Rachel Galvin's Blog (158)

FLIFF and Cinema Paradiso was rocked by the sudden death of one of its own. Jane Moguillansky was a dedicated worker who loved the festival and its patrons. She will be missed.

By Rachel Galvin

Director Isaak James has created another gem in "By Way of Home," a slice of life story set in a world where the over qualified are unemployed and forced to forgo their freedom and move back home. The story is all too real in recent modern times where the 99 percent protest on street corners while the American dream…

"Free Ride"

Tuesday, October 15

GUTS, GLAMOUR, GOULASH, AND GRIT

How Those Glamorous Gabors, Bombshells from Budapest, adapted the glittering social rituals of the Hapsburgs

Into new lives and new identities in AMERIKA and in Hollywood. At Cinema Paradiso, in cooperation with the

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (www.FLIFF.com) 503 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (tel. 954/760-9898) 6:30-7:30pm: Courtyard…

By Rachel Galvin

(On left: Director Nikki Braendlin, Producer Lena Bubenechik, Caroline Fogarty with I.S. founder Rachel Galvin. Photo by Andrew Rozendal.)

Perfectly put together Margaret (Caroline Fogarty) spends her day ensuring everything is in order. She wonders if she has chosen the right orange pillows for her couch. She…

FREE FOR ACTORS--FIGHT CLASS

(On left: Master Sang & I.S. Founder Rachel Galvin, who is sponsoring the class)

Learn Taekwondo & Muay Thai moves from action star Master Sang. Master Sang is best known for movies like "Rush Hour 2" and "Rush Hour 3" and will be filming a movie with "The Rock" soon. He has…

Read it here first:…

By Rachel Galvin

Academy Award nominated "A Royal Affair" is a sumptuous treat for those who love history. With ornate detail, the characters and settings come to life. Each is well-rounded and complex. The film, directed by Nikolaj…

By Rachel Galvin

Told in black and white photos and videos, the story of Sir Nicholas Winton, the Englishman who helped the save 669 Czech and Slovak children before WW2 broke out, is a real tear-jerker. The pain of the parents who were forced to let their children flee to England in order to save their lives tears at the heart strings. But…

By Rachel Galvin

"Any Day Now," directed by Travis Fine is a powerful story about a gay couple in the late '70s attempting to adopt a mentally disabled child (with Down's Syndrome) after his druggie mom is incarcerated.

(Some spoilers):

The film begins with Rudy (Alan Cumming) lip synching his heart out with pals at a gay bar and catching the eye of the slick-looking Paul (Garret Dillahunt), who is watching him intently, looking out of place in his…

Best New Work (play or musical)

Baby GirL, Kim Ehly, Kutumba Theatre Project

A Measure of Cruelty, Joe Calarco, Mosaic Theatre

Moscow, Michael McKeever, Zoetic Stage

Off Center of Nowhere, David Sirois, Alliance Theatre Lab

roomies, Mark Della Ventura, Alliance Theatre Lab

Best Production of a Play

A Delicate Balance, Palm Beach Dramaworks

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad…

EE British Academy Film Awards in 2013

BEST FILM

ARGO Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck, George Clooney

LES MISÉRABLES Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, Cameron Mackintosh

LIFE OF PI Gil Netter, Ang Lee, David Womark

LINCOLN Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy

ZERO DARK THIRTY Mark Boal, Kathryn Bigelow, Megan Ellison

OUTSTANDING…

By Rachel Galvin

Poigniant, endearing, charming and laugh-out-loud funny, the heart-warming film  "The Sessions," pulls gently at the heart strings and tickles the funny bone. Shown at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, this film is a must-see.

Starring Helen Hunt and John Hawkes, the plot centers around a man, Mark O'Brien (Hawkes), with…

The 27th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLiFF), announced the winners of the film awards last evening during a special presentation at Copacabana Supper Club in the historic district of Fort Lauderdale.  The event presented over 200 American Independent and World Cinema features, documentaries and short films during the 24-day event from October 19 - November 11, 2012.   

"This year's fest will go down as one of the most challenging of my 24 years with…

The gala included not only a Lifetime Achievement Award for James Caan, but also dancing to powerful Jazz tunes, a silent auction, tasty tidbits and more.

(on left): Actor James Caan at gala at Privet Oct. 19 for his Lifetime Achievement…

(On left): Molly Parker and Olivia Harris play Donna and Maggie Cantwell.

"The Playroom," directed by Julia Dyer and starring Molly Parker and John Hawkes, is a dark and disturbing slice of life focused on a dysfunctional alcoholic and her affect of her family -- her husband and her four young children. The kids might be alright, but…