The Queen of Versailles Movie Review

'The Queen of Versailles' Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello Director: Lauren Greenfield (‘Thin,’ ‘Kids + Money’) Starring: David Siegel, Jackie Siegel People are often willing to do whatever it takes in order to achieve their goals and dreams, while also becoming financially successful. But it becomes even more difficult for a person to keep the dream after it has already been realized, and everything they’ve worked so hard for has come tumbling down. This devastating drama unfolds in director Lauren Greenfield’s new documentary, ‘The Queen of Versailles,’ showing that the bigger a fortune and dream a person has, the harder it is to adjust once it’s taken away. ‘The Queen of Versailles’ follows the riches-to-rags Floridan billionaire David Siegel, the founder and owner of the largest privately owned timeshare company in the world, Westgate Resorts. David and his third and current wife, Jackie, are living the exorbitant lifestyle that most Americans can only dream about. The two, who both came from modest upbringings, started building the largest one family home in America before the fall of the economy in 2008. However, their sprawling empire begins to collapse after the real estate and vacation markets begin to decline in the midst of the economic crisis. The Siegel family must put their dream home, which is modeled after the Palace of Versailles in France, on the market as they undergo drastic lifestyle changes. Not only do David and Jackie have to lay off thousands of employees in order to keep their business in operation, they must also find a way to financially support their eight young children. Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for ‘The Queen of Versailles,’ masterfully showcased the sociological issues plaguing American society since the fall of the economy four years ago. After meeting Jackie in 2007 while photographing Donatella Versace for Elle Magazine, the director decided to chronicle the Siegel’s lavish lifestyle. Greenfield perfectly portrayed the Siegel family as personifying the rich lifestyle America has become obsessed with in recent years. Greenfield gracefully indulged the carefree lifestyle that many people yearn for, in which they can spend as much money as they want without any real consequences. To continue reading this review, please click here.

The Five Worst Films of 2012...So Far

The Five Worst Films of 2012...So Far, Written by Karen Benardello Modern day film-making has seemed to have lost its creativity, as directors are more heavily relying on novels, comic books, television shows and other source material to inspire stories for their movies. While some recent film sequels, reboots and movies based on books have garnered financial and critical success, including "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," there are quite a few who have failed to live up to their potential this year. With 2012 officially half-way gone, the worst movies of the year have already began stacking up. But there are five films that are already making the record books, and not in a good way; whether it's the lack of original ideas, appalling acting or simply not giving a satisfying ending, these movies aren't being remembered for their high quality. 5. "What to Expect When You're Expecting," Theatrical Release Date: May 18; DVD Release Date: September 11 Despite the popularity of the best-selling novel "What to Expect When You're Expecting," the romantic comedy film unfortunately fails to live up to its literary counterpart. Even with the help of its popular ensemble cast, the movie featured far too many one-dimensional characters and an undeveloped story. While there are several amusing elements, including the father's support group, the lack of true connection between many of the characters and their underdeveloped backstories fail to make the actors' deliveries entertaining. To continue reading this post, please click here.

Red Lights Movie Review

Red Lights Shockya Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello Director: Rodrigo Cortes (‘Buried’) Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Robert De Niro, Cillian Murphy (’28 Days Later,’ ‘Batman Begins,’ ‘Inception’) and Elizabeth Olsen (‘Martha Marcy May Marlene,’ ‘Silent House,’ ‘Peace, Love & Misunderstanding’) People are often so set in their ways and are determined to hold onto their beliefs that they refuse to see and accept other people’s views and opinions. Science is one of the main areas where people need concrete proof and evidence in order to believe things. The scientists in the new horror thriller ‘Red Lights,’ which is set to hit select theaters on Friday, are so certain that the supernatural can be discredited that they’re intent on proving renowned blind psychic Simon Silver is a fraud when he decides to come out of retirement. The debate between the scientists and the believers of the paranormal in the film will surely make viewers question what they think they know. ‘Red Lights’ follows veteran paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson (played by Sigourney Weaver) and Tom Buckley (portrayed by Cillian Murphy) as they debunk fraudulent claims of psychic phenomena. Matheson can detect fraud by what she calls red lights, the subtle tricks behind every staged supernatural occurrence. But when Simon (played by Robert De Niro) comes out of retirement, his once-fearless rival Margaret warns Tom to back off, fearing retaliation from her old adversary. Tom is determined to discredit Simon, and elicits help from his star student, Sally Owen (portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen). The two use every tool at their disposal to uncover the truth behind the charismatic mind reader. But Tom eventually must question his own core beliefs in his quest to discredit Simon. ‘Red Lights’ director Rodrigo Cortes, who also penned the screenplay for the horror thriller, perfectly cast the main characters in the film, particularly Murphy and Weaver. While scripting the movie, the filmmaker rightfully imagined the actors’ expressions and reactions as their respective characters in every scene. This helped develop the characters’ mental and emotional states, and allowed the actors to genuinely embody their respective roles To continue reading this review, please click here.

