For World Day Against Trafficking, View Free Screening of the Feature Film Angie: Lost Girls, A Film which Chronicles the Horrors of A Teenager who was Trafficked

HOLLYWOOD, Ca., July 20, 2021: Non-profit organization Artists For Change, Inc. will have a virtual screening of “Angie: Lost Girls” on July 30th at 5pm PST for the ‘World Day Against Trafficking in Persons’ event. The film was directed by social impact filmmaker Julia Verdin with efforts of bringing awareness to the realities of sex trafficking. The films stars  Jane Widdop, Dylan Sprayberry, Olivia D'Abo, Randall Batinkoff,  Anthony Montgomery MC Lyte and more. You can RSVP for the movie and presentations after - which include some of the actors at:

https://watchbeem.com/cowatch/film-screening-for-awareness-of-child-trafficking

This special day of focus is globally promoted and founded by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. This award-winning feature film, distributed by Freestyle Media, is produced by some Hollywood heavyweights including Jason Piette, Sean Acosta, Morris S. Levy, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, John Jacobs, Cady McClain, Suzanne Ordas-Curry and Sterling Youngman depicts true events in the life of 17-year-old Angie who was trafficked for financial gain by criminals.

If you cannot attend the free screening you can view it on most streaming platforms. For info visit: https://www.artists4change.org/filmprojects/official-angie-lost-girls/

View: A Tribute to Candace L. Straight, Film Producer, Investment Banker and Tireless Advocate for Women

Candy Straight at Soho Film Festival (NYC)

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

The world lost Candy Straight, producer, banker and champion for women's causes.

When people leave this world, it is said that they will be missed. The world lost Candy Straight, and I know specifically the people and the projects this loss will affect. I also have a sense of the people she helped, especially females and young girls that were touched and inspired by her wisdom and strength. I am one of them.

I was privileged to have known Candy for the past ten years. We met at an educational seminar at a local college, where she was a speaker. I introduced myself afterwards and it grew from there. We had a lot of interests in common, Rutgers (she was on the Board of Governors), film, politics, women's issues and interestingly the world of the soap opera. In fact, we were both working on online soaps at that time.

Acclaimed Films Coming to Women's Online Theater Herflix: Becoming Astrid is the Biopic of Author of Pippi Longstocking Book Series, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Feminist and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornest's Nest

Did you read Pippi Longstocking as a child? I know I did. I loved her antics and enjoyed reading about a fearless and fun female as a child, not knowing the effects of reading about a shero would have in shaping my view of life and the world. 

Becoming Astrid is the story about the prolific, groundbreaking author, Astrid Lindgren. The film is now available on Herflix, the online movie platform for women. This film is a moving depiction of this Swedish author and her life, especially her formative years as a young girl. Even if you did not read the books, the biopic stands on its own as a telling tale of an author in the making. Featuring acclaimed performance by August Alba and Audience Award Winner Chicago International & Mill Valley Film Festivals.

To watch it click here or visit the links below:

https://www.herflix.com/

Other films coming to Herflix:

Review of Disney's Cruella: Just Pure Fun and Entertainment with Astounding Performances by Emma Stone and Emma Thompson and Lest Not Forget the Costumes are Works of Art

By Ashton Samson

3.5/5 🌝🌝🌝🌛 

Cruella, the new film by director Craig Gillespie, is witty, glamorous and dark, showcasing the phenomenal talent of Emma Stone and Emma Thompson. It’s definitely a fun time for all. That the film is pure fun and not really much else is essential knowledge to gain before heading into it. 

There is certainly nothing overtly philosophical or thematically relevant to discuss with this movie. If someone is looking to watch a movie with social or political undercurrents, with metaphors and symbolism ablaze and an underlying message at its core, Cruella is not for you. I suppose a case could be made for the point of the film being about how to create sympathy for an antihero, someone who has none of the conventional aspects of a hero in place and yet seems destined for heroic status. However, it is best not to read into it too much. Movies don’t always have to be deep or philosophical because sometimes, it's just as entertaining to sit back and have a good time.

