The Conformist
By Christopher Matteo Connor   |   March 28, 2023

Readers, movie lovers; we’re in for a serious treat. Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1970 masterpiece, The Conformist, is coming to a theater near you. Oh, count our lucky stars! Based on the book of the same name by Alberto Moravia, The Conformist is about a young Fascist, Marcello Clerici (played by Jean-Louis Trintignant) who is ordered to […]

Segueing From SBIFF
By Steven Libowitz   |   February 28, 2023

After hundreds of screenings and appearances by more Academy Award-hopefuls (and likely winners) gathered in one place this side of the Oscar luncheon, the 38th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival wrapped last weekend. But there’s still plenty of movie magic around beyond the cineplex and streaming.  UCSB Arts & Lectures’ annual visit from the […]

 

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Montecito at the Movies: The Lowe-down on ‘Grace Point’
By Steven Libowitz   |   February 21, 2023

It’s no wonder that the young actor, producer, and TV writer, John Owen Lowe, called watching the world premiere of Grace Point – a thriller that marks his debut as a lead actor in a feature film – at the Metro 4 cinemas at SBIFF last weekend a “surreal experience.” “I grew up going to […]

Getting SBIFF-y
By Steven Libowitz   |   February 14, 2023

Here comes the Santa Barbara International Film Festival: more than 200 movies, including 52 world premieres and 78 U.S. premieres, representing more than 40 countries and just about every film genre ever invented, including a wide swath of documentaries elucidating myriad topics. The usual Oscar nominee-decorated/movie star actor tributes and an even more Academy Award-hopeful […]

Pratt Takes Leading Role in Filmmaking
By Scott Craig   |   February 7, 2023

The Santa Barbra International Film Festival was a small local event when Sean Pratt began working for it two decades ago. Pratt, SBIFF managing director and Westmont adjunct professor, Roger Durling, SBIFF Executive Director, and their team have grown the festival from one featuring adventure-sport and nature films into one of the top 10 in […]

Miranda’s Movie
By Steven Libowitz   |   February 7, 2023

Few and far between are folks who are not familiar with the Miranda warnings, the ones that police have to read to criminal suspects that remind them of their right to be represented by an attorney and to refuse to answer questions at all. Far fewer are the people who know anything at all about […]

Local Film in the Fest
By Richard Mineards   |   January 31, 2023

Santa Barbara-based filmmaker Brent Winebrenner and local duo Suzanne Requejo and Montecito Journal scribe Leslie Westbrook are excited to have their 15-minute documentary, Voces de Old Town Carpinteria, have its premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival next month. It features five older Carpinteria residents, including 103-year-old Josephine Villegas and narrator historian Dr. Jim […]

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  • Film Fest Fervor Mounting
    By Steven Libowitz   |   January 17, 2023

    The Banshees of Inisherin stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson– who reteamed for Martin McDonagh’s award-season darling dark comedy after having first appeared together in the director’s brilliant 2008 film In Bruges – have been tapped to together receive SBIFF’s Cinema Vanguard Award on February 16. The announcement rounds out this year’s acting awards at […]

    Film Festival Fever Downtown and in Ojai 
    By Steven Libowitz   |   November 8, 2022

    There are a lot of highlights of this year’s Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival, which returns for its first post-pandemic gathering back at The New Vic Theatre November 2 through November 6, including Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life, which screens at 5 pm on November 3. The documentary about the 2018 […]

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    ‘Decision to Leave’ at the Riviera
    By Christopher Matteo Connor   |   November 1, 2022

    “You need murder and violence in order to be happy.” That cutting line, said by a wife to her depressed detective husband cleverly describes the protagonist of Park Chan-wook’s new film, Decision to Leave, and at the same time, Park Chan-wook himself. Or does it?  The South Korean “provocateur” is well known for his violent […]

    Focus on Film: SBJFF Checks into New Vic
    By Steven Libowitz   |   November 1, 2022

    The annual Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival kicks off at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, November 2, with an opening reception onstage at The New Vic Theatre downtown. Toast the return of the five-day event boasting films that span from documentaries and dramas to romantic comedies from around the world, plus guest speakers, morning coffee-and-bagels meetups, […]

    Something New to Stream: Watcher Review
    By Christopher Matteo Connor   |   October 25, 2022

    This week we’re getting into the spirit of the season! Because there’s no doubt about it, 2022 has been huge for horror. From franchise favorites Michael Myers and Pinhead making a return to the big (and small) screen, to a major outpouring of original works that have got horror fans drooling. Ti West’s Xand Pearl, […]

    ‘Carnal Knowledge’ at the Riviera
    By Christopher Matteo Connor   |   October 11, 2022

    Who has Doc Brown’s number? He lives around here, right? We could use his DeLorean right about now, ‘cause we’re taking a ride back to the ‘70s! This week at the Riviera is a 4K Restoration of Mike Nichols’ 1971 film, Carnal Knowledge starring Jack Nicholson, Art Garfunkel, Candice Bergen, and Ann-Margret. Really, how could […]

    ‘Hold Me Tight’ at the Riviera
    By Christopher Matteo Connor   |   October 4, 2022

    New life motto: devour everything Vicky Krieps is in. You only need to see Mathieu Amalric’s most recent movie, Hold Me Tight, to adopt this new rule for yourself. And if Amalric’s name doesn’t ring a bell, his face will surely make you go “Oh yeah! That guy!” He was a Bond villain, after all. […]

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