New horror movie release: Twisted – Available on digital and On Demand.
Twisted – A young woman seeks independence from her protective mother, only to be questioning her own sanity when newfound friends die, and her mother suggests Hannah is the cause of their death. (Twisted, 2023)
Written and directed by Vibeke Muasya
Starring Vibeke Muasya, Vibeke Muasya, Nikolaj Scherfig
The Slamdance Film Festival is an annual film festival focused on emerging artists. It was founded in 1995 by Dan Mirvish, Jon Fitzgerald, Shane Kuhn, and Peter Baxter, along with Paul Rachman after they were unable to submit films to the Sundance Film Festival. The annual week-long festival will take place in Park City, Utah from January 20 through January 26 and is the main event organized by the year-round Slamdance organization, which also hosts a screenplay competition, workshops, screenings throughout the year and events with an emphasis on independent films with budgets under $1million. (Wikipedia, Slamdance Film Festival, 2023)
The distinctly different and impactful films making their world premieres this January in Park City, UT offer an insider’s humanistic view into the lives around us. Where a news headline could merely skim the surface, these films engage, inspire, prompt conversations, and offer hope and empathy. Each of these four films has a running time of under 90 minutes.
“Silent Love”
Slamdance Competition Documentary Film
“Silent Love” is an incredibly intimate observational documentary that subtly and tenderly portrays the lives of two women raising a pubescent teenager in the conservative setting of a small Polish village.
Each of the characters is completely different, both visually and in terms of character. Each faces different problems. Each has different obstacles to overcome. Together they form a new family, but most of all, it is a universal story about the hardships of raising a teenager in the face of a parent’s death and about taking on new roles.
After their mother’s death, 35-year-old Aga has to take care of her teenage brother, Milosz. There is one thing she is not telling him about: her ongoing relationship with Maja. An unconventional family is being born in a small, conservative Polish village.
Filmmaking Team: Director, Writer and Cinematographer Marek Kozakiewicz, Editors Anna Garncarczyk, Monument and Agata Cierniak, Music by Bartosz Bludau, Producer Agnieszka Skalska, and Agnieszka Dziedzic, Co-produced by Alex Tondowski, and Ira Tondowski.
Running Time: 72 Minutes
Slamdance Screening Times:
Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters
Treasure Mountain Inn
255 Main St.
Park City, UT
Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 3p.m.
Second Screening: Wednesday, January 25 at 11:15a.m.
“Starring Jerry As Hinself”
Slamdance Competition Documentary Feature Film
“Starring Jerry As Hinself” is a docu-fiction hybrid that blurs the lines of reality while staying true to the subject and his story. It employs a variety of creative filmmaking techniques to capture the world from Jerry’s perspective. The film is a genre bending meta experience, with our subject Jerry starring in his own recreation of his unique journey. The filmmakers wanted to create something unique that stood out from the traditional documentary, while also reflecting Jerry’s state of mind, so they nested a film within a film.
A family documents how their immigrant father Jerry, a recently divorced and retired Florida man, was recruited by the Chinese police to be an undercover agent, only to discover a darker truth.
Filmmaking Team: Director and Editor Lawrence Chen, Co-Writers Jerry C. Hsu (the star of the film) and Lawrence Chen, producers: Jonathan Hsu, and Lawrence Chen, composer Eric Hölljes with Cinematography by Tinx Chen, and Lawrence Chen.
Running Time: 75 Minutes
“Starring Jerry As Hinself” Slamdance Screening Times:
Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters
Treasure Mountain Inn
255 Main St.
Park City, UT
Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 7:30p.m.
Second Screening: Monday, January 23 at 2:45p.m.
“The Underbug”
Slamdance Breakout Selection Feature Film
While the nations came to a standstill owing to the pandemic, another more familiar kind of virus – that of communal violence raged more aggressively than earlier. India witnessed a uniquely cross-sectional humanitarian crisis: the burgeoning of xenophobia fueled by Covid, commingled with the toxic wave of sectarian violence. What India experienced, as did the rest of the world – we live immersed as a world in the great fracture of our times. “The Underbug” is a psychological horror that explores the psyche of people who live on the fringe of society. These are subaltern populations, easily weaponized for the narrow benefit of the political system. Thus began the story of two such men, in a deserted house, playing out what hopefully feels like the abstract psychopathology of our troubled times. The filmmakers hope that ‘The Underbug’ sparks conversation, offering an insight on hate politics and contributes in some small way towards empathy, courage and love.