Lighthouse International Film Festival Runs June 3rd-6th, 2021 at the Jersey Shore: Virtual, Venues and Parties, SXSW's Swan Song is Opening Film

This shining gem of a film festival is at the Jersey Shore. Located on Long Beach Island, a narrow strip of pristine beaches on one side and bayshores on the other, it's a festival gaining recognition with its selection of award-winning and new independent films. A plus for this festival - this year it is outdoors as well as inside. Last year, the Lighthouse Festival was one of the few festivals that were actually held, and using a drive-in format, some of the showings were even sold out. What's better than watching a movie outside? That would be watching a movie outside with the smell of the beach in the air.  

NY/NJ Event: "Fore The Kids" Golf Classic in River Vale July 12th Features NY Giant Carl Banks, NBA's Eric Murdock: Benefits CASA For Children of Bergen County - Online Silent Auction is LIVE

If you're making your plans to get out like before the pandemic, here's an outing with a good cause, in the fresh air and with lots of activities. Golfers will enjoy the beautiful course (located less than an hour from NYC) and others may enjoy the dinner at the club or a peruse of the Silent Auction. Here are the details:

To View the Silent Auction Items: Auction closed but inquire as some items are still available; https://one.bidpal.net/golfcasa/welcome

Interview with Ziva Bakman Flamhaft on her Book War Widow: How the Six Day War Changed My Life - One Woman's Story of Triumph and Hope in the Face of Tragedy

 

Interview by Suzanne Ordas Curry

Ziva Bakman-Flamhaft has gone through more in life than most people. In her book War Widow: How the Six Day War Changed My Life, she chronicles the trials, tribulations and triumphs in her life. And along the way gives hope to others. In this conversation, you'll find out how very personal her revelations are hopefully, be inspired to read the book and gain truth from her words.

You have led a life of tragedy and resilience. First, tell me why it was necessary to write this book and something about the process?

Ziva Bakman Flamhaft:  The first part of your question provides the answer to the reason I needed to write my book: My life of tragedy and resilience. I was an unexperienced, sheltered young woman seemingly unprepared to handle the unimaginable loses I had suffered. And yet, I surprised all around me, including myself, with tremendous strength and resilience I did not know I had. 

CASTING CALL: Remake of "You Bet Your Life" Quiz Show Seeks Contestants: Apply Now to this Show Hosted by the Legendary Jay Leno

Looking for something new and exciting to do? Here's a new quiz show hosted by the iconic TV host Jay Leno. They are looking for people from all walks of life. You can apply online and if you're chosen they fly you out to LA for the taping. Good luck!

HI It's Debbie & LIsa Happy May! IG #twinstalent Time for a FUN FUN FEEL GOOD SHOW WIN MONET! Meet JAY LENO & Have FUN! CASTING - The remake of the iconic comedy quiz series "YOU BET YOUR LIFE" with HOST JAY LENO  Win MONEY WITH JAY - All expenses paid Looking for fabulous REAL People who would love to have some fun & win money with Jay. You can be located ANYWHERE in the country. Do you have a great quick wit & GREAT personality? Do you love Quiz shows? Would you love to have fun with JAY and get flown to Los Angeles in the next few months. We are looking for people of ALL AGES- All different walks of life - all different careers, interests, hobbies, lifestyle.... Make sure to include your hobbies, accolades, interests and organizations you may be apart of: EX: Tall people club, Car Club, Painting Club, Sailing Club, Running Club, Yoga Club, Tree Climbing Club, Naturist Club, Skydiving Club, Soccer, Plumbers Club, etc.. Looking for everyone: Nurses, Bakers, Teachers, Surfers, Doctors, Parents of multiples, Gardeners, Professors, Yoga Instructors, Drivers, Chefs, Trainers, Coaches, Hair Dressers, Funeral Directors, TWINS, TRIPLETS, Olympic Eater, Judges, Restaurant owners, Engineers, Scientists, Moms, Dads, gardening hall, Professional Strong Man, Preachers, Rabbi's, Lawyers, Entrepreneurs, Builders, Painters, Artists, Bankers, Candlestick Makers, Sailors, Marathon runners, Inventors, Animal Lovers, Farmers, Vets, etc..... Please apply to the application link below! Do not upload with any headshots, only NON professional photos accepted. APPLY ASAP @ https://youbetyourlife.castingcrane.com/ Mention TWINS TALENT recommended you Filming will take place in Los Angeles, CA between July-October, 2021 IF chosen they will fly you to Los Angeles to play with Jay! Must be 21+ and a US Resident to apply Other eligibility requirements may apply TWINS TALENT NYC Email: Twinstalentcasting@gmail.com #twinstalent https://www.facebook.com/debra.ganz.397   ‌ ‌ ‌

