Arts
We’re Not Broke
United States tax law is purposely complicated. This is why people hire accountants. Unfortunately, the complexity of the U.S. tax code is exactly what has allowed the majority of multi-billion dollar U.S. companies to evade paying taxes through the use of offshore tax havens. Turns out U.S. companies hire accountants too, often times ones who helped write portions of the tax code, or have spent time working for the I.R.S. … read more
The House I Live In
Inspired by director Eugene Jarecki’s relationship with his childhood caretaker, The House I Live In serves as a great introduction and overview of America’s 40-year-long war on drugs. Through a series of interviews with law enforcement officers, scientists, drug users, drug dealers, incarcerated individuals and the families of the incarcerated, Jarecki paints a vivid picture explaining that the violation of drug laws has become a multi-generational problem for poor Americans. … read more
Welcome to Pine Hill
Based on real events in the life of lead actor Shannon Harper (playing himself), Welcome to Pine Hill presents an intimate look into the life of a young black man as he severs the ties of his drug-dealing past and attempts to cope with his sudden diagnosis of terminal cancer. … read more
February
Opening with a dark and surreal sex scene, we follow the main character’s search for human connection on the most basic level. Sex permeates the 11-minute film, from the thumping sounds our character hears above the basement floor while fixing a pipe, to the blowjob he receives in an alley outside of a booming nightclub. … read more
China Heavyweight
In 1959, Chinese President Mao banned the sport of boxing for being too violent and American. Thirty years later, the ban was lifted and the communist country has embraced the sport in a fashion that can develop young children into proud representatives of their culture.
About Face
Portrait photographer turned director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders points a video camera instead of his usual photography setup at a group of the most celebrated models in “About Face” to discuss the history of the profession.
The Raid
Rama is the latest addition to an Indonesian SWAT team. They have been given an order overtake a 30-story building complex owned by a legendary gangster and housing the city’s worst criminals. With hundreds of henchmen prepared to die for their supplier, Rama is about to put his policing skills to the ultimate test. … read more
Filly Brown
An LA-bred Latina with some attitude and musical talent, “Mojo” Tonorio, aka Filly Brown (Gina Rodriguez), aspires to be a hip hop artist while dealing with various familial conflicts, including an imprisoned mother and a father struggling to keep his job. … read more
Movie Reviews – January 2012
The Adventures of Tintin, The Artist, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Muppets and Sherlock Holmes are reviewed. … read more
Movie Reviews
What do you mean it’s time to do another batch of Top 5s for the end of the year?!? Where in the hell did 2011 go? While we still have time before the one-year countdown to the end of the world commences (thank you very much, Mayans), here’s the list of 2011’s best and worst movie offerings … so far! … read more