Every 20 years I am cast in a film which remains at the top of the most favorite watched films worldwide by audiences. In 1971, it was The Godfather in a minor role as an usher.
In the early 1990's I was very involved in producing evenings with IFP West now known as Film Independent, with directors Robert Altman, Stephen Frears and many other filmmakers. I ran their screening program and I met Bryan Singer at the screening of hi...
Hollywood in June was jammed with three film festivals Hollywood. The 10th LA Greek Festival at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood made you feel like you are in Greece and the films were very personal, and the stories were heartfelt.
Then in June, the LA Film Festival arrived at the Arclight in Hollywood with the feature Lowriders and many other films with recognizable names and the premiere of Conjuring 2 which is the film to see Culver City Studios were used f...
In 1970, I was a young actor living in New York city and everyone was excited about this book, The Godfather by Mario Puzo. The word was out the they were going to make this book into a film and they were going to cast unknown actors. All of us, who were of Italian descent ,were very excited.A rare opportunity in casting the film in New York City and Paramount pictures was producing it.Louis DiGaimo was the casting director.At that time, I had just closed in a p...
iN 1970, I was a young actor living in New York city and everyone was excited about this book, The Godfather by Mario Puzo. The word was out the they were going to make this book into a film and they were going to cast unknown actors. All of us, who were of Italian descent ,were very excited.A rare opportunity in casting the film in New York City and Paramount pictures was producing it.Louis DiGaimo was the casting director.At that time, I had just closed in a play, of...
Harry Dean Stanton : Partly Fiction, a documentary
By Ron Gilbert
One of the additional joys after viewing this film was having Harry Dean in person performing a few musical sets which could have gone on for hours because no one wanted him to stop. He always says, “It is what it is. Everything just is.” Just put that in your mind and it will help you into the insight to this fascinating documentary. Swiss director Sophie Huber, who met Harry 20 years ago, discussed with us how it...
Harry Dean Stanton :Partly Fiction,a documentary
By Ron Gilbert
One of the additional joys after viewing this film was having Harry Dean in person performing a few musical sets which could have gone on for hours because no one wanted him to stop. He always says, “It is what it is. Everything just is.” Just put that in your mind and it will help you into the insight to this fascinating documentary. Swiss director Sophie Huber, who met Harry 20 years ago, discussed with us how it to...
Dances with Films Festival celebrate Sweet Sixteen Birthday
Ron Gilbert
Now in the 16th year of celebrating Independent Films and Filmmakers, the film program is outstanding. This film festival is what the Sundance Film Festival used to be. The Founders of Dances with Films Leslee Scanlon and Michael Trent has made this into a highly rated film festival. As an audience member, filmmaker and film reviewer, I cannot express how excited I am to be invited to this event. There is so much to disc...
Bert Stern: Original Madman a film review
I met Bert Stern in NY in the late 60’s when I worked in a restaurant called Maxwell’s Plum on First Avenue and his studio was a few blocks away. Every model wanted to be photographed by him. He was the Picasso of the photography world and you would be noticed all over the world if he shot you. So I was very much looking forward to this film because I was in there when it was happening and seeing it on the screen, brought back all those fo...
Bert Stern: Original Madman a film review
I met Bert Stern in NY in the late 60’s when I worked in a restaurant called Maxwell’s Plum on First Avenue and his studio was a few blocks away. Every model wanted to be photographed by him. He was the Picasso of the photography world and you would be noticed all over the world if he shot you. So I was very much looking for...
Silver Case glitters in Hollywood Premiere
By Ron Gilbert
The Arena theatre in Hollywood is a perfect venue for the award winning film Silver Case which is a great example for any filmmaker who wants the crash into the Hollywood film scene using their own vision and not governed by corporate film studio executives.
Director Christian Filippella and his producing partners Claire Falconer, Salvatore Zannino, Brian Keith Gamble, Corrado Musso and others put their metal to the petal driving...
“Stand Up Guys” is a fun film with 3 Oscar winning actors who are enjoying their roles and audiences will be sharing the fun with them.
There will never be another aging buddy film that will top this film with Val( Al Pacino) , (Doc)Chris Walken and Hirsch (Alan Arkin). The reason I am saying this is because I have so much in common with these actors and the mob life setting. I have know these Al and Chris from Actor Studio days early 70's and have worked with them and they ar...
“Stand Up Guys” is a fun film with 3 Oscar winning actors who are enjoying their roles and audiences will be sharing the fun with them. There will never be another aging buddy film that will top this film with Val( Al Pacino) , (Doc)Chris Walken and Hirsch (Alan Arkin). The reason I am saying this is because I have so much in common with these actors and the mob life setting. I have know these Al and Chris from Actor Studio days early 70's and have worked with them and they are s...
Last night I attended the SAG-AFTRA awards and was very happy with the choices made, in particular , Jennifer Lawrence in winning best actress for her performance in the motion picture, Silver Linings Playbook.She auditioned on Skype for the director and is a major talent at 22. Tommy Lee Jones won best supporting actor for Lincoln which was well deserved. Robert DeNiro was also nominated but missed out which in a way made me happy because he has not done his best...
Silver Case a film which shines
By Ron Gilbert
After finally seeing this film on the big screen, at the LA Film & TV Festival at the magnificent Chaplin theater in front of an enthusiastic audience and I was blown away by the production values.
This film is a great example for any filmmaker who wants the crash into the Hollywood film scene using their own vision and not governed by corporate film studio executives.
Director C...
Supercapitalist has a familiar plot line but Derek Ting (writer/producer )who stars in this film is Chinese and he explores a world that we have not seen in these Wall Street films. He immediately transfers this film from Wall Street to Hong Kong and I do not recollect any film doing that in the last few years. We all know that China has entered the capitalist world in a big way ,so here we are in this very hot and sexy world where money is the key to happiness.
I have been in this world a...
I must honestly say that this is the happiest film festival in Los Angeles. I should tell executive director, Kirsten Schaffer, to rename it, “The Happy film festival” from all the smiling faces of the packed audiences and participants.Everyone is in the happiest frame of mind to be there which translates into the real meaning of the word”Gay”. This year they hit the pinnacle of their success in my opinion.The opening night film “Vito” was the most perfect and touching film to pre...
On the opening day of the The Los Angeles Film Festival, the day was filled with excitement with fans packing the streets and watching the parade and honoring the Stanley Cup champions.
The LA Kings but movie fans were looking forward to Oscar winner Woody Allen appearing and presenting his romantic new film”To Rome with Love”.
So love was in the air all over downtown Los Angeles with smiling faces , the red carpet and the film fans and lovers of Hollywood. The LAFF direc...
On the opening day of the The Los Angeles Film Festival , the day was filled with excitement with fans packing the streets and watching the parade and honoring the Stanley Cup champions .The LA Kings but movie fans were looking forward to Oscar winner Woody Allen appearing and presenting his romantic new film”To Rome with Love”.So love was in the air all over downtown Los Angeles with smiling faces , the red carpet and the film fans and lovers of Hollywood. The LAFF directors were very s...
On the opening day of the The Los Angeles Film Festival , the day was filled with excitement with fans packing the streets and watching the parade and honoring the Stanley Cup champions .The LA Kings but movie fans were looking forward to Oscar winner Woody Allen appearing and presenting his romantic new film”To Rome with Love”.So love was in the air all over downtown Los Angeles with smiling faces , the red carpet and the film fans and lovers of Hollywood. The LAFF directors were very sma...
“Marina Abramovic The Artist Is Present” captivates the audience
by Ron Gilbert
In all honesty ,I must say that I was not familiar with the career of the incredibly creative artist, Marina Abramovic, but after seeing this documentary I would be the first in line to see her live in action.
The advantage audiences will have in seeing this documentary is that the film explores her 40 year career and traces her roots in Yugoslavia, where she was raised by communist parents in a h...
by Ron Gilbert
Director Gérald Hustache-Mathieu has jumped into the Marilyn Monroe mystique and has created a film which allows you to join him in his whodunnit script.
David Rousseau (Jean-Paul Rouve) is a crime novelist( just think James Elroy), and is searching for a story for his a new novel and lo and behold ,while speeding down the highway in his convertible,he passes the scene of an accident or it is a suicide and his writer/detective instincts start to flow as he follows t...
Dances with Films 2012 in HollywoodDances with Films trots into its 15th Year in Hollywood
by Ron Gilbert
The Dances with Films FIlm Festival has planted its’ footing along the stars on Hollywood Boulevard at the Mann Chinese theatre. Festival directors Leslee Scallon and Michael Trent have moved this festival into the ranks of a festival to be reckoned with. As the saying goes the “Truth is in the Pudding” and after attending this festival now in its’ second day ,the theatre i...
Dances with Films 2012 in Hollywood
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Stan Lee Marvels audience at Catalina Film Festival 2012
by Ron Gilbert
Stan Lee preferred to appear at the opening of the 2nd Catalina film festival on the same day of the record breaking weekend release of "The Avengers". The attendees loved having him there for 2 days on which he appeared and discussed his marvelous journey after the audience viewed "The Avengers" which preceded the documentary "With Great Power" -The Stan Lee Story. Stan is very pe...
Morgan Spurlock is the the greatest example of a filmmaker who thinks outside the box and has the imagination and inspiration of a true artist.
I compare him to the artist Andy Warhol because he sees what others may view but his artistic talent allows him to create something unique. Perhaps his determination to be a filmmaker after being rejected by the USC film school several times but finally making the cut at the NYU film school opened his eyes in a ...
