Security in "Insecure:" Issa Rae Set for World Domination

BronzeLens Artistic Director Deidre McDonald
and "Insecure" creator and star Issa Rae.

On Friday, August 26, a crowd gathered in Atlanta's Georgia Pacific Auditorium for the Bronze Lens Film Festival’s First Glance Friday, awaiting the much anticipated HBO series "Insecure" from star-on-the-rise Issa Rae.

The show opens with iconic LA spots and the extremely appropriate "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar. As the show played, it was quite evident that Issa Rae and "Insecure" will be 'Alright.' The show was funny, but it was more than just a series of one-liner laughs.

"Insecure" is really real. The show centers around the 'aggressively-passive' Issa and her best friend Molly, who are navigating their late 20s in Los Angeles. Faced with the issues of the unmarried, educated black female, Issa and Molly entertain with their quick wit and unbridled truth. "As a black woman, the more educated you are, the less likely you are to get married."

The Problem with—and Promise of—Donald Glover's "Atlanta"

Editor's note: It is my privilege today to introduce you to Christina Nicole, our newest Reel Georgia team member. I'd safely describe Christina as a junkie—a film festival junkie—and a finely tuned barometer of what's good. She's got excellent taste, a fantastic demeanor and a clarion way with words. -CM

"Atlanta" is not a comedy, but it is still good.

 
I have to shoot straight from the hip with this review. I didn’t like "Atlanta" the way I wanted I to. To quote "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit," “It was cool for what it was, but it wasn’t all that.”

I am a Donald Glover fan. I like Childish Gambino, too, but I didn’t like the show. "Atlanta" is subtle. It is almost too subtle. You have to pay attention to catch all the political and topical references. I appreciated the intellect displayed in the writing, but the show as a whole fell short for me.

Georgia Filmmakers Spotlight an Iconic Location and a Quirky Phenomenon in Documentaries "Hotel Clermont" (****) & "Eat White Dirt" (****½)

Tammy Wright, the primary subject of "Eat White Dirt."

One of the greatest appeals of a film festival is its ability to introduce audiences to stories from around the globe. And while I enjoy seeing the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong's nighttime streets and the breathtaking high-altitude views of the Himalayas on the big screen, there's something remarkably special about seeing a film that highlights the stories right in my backyard.

Two Georgia-lensed documentary shorts have been making waves among the southern film festival circuit: "Hotel Clermont" by Heather Hutson and "Eat White Dirt" by Adam Forrester. Both screened earlier this year at the Atlanta Film Festival and both came away with notable awards—"Hotel Clermont" won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Short and "Eat White Dirt" won the Seed&Spark Jury Award. Although I missed their screenings in Atlanta back in April, I made sure to catch them this weekend during the Macon Film Festival's "Southern Stories" shorts block, and I'm so glad I did.

Atlanta's 100-Year-Old Rialto to host Inaugural Be Downtown Film Festival, July 22-23

Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts, the Atlanta Film Society and Central Atlanta Progress are pleased to announce the first ever Be Downtown Film Festival on July 22 and 23, 2016.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Rialto opening as a movie theater in 1916. Built as the largest cinema in the Southeastern United States, the Rialto closed its doors to the public in 1989 before being acquired by Georgia State University years later. In addition to the centennial anniversary, the Rialto is also celebrating 20 years as GSU’s signature Center for the Arts as well as the Atlanta Film Society celebrating 40 years since its founding in 1976. The Be Downtown Film Festival will pay homage to the Rialto’s roots with a two-day festival celebrating films from the 1960s, 1970s and 1990s.

"V/H/S" and "The Signal" Producer Linda Burns Teaches Script Breakdown & Budgeting Workshops June 4th & 5th

Linda Burns, long-time Atlanta filmmaker and instructor of The PA Academy (presented by Atlanta Film Society and Georgia Production Partnership), is offering several workshops in June that will appeal to those looking to break into the film industry in Georgia, or professionals looking to hone their skills in breaking down, scheduling and budgeting their scripts.

One way that Burns earned a stellar reputation in Atlanta's film community was by staying here in the 1990s and 2000s, when much of the state's film business was stagnant. After the film boom began in the mid-to-late 2000s, Burns' educational offerings and partnerships with ATLFS and GPP became wildly popular. Well known for producing television and commercial work, Burns also has produced indie smash hits "The Signal" and "V/H/S."

