Arts & Sciences’ Post

#TheEvilFairyQueen is an engaging #fantasy film that combines real and fantasy elements, as it transports us into a world of #fairies! The Evil Fairy Queen follows a family that moved from a suburban town to a large, seemingly normal house in a rural area. However, this house and the family’s experiences there are anything but normal. Something seems off from the day they arrive, when a neighbor creepily warns them of the house’s dangers. The younger daughter, Violet (#KittySudbery), discovers the fairy queen but doesn’t realize the dangers of keeping it a secret. Eventually, the rest of the family figures out what’s going on, but not until it’s too late and the entire family is in grave danger. This film has strong, relatable characters that pulled me in and allowed me to connect with the storyline. The older daughter, Adelaide (#AnielaLeyland), is a typical teenager while the younger daughter is still an innocent, sweet, explorative little girl. This contrast is typical for siblings, no matter what the age difference or similarity in interests. The dynamics between the family members make the film relevant and also demonstrates the character motives in the more suspenseful parts. Because this film includes many fantastical aspects, it’s important that viewers can relate to the characters, even if their situation is a bit unrealistic. With all that said, the story has some issues - there are some unclear parts of the fantasy world and a lot of things are never explained. That makes some sections of the film slightly confusing and diminishes its overall suspense. However, the concept of the fantasy world is interesting and it’s a wonderful idea. Available on VOD beginning April 16, 2024. https://ow.ly/VEf250RfMVq

#TheEvilFairyQueen is an engaging #fantasy film that combines real and fantasy elements, as it transports us into a world of #fairies! The Evil Fairy Queen follows a family that moved from a suburban town to a large, seemingly normal house in a rural area. However, this house and the family’s experiences there are anything but normal. Something seems off from the day they arrive, when a neighbor creepily warns them of the house’s dangers. The younger daughter, Violet (#KittySudbery), discovers the fairy queen but doesn’t realize the dangers of keeping it a secret. Eventually, the rest of the family figures out what’s going on, but not until it’s too late and the entire family is in grave danger. This film has strong, relatable characters that pulled me in and allowed me to connect with the storyline. The older daughter, Adelaide (#AnielaLeyland), is a typical teenager while the younger daughter is still an innocent, sweet, explorative little girl. This contrast is typical for siblings, no matter what the age difference or similarity in interests. The dynamics between the family members make the film relevant and also demonstrates the character motives in the more suspenseful parts. Because this film includes many fantastical aspects, it’s important that viewers can relate to the characters, even if their situation is a bit unrealistic. With all that said, the story has some issues - there are some unclear parts of the fantasy world and a lot of things are never explained. That makes some sections of the film slightly confusing and diminishes its overall suspense. However, the concept of the fantasy world is interesting and it’s a wonderful idea. Available on VOD beginning April 16, 2024. https://ow.ly/HWgK50RfMVs

Review of the Week: The Exorcist, The Film That Scared the Devil Out of Audiences Budget: $12 million Box office: $441 million (lifetime gross) When The Exorcist hit theaters in 1973, it didn't just shock audiences: it downright terrified them. Directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty, this groundbreaking horror film redefined the genre and left an indelible mark on cinema history. Budget: $12 million Box office: $441 million (lifetime gross) The secret to The Exorcist's success? Its uncompromising commitment to realism. Friedkin's documentary-style approach made the story of a young girl's demonic possession feel all too plausible. Coupled with groundbreaking practical effects (that head-spinning scene still haunts our dreams), the film blurred the line between fiction and reality. But the scares didn't stop at the screen. The Exorcist's innovative marketing campaign generated massive buzz, with reports of audience members fainting during screenings. It became a cultural phenomenon, sparking a renewed interest in the supernatural and the occult. For filmmakers and horror buffs, The Exorcist is a masterclass in creating tension and atmosphere. It proves that with a strong story, bold filmmaking choices, and a willingness to push boundaries, a movie can transcend its genre and become a timeless classic. So, if you're brave enough to revisit this iconic film, be prepared for a truly unsettling experience. The Exorcist's power to shock and captivate audiences remains undiminished nearly five decades later. Just don't watch it alone… Written by : Jimmy Bègue / CEO Hoepe Films #TheExorcist #HorrorMovies #CinemaHistory #Filmmaking #CultClassic #HoepeFilms

