOGUN, ET. AL. While I do realize that “Shogun” set a record for the number of nominations, I have not