On Saturday June 4th, Burns is teaching the first of a two-part workshop—Breakdown & Schedule Your Indie Script—followed by her entry-level class—Create a Proper Film Resume. On Sunday, June 5th, she will follow-up with part-two—Budget Your Indie Script.

#GAfilm Review: "The Nice Guys" (***½)

Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling star in "The Nice Guys."

“The Nice Guys” jostles your funny bone and warms the part of your heart (the top right half, I think) that stores all your nostalgia. It makes you admire a time, or even a mentality, that you didn't know you missed. I wasn't alive in the 1970s and I'm not a violent person, but this is a time/universe I want to occupy (minus the guns and danger), even if only for a day.

It’s indubitably a Shane Black film—dialogue that sizzles and jokes that zing. There’s also some violence, raucous behavior, perfectly 70s outfits, and lots of glorious vinyl. Black directed as well as co-wrote the script with writing partner Anthony Bagarozzi. 1977 is as much a character in this film as its two stars, the moralistically misguided Jackson Healy (played by the talented and surprisingly bellied Russell Crowe) and the shambled mess of a detective, Holland March (Ryan Gosling, handsome even in his drunken stupor).

#GAfilm Review: "Captain America: Civil War"

Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. star in "Captain America: Civil War."

Taking pause from the tropes, "Captain America: Civil War" sobers the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in eloquent and effective fashion; asking its audience, clearly and concisely, to consider the cost. For once in the MCU’s history, we don’t have mass-casualties justified by 'the greater good,' nor the grand contradiction of heroism that tends to accompany them. Instead, Earth’s mightiest heroes are asked to take a hard look in the mirror and redefine their brand of heroism.

Directors Joe & Anthony Russo impress with how they approach these themes; they’re not flashy or shiny, they don’t use 'entertainment' as an excuse for mindless destruction, and they don’t insult the intelligence of their audience. As I watched this film, I was floored by the risk taken in trading out the big bangs for the big ideas, yet it never once felt like an disingenuous soapbox capitalizing on an election year. Moments that we’ve cheered for in previous installments are replayed for both us and our heroes with renewed, real-world, perspective—allowing us to feel the weight and consequence of their actions, as they do.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival to Honor Lawrence Kasdan with Inaugural Icon Award

At the opening night of the 16th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival in January, executive director Kenny Blank announced the organization's next big step in achieving global recognition for their brand—the Icon Award for Contributions to the Cinematic Arts.

Perhaps best known for writing "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Kasdan has also had a tremendously successful career as a director and producer, making films such as "Body Heat," "The Big Chill," "The Accidental Tourist," "Grand Canyon" and "Wyatt Earp." Kasdan has received four Academy Award nominations across three categories (Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Screenplay).

Sign a Petition to Get Donald Glover to Take "Atlanta" to the Atlanta Film Festival!

Donald Glover is a hero in his hometown of Atlanta. Establishing himself as a force in film, television, comedy and music, Glover has garnered a huge fanbase through work as a writer on shows like "30 Rock," an actor on TV's "Community" and films such as "The Martian" and "Magic Mike XXL," as a stand-up comic and as a recording artist and DJ using the stage names Childish Gambino and mcDJ.

In 2015, it was announced that Glover would create, write, produce and star in a new show for FX titled "Atlanta." Production is currently underway (filming in Atlanta), but the show is already highly anticipated. Set for a summer 2016 premiere, we think it would be perfect for Glover to bring the show to ATLFF this spring.

We want Donald Glover to come to the 2016 Atlanta Film Festival, which takes place April 1-10. Whether he screens an episode or not, we want Glover there to talk about the show, his career and our city. We've heard from inside sources that ATLFF has invited Glover, but has yet to be able to firm up any plans. We hope to use 1,000+ signatures to encourage Glover to attend the 40th annual festival and show off his new work.

SIGN THE PETITION

"Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong" Review (****)

Brian Greenberg and Jamie Chung star in "Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong."

Last week I attended the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival for the very first time, catching a screening of first-time writer/director Emily Ting’s “Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong” as a part of Access Night. Starring real-life couple Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg, Ting’s walk-and-talk romantic comedy shines under the brightly-lit streets of nighttime Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the film occasionally falls victim to Hollywood’s many romantic comedy tropes. The city as the third character? Check. Flirtatious meet-cute? Double check. However, the film is able to differentiate itself from being just another 'rom-com' thanks largely in part to Ting’s unique perspective paired with Chung and Greenberg’s natural flow on screen.

#GAfilm Review: "The 5th Wave" (**)

Editor's note: I'm happy to introduce a new contributor! Jamie Traner's perspective on films is every bit as unique as she is. I know readers will enjoy her articles, and what a better way to start than with a #GAfilm! -CM

Chloe Grace Moretz stars in "The 5th Wave."

Released last weekend, "The 5th Wave" stars Chloe Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson and Liev Schreiber. Filmed in Georgia, including some lovely scenery from the Macon area, "The 5th Wave" is based on the novel of the same name by Rick Yancey. The story revolves around a post-apocalyptic world run by alien-type beings known as 'Others.' The Earth has been attacked in the titled ‘waves’—1. a signal sent to short all electronics, 2. earthquakes and global tidal waves, 3. Avian flu, 4. the 'Others' inhabit human hosts and 5. an impending, unknown plan to eliminate the remaining humans.

#GAfilm Floods January Box Office

Ice Cube and Kevin Hart return to star in the Georgia-lensed "Ride Along 2."

#GAfilm has flooded the January box office. Two Georgia productions, "Dirty Grandpa" and "The Fifth Wave" made their debut this past weekend, opening in the fourth and sixth positions respectively. They join Atlanta-filmed "Ride Along 2,” which dropped to third place behind "The Revenant" and the record-breaking "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" after its #1 debut the weekend prior.

From downtown Atlanta to Tybee Island, filming for these three #GAfilm productions have taken place all throughout our Camera Ready state. Find out their specific filming locations below and stay tuned to the end for a list of upcoming #GAfilm releases!

What to See at the 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

The largest Jewish film festival in the world returns for its Sweet Sixteen. Here is a list of titles for you to check out during the 23-day event.

We love that each new year of the Georgia film festival circuit kicks off with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. The city's most widely attended film event stretches out over three weeks at eight different venues across Midtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Alpharetta, Marietta, Vinings and Sandy Springs. No film festival in the state packs the house as consistently as AJFF and we are looking forward to joining in the opening night ceremonies on Tuesday, January 26 at the Cobb Energy Centre.

This year's lineup is as strong as ever, with films pouring in from all over the world and covering all sorts of thematic ground. Whether you want academic documentaries, Israeli award-winners, Japanese biopics, romantic comedies, musicals or whatever else you can think of—AJFF '16 has it.

We've compiled a long list of films you must see this year! See our picks after the jump.

Atlanta Launches Nation's First-Ever Entertainment Training Program

Atlanta will be the first American city to train workers specifically for the film industry. 

You've spotted filming signs scattered around town. You've driven past filming locations decked out with camera equipment and crew. Heck, you may've been lucky enough to have spotted a Hollywood star or two in a local Atlanta institution. But have you ever wondered what it's like to work on one of the production sets in the area? To contribute first-hand in the creation of movie magic? Now, you can. 

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE Local 479) recently announced plans to launch the City of Atlanta Entertainment Training Program designed specifically to train below-the-line workers for Georgia's entertainment industry.

Sarah Gavron's "Suffragette" Opens Up the 2015 Savannah Film Festival (***)

We chat about how Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep got involved and how she fell in love with Georgia after just a few hours in Savannah.

Each year, the Savannah Film Festival marks the unofficial anniversary of Reel Georgia. While it was launched a few months earlier in 2011, it wasn't until I booked it down to Savannah for two days in October that this website really started to post frequent, original content about Georgia films, Georgia festivals and the global industry from a Georgia perspective.

This year, my dedicated co-editor Lucy Doughty and eloquent contributor Jessica Hinckle join me here and together, there isn't a moment we will miss. Eighteen years in, SAVFF is at a peak artistically and commercially. Stars attending this year include Olivia Wilde, Alexander Skarsgard, Saoirse Ronan, Alfie Allen, Meg Ryan and Elizabeth Olsen. Tons of filmmaking talent is also attending—something the festival has obviously been spotlighting more in recent years, as the SCAD filmmaking programs continue to grow in popularity.

Among this year's attending filmmakers are director Sarah Gavron and producer Alison Owen of opening night film "Suffragette." I sat down with Gavron at the Trustees Theater ahead of the premiere, asking first and foremost what she thought of Georgia.

"I love it," she said. This is not just her first time in Savannah, it's her first time in the state at all. "I wandered around for two hours. I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was; it was very visual."

Indie #GAfilm "blackhats" Opens in Metro Atlanta on October 23rd, Ahead of VOD Release

You might see us talking about big blockbusters filming here or traveling the Peach State film festival circuit, but Reel Georgia also exists to spotlight films that are fierce in their homage to our good ol’ state. LaRon Austin’s "blackhats" is just that, highlighting the beauty and charm and grit of Atlanta’s city streets.

"blackhats" is an action-filled thriller that navigates the ins-and-outs of cyber terrorism. It’s a high-pressure, high-stakes film starring Errol Sadler as a fiery ex-bounty hunter whose life is disrupted when he’s convinced to track down a colleague’s brother. Janelle, his colleague, is played by the beautiful Doris Morgado ("2 Guns"). They soon discover that Janelle’s brother is in over his head, as he’s also being hunted by the FBI and a rival bounty hunter. Believe me when I say, chaos really does ensue.

The film is written and produced by Martin Kelley, who is certainly no stranger to the Atlanta indie scene. Kelley is one of the founders of our sister-site CinemATL and is responsible for other Georgia indies like "Step Off" and "Behind the Nine."

"Finders Keepers" Review (****½)

John Wood loses his leg twice in "Finders Keepers."

"Finders Keepers" is easily the most unbelievable documentary I’ve seen in years. The premise alone is enough to make you laugh and think, 'there’s no way that happened.' But it did. And not only did it happen —it happened mostly on camera (thank goodness). I swear my jaw dropped at least five times.

The film follows two men who get wrapped up in a legal battle over the possession of one of the men’s legs. It all starts when Shannon Whisnant, a local resident of Maiden, North Carolina, buys an abandoned storage unit filled with someone else’s junk. Whisnant opens up an old, rusted smoker that was sitting in the back of the unit and finds a human leg—skin and all. Intertwined with this half of the story, we also learn about John Wood—a kind-hearted man whose addictions and financial struggles forced him to stop making payments on his storage unit in which he was storing his amputated leg.

Atlanta Film Festival and Sidewalk Film Festival Named Among "Coolest Film Festivals in the World" by MovieMaker Magazine

The list of 25 was picked from nominations by MovieMaker Magazine's 2015 Panel of Cool.

Since the first Venice Film Festival began in 1932, film festivals around the globe have evolved into the premiere events for the celebration of independent cinema. As film enthusiasts, we attend these events to experience the moving image in the best possible way—through exceptional programming in stunning venues surrounded by a crowd of equally passionate cinephiles.

Two of our favorite film festivals to attend, the Atlanta Film Festival and the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, were recently recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as two of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World—and we couldn’t be more excited and proud!

The Local Lense: #GAfilm Updates 8/6 - Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, "The Walking Dead"

Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner and more! Hosts Beth Keener and Greer Howard bring you the 411 on entertainment news in Georgia. Find out what's filming, who's here and what to watch!

This week, catch up on the details of "Mother's Day" from director Garry Marshall, which will star Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson and Jason Sudeikis (to film in Atlanta); "Coat of Many Colors," an NBC TV movie about Dolly Parton's early life (to film in Metro Atlanta), and "Miracles from Heaven," starring Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah (currently shooting in Atlanta).

Find out what roles Ethan Embry, Merritt Wever and Corey Hawkins will play in "The Walking Dead." NBC just announced a deal with Atlanta-based producer Will Packer to produce a new Atlanta-set and shot drama titled "Buckhead." Also, check out updates from locally produced TV programs like "The Carbonaro Effect" and "The Dinner Project."

Review: "Cartel Land" (***½)

Meth lab in Michoacán, Mexico

"Breaking Bad" meets "The Hurt Locker" in "Cartel Land," Director Matthew Heineman's investigative documentary about two vigilante forces and their common enemy: the Mexican drug cartels. Stateside we have Tim "Nailer" Foley, head of the Arizona Border Recon, armed and ready to stop the drug war from crossing the border into Altar Valley. In Michoacán, Mexico, Dr. Jose "El Doctor" Mireles leads the Autodefensas—a citizen militia determined to dethrone the Knight Templars, a ruthless cartel that terrorizes the community.