Category Archives: Movies

The Movie Man Filmmaker George Pogatsia Writes, Directs and Stars in his Second Film, FAMILY ON BOARD

 By Sally Deering

 An actor’s life brings surprises with every part and when George Pogatsia of Jersey City found himself on a film set about to play a role, something happened that eventually led him to make his own films.

“I heard a little voice like Kazoo from ‘The Flintstones’ that said you can do this,” Pogatsia says on a break during post-production of his new movie. “I heard ‘you can do this’ then I heard ‘maybe not’. Then I heard ‘let’s try’.”

 From that day on, Pogatsia set out to pursue a life not just as an actor, but as a screenwriter and director.  He wrote the screenplay THE PIZZA TAPES which was optioned and then he set out to write FAMILY ON BOARD, which went from the page to film. Continue reading The Movie Man Filmmaker George Pogatsia Writes, Directs and Stars in his Second Film, FAMILY ON BOARD

GOLDEN DOOR FILM FESTIVAL 2012 –OCTOBER 10-13, 2013

GDIFF FOR OCT 10 2013

Beginning Thursday October 10, and running for four days until October 13, the Golden Door International Film Festival will be screening over 60 independent films at five fantastic locations around the city – The Loew’s Jersey Theatre at Journal Square, Art House Productions, Parlay Studios, Panepinto Gallaries and the Brightside Tavern.

The four day event begins on Thursday, October 10 with a red carpet opening gala starting at 6 pm at the Loew’s Jersey Theatre.  Following this reception, THE FIX, starring Armand Assante, Kresh Novakovic, and Luca Pierucci will be screened. This 18 minute film was directed by Ante Novakovic and was written by Ante Novakovic, and Kresh Novakovic. – “Redemption is a bullet away as two middling underworld associates and life-long friends quickly come to realize after failing their otherworldly crime figurehead (Vincent). Not being able to accomplish what was seemingly easy, they’re offered clemency in the form of a note, redemption, but at what price?”

Armand Assante is also the Lifetime Achievement recipient this year. He will be accepting his award at the Closing Night ceremony on Sunday Armand_Assante_publicity_photo_used_by_permissionOctober 13 at the Loew’s Jersey Theatre beginning at 6 pm

Following the screening of The Fix on opening night, FALL TO GRACE, a documentary by former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey will be screened.  FALL TO GRACE, an HBO film which was directed, produced and filmed by Emmy® winner Alexandra Pelosi. This screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Mr. McGreevey answering audience questions about the film from the stage.

Over the four days, over 60 films will be shown from submissions which have come from all over the globe – Germany, India, UK, California, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

AND THEN SHE WAS GONE, starring Jacqueline Pennewill followed by CHECKMATE, KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER with Federico Castlluccio, Peter Green and WilliamSadler will be shown on Saturday evening. Also, Cathy Moriarty of Raging Bull fame, will be attending opening night for a screening of her latest film, TAMMY along with Paul Sorvino in THE TROUBLE WITH CALI. The stars will be out to promote their films! Also in attendance is our first year’s Lifetime Achievement recipient, Leon Gast who won an Oscar for WHEN WE WERE KINGS. Continue reading GOLDEN DOOR FILM FESTIVAL 2012 –OCTOBER 10-13, 2013

Golden Door Does Its Best Film Festival’s ‘Best of’ to be Screened at Art House Productions in Jersey City

      

 

By Sally Deering

 

Bill Sorvino Executive Director of the  GDIFF
Bill Sorvino Executive Director of the
GDIFF

 In October 2012, the second annual Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City lit up screens at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre and other venues where films from all over the world premiered and winners chosen. On Sat, March 16th, the festival’s Executive Director Bill Sorvino presents “The Best of the Fest” where three films from the Golden Door International Film Festival will have encore screenings at Art House Productions in Jersey City.

 

Maybe Tomorrow, a film by Michael Wolfe

The feature film to be shown is “Maybe Tomorrow” directed by Michael Wolfe and starring Wolfe, Dominik Tiefenthaler and Paul Lange. At the Golden Door, the film won Best Picture, Best Lead Actor, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay. The film centers on the friendship between three men and the test their friendship endures when they become involved in a crime that ultimately changes their lives forever.

  

 

 

 

PollinationNext on the bill is “Pollination*”  a short film about the special life of plants by filmmaker Sam Borowski and starring Federico Castelluccio (of “The Sopranos”) and Chris Kattan. 

