Directed by Brent Wilson, Streetlight Harmonies shines a spotlight on the origins of doo-wop and its influence on the broader culture. Among the endless jukebox of melodies and memories, we hear how these performers found themselves on the front lines of the battle over segregation as they toured deep south towns, where Jim Crow was the law… [Read More]
5.22 A Day in the Life of YESTERDAY
In Danny Boyle’s YESTERDAY, it’s just another day in the life for struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel)… until he’s suddenly hit by a car. With a little help from his friends, Jack wakes up to discover that he is the only person left alive that remembers the music of the Beatles. Realizing that this… [Read More]
Slamdance Film Festival – Day 3
Since most of the films (exceptions: Boni Bonita and This Teacher) I’m reporting on today are docs, I’d like to highlight some documentary filmmakers who have premiered work at Slamdance: Marilyn Agrelo (Mad Hot Ballroom), Seth Gordon, (King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters), Kurt Kuenne (Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His… [Read More]
5.02 Messy Celebrities in A STAR IS BORN
With A STAR IS BORN, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga have (re)created a timeless love story for modern times. Exploring the relationship between love and mental health (with an amazing soundtrack as well), the film is clearly gearing up for a run at next year’s Oscars. This week, Steve welcomes back Shelley McVea and Andrew… [Read More]
Melting the Tin Man’s Heart: 1on1 with Terrell Carter
In FOX’s epic series Empire, power is everything. Now in its fourth season, Empire continues to tell distinct stories and creating unique characters that break stereotypes in the genre. Following the lives of the Lyon family, the show continues to tackle a wide variety of social issues while also offering some of the finest music… [Read More]
The Passion of Augustine – When Times Were A-Changin’
“Modernity is killing me.” The 1960s were a time of momentous change. We remember much of the social upheaval, but we often forget what major shifts happened in the church. As a bishop says in The Passion of Augustine, “Everything is moving too fast. Modernism is attacking us on all fronts: Vatican II, loss of… [Read More]
Serenading Haiti – An Interview with Father Cesar
Directed by the award-winning documentary filmmaker Owsley Brown (Night Waltz: The Music of Paul Bowles; Music Makes a City), Serenade for Haiti (Serenad pou Ayiti) reveals a side of the country that is often misunderstood by the rest of the world. By focusing its lens on Father Cesar and his dedicated staff at Sainte Trinite… [Read More]
so i’m so sad after seeing Father John Misty sing on SNL
so i’m so sad after seeing Father John Misty sing on SNL he sang two songs, but the one he sung that so got. me. was “Pure Comedy” see here: ( for both performances, with lyrics (which i’ll refer to below) and editorializing, see “Father John Misty Questions Virtual Reality And Religion on ‘Saturday Night… [Read More]
Serenade for Haiti: Can the Arts Save Your Soul?
“Music is in us. It is in our lives. It cannot disappear. That would be like the end of life.” – Father Cesar, Serenade for Haiti Directed by the award-winning documentary filmmaker Owsley Brown (Night Waltz: The Music of Paul Bowles; Music Makes a City), Serenade for Haiti (Serenad pou Ayiti) reveals a side of… [Read More]
High Strung – Can music and dance bring happiness?
In High Strung a group of young musicians and dancers strut their stuff in a fairly predictable and formulaic story about finding fulfillment in their art—and finding love along the way.