Blog Feature: A @cinequestorg Sneak Peek at Harsimran Sandhu’s, @simasandhini Short Film Pulp, @pulp_shortfilm Support Sandhu by watching the shorts program at 9:30AM on March 16th at the Hammer Theatre. If you only attend the festival's feature-length screenings, you'll miss a local gem tucked into the short film program. Pulp, a debut short directed by San Jose native Harsimran Sandhu, is a tale about the immigrant experience. Pulp discusses how many immigrant parents might not know how to express love adequately through words but often show it through their actions. "I fell in love with the imagery of giving someone the bigger half of an orange," Sandhu says as he discusses the film's title and key symbol. "It's a mother eating less so her daughter can eat more… It's 'I want to peel it for you. I want to do the work for you so you can reap the rewards.'" Pulp discusses how many immigrant parents might not know how to express love adequately through words but often show it through their actions. The film also portrays the pull between finding a "responsible" job and following the siren's song of a creative career—a divergence many children of immigrants must navigate. "You're supposed to pay your parents back. You're supposed to take care of them and make their sacrifices worth it—and there's such a clash with the pursuit of your own dreams," Sandhu reflects. "That's something that I've personally struggled with: that balance." Plenty of his peers face the same dilemma. "I've had so many late-night talks with my friends about 'What can we do?' And no one knows the answer," Sandhu says. "We're all figuring it out. There's no blueprint." Read the entire blog: https://lnkd.in/gDZvKzXb (Link in Profile) ____________ Blog by Johanna Harlow, @johanna.harlow  Photos by Daniel Garcia, @thecultivator 

"Problemista" is a surreal comedy film marking Julio Torres' directorial debut. The movie revolves around Alejandro, an ambitious toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to make his dreams come true in New York City as his work visa expires. He finds an opportunity to work with Elizabeth, an erratic and marginalized artist in the art world. The film's deep message is about clinging to our dreams, no matter how unreachable they may seem to others, and not giving up at the first sign of trouble. It emphasizes the importance of standing up for one's basic rights in a world filled with exploiters, underlining that kindness alone cannot shield one from the law of the jungle, where only the strongest survive. Character development is a focal point of "Problemista," showing Alejandro's transformation from hesitant to proactive in pursuing his dreams. The relationships between characters are intricately designed, reflecting how directorial techniques can enhance the narrative. The blend of Alejandro’s vivid imagination with the real world injects a layer of irony and depth to the dialogues and situations. Julio Torres delivers a unique and imaginative perspective in "Problemista," with multidimensional characters that mirror everyday people we interact with, some of whom may seem benign but have a toxic impact on creative individuals. This film suggests a promising future for Torres if he continues to craft stories with such artistry and realism. #cinema #movies #drama #comedy #life #weekend #sunday #movienight

What are you #ObsessivelyEthusiastic about? At REFASHIOND Ventures: The Industrial Transformation Fund we are obsessively enthusiastic about early-stage Industrial Transformation & Supply Chain Technology, and the people developing innovations to solve problems in that area. Our Investment Thesis: REFASHIOND Ventures: The Industrial Transformation Fund invests in early stage startups refashioning legacy industries through Data & AI, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, & Next Generation Supply Chains; Defensible through economic moats. Join us. #IndustrialTransformation #SupplyChain #Innovation #Technology #Startups #VentureCapital #DemandTheImpossible Ps: By sheer coincidence, we are also obsessively enthusiastic about Founders Podcast and the stories David Senra shares with us about the people who build the world we will live in tomorrow.

Over the past decade or so, I've made a series of short videos entitled "The Mystery Of Creativity," examining the connections between creativity and spirituality. One of these very short films, "Imagine No Religion," was just nominated for, and won, Special Mention at The One Reeler Short Film Competition in Hollywood. It's quite poignant, if I do say so myself, and I would even classify it as one of my best pieces, ever. I'll post the video in the comments section below.

With every project I take on, I ask myself one key question: "How will this film make the audience feel?" I came into film through my father, who handed me a camcorder and tasked me with capturing our family holidays. I’d cut them together with music and titles, and then watch as my mother cried, reminiscing over happy memories. It was in those moments I learned that films had the power to make people feel. When I think back to the stories that stuck with me, I vividly remember the ones that made me cry, laugh uncontrollably, or feel a deep, simmering anger. I picked up a book back at Film School called "Actions: The Actors' Thesaurus," a book filled with emotive words to help performers find the right feeling in their scenes. As a director, it’s essential to be able to communicate emotion to actors, and in much the same way, it’s crucial for your messaging to convey the feeling you want your audience to experience. A story that makes people feel strongly, deep within themselves is a story that sticks with them, and that's where the real impact lies. So next time you’re working on a video for your product or service’s, ask yourself: What emotions will this create? And how will those emotions encourage action?