Review: The Last New Yorker

It’s always hard when you realize you’re growing older. Everything around you is changing. The city you grew up in isn’t the same. All the mom and pop shops you used to frequent are selling out to the newest, biggest franchise. Life is passing you by. This is what’s happening to lifelong friends Lenny and Ruben, two old school New Yorkers in their 70’s, in The Last New Yorker, the full length directorial debut from Harvey Wang.

As Lenny and Ruben–Lenny more so–try and hold onto the days of yesteryear, Lenny gets some unfortunate news. He learns from his nephew that he’s broke. All Lenny has to his name is $5,000 that his nephew put aside for him in a bank account.

As Lenny tries to cope with the fact that the New York of his youth...read full review.

Today Is My Birthday

I turn 25 today. 25 is half way to 50 and it's pretty crazy to think I'm half way to 50. Time really flies by. So far, this has been a great birthday. My fantastic friends took me out over the weekend. I was able to eat some good food, get some great gifts and see a movie I think I liked. Tonight, when I get off of work, I'll be going home to dinner. I'm looking forward to that.

Scrolling through IMDB today and I noticed that I share my birthday with some pretty awesome people and I never even knew it. James Franco, for example was born today, 8 years before myself. There's pretty much no cooler person to share a birthday with, is there? I mean, besides Steve McQueen, I certainly can't think of anyone, and since McQueen was born on some other day, I'll happily take sharing this day with Franco. Now, if only I could borrow some of his cool.

Another actor of note born today is Tim Curry. Who doesn't love Tim Curry? That's right, no one. We all love him.

Better than who was born on this same day as me though is the birthdays I'm sandwiched in between. Yesterday, April 18, was Conan O'Brien's birthday. Conan will always be my favorite Simpsons' writer, talk show host and flat out funniest person in the world to me. Absolutely love that guy. Tomorrow, April 20, is the day Adolf Hitler was born. So if you're making a birthday sandwich using April 18, 19, and 20, Conan and Hitler would be the bread and I would be the meat. Interesting right? If killing and hating Jews isn't your thing, switch Hitler out with Clint Howard. Still a good slice of bread and only slightly less racist.

Closet Monster Films: The Bum at Holgas

Check out the newest short film I was part of! Let me know what you think!

Closet Monster Films: The Bum at Holgas: "A few weeks ago Brett approached me for an idea he had for a short video about a bum. The idea was very simple but funny and we had intended..."

Dark of the Matinee: Odd Thomas Getting Quite The Cast

Dark of the Matinee: Odd Thomas Getting Quite The Cast: "If you know me or if you listened to the podcast a few weeks ago, you know how much I love the Odd Thomas' series of books from Dean Koontz..."

Check out the newest episode of my podcast, Dark of the Matinee. This week we're onto episode #6 and the second part of our month long JAWS marathon as Matt Robinson and I discuss Jaws 2.

Listen for free here: http://darkofthematinee.podbean.com/2011/04/05/dark-of-the-matinee-episode-6-jaws-2/

Also be sure to subscribe on iTunes and follow us on Twitter @Dark_Matinee

While you're at it, "like" us on FaceBook: facebook.com/darkofthematineepodcast

Travis Mills is a young, up-and-coming director and writer from Phoenix, Arizona. He’s the cofounder of both Running Wild Films and GUERRILLASTAR PRODUCTIONS, both based out of the Phoenix area, although GUERRILASTAR has roots in New York as well.

I first came across the work of Mills at the 2010 Arizona Underground Film Festival, which contained two projects Mills had worked on: Bloody Basin in which he was producer and script supervisor, and The Ruffians, his debut into both the worlds of directing and writing.

Both short films were impressive, but The Ruffians is the one that truly stood out to me. The film was visually interesting and had a story that pulled you in. The short had all the signs of a director that knew exactly what he was doing. I immediately new Mills would be someone I’d like to keep an eye on.

Well, the newest project from Mills has certainly sparked my interest.

Currently, Mills is in pre-production on his first feature length film, The Big Something, a record-store-murder-mystery that will be...click here for full article

Phoenix Film Festival

The Phoenix Film Festival returns to the desert for the 11th straight year from March 31-April 7, 2011 at the Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre.

The Phoenix Film Festival has rapidly been growing over the past decade, quickly becoming a favorite of many filmmakers. In past years the festival has showcased films from all over the world from Do It For Uncle Manny in 2002 to (500) Days of Summer in 2009 to Cyrus and Middle Men headlining last year.

This year things will have a new twist as the International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival join forces with the Phoenix Film Festival, giving movie goers the opportunity to see more horror movies than in years past.

The festivities kick off with the documentary Starting at the Finish Line: The Coach Buehler Story on opening premiere night. The documentary tales the tell of Al Buhler, the legendary Duke track and field coach that has touched and inspired the lives of many including Carl Lewis and Shane Battier. The film is executive produced by former Duke stand out...visit Trashwire to read the rest.