Good Shepherds is available on Tubi and Amazon Prime Video. Photo: Google
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.
Rickshaw Girl is available to stream now. Photo: Amazon
Mitali Perkins writes novels for young people, including “You Bring the Distant Near,” (nominated for the National Book Award) “Rickshaw Girl,” (NYPL best 100 Book for children in the past 100 years), “Bamboo People,” (ALA Top 10 YA novel) and “Tiger Boy.” (South Asia Book Award winner) Her newest is “The Story of Us,” a picture book from Beaming Books, and a nonfiction book for adults, “Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children’s Novels to Refresh our Tired Souls,” published by Broadleaf. “Rickshaw Girl” is the critically acclaimed story of a young, artistic Bangladeshi girl who bravely defies tradition in order to support her family through hard times. It was adapted into an award-winning film and is available for streaming on Amazon Video and Apple iTunes, from Filmhub and Sleeperwave Films. (Rickshaw Girl, 2022)
In the movie adaptation, Novera Rahman portrays the teenage Naima who, after her father, a rickshaw driver, gets sick and cannot work, is determined to do whatever it takes to help out the family. She is a talented artist and her father encourages her gift but it is not financially rewarding. His rickshaw is repossessed because he has been unable to report to work and her mother loses her job when she is accused of stealing a cellphone. When Naima’s mother dashes her dreams of being an artist, it sends the frustrated teen off to the big city, determined to earn money for the family’s survival. At first she gets a job as a housekeeper but the conditions are so bad she leaves after one day. Out of options, she disguises herself as a boy to get a job as a rickshaw driver using the skills her father taught her. Her creative drive has her sneaking every opportunity to paint and her vivid artwork comes to life in beautifully animated form, along with hope that her emergence as an artist will be her true salvation.
Life’s harsh reality can be tough on anyone, especially children and teenagers. Rickshaw Girl does an exemplary job of combining the grittiness of the big city with the beauty of Naima’s paintings, which proves that beauty can be found in the most desolate of places. This coming of age movie touches on the topics of family pride, female empowerment, and self esteem/respect while sharing the Bangladeshi culture. While it is reminiscent of Mulan, friendship, hardships, and familial responsibilities are elements of the human condition that are similar across cultures and languages. Most importantly, it stresses the importance of never giving up on your dreams, even if you have to temporarily set them aside. It is a positive, uplifting movie recommended for teenagers and adults alike.
** Thank you to October Coast for an advanced screening.
New found footage horror film Mister Creep is available for streaming. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
From writer/director Isaac Rodriguez, and starring Thomas Burke, Ali Alkhafaji, Amber Lee Solis, and Judy McMillan is found footage movie Mister Creep. Come face to face with Mister Creep, available worldwide on digital December 5, 2022. Streaming options include Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. (Mister Creep, 2022)
Mister Creep – Three college students stumble upon a lost television broadcast of a deceased serial killer and search for its location. They discover a nightmarish cover-up of a clown-faced man who killed hundreds and may still be around long after his death.
The Scottish Play is now available on digital. Courtesy photo, used with permission
A successful actress accepts the role of Lady Macbeth at a small New England theater, where she begins a flirtation with her charmingly awkward young director, and finds herself haunted by the ghost of William Shakespeare – who is keen to do some rewrites. The Scottish Play is now available in digital, including Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, from Giant Pictures. (Giant Pictures, 2022)
From writer/director Keith Boynton, and starring Tina Benko (‘’Power Book III : Raising Canan’’), The Americans’ Peter Mark Kendall, Reacher’s Willie C. Carpenter, Geraint Wyn Davies (“Forever Knight”), Will Brill (“The Marvelous Mrs Maisell”), and Ali Ahn (“Billions”), comes the story of a young woman chasing love and the ghost of William Shakespeare.
