Robert Siegel
- 2008
His sense of identity fading into nothingness after the spotlights dim and he experiences a close brush with mortality, a retired wrestler begins to evaluate his life while considering the comeback that could very well kill him in director Darren Aronofsky's poignant portrait of an introspective former superstar at the twilight of his career. Back in his heyday, wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was an icon in the ring. His image immortalized in action figures and video games, he would headline arenas across globe. Twenty years later, those glory days have passed, and Randy is forced to earn his keep by brawling before handfuls of fans in high school gyms and community centers around New Jersey. In the wake of a heart attack, the former icon attempts to earn a little extra cash while working in a deli and making an effort to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). Yet despite Randy's continued attempts at convincing local stripper Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) to settle down with him in his humble trailer, the ring still calls to him. Later, when the prospect of a high profile rematch with his longtime nemesis presents itself, Randy is forced to weigh his mortality against his desire to hear the crowd roar one last time. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, (more)
America's most popular satirical newspaper makes the leap from the printed page to the silver screen in this political comedy that explores what happens when journalistic integrity is compromised by corporate sensibility. Onion News anchorman Norm Archer (Len Cariou) is s principled journalist, so when he's asked to bend to the will of his corporate overlords he decides to strike back with a fury unheard of in the world of network news. Nothing is sacred as the creative force behind The Onion unleash an unrelenting barrage of satire on such subjects as pop stars, prisoners, peace talks, and blockbuster action films. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Len Cariou
- 2007
Writer/director James Kerwin infuses Raymond Chandler-influenced noir with a metaphysical twist by tracing the story of a female detective who's tough enough to take on even Philip Marlowe in this monochromatic mystery designed to challenge the viewer's very perception of reality. Hoyle (Kipleigh Brown) is a hard drinking detective whose taste for bourbon betrays her razor sharp sleuthing skills. Set out on the trail of a reclusive genius (John Newton), however, Hoyle soon finds her life becoming increasingly fragmented and surreal. The only people that Hoyle can trust as she begins to uncover a series of mind bending cosmological secrets are her loyal partner (Mik Scriba) and a scintillating lounge singer (Chase Masterson). But wherever Hoyle goes, she is shadowed by a mysterious figure (Peter Mayhew) whom she is soon destined to meet, and who may just possess the power to bend reality. In a world of black and white, Hoyle is about to take a bizarre journey into the divine gradients of grey invisible to the naked eye. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kipleigh Brown, Chase Masterson, (more)
- 2003
Haris (Baktash Zaher) is a struggling artist living in New York City. He left Afghanistan as a child, when the Russians invaded and his parents were killed. Now in his late twenties, he feels disconnected from the world, and he's tormented by nightmares, so he decides to delve into the past and uncover his roots. He meets Sunny (David Azizi), a food vendor who brings Haris into his home. Laila (Yasmine Weiss) also lives in New York, with her conservative family, who are bound to the patriarchal traditions of their homeland. Her family is trying to arrange her marriage to a local Afghan man, who happens to be a thug. Laila despairs of ever finding true love, but she's determined to be her own woman. When she meets Haris, she's initially cold to him. She tells him she doesn't date Afghan men. But as her own family life begins to disintegrate, she begins to see that Haris has entered her world for a reason. FireDancer was the feature debut of writer/director Jawed Wassel. In October of 2001, Wassel was murdered by an old college acquaintance who had become involved with the film's production. Wassel's creative team, including co-producer Vida Zaher-Khadem (the star's sister) and producer John G. Roche, completed the film and brought it to Kabul, where it was the first film screened publicly after the Taliban regime was toppled. FireDancer was also the first film ever submitted by Afghanistan for Academy Awards consideration. The film had its U.S. premiere at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Baktash Zaher, Yasmine Weiss, (more)