As India is ravaged by sectarian violence on the eve of its Independence Day, two rioters take refuge in an abandoned house. An eerie presence in the house, however, haunts the men to the edge of sanity.
Filmmaking Team and Stars: Starring Ali Fazal and Hussain Dalal, Directed by Shujaat Saudagar, Written by Shujaat Saudagar, Abbas Dalal, and Hussain Dalal, Produced by Vikesh Bhutani, Shujaat Saudagar, and Aman Mann, Executive Producers Shaunak Sen, Richa Chadha, Ali Faz al, Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal.
Running Time: 68 Minutes *In Hindi with subtitles*
Slamdance Screening Times:
Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters
Treasure Mountain Inn
255 Main St.
Park City, UT
Premiere: Saturday, January 21 at 10p.m.
“With Peter Bradley”
Slamdance Competition Documentary Feature Film
“With Peter Bradley” embodies the cinematic storytelling that made “The Kid Stays In The Picture” an iconic documentary. “With Peter Bradley” is a celebration of artmaking, resilience, and the creative contributions of Black artists to American life. It focuses a long-overdue lens on Peter Bradley and shines a light on his rightful place in the ongoing movement toward racial equity in the arts and our society. Despite the systemic racism of society in general and the art world in particular, Peter Bradley built an incredible resumé before the age of 35: the first Black art dealer on Madison Avenue (at the prestigious Perls Galleries); likely the first Black abstract artist represented by a major New York gallery (André Emmerich); and curator of what is considered the first integrated modern art show in America (The DeLuxe Show). Peter Bradley explores innovative methods of applying paint to canvas, inspired by nature and the colorful flowers he tends daily in his garden and greenhouse.
79 years old and overlooked since the 1970s, abstract artist Peter Bradley reflects on life and shares his artistic process on the cusp of his rediscovery.
Filmmaking Team: Director, Cinematographer, Editor and Producer Alex Rappoport, Composer Javon Jackson, Executive Producers Adger Cowans, and Robina Riccitiello, Consulting Producers Diane Kolyer, and Beth Levison, and Music Supervisor Ed Gerard.
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Slamdance Screening Times:
Location: Slamdance Film Festival Headquarters
Treasure Mountain Inn
255 Main St.
Park City, UT
Premiere: Sunday, January 22 at 12:45p.m.
Second Screening: Tuesday, January 24 at 5:30p.m.
Since the release of his self-titled debut fifteen years ago, Doug Paisley has earned compliments for his self-reflective songs delivered with simplicity and beauty. Though Paisley has always collaborated with Canadian musicians including celebrities like Garth Hudson, Leslie Feist, and Mary Margaret O’Hara, his records have drawn nostalgia from moments when the listener hears Paisley as he most often hears himself: unadorned and alone with his guitar. Canadian songwriter Doug Paisley’s new album Say What You Like is a snapshot of an artist functioning at his best and highest level—honest, exposed, searching, and yet comforting in his ability to communicate the universal in the struggles of the individual. Due out on March 17, 2023, it is his first release since 2018’s Starter Home which landed on The New Yorker’s Ten Best Albums of the Year and a step in a brand new direction as the first release with Paisley’s new record label Outside Music, a welcoming, Canada-based home for a Canadian artist who has long been signed to U.S.-based labels. (Doug Paisley, 2023)
With the help of producer Afie Jervanen—perhaps best known as recording artist BAHAMAS—the album manages to be groovy too. One gets the sense from these songs that Paisley simply must write. “As a songwriter these days,” he reflected, “there’s very little to gain and very little to lose so I am working only from the heart, there’s no other motive” and on Say What You Like, it shows.
Paisley shared the music video for Say What You Like’s titular opening track with fans. “Say What You Like” finds Paisley wrestling with past friends’ or lovers’ opinions of him, all backed up by a lightly funky rhythm with a slightly country tinge not seen since the early days of J.J. Cale’s lo-fi productions. “When something important disappears from your life, your imagination is sometimes called upon to fill the gaps,” Paisley says. “You could fill another universe with all the things people imagine other people are saying or thinking about them.” Featuring Jurvanen and Christine Bougie on guitars, Don Kerr on drums, Felicity Williams on harmonies, and Darcy Yates on Bass, “Say What You Like” is a welcome introduction to what the future holds for Paisley, his songs, and his sound.
“Say What You Like” can now be streamed or purchased and the full album can be pre-saved or pre-ordered ahead of its March 17 release.
Say What You Like track list:
Say What You Like
Sometimes It’s So Easy
Wide Open Plain
Rewrite History
Almost
If I Wanted To
I Wanted It Too Much
Make It A Double
You Turn My Life Around
Holy Roller
Old Hometown
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Say What You Like release date
Karin Slaughter is a crime writer and author of 21 novels which have sold more than 40 million copies and have been published in 120 countries. Her first novel “Blindsighted” made the Crime Writers’ Association’s Dagger Award shortlist for ‘Best Thriller Debut’ of 2001. She is best known for stand alone novels but also for the Grant County and Will Trent (Atlanta) series of books. The Will Trent series takes place in Atlanta, Georgia and features Georgia Bureau of Investigation special agent Will Trent, his partner Faith Mitchell, and Angie Polaski. The series has been adapted into a television series starring Ramón Rodriguez as Will Trent, Erika Christensen as Angie Polaski, and Iantha Richardson as Faith Mitchell. Will Trent will premiere on ABC on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 10/9c. (Google, 2023)
As a child, Trent was abandoned and was forced to endure a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. Now that he is in a position to make a difference, Trent is determined to use his unique point of view to make sure no one is abandoned like he was. His personal motivation and background contribute to Will Trent having the highest clearance rate in the GBI.
Because any day is a good day for a horror movie: Acclaimed actor Julia Sands stars in The Ghosts of Monday, an unnerving new horror experience from filmmaker Francesco Cinquemani (Eye For An Eye). It will be available on digital, blu-ray, and DVD starting January 23, 2023. (The Ghosts of Monday, 2022)
Mark Huberman (Vikings Valhalla) stars as a television director who becomes embroiled in a supernatural conspiracy after traveling to Cyprus to make a tv pilot about a haunted hotel. Julian Sands (Warlock), Marianna Rosset (Survive or Sacrifice), Elva Trill (Jurassic World: Dominion) and Anthony Skordi (Onassis) also appear in the frightening profusion of suspense and scares.
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The Ghosts of Monday release date
The Gibson Brothers are the real deal. They can pick. They can sing. And they can write a damn good country song. Country Music Hall of Famer Tom T. Hall was always an early supporter, encouraging their writing, and predicting success. They have won about every bluegrass award you can name and released albums on almost every premier Americana label you can think of including Sugar Hill and Rounder. Their songs have been recorded by bluegrass legends no less than Del McCoury. It is a resume almost anybody in country music would be proud to have. Despite all of this, The Gibson Brothers are not yet household names. Their latest album, Darkest Hour, produced by dobro master Jerry Douglas, might just change that. It is due out January 27, 2023. (The Gibson Brothers, 2022)
Kicking off with a flurry of traditional bluegrass excellence, The Gibson Brothers’ new single Dust is more than a just statement of musicianship. It is the whole package; world-class picking, clear and refined vocals, and rock-solid songwriting. An ode to leaning into down-and-out—“Left in the dust” by ex-lover— Dust puts a clever, positive spin on being left behind. “Me and dust, we do fine.” Dust is the first track The Gibson Brothers have shared from their upcoming album Darkest Hour. Produced by dobro king Jerry Douglas, Darkest Hour represents the purest form of Leigh, Eric, and the band’s stage show, with a room full of exceptional musicians.
Darkest Hour spans from trad-grass to country-soul and back again, utilizing classically bluegrass instruments as well as electric guitars and drums to craft a sound fit for the songs it surrounds. While The Gibson Brothers have achieved a level of success doing things their way, and that is not going to change, those who know—their peers that voted them to two Entertainers of the Year Awards, and their famed crop of producers—know just how talented these guys are and just how much they deserve for Darkest Hour to take The Gibson Brothers to a whole new level.
Fans can purchase or stream Dust today at and pre-order or pre-save Darkest Hour ahead of its January release.