The movie adaptation of ‘Rickshaw Girl’ will be out on digital and on demand on December 8, 2022. Photo: Amazon
Mitali Perkinswrites novels for young people, including “You Bring the Distant Near,” (nominated for the National Book Award) “Rickshaw Girl,” (NYPL best 100 Book for children in the past 100 years), “Bamboo People,” (ALA Top 10 YA novel) and “Tiger Boy.” (South Asia Book Award winner) Her newest is “The Story of Us,” a picture book from Beaming Books, and a nonfiction book for adults, “Steeped in Stories: Timeless Children’s Novels to Refresh our Tired Souls,” published by Broadleaf. “Rickshaw Girl” is the critically acclaimed story of a young, artistic Bangladeshi girl who bravely defies tradition in order to support her family through hard times. It was adapted into an award-winning film, which will be released in digital and on demand from Filmhub and Sleeperwave Films. Streaming options: Amazon, AppleTV, Hoopla, Vudu, and Kanopy. (Rickshaw Girl, 2022)
“Rickshaw Girl” – A daring Bangladeshi teen-aged girl battles the dangers of the big city when she disguises herself as a boy to earn extra cash for her struggling family. Daring and determined, teenage girl Naima longs to earn money for her poor Bangladeshi family, but her unrivaled artistic talent is of little use. When her father grows gravely ill, Naima feels she has no choice but to leave her small village for the bright lights of Dhaka.
In the big city, Naima finds the same economic, societal, and gender pressures faced by most young girls in Bangladesh. She cleverly disguises herself as a boy and takes the difficult job of a rickshaw puller. When her gender is revealed and her livelihood vanishes, Naima finds an unconventional solution to her problems.
“I was brought up in Dhaka, and from a young age, I traveled by rickshaw. Usually I could never remember the face of the rickshaw puller. Maybe because we usually don’t see their faces but only their backs. I could always see their muscular bodies drenched in sweat, but never understood the meaning of the sweat. As I grew up and my social and economic understanding got better, I realized that our country’s destitute people were oppressed by the upper class. I always wanted to tell a story about them.” director Amitabh Reza Chowdhury.
“I was moved and thrilled when I saw the film version of Naima’s journey. The story is deeper, richer, wider, and more authentically Bangladeshi. Amitabh Reza Chowdhury’s direction is genius, and the acting and cinematography are so captivating.” Mitali Perkins
The Castle is available on digital platforms. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
From Terror Films, experience an overnight stay that will rattle the bones, The Castle is available on digital platforms worldwide, including Amazon Prime Video. Arish Sirkissoon, Dr Raj Singh, Rio Notra Segal, Sibongiseni Shezi and Edwin Cole star. (The Castle, 2022)
The Castle– On their wedding day Michael and Catherine break down in the middle of nowhere. They walk for several kilometers when they discover an old castle. Against her better judgement Catherine is convinced to spend the night. Once she enters the castle, she feels like something is watching her. What she discovers in the castle will change her life forever.
Says writer/director Sirkisson (aka LX Seth), “It’s always been important to me to write deep psychological thrillers that are borderline horror. In my personal view there is nothing better than a great feature with a worthy twist. I wrote this film with many ideas in mind and it came together beautifully in one swift stroke. I know audiences are going to appreciate the attention to detail I have put into this film both on paper and on the screen. This is my directorial debut so I always wanted something special and I think I have achieved this in many forms. The movie itself is a play on frameworks that lead to an intriguing crescendo that leaves you wanting more.”
The movie adaptation of ‘Bones & All” will be released nationwide on Wednesday November 23, 2022. Photo: Amazon
In a world filled with remakes and sequels, I often hear the same complaint: “Why can’t anyone make any original movies anymore.” Whenever someone does, rarely do people take notice. That is why I have made it my mission to highlight movie adaptation of books and here is this week’s movie. The book “Bones & All” is a literary fiction novel, a coming-of-age story that follows a pair of young cannibalistic lovers who flee together on a road trip. A combination of YA and horror novels. Sounds interesting to me.
Camille DeAngelis is the author of “Immaculate Heart,” the Alex Award-winning “Bones & All,” “Petty Magic: Being the Memoirs and Confessions of Miss Evelyn Harbinger,” “Temptress and Troublemaker,” and “Mary Modern,” as well as a first-edition guidebook, “Moon Ireland.” Her book of practical philosophy, “Life Without Envy: Ego Management for Creative People,” was published by St. Martin’s Griffin in September 2016. She is a graduate of New York University (B.A. in Fine Arts, minor in Irish Studies, 2002) and the National University of Ireland, Galway (M.A. in Writing, 2005). “Bones & All” has been adapted into a coming-of-age romantic horror road film starring Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet, Mark Rylance, and Michael Stuhlbarg. It was released in selected U.S. theaters on November 18 and will be released nationwide on Wednesday November 23, 2022. (Amazon, 2022)
“Bones & All” – Maren Yearly is a young woman who wants the same things we all do. She wants to be someone people admire and respect. She wants to be loved but her secret, shameful needs have forced her into exile. She hates herself for the bad thing she does, for what it has done to her family and her sense of identity, for how it dictates her place in the world and how people see her–how they judge her. She did not choose to be this way. Because Maren Yearly does not just break hearts, she devours them. Ever since her mother found Penny Wilson’s eardrum in her mouth when Maren was just two years old, she knew life would never be normal for either of them.
Love may come in many shapes and sizes, but for Maren, it always ends the same–with her hiding the evidence and her mother packing up the car. But when her mother abandons her the day after her sixteenth birthday, Maren goes looking for the father she has never known, and finds much more than she bargained for along the way. Faced with a world of fellow eaters, potential enemies, and the prospect of love, Maren realizes she is not only looking for her father, she is looking for herself.
Tubular Bells: 50th Anniversary Tour is a making-of, narrated by acclaimed actor Bill Nighy, documentary about the debut studio album by English musician Mike Oldfield, which was released in May 1973. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Mike Oldfield’s iconic Tubular Bells took the world by storm when it launched in 1973 and nearly 50 years later continues to sell over 100,000 albums per year, with a total of 17.5 million copies sold worldwide and 18 million streams. (Tubular Bells, 2022)
In honor of the 50th year anniversary of this ground-breaking album, on November 18, 2022 Cleopatra Entertainment will be releasing a new concert and documentary film entitled THE TUBULAR BELLS 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR.Filmed over three nights at the world-famous Royal Festival Hall in London, this contemporary masterpiece incorporates the beauty of the original music with dance and acrobatic feats by the Circa Contemporary Circus as well as stunning performances of Moonlight Shadow, Mike Oldfield’s biggest single hit, along with Summit Day, from his Guitars album, and The Gem, a new work by Musical Director Robin Smith.
Also featured is a fascinating 90 minute behind-the-scenes documentary, narrated by BAFTA winner, Bill Nighy. The feature-length documentary explores the history and legacy of Tubular Bells, and closely follows the dramatic story behind the spectacular new production. As a bonus, the special feature on the home entertainment Blu Ray and DVD versions includes Turning Back the Clock – an interview with Mike Oldfield and Richard Branson. Cleopatra’s VOD version will be released, on December 13th, 2022, just in time for the Holiday season.
“It’s amazing to think that it’s 50 years since I started writing Tubular Bells, and I am touched that my music has reached so many people, all over the world, during that time. I am sure that the 50th Anniversary Live Concert Experience of Tubular Bells will be spectacular, theatrical, fantastical and thrilling, marking 50 years from when I started writing the music” – Mike Oldfield
The rights deal was brokered by Cleopatra Founder and CEO Brian Perera, Tim Yasui VP/GM of Cleopatra Entertainment, and by Kaleidoscope Film Distribution on behalf of the filmmakers.
Cleopatra Entertainment is a Los Angeles based multimedia company founded by Cleopatra Records head Brian Perera. Recent films in release include Glenn Danzig’s critically acclaimed horror film DEATH RIDER IN THE HOUSE OF VAMPIRES, the UK drama MRS LOWRY & SON starring Academy Award winner Vanessa Redgrave, the action-adventure extravaganza CHINA SALESMAN starring Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal and Egypt’s official entry to the 2018 Academy Awards foreign language category SHEIKH JACKSON.
Release dates: Blue Ray (2 disc set ) – November 18, 2022 DVD (2 disc set) – November 18, 2022 VOD Release date – December 13, 2022
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is hosting a screening of the film “Deep in the Heart” featuring a post-film discussion and Q&A with producer Katy Bladock. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is hosting a screening of the film “Deep in the Heart” featuring a post-film discussion and Q&A with producer Katy Bladock on Thursday, November 10 at 6p.m. The screening is the only one in San Antonio to include a member of the film’s production team. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)
A visually stunning celebration of Texas’ diverse landscapes and remarkable wildlife found nowhere else, “Deep in the Heart” is told through the eyes of wildlife species ranging from the mysterious blind catfish to the elusive mountain lion – and even the 20 million Mexican freetail bats that spend their summers just north of San Antonio in Bracken Cave. Narrated by Matthew McConaughey and featuring state-of-the-art cinematography, this family-friendly film journeys from the highest peaks in West Texas, through our aquifers, rivers, and bays, and deep into the Gulf of Mexico. “Deep in the Heart” aims to conserve our remaining wild places, to show the connectivity of water and wildlife, and to recognize Texas’ conservation importance on a continental scale.
