Hollywood, CA —The filmmaking business is getting more democratized every day.   The days of only the most powerful studios and talent agencies   producing films are numbered. Cheaper equipment means   more people than ever can make films.   Alfred Hitchcock was a master of making great films on the cheap.  No special effects, difficult sets or  costumes were used.  Just talented writing and actors made his success. Some filmmakers enjoy the power of mixing art with political propaganda.  They want to influence the masses rather than entertain them.  That’s exactly what was behind the recent financial film disaster of, MISS SLOAN . With an estimated $13 million budget, a terrific leading lady ( Jessica Chastain ) what could possibly go wrong?  The answer is everything! I’m loving the films finally being produced with female protagonists. When I saw the slick previews I thought this would be something I wanted to see....

Los Angeles, CA —I attended a SAG screening of A Most Violent Year put on by the SAG Foundation . I never really know what to expect at these events however this was a very enjoyable and entertaining experience.   J.C. Chandor expertly wrote the script and directed the film.   It starred Oscar Isaac  as Abel Morales, an ambitious immigrant  and Jessica Chastain as his wife, Anna Morales .   All three stayed for a Q&A and were kind enough to press the flesh later.   The film is about a New York couple that is in the Home Heating Oil business.   This is a tough cutthroat industry in a city where corruption is a way of life.   Isaac seems to effortlessly play the male protagonist that seems to channel a young  Al Pacino from the Godfather films .  He dresses like a the cover of GQ Magazine and has the perfect haircut. He’s a handsome and classy man of his word caught in a mess. When you actually meet and talk to I...