Lunch With The Ladies is a New Talk Show for Ladies Of a Certain Age: Premiering June 2021

There's a brand new talk show in town. But this one's unique. It's a talk show for ladies over a certain age. Yup, ladies with a few wrinkles and grey hairs. 

The show will feature five co-hosts, Suzanne Ordas Curry (a film producer), Beth Abramson Brier (a screenwriter), Iliana Guibert (actress/filmmaker), Messalina Morley Alton (actress/screenwriter) and Zonie Le Sane (professional).  The press release states that all of the hosts are over a certain age, but one of the hosts will always be a tad bit younger to keep them all current, because the beauty of being older is that although you know a lot, you also realize there's a lot you don't know. For example, one of the segments will be "Who is this?", where the ladies try to figure out who people are (think musical guests on SNL!)

Topics will include entertainment, families, shopping, arts, music, film, children, causes, aging, Broadway, health, the environment, living and more. The show's goal is to "talk about topics that unite us". There will be little political talk.

Guest co-hosts will appear throughout the season. Guests will include well-known actors, doctors, wellness specialists, filmmakers, non-profit pioneers, life coaches and other professionals. The show will also feature real woman talking about their unique experiences in life.

                  Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa6ZgPwcD2Y

SoapConLive is the first ever Event for the Soap/Drama Genre: Online Event on The Locher Room Features A Bey of Soap Stars Including Kassie DePaiva, Trent Dawson, Colleen Zenk, Terri Conn, Jackie Zeman, Austin Peck, Kin Shriner & More

Are you a fan of the soap genre? Whether it be daytime, online or evening drama you may want to check out the first ever SOAPCONLIVE! It's a gathering of soap stars from now and in the past that you can see and connect with online. For now... more to come in the future. It will start streaming on THE LOCHER ROOM on Youtube on May 1, 2021.

This event was created by and is partnering with people in the soap industry and those who appreciate the value and entertainment it brings to people, especially during the pandemic.

Interview with Actor/Singer Robert Bannon: Hear about How his Emotional Rendition of Bette Midler's "From a Distance" is a Tribute to Healthcare Workers, His Work on Saturday Night Live, and How He Has Everything he Needs in Jersey

Interview by Shane Curry

Robert Bannon is an actor, singer, teacher and proud New Jerseyan. You may recognize him from his work on Saturday Night Live or from him many stage performances in NJ and New York City including his stint in My Big Gay Italian Wedding.

During the pandemic, Robert released his first single, "From A Distance", the classic from the Beaches album sung by the divine  Bette Midler - which she gave a nod to him to do. The  song and video, shot on Long Beach Island, NJ, is a tribute to health care workers as well as a reflection on the challenges during the pandemic. This beautiful song now has extra meaning and Robert's voice and emotion emanates throughout it.

In July, 2021, he will release a full album, entitled "Unfinished Business."

