Author: Melanie Votaw
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Movie Review: ‘Harriet’ is a Powerful But Flawed Account of an American Icon
It seems hard to believe that only now has a feature film been made about Harriet Tubman. After seeing the new movie, “Harriet,” I can see just how daunting it is to tell the story of such an extraordinary woman. I left the theater wishing it were three to four times as long as its…
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Movie Review: ‘The River and the Wall’ Doc Follows the Mexican/U.S. Southern Border
The new documentary feature film “The River and the Wall” by award-winning director Ben Masters opened in many North American theaters and on demand on Friday, May 3, 2019.
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Movie Review: Aretha Franklin Concert Doc ‘Amazing Grace’ Lives Up to Its Title
The newly released documentary “Amazing Grace” consists of much of the raw footage shot in 1972 when Aretha Franklin recorded her album of the same name. It became the highest selling album of her career and remains the most popular gospel album of all time.
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2018 Book Expo & Book Con Bring Out the Stars
The 2018 Book Expo America and Book Con were held May 30-June 3 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. A number of stars made appearances to promote books or TV shows. The Book Expo is held for the publishing industry, while Book Con is open to fans.
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Movie Review: Nick Offerman in Feel-Good Father/Daughter Indie ‘Hearts Beat Loud’
In “Hearts Beat Loud,” released in theaters June 8, 2018, Nick Offerman plays Frank, a widower/single father of a college-aged girl named Sam (Kiersey Clemons), who has plans to go to medical school.
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Movie Review: ‘Most Likely to Murder’ Starring Rachel Bloom
I’m a big fan of Rachel Bloom from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” fame. I’ve even seen her live in concert twice. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of her husband Dan Gregor’s latest film, “Most Likely to Murder.”
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Photo Gallery: 2018 Tony Award Nominees Tina Fey, Andrew Garfield & More Meet the Press
The 2018 Tony Award nominations were announced on May 1, 2018, and the nominees met the press on May 2nd. (All photos by Melanie Votaw.)
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PBS to Air ‘Roads to Memphis’ to Commemorate 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s Assassination
The documentary “Roads to Memphis” will re-air on PBS American Experience on Apr. 3, 2018 at 8pm (check your local listings). The film traces the deadly collision in Memphis on Apr. 4, 1968 between Martin Luther King and James Earl Ray.
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‘The Rape of Recy Taylor’ Doc Available on Digital HD Mar. 27
Recy Taylor, a 24-year-old black mother, was on her way home from church in 1944 Alabama when she was abducted by six white boys who took her to the woods and raped her repeatedly. As a result, she was never able to have another child. “The Rape of Recy Taylor” documentary tells her story.
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‘Breaking Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine’ Doc is Really About Putin
Yes, “Breaking Point: The War for Democracy in Ukraine” is largely about the patriotic spirit of the Ukrainian people and their unwillingness to give up. But as an American, I can’t help but focus primarily on the chilling portrayal of Putin and how his violence in Ukraine is a cautionary tale for the U.S.
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‘The Politics of Hate’ Doc Paints a Chilling Picture of Alt-Right Movements Throughout the World
“The Politics of Hate” is a documentary by director Michael Perlman that documents the last hundred years of hate in the USA and the interconnection between the American and European far right movements, supported by the Russian government.
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‘The Final Year’ Doc Follows Last Year of Obama Administration
Filmmaker Greg Barker received access to the Obama Administration during its last year and followed U.S. officials as they traveled in 21 countries. While President Obama makes a few appearances, the documentary focuses primarily on the foreign policy team: Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, National Security Advisor…