Interview: Actor, Author and Host Jonathan Bennett Talks Hallmark Movies, Hosting New Year's Eve for the Times Square Alliance & More in Video Live from Christmas Con

 Jonathan Bennet is a staple in Christmas movies, like Christmas House, Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls, A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale, Christmas Made to Order, but he's done so much more. From movies like Love on Repeat to A Country Romance and even Sharknado, he's a prolific actor who shines in many different roles.  You can Jonathan in countless TV shows (including Awkward, Supergirl) and also as host for New Year's Eve for the Times Square Alliance (www.Timesquare.org). According to IMDB, he's also got five new projects in the works.

Christmas Con 2021 - Full Coverage of That's 4 Entertainment Annual Christmas Extravanganza - Photos, Videos and More

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

That's 4 Entertainment's Christmas Con is back! After a very tough year and a whole lot of pent up holiday spirit the fans were back in full force at Christmas Con 2021 in Edison New Jersey.

Over 12,000 people showed (after showing proof of vaccination) to the convention center to celebrate all things Christmas and Christmas movies.

This year's in-person convention was a hard act to follow after the inaugural year of 2019 but it exceeded expectations. This year, there was a massive room just dedicated to the celebrities. There was a separate stage area for presentations with plenty of room. There was a food area and there was a vendor area, all with ample space. 

There's Hardly Nothing Not To Love if you Like Christmas Rom Coms in Netflix Movie Love Hard Starring Jimmy O Yang, Nina Dobrev and Darren Barnet - Five Reasons To Love It

Review by Suzanne Ordas Curry

I'm always looking for happy movies during the holidays. Yes I like my sad and heartfelt ones but after a long day working and stressing out over a holiday TO DO list, it's all about what it going to make me laugh. And Love Hard has consistent laughs throughout it. If you're a rom com fan, you'll probably like this movie about two people looking for love on dating apps.

Five Reasons to Love Love Hard:

1. It's freakin' funny. The actors know how to deliver, the situations are funny and there were a few real LOL moments. 

2. Baby's It's Cold Outside: BEST EVER VERSION of this song. What a plus for this movie that there was also music in it. Though I love the version in ELF, this one comes unexpectedly and takes the cake.

NYC Area Event: Jonathan Kruk's Superb One Man Performance of A Chistmas Carol Embodies the Essence of Dickens Making it a Truly Immersive Storytelling Experience

 

By Ashton Samson 

5/5 🌝🌝🌝🌝🌝

One thing is certain, witnessing Jonathan Kruk perform is an extraordinarily unique experience. He has been performing one-man-shows of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and A Christmas Carol since 2010 and 2011 respectively. My family and I have attended these two performances every October and December since I was seven. As a loyal fan, and after attending Mr. Kruk’s performance of A Christmas Carol once again this past weekend, I decided to examine why his performances are so unique and why he continues to captivate all who witness his magic. 

Interview: Maureen Van Zandt of the Sopranos and Joanna Bonaro Chat with The Ladies of The Libby Show - Hear about The Sopranos, Their Podcasts, New York City Life and More

Actress, dancer, podcast host and producer Maureen Van Zandt (The Sopranos, Lilyhammer) dishes all about her wedding to Steven Van Zandt, her relationship with the Beatles, her new podcast and so much more as she chats with the ladies of THE LIBBY Show on the episode: What is a Podcast? View Here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z7WE7uB16A

Maureen Van Zandt is joined in this episode by her friend actress Joanna Bonaro, who was also in The Sopranos. They talk about a podcast they did together, called Around the Sun available via the Broadway Podcast Network.

In this interview you'll hear:

- How she met all of the Beatles, saying it's "surreal to her" because she was such as fan since a young age

Interview: Musical Artist Loren Smith Talks about His Song "Our First Christmas", How He Got Started and His Passions

Interview by Suzanne Ordas Curry

Meet Loren Smith. His latest single, "Our First Christmas" is about meeting your significant other's family during the holidays. Composed specifically for the LGBTQIA+ audience but with a message for anyone, it was made by Loren with Erik Kertes (Shakira, Ariana Grande, David Foster). Our First Christmas is the lead single from his upcoming EP "Christmas-From My Heart to Yours". As a soloist, Loren Smith's last single boasted over 750,000 YouTube Views, he has worked with Michael Buble, BTS, and been featured on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE.

Tell me about yourself/profession.    

Loren Smith: I have two passions, people and music. I believe everyday is the chance to learn how to love myself and others better than the day before. Time is what we all have in common, so I try to use the music i create in hopes to strengthen and encourage the listener. 

The 4th Annual International Cutting Room Film Festival 2021 is Live In Person in New York City on December 19th

Miss in-person film festivals? Come to NYC on Sunday December 19th for all the thrill of a film festival in a city all decked out for the holidays at the 4th Annual Cutting Room International Short Film Festival. Tickets are available for this festival, which is focused on emerging yet overlooked filmmakers and writers. Details below, it's held at the Cutting Room 44 East 32nd St, New York, NY 10016. 10AM-6:30PM. Kat Miccio is the Festival Director.

There are 3 Blocks of films.2.5 hrs each. 7:00PM Red Carpet Holiday Cocktail Hour. 8PM Awards. Tickets will go on Sale Dec 1st through indiefilmonline.com.

Interview: English Actor Anna Rust of Carnival Row and Legends talks about her Short Film Satiety, Voice Acting in Video Games and More

 

Interview by Harry Sherer

Anna Rust is an award winning actress, writer, and director, with supporting roles in Amazon’s Carnival Row, TNT’s Legends, and voice acting roles in Cyberpunk 2077 and Final Fantasy.

For 2021’s Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival in which she was a juror, I sat down with Anna Rust to discuss her short film Satiety, her transition from acting to filmmaking, her love of video games, work as a voice actor, and more. Check out some highlights from our conversation, as well as the full interview on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHwJlOM0s5c

Harry Sherer: What was it like being on the other side... being a juror at a film festival?

Perfect Strangers' Mark Linn-Baker and Carolyn McCormick Star in Benefit Reading of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf for Katonah Classic Stage in New York

Trent Dawson's Katonah Classic Stage (KCS) will present a benefit reading of Edward Albee’s, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, at the Bedford ()NY) Historical Hall on December 9, 2021. The lead roles of Martha and George will be portrayed by two actors with extensive Broadway credits who are perhaps best-known for their television roles: Carolyn McCormick best known for her leading role in  Law & Order and Mark Linn-Baker most beloved for his role in Perfect Strangers and most recently on Succession.Rounding out the cast is Jaren Zirilli and Evy Ortiz.