We had the pleasure on interviewing Robert. here is the full  interview with Robert Bannon:

You can also view with this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n58dHGpQnm8

In this interview you will hear:

NYC Area Event: Trent Dawson's Katonah Classic Stage presents THOM PAIN, an IN PERSON Live Theater Event - Welcome Back to the Stage

Katonah Classic Stage is pleased to announce its upcoming benefit, Thom Pain (based on nothing), a one man-show by Will Eno. Katonah Classic Stage (KCS) is a new, professional, non-profit theater company in Katonah, NY, whose mission is to offer exceptional, diverse, and professional productions of classic and contemporary plays.  

A finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer prize, Thom Pain was proclaimed “a small masterpiece” by The New York Times. At once hilarious and heartbreaking, KCS’s presentation of Thom Pain at the Bedford Playhouse marks the triumphant return of live theatre to Northern Westchester.  A limited engagement at the Bedford Playhouse, the fundraiser will be April 29 - May 1, 2021, at 8 p.m., 633 Bedford Road, Bedford, NY.  

 

Females in Entertainment: Filmmaker Elizabeth Blake-Thomas' New Film Will You Be My Quarantine Stars Full House's Jodie Sweetin, David Lipper, Alec Mapa and Danielle Perez - Hear About How She Made This Film Came to by During Quarantine Working Side by Side with her Daughter

by Suzanne Ordas Curry

Meet Elizabeth Blake-Thomas, an award-winning British filmmaker currently based in Los Angeles. Elizabeth spent her time productively the last year, producing and directing the film Will You Be My Quarantine?  It's a a romcom with a spectacular cast. It stars Full House/Fuller House/Hallmark movie actor Jodie Sweetin, David Lipper (Fuller House), Danielle Perez (The Price is Right fame) and Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives).  It's set to release in 2021. 

Elizabeth’s recent film Evie Rose, starring Oscar-nominated actress Terry Moore, premiered January 2021 on Amazon. She is the founder  of Mother & Daughter Entertainment, whose motto is “Making Content That Matters”, Through MDE, Elizabeth established the MD Foundation Initiative, a campaign to mentor and employ undiscovered filmmakers through fellow philanthropic pledges. 

Interview with Olivia D'Abo of The Wonder Years - Her New film Angie: Lost Girls is Now Streaming - Hear Ten Things we Learned About this Multi-Talented Actress, Singer/Songwriter and Voice Talent of Star Wars

 

By Suzanne Ordas Curry 

Olivia D'Abo is known to many for being Kevin Arnold's big sis Karen on the popular sitcom The Wonder Years (which by the way is getting a reboot). But Olivia D'Abo is so much more than just a sitcom icon, she's an accomplished film actress, singer/songwriter, voice-over talent (she's the voice of Luminara of Star Wars: Clone Wars) and podcaster. 

The daughter of  a rock start (Mike D'Abo of  Manfred Mann) and a model (Maggie London) who grew up in England, she's lead a very interesting public and private life and has many projects in the works.

Most recently she stars as the mother of Angie, in Angie: Lost Girls, a narrative feature by Julia Verdin and Artists for Change. It's a powerful, thoughtful and difficult story about a typical suburban teenager who gets trafficked. Randall Batinkoff plays her husband, and together they to get their daughter back from some very dangerous and evil people. The movie is streaming now and you can find where here:

https://www.artists4change.org/filmprojects/official-angie-lost-girls/

We had the chance to sit down and talk to Olivia. Here's the full interview:

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FgobL6NOdY

Females in Entertainment: Jane Widdop Stars as Angie in Angie: Lost Girls, A Powerful Film about Child Trafficking, See her Soon in Showtime's YellowJackets

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

Meet Jane Widdop. This up and coming actress stars as Angie, a teen who is trafficked in the newly-released film Angie: Lost Girls. In it she plays a suburban girl who falls prey to some of the worst things a parent could imagine, all because of a boy (played by Dylan Sprayberry of the CW's Teen Wolf) who lures her into a world she may not be able to escape.

I had the chance to interview this talented young lady, who spoke candidly about how deep the part was and how she hopes it will spread awareness about this other plague around the world, which worsened during the pandemic. And she tells us what she can about her upcoming role in the new Showtime series Yellowjackets

.