Interview: Shaun Gerardo Talks Basement Bugs

Shockya Interview: Shaun Gerardo Talks Basement Bugs, Written by: Karen Benardello Some of the most terrifying and original horror movies which still resonate with fans today are entries in the slasher sub-genre from the 1970s and ’80s, which can be seen in the fact that they’re continuously being remade today. While several of these films, such as ‘Halloween’ and ‘A Nightmare On Elm Street,’ have influenced actor and producer Shaun Gerardo in his career, he’s hoping to prove that short films can be just as frightening. His upcoming horror short ‘Basement Bugs,’ which was written and will be directed by Nick Coviello, looks promising to do just that. ‘Basement Bugs’ follows a desperate young man who hears a rumor that his apartment building’s superintendent may have a secret safe locked away in the basement. Taking advantage of a building-wide fumigation, the young man breaks into the private space of the superintendent, only to be consumed by the gnawing terror that awaits him. Gerardo generously took the time to speak with us over the phone recently to talk about the production of ‘Basement Bugs.’ Among other things, the actor and producer also discussed what drew him to his role, what it’s like working with Coviello and why he enjoys the horror genre so much. ShockYa (SY): You’ll be appearing in the upcoming horror short ‘Basement Bugs.’ What details can you provide about your character in the film, and what attracted you to the role? Shaun Gerardo (SG): The role I play in the film is actually Amile. He’s not necessarily a bad person, but he’s a person in a tough situation. I would say he’s a drug addict, but he’s got exposure to them. He just wants to resolve his situation so that he can feel like he doesn’t have desperation. SY: How would you describe the story of the film, and what your character goes through? SG: I think it’s a small high, and then a deep valley. He feels like he has an end to his suffering. He feels like he’s finding what he needs to do to live his life well. He ends up in a terrible situation. He has nobody but himself to try to get out of it. It’s like he foresaw his own doom in the last 15 minutes of the film. To continue reading this interview, please click here.

The Pact Movie Review

The Pact Shockya Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello Director: Nicolas McCarthy Starring: Caity Lotz (TV’s ‘Mad Men’), Casper Van Dien (‘Born to Ride,’ TV’s ‘Monk) and Haley Hudson (‘Marley and Me,’ ‘Freaky Friday’) Manipulating imagery and using psychological antics to motive characters are some of the most frightening elements in the horror genre. Scribe and helmer Nicholas McCarthy, who made his feature film writing and directing debut with the new IFC Films horror mystery thriller ‘The Pact,’ successfully used those elements in his first movie. Instead of just focusing on psychical scares, the filmmaker also effectively implemented emotions and relationships to drive the plot forward. ‘The Pact’ follows the independent and strong-willed Annie (played by Caity Lotz) as she feels pressured to attend her mother’s funeral. Her sister, Nicole (portrayed by Agnes Bruckner), doesn’t feel the same sentiment towards their mother as Annie does, after the turbulent childhood they had living with her. After her continued insisting that Nicole also return to their childhood home to pay her final respects, Annie becomes worried when her sister fails to show up. While trying to reach Nicole and stay in contact with her own daughter, who she left at home, Annie discovers that something’s wrong in her mother’s home. She begins to experience strange and mysterious happenings in her mother’s house, including the disappearance of her cousin, after she came to visit. Annie seeks the help of a local police officer, Creek (played by Casper Van Dien), and a former classmate, Stevie (portrayed by Haley Hudson), who can see and communicate with spirits, in order to find out what’s really happening in her mother’s house. After being featured in recurring roles on such shows as ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Death Valley,’ Lotz was well-cast to portray the lead character in ‘The Pact,’ her theatrical feature film debut. The actress convincingly played Annie as being logical, but also domineering and always in control, when she first arrived at her mother’s house. Lotz also played Annie as though she truly wanted her sister to join her at their mother’s funeral so that they can both have closure in their relationships with her. But once Annie starts experiencing unexplained, supernatural phenomenon, and begins uncovering the dark secrets her mother kept hidden, her mental and emotional states naturally begin deteