In this eye-opening documentary, screening as part of the Witness Palestine Film Series, Israeli author Alice Rothchild interviews Palestinian survivors of the Nakba. Rothchild collects an oral history of their culture, knowing that such stories are what keep a history alive. She also hopes that an open dialogue will lead to a broader understanding and […]
Adam Lubitow
Film critic for CITY Newspaper, writer, iced coffee addict, and dinosaur enthusiast.
Posted inMovies
“Stone Cold Justice” and “From al-Araqib to Susiya”
Closing out the Witness Palestine Film Series is this documentary double feature, beginning with “Stone Cold Justice.” Originally created to be broadcast on Australian news, the film investigates the shocking Israeli military prosecution specifically targeting Palestinian children and the results of a policy which cultivates fear in the citizens of the West Bank. Particularly distressing […]
Posted inMovies
Film Review: “Laggies”
In Lynn Shelton’s amiable new comedy, “Laggies,” Keira Knightley plays Megan, a 28-year-old woman still stubbornly clinging to adolescence. Aimless in both her personal and professional life, Megan may technically be grown up, but she’s not truly an adult. Despite possessing an advanced degree in counseling, she earns a paycheck twirling a sign for her […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Theater Review: RBTL presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
The Rochester Broadway Theatre League opened its 2014-15 season Tuesday night with the first performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The popular biblical musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice (their first major collaboration together), takes its inspiration from the Book of Genesis, telling the story of a […]
Posted inMovies
Film Review: “Whiplash”
Typically in films of the “inspirational teacher” genre, the celebrated, unconventional instructors that inspire their pupils to reach greatness do so by kindly reaching out to their young students, instilling in them a lifelong love of learning through their sheer passion for teaching. In “Whiplash,” Terence Fletcher, the tyrannical music teacher played with gleeful relish […]
Posted inMovies
Film Review: “On the Side of the Road”
Screening as a part of the Witness Palestine film series, “On the Side of the Road” is a documentary by Israeli journalist Lia Tarachansky probing into the collective Israeli denial about the expulsion and displacement of Palestinians in the wake of the 1948 war for independence. Referred to by the Palestinian people as the Nakba, […]
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The Rochester Polish Film Festival 2014 Preview
The Rochester Polish Film Festival returns for its 17th annual chapter this week, offering a program of interesting, thought-provoking films that make up the best of what contemporary Polish cinema has to offer. The Festival officially started Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2, with screenings of two classic Polish films; this week begins the […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
FILM | Rocks in My Pockets
Depression is, as one might imagine, a rather difficult subject to make humorous. But miraculously, Latvian-born director Signe Baumane does exactly that in her witty, new film, “Rocks in My Pockets,” showing this Wednesday at The Little Theatre. Utilizing a combination of papier-mâché stop-motion and classic hand-drawn animation, Baumane weaves a personal tale that explores […]
Posted inSpecial Sections
Best of Rochester 2014: Critic Picks
City’s critics weigh in with some of their favorites from around town
Posted inArts & Entertainment
FILM | “Björk: Biophilia Live”
This Wednesday, the Dryden Theatre (900 East Avenue) will screen a special presentation of “Björk: Biophilia Live,” a new documentary concert film from directors Nick Fenton and Peter Strickland (“Berberian Sound Studio”). The eighth studio album from the eccentric and endlessly innovative Icelandic pop star, “Biophilia” has been described as “the multidisciplinary, multimedia exploration of […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
FILM | LunaFest
Hot on the heels of the High Falls Film Festival, Rochester plays host to another celluloid celebration spotlighting the work of talented female filmmakers. LunaFest is a traveling program of short films made by, for, and about women. Since 2000, the annual festival has toured the nation, bringing a unique, thought-provoking collection of films to […]
Posted inMovies
Film Review: “It’s Better To Jump”
Screening as a part of the annual Witness Palestine film series, the documentary “It’s Better to Jump” focuses on the changing face of Akka, a picturesque Palestinian city on the coast of Northern Israel. Over the years, the city’s Arab residents have found themselves squeezed out by Israeli authorities, Jewish settlers, and developers keen to […]