 

 

 

My Time with the English Tourist, a film by John Dunstan of Jersey City
My Time with the English Tourist, a film by John Dunstan of Jersey City

Rounding out the evening is “My Time with the English Tourist,” a short documentary by Jersey City resident John Dunstan that won the Audience Choice award. The film short is a 13-minute valentine to Jersey City’s Liberty State Park and the wildlife that resides there as seen through Dunstan’s camera lens during walks with his English bulldog Tommy.

 “These three films were chosen across the spectrum,” Sorvino says. “The feature film, ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ is a powerhouse movie starring Michael Wolfe.  John’s film is a short documentary about the walks he took with his dog and the beautiful wildlife in Liberty State Park. It’s a great film. And Sam’s film ‘Pollination*’ packs a 7-minute wallop.’ Continue reading Golden Door Does Its Best Film Festival’s ‘Best of’ to be Screened at Art House Productions in Jersey City

“Union Square” Starring Mira Sorvino and Tammy Blanchard -Actresses with Roots to Hudson County to be shown Friday Night Oct 12th at Jersey City’s Loew’s Theater.

Mira Sorvino, Tammy Blanchard and Writer/ Director of Union Square Nancy Savoca

On Friday night October 12th at 6:45 pm  the Loew’s Theater on Journal Square in Jersey City will present  as a special attraction to the  the  Golden Door International Festival and not as  part of competiton, Writer/ Director Nancy Savoca’s movie,  “Union Square” starring Oscar winner Mira Sorvino and Emmy Winner and Two time Tony nominated actress Tammy Blanchard .

What makes this an extra special event is both Ms. Sorvino and Tammy Blanchard have roots in Hudson County,   Ms. Sorvino  daughter of Paul Sorvino is cousin to Bill Sorvino Executive Director of the GDIF.Ms. Blanchard   was born in Jersey City, raised in Bayonne and has family in the Hudson County area.

Bill Sorvino said “This is a great opportunity for Hudson County audiences to see two very talented actresses with Hudson County roots work side by side in a wonderful movie about sisters, by Writer/ Director Nancy Savoca.”

 

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT-Filmmakers to Shine at the Golden Door Int’l Film Festival in Jersey City

By Sally Deering                                                             GDIF Award photo by Steveamack.com

October brings chills and thrills and skies so bright you can see the stars and the nights will be especially starry when the Golden Door International Film Festival rolls out the red carpet at the Loew’s Jersey City movie palace for four fabulous days of films.

 The film festival kicks off Thurs, Oct. 11th where stars, writers, directors and cinephiles will gather in the Loew’s art deco lobby for drinks and schmoozing and then take their seats in the beautifully restored theater to watch two new films, Pollination* starring Federico Castelluccio (The Sopranos); and Just Crazy Enough featuring Saturday Night Live alum Chris Kattan.  The following three days will be jam packed with screenings of features, documentaries and shorts and a closing night awards ceremony on Sun, Oct. 14th.                

 

 Founder Bill Sorvino brings the film festival back to Jersey City for a second year and the response he’s received since last year’s event has been huge, he says. This time around, Sorvino has added ore films to the marquee for a four-day smorgasbord of features, documentaries and shorts from Hollywood to Bollywood.

 “Last year’s festival was very successful,” Sorvino says. “We had great feedback and I want to build on what we did last year. So this year the amount of fantastic films we have is over the top – one great film after another.” 

 

Continue reading STARRY, STARRY NIGHT-Filmmakers to Shine at the Golden Door Int’l Film Festival in Jersey City

BETWEEN TAKES WITH TAMMY BLANCHARD

Stay Tuned to See Emmy – Winner Tammy Blanchard in Several Upcoming Shows

It’s a busy time for Emmy-winning actress Tammy Blanchard. She’s featured on Broadway in “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying,’ where she earned a Tony nomination for her comedic turn as Hedy LaRue and on Mar. 2nd she’s in the season finale of the CBS Drama “The Gifted Man”.  On Mar. 10th, TV viewers can tune in to see Blanchard play Elizabeth Baby, a schizophrenic in the upcoming TV movie “Of Two Minds” with “Sex in the City’s” Kristen Davis as her sister Billie. The film airs at 8 pm on the Lifetime Channel.  (For more info go to www.mylifetime.com).

“Of Two Minds” tells the story of the challenging relationship between Billie and Elizabeth Baby when after their mother dies, Billie brings  Elizabeth Baby home to live with her family. After a disturbing incident, Billie faces a difficult decision that affects the sisters’ lives forever.

“It’s an emotional story about the relationship between two sisters ” Blanchard says. “ Ultimately, as much as we love someone, there are others in our lives we also love and have to protect. Feeling responsible for someone also means making tough decisions.”

On Fri, March 2nd at 9 p.m., Blanchard is featured in the season finale of the CBS drama “The Gifted Man” starring Patrick Wilson.