Or Watch here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DoHJUIwX3s

In this interview you'll also hear:

Garden State Film Festival Runs March 23 - 28 Virtual and In-Person: Almost 200 Films to Enjoy by Independent Filmmakers. IFC's Arianna Bocco and Actor Daniel Baldwin Honored

The Garden State Film Festival 2021 runs  this year from March 23rd - 28, 2021. There are some in-person events but most films are virtual. This year's festival features over 175 selections as well as special events. There are features, animation, shorts, docs and more. Tickets begin at $10 with $55 for a virtual multi-pass. Visit: https://www.gsff.org/

This year the the festival is honoring industry people for different efforts. Those being honored are: Arianna Bocco (IFC Films), Daniel Baldwin (Actor), Ming Chen and A Shared Universe PodcaSTudio, Declan O'Scanlon Jr. (State Senator), Christian Barber (actor), Chris Dudick (producer), Drew Henriksen (screenwriter) and ROB THORP (screenwriter).

The Garden State Film Festival was started to help support the works of independent filmmakers, in NJ and beyond, as well as pay homage to the state where many of the aspects of film as we know it were born. As stated on their website, it was in Menlo Park where Thomas Edison invented the first film cameras and projects and Fort Lee, which is where the first movie studios were located. (Note: Due to better weather and personal issues with some of the owners, they moved on over to Hollywood.)

Women Trailblazers of Early Cinema now on Herflix in Parnership with the NYWIFT Women's Film Preservation Fund: Watch films for free by Grace Cunard, Alice Guy-Blache, Angela Murray Gibson and Lois Weber

Launching during Women's History Month as of March 19, 2021 is a series of films called "Trailblazers of Early Cinema" on the platform HERFLIX. The Women's Film Preservation Fund of New York Women in Film and Television has partnered with HERFLIX to bring these films free to all viewers. Herflix is a new boutique online movie theater.

This ground-breaking series features films by early women filmmakers: Grace Cunard, Alice Guy-Blaché, Angela Murray Gibson and Lois Weber will be featured. You can also watch  a special  Trailblazers Q&A moderated by WFPF’s Founder Barbara Moss with guest panelists Kim Tomadjoglou and Buckey Grimm.

To view the programs, register and stream for free at HERFLIX.com.

Trailblazers of Early Cinema: 

https://herflix.page.link/282D

Trailblazers of Early Cinema Q&A Panel:

https://herflix.page.link/d1kN

Help Save an Iconic Performing Arts Center: NJ's Bergen Pac Presents Free Online Star-Studded Extravaganza with Appearances by Jay Leno, Paul Anka, Wynton Marsalis, Ali Stroker, John Fogerty, Dionne Warwick and More on March 13th

 

Review of Marvel's Wandavision on Disney: Unique, Imaginative and a Must See for Marvel Fans, but Here's What It Could Have Done Better

By Harry Sherer

I love Marvel more than anyone I know. That’s why I didn’t like Wandavision.

Clickbaity enough for you? Hear me out— it’s not a bad show. The concept is brilliant, the acting is superb, and it beautifully sets up what will likely be MCU’s return to theatres in Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness. But something just didn’t sit right with me as the credits (and post credits, and post-post credits) came to a close. And I think it has to do with something Marvel has had a problem with for a long time— transferring the “Marvel formula” into the television medium.

As a film nerd and MCU fanboy, I’ve heard the term “Marvel formula” thrown around quite a bit. There’s no one true definition, but it refers to the various cookie-cutter elements that the studio includes in nearly all of their productions. Before I describe some of these elements, allow me to preface it by saying: I f*cking love Marvel, and I say all of this out of love. It’s not you, it’s me, babe. That being said, most every MCU production contains: a merely serviceable plot, a likeable protagonist, quirky side characters, a one-and-a-half dimension villain, and a Macguffin. And it works. But here’s the thing— Wandavision includes these elements, and does some of them really well, but in the end, it just doesn’t feel right. Let me explain what I mean.