Deep in the Briscoe’s heart, the film also shares the bison of Caprock Canyons State Park. The official bison herd of the State of Texas is all that remains of the vast Southern Plains herd that once numbered between 30 million and 60 million head. The Briscoe’s logo is a bison and the museum works to support the herd through its annual “Adopt a Bison” campaign.
The Briscoe’s “Deep in the Heart” film screening is $14 and online pre-registration is recommended. Popcorn, candy and drinks will be available for purchase. Members of the Briscoe receive free admission and movie snacks.
Producer Katy Bladock will be present for a post-film discussion and Q&A session. Bladock is a film producer, writer, and graphic designer based in Austin, TX. She has a passion for conservation and visual storytelling, aiming to use creative outlets as a tool to advocate for the protection of natural environments and wildlife. She is a proud East Texas native and studied communications, journalism, and art at Texas A&M University. Katy is a Producer for the Texas natural history film “Deep in the Heart,” was Associate Producer for the Emmy-nominated feature documentary “The River and the Wall,” produced “American Ocelot,” and assists with various production needs for Fin and Fur Films Productions.
Film guests will be able to view the Briscoe’s fall exhibition, Thomas D. Mangelsen – A Life In the Wild, featuring 40 of the renowned nature photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen’s most resonant photographs. Thomas D. Mangelsen – A Life In The Wild takes viewers on a journey across the West and around the globe. One of the most prolific nature photographers of our time, Mangelsen is an award-winning photographer whose images have been exhibited internationally and published in iconic mediums such as “National Geographic,” “Good Morning America,” and “60 Minutes.” The exhibition is open to the public through January 29, 2023.
Elephant 6 Collective. Photo: Amy Hairston, used with permission.
The Elephant 6 Recording Co. shares the unique inside story of the collective creative evolution behind the sounds of 1990s psychedelic rock bands Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, and The Apples in Stereo— the founding groups behind the Elephant 6 collective, as well as a host of other artists — with inspirational resonance for today’s music makers, and music lovers everywhere. (The Elephant 6 Recording Co., 2022)
Around 1985, a group of Ruston, Louisiana area high schoolers began experimenting with whatever random instruments and gear they could lay their hands on. Moving to other small college towns including Denver, Colorado and Athens, Georgia, their musical coming of age coincides with the new consumer availability of old-school 4 and 8 track recording technology and cassette tapes. Sharing like-minded sensibilities, influenced by past sounds and psychedelia, and with little to distract them, their efforts to create whole new musical worlds become the bands Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel and The Apples in Stereo, and many more. While the collective grew to a natural breaking point, its founding members overcame obstacles and remained closely bonded, reuniting for tours and still collaborating today.
The Elephant 6 Recording Co. provides insight into this revolutionary era of popular independent music in America, the defiant DIY spirit in music making, and championing the integrity of an authentic quest for artistic expressiveness over the more mainstream image of being a “successful” musician in our fame obsessed times.
This documentary will have its World Premiere at DOC NYC 2022 on Thursday November 10 at 9:30p.m. (IFC Center). There will be a Q&A session with C.B. Stockfleth, Greg King, Lance Bangs, and executive producer Rob Hatch-Miller after the first screening. The second screening will be on Tuesday, November 15 at 9p.m. (Cinepolis)
C.B. Stockfleth is a filmmaker currently based in New Orleans, LA. He grew up in Central Kentucky and dropped out of high school. He eventually went to film school at Full Sail University in Orlando. For the last 20 years, he has worked as a commercial director and photographer mostly in Louisville, KY. He has made award winning music videos and live concert videos for bands including the Apples In Stereo and the Olivia Tremor Control, and has directed uncountable regional commercials and corporate videos.
Feature Documentary, Running Time; 93 Minutes, USA
No Def Presents: The Elephant 6 Recording Co. Directed by: C.B. Stockfleth Produced by: Lance Bangs (Jackass , Portlandia) Edited & Produced by: Greg King (Other Music) Executive Produced by: Rob Hatch-Miller (Other Music)
Starring: Olivia Tremor Control, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Apples in Stereo, Elf Power, Of Montreal, Beulah, The Gerbils, Dressy Bessy, The Minders, The Music Tapes, Great Lakes, Elijah Wood, James Mercer (The Shins), Danger Mouse, David Cross and many more.
The film also features never-before-seen additional footage of the bands, shot by filmmaker Lance Bangs.
SA Examiner 