Author: CWB News Department

Almost any veteran of the European film festival circuit knows of Ron and Dorothea Holloway, and if they don’t they should. As journalists, critics, publishers and filmmakers over the past 30-odd years, they’re Berlin’s longest-running co-production, a husband and wife team devoted to discovering and encouraging the art and appreciation of international cinema. Since 1979, they have written and published their small, well-respected English-language magazine on German cinema, Kino, with a razor-thin staff and a loyal group of supporters, including some impressive advertisers. It says a lot about the esteem the German establishment holds them in – not to mention…

“Another successful Grammy night!” is what we said as we clinked our glasses after the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. For most in the music industry, the Grammys mark the end of the “music year.” Awards night is sort of like our New Year’s Eve. I might rest or travel the immediate Monday after, but starting Tuesday morning its work on new songs for next year and starting on the process for the latest release for the upcoming Latin Grammys.This year’s Grammy Awards were slightly different than before. For starters, there was a dress code to prevent sexy outfits! I’m not…

Noël Coward’s comedy classic FALLEN ANGELS. Directed by Art Manke, performances will be on Pasadena Playhouse stage through February 24. “This Noël Coward comedy is a light-hearted and delightful way to start the New Year,” said Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. “Art Manke has brought together a cast with the requisite wit, charm and cleverness to deliver this winning play in great style.” “I’m delighted to be returning to The Pasadena Playhouse, where I’ve had the privilege of directing two other Noël Coward plays (his masterpiece, Private Lives, and the American premiere of Star Quality) and Somerset Maugham’s The Constant…

Cinema Without Borders critics strongly recommend Shirley Valentine on stage now at Falcon Theatre. DeeDee Rescher at this one-woman show is amazing, she is super funny and manages to entertain the audience for more whole length of the show. Shirley Valentine written by Willy Russell and directed by Andrew Barnicle is a well thought and masterfuly directed show. Shirley Valentine the fourth production of the Falcon Theatre’s 2012-2013 Subscription Season. This critically acclaimed Tony-nominated one-woman show stars DeeDee Rescher, who is best known for her comedy work on screen in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and King of Queens, but was…

Since 1986 the Berlin International Film Festival has presented the Berlinale Camera to film personalities or institutions to which it feels particularly indebted and wishes to express its thanks. At the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival, US filmmaker Richard Linklater was honoured with a surprise Berlinale Camera.Richard Linklater is a long-time friend of the Berlinale. His first Competition entry Before Sunrise was awarded the Silver Bear for best director in 1995. After he was once again a guest at the Berlinale in 2004 with the sequel Before Sunset, Richard Linklater presented his comedy Fast Food Nation in the 2007 Culinary…

Four students of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles wrote their first impressions about four of the short animated films, nominated for an Oscar. Adam and DogAdam and Dog was definitely a soothing animation experience. With a simple story, beautiful, colorful, and rich backgrounds, almost flawless classic character animation, and a soundtrack that will keep you hooked in. The story is quite a creative one, showing how the bond between the first man and dog was created. The loyalty of the dog was displayed with a wide range of character emotions backed up by beautiful scenery. Even when Adam was…

BERLIN, Germany — Serious filmmakers and film collectors who find themselves inundated by the oceans of media flooding the internet will be happy to wash ashore onto the website Reframe (http://www.reframecollection.org). An adventurous new program from the Tribeca Film Institute, Reframe offers a simple solution to help them locate, purchase and otherwise wade through some of the world’s finest films and videos: listen to the recommendation of the world’s best film connoisseurs, and you’ll stay high and dry. Backed by a non-exclusive partnership with Amazon as well as various major foundations, and headed by the Tribeca Film Institute’s CEO Brian…

Ramin Niami’s blues documentary film, “Babe’s and Ricky’s Inn” has been selected as the Centerpiece Highlight of the Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles (the nation’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival, showing over 150 films), where it will be screened on Valentine’s Day, Thursday February 14, 2013 at the RAVE Crenshaw Cinemas in South Central with a celebrity red carpet, after party and blues concert. Buy Ticket $35 here. The film tells the story of the last days of an extraordinary gem of a blues club in South Central, Los Angeles, run by an 89 year-old woman “Mama Laura”…

On Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 7:30 PM. the Ballet “Caravaggio” will be pereformed inLACMA’s Bing Theater. In conjunction with Bodies and Shadows: Caravaggio and His Legacy, LACMA’s Art & Music concert series presents a musical-and-ballet celebration of the great Italian master. The evening begins with a performance by Baroque instrumentalists in the exhibition galleries, followed by the U.S. premiere of Caravaggio, a ballet composed by Giovanni Sollima, choreographed by Matteo Levaggi, and performed by members of the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company. Tickets are available for $25 general admission; $18 LACMA members and seniors; $5 students with ID – To…

ShortsHD is bringing the Oscar shorts to theaters in the US, Canada, and Europe beginning February 1st. Along with the live action and documentary short films, ShortsHD will be presenting the much beloved animations, including the five nominees and three highly commended works: Dripped, Abiogenesis, and The Gruffalo’s Child. This year’s finalists—The Longest Daycare, Adam and Dog, Paperman, Fresh Guacamole, and Head Over Heels—showcase a diverse array of techniques and concepts. But they do all have one thing in common—no dialogue. Instead, these animators do what animators do best—visual storytelling.The Longest Daycare, directed by David Silverman (The Simpsons Movie), features…