Darkest Hour track list:
1. What A Difference A Day Makes
2. Heart’s Desire
3. So Long Mama
4. I Feel The Same Way As You
5. Shut Up and Dance
6. I Go Driving
7. My Darkest Hour
8. Who’s Gonna Want A Heart Like Mine
9. One Minute Of You (Song For Annie Gray)
10. Your Eyes Say His Name
11. Dust
12. This Good Day
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Darkest Hour release date
For fans of freestyle music and hip hop, there is itzl2thec and he has a new album out.
Itzl2thec is a freestyle music artist from Austell, Georgia who has been recording since he was 14 years old. His music library is available on several platforms including YouTube, SoundCloud, TikTok, and ArtistRack. His new album is titled L C. (itzl2thec, 2022)
L C track list:
Careful (feat. Mfast)
I Pace I Go
Coated
Knew You Would Feel Me (feat. Mfast)
Silver Foxx
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Killahronh is an 80s baby familiar with the Golden Era of Hip Hop, yet on the cusp of Millennialism. He started as a drummer in a few indie rock, and Hip Hop bands, to Podcasting, and ultimately becoming the CEO for the Drodian™️ brand; trademarking and defining its motto as: POSITIVITY, ENLIGHTENMENT, TALENT, ACTION & QUALITY. His style of song creation has been defined as multi-faceted, thought provoking, and smooth. He represents the collective known as the DRODIANS. A group of unique individuals who use their talents and their brands to help make the DRODIAN™️ brand a household name. (Killahronh, 2022)
All Out by Killahronh is streaming exclusively on Tidal and on iTunes.
All Out track list:
All out Intro
Urgency (feat. URG7)
All out Bleach Survivor
Somethin’ ain’t Right (feat. Pause)
All out M&M Cookie Predator
Hit the Ac
All out Airport Predator
Perspective (feat. Dios Negasi)
All out Before Man Walked
Honda Civic (feat. Kinewa)
All out Crazy Trauma
Flashback
Buy the Ticket Take the Ride
All Outro
14 Songs, 57 minutes
Available on Apple Music and Tidal.
Sponsored Post
Killahronh is an 80s baby familiar with the Golden Era of Hip Hop, yet on the cusp of Millennialism. He started as a drummer in a few indie rock, and Hip Hop bands, to Podcasting, and ultimately becoming the CEO for the Drodian™️ brand; trademarking and defining its motto as: POSITIVITY, ENLIGHTENMENT, TALENT, ACTION & QUALITY. His style of song creation has been defined as multi-faceted, thought provoking, and smooth. He represents the collective known as the DRODIANS. A group of unique individuals who use their talents and their brands to help make the DRODIAN™️ brand a household name.
All Around the World by Killahronh is a body of work with catchy songs. It is available on Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, iTunes, and more.
All Around the World track list:
Around the World
Better Than Me
Never Enough (feat. Mayaya)
Legendary Moves (feat. Coulter)
Drodian Universe President 1
The Glow Up
Earthquakes Like Tyler and Drake (feat. Jiz Jones)
Blacklisted (feat. Dios Negasi)
Golden Ticket
Drodian Universe President 2
Oblivious (feat. Jiz Jones)
Scared of Success (feat. Tony Tig)
Playing My Song (feat. Emily Coy)
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Narrated by Dr. Jane Goodall and featuring the Vienna Boys Choir, Good Shepherds is a visual masterpiece for the holiday season by director Curt Faudon. It is available now free on Tubi and to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video. (Good Shepherds, 2022)
The Vienna Boys Choir, alongside narrator Dr. Jane Goodall, present a gripping, deeply emotional, and stunning mix of holiday and herding music from Ireland, Laponia, Kenya, Norway, Palestine, and Austria. It features a haunting blend of classical arias and motets: 22 pieces of inspiring music selected from Handel’s Messiah, Heinrich Schutz, Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel, and Jean Lheritier, as well as carols and animal calls with traditional herdsmen and women and nature’s very own music. Five years in the making, the stunning photography and visual enhancements create a mesmerizing tapestry of color and images.
Good Shepherds is an appeal to act as “good shepherds“ towards each other and our environment. The Vienna Boys Choir meets with internationally acclaimed musicians and with real – traditional – herdsmen and women in Lapland, Ireland, Palestine, Norway, and Kenya to perform together. Narrated by primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall.
SA Examiner 