“I really enjoyed working with Patrick,” Blanchard says. “He’s a wonderful actor, committed and focused. It was a joy being on set with him.”

The actor’s life for Blanchard means traveling a lot to do film and TV roles. In return, the industry has awarded Blanchard for her talent and commitment to her roles. In 2001, Blanchard won an Emmy award playing the young Judy Garland in “Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows” also starring Judy Davis. In 2003, she earned a Theater World Award and Tony award nomination for her portrayal of Louise to Bernadette Peters’ Mama Rose in the 2003 revival of “Gypsy: A Musical Fable” and in 2011, a Tony nomination for Hedy LaRue. Continue reading BETWEEN TAKES WITH TAMMY BLANCHARD

New Jersey Actor “Sam Platizky” is back with his New Film “Red Scare”

Red Scare Premiere Thursday January 12th, 7pm -Frank’s Theater Bayonne, New Jersey

By Evelyn Bonilla

 He’s back! Yes, that’s right New Jersey actor, writer and filmmaker Sam Platizky, is back on the big screen in a new feature length film entitled, “Red Scare.” Why, just the name of his new film, will have many heading for cover! So, moviegoers beware!

Many of you might remember Platizky from his last film, entitled, “Blaming George Romero”, a film that tells the story of four horror film fanatic friends, unhappy with their lives, that think that there’s been a zombie apocalypse and jump at the chance to try to survive.  The film, “Blaming George Romero” was inspired by the works of George Romero a film director and screenwriter, best known for his gruesome horror films. Although, it may seem that Platizky’s new film, “Red Scare” might be just another zombie movie, truth be told that this one is filled with great dialogue and comedic persona. “Red Scare is bound to attract zombie lovers everywhere! 

Platizky’s “Red Scare” takes place during the 1950’s in the midst of the cold war.  The story line is based on a Soviet plot which brings the living dead to the shores of America! Only the brave patriotic hero, Rex Steel can stop the evil soviet menace alongside a teen rebel, a reporter, and a frightened teenage girl.

 Platizky wrote, produced and acted in his film ‘Red Scare”, his character Rex Steel is a tough but very funny American soldier who battles and evil soviet menace. In his script Platizky brings to life “Red Scare” in Mel Brooks style.  He explains, “Mel Brooks has to be one of the funniest filmmakers of all time. When I wrote “Red Scare”, I wanted to bring back the zombie aspect but with a sense of humor.” Continue reading New Jersey Actor “Sam Platizky” is back with his New Film “Red Scare”

“Family on Board” A Short Film Big On Talent

Actor and Director George Pogatsia Aligns Allstar Cast Eric Roberts, Tony Sirico, Karina Arroyave, Matthew Cowles for Short Film

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George Pogatsia as Mike Petito in Family on Board

Family on Board, written and directed by George Pogatsia, may be short in length but boasts a cast tailored for the big-screen. The film features a stellar, hand-selected cast who collectively have garnered numerous Golden Globe, Emmy, SAG and Academy Award nominations and wins.

Pogatsia, who also produced and stars in Family on Board, plays Mike Petito – a family man and biker who receives a questionable prison sentence. On creating the motion picture, Pogatsia states, “The minute I finished the Family on Board script, I knew I had to direct this story.” Continue reading “Family on Board” A Short Film Big On Talent

GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL SCOUTING CANDIDATES FOR ANNUAL ROBERT PASTORELLI RISING STAR AWARD

AWARD TO BE PRESENTED AT

 10TH ANNUAL EVENT

Asbury Park, NJ
The Tenth Annual Garden State Film Festival is scouting candidates for their annual Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award. The award is named after the late award winning actor and co-founder of the GSFF, Robert Pastorelli who was instrumental in bringing this prestigious event to the State of New Jersey.The award will be presented at the Garden State Film Festival Black Tie Awards Dinner on March 25th, 2012 at The Crystal Point in Pt. Pleasant , NJ.The Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award is open to all present or former New Jersey actors, regardless of age or union affiliation Eligible candidates must have been born or raised in New Jersey and have an undeniable passion for the art form and have made inroads to the industry through hard work and determination. The deciding committee will be looking for a progression of work in theater, commercials, television, and film. Submissions should be sent to GSFF Pastorelli Award C/O 1310 Winding Brook Road, Spring Lake, NJ 07762. Postmarked no later than December 1, 2011, and should include a headshot, resume, references and demo DVD, or website address if available. Submitted materials will not be returned to applicants. Continue reading GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL SCOUTING CANDIDATES FOR ANNUAL ROBERT PASTORELLI RISING STAR AWARD