Author: jmamenn

Animated, Female Characters, Personal Essays, Spotlight, Uncategorized, Women in Film

The Women of the Watery World of Atlantis: The Lost Empire

By Joan Amenn Over twenty years ago, Disney did something extraordinarily out of character. They allowed animators to create a world more like a live action film than had permitted previously. No doubt it helped that the directors of “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001) were Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, who had collaborated on the blockbuster hit “Beauty and the Beast” in 1991. However, the … Continue reading The Women of the Watery World of Atlantis: The Lost Empire

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Uncategorized

Deep Dive July Retrospective: Moby Dick and the Triumph of the Feminine

By Joan Amenn Ask any high school American Literature major what the most challenging book was on their required reading list and chances are, they’ll reply “Moby Dick.” No wonder then that the film version was not exactly a doggy paddle to adapt either. Director John Huston was no doubt attracted to the male centric story of revenge but the way screenwriter (and famous science … Continue reading Deep Dive July Retrospective: Moby Dick and the Triumph of the Feminine

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Documentaries, Female Filmmakers, Music, Reviews, Short Film, Streaming, Women in Film

Review: ruth weiss: the Beat Goddess

Year: 2019 Runtime: 69 minutes Director: Melody C. Miller By Joan Amenn “Walking on a tightrope Is like any other road Just believe your foot.” -ruth weiss An extraordinary life deserves to be celebrated and remembered and for too long, Ruth Weiss has been eclipsed by other poets of the Beat Movement. Unsurprisingly, the men of the era like Ginsberg and Kerouac were considered the … Continue reading Review: ruth weiss: the Beat Goddess

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Personal Essays, Retrospect Reviews

Top 5 Favorite Films about Italian American Culture

By Joan Amenn I am a fourth generation Italian American. The stories of my ancestors that I grew up with both mirror and contrast with how my ethnicity have been depicted on screen, much like anyone else’s cultural heritage when subjected to dramatization. Here are some of the films that have special meaning to me. 1. The Godfather Parts 1 & 2 (1972, 1974): I’m … Continue reading Top 5 Favorite Films about Italian American Culture

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Activism, Documentaries, Female Filmmakers, Reviews, Tribeca Film Festival, Women in Film

Fashion Reimagined: Tribeca Film Festival Review

Year: 2022 Runtime: 92 minutes Director: Becky Hutner By Joan Amenn To be a fashion designer is a lofty enough goal, but to be an environmentally aware designer creating sustainable couture is truly a nearly impossible dream, as “Fashion Reimagined” (2022) shows. Amy Powney, creative director of fashion label “Mother of Pearl” ( https://motherofpearl.co.uk/), has more heart, dedication and vision than many so called “activists” … Continue reading Fashion Reimagined: Tribeca Film Festival Review

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Activism, Directors, Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Feminism, Indie Film, Interviews, Reviews, Short Film, Women in Film

Exclusive Interview with Meg Messmer, Creator of “Intersection”

By Joan Amenn Meg Messmer is an incredibly talented actor best known for “Mr. Mercedes” (2018) and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2015) but is also gifted behind the camera and we are so lucky to be able to sit down with her and talk about her latest project, “Intersection” (2022), a miniseries now streaming on YouTube. A dark comedy with a very pertinent message, … Continue reading Exclusive Interview with Meg Messmer, Creator of “Intersection”

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Documentaries, Television Review, Tribeca Film Festival

Butterfly in the Sky: Tribeca Film Festival Review

Year: 2022 Runtime: 87 minutes Directors: Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb By Joan Amenn In this troubled world, we should welcome the comfort of nostalgia when we get the chance. Last year, “Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street” (2021) was a highlight of film festival season (my review here: https://intheirownleague.com/2021/04/13/siff-2021-review-street-gang-how-we-got-to-sesame-street/) and this year we are treated to “Butterfly in the Sky” (2022). The Story … Continue reading Butterfly in the Sky: Tribeca Film Festival Review

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Dance, Documentaries, Short Film, Tribeca Film Festival

Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather: Tribeca Film Festival Review

Year: 2022 Runtime: 2022 Director: Michael Shevloff Writer: Heather Ross By Joan Amenn Caution: This film may cause an unexpected urge to dance. “Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather” (2022) is twenty minutes of pure kinetic joy. While it could be seen as promotional material for the very popular, very talented hip hop duo known as Les Twins, it humbly acknowledges that they stand on the shoulders … Continue reading Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather: Tribeca Film Festival Review

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Activism, Documentaries, Tribeca Film Festival

Kaepernick & America: Tribeca Film Festival Review

Year: 2022 Runtime: 81 minutes Directors: Ross Hockrow, Tommy Walker By Joan Amenn Unless you have possibly developed selective amnesia as a way to cope with the events of the last decade, (which would be totally understandable), you will remember that in 2016 NFL star Colin Kaepernick knelt during the playing of the National Anthem as a protest against police brutality and racism. “Kaepernick & … Continue reading Kaepernick & America: Tribeca Film Festival Review

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Interviews

Exclusive Interview With Clayton Scott, Director of “Below the Fold”

Ask any inspiring filmmaker out there about the difficulties of making their first feature film and they’ll be able to reel off a dozen difficult encounters and challenges that they had to face. However, Clayton Scott’s experiences and struggles filming the tense crime thriller “Below the Fold” are something special. Continue reading Exclusive Interview With Clayton Scott, Director of “Below the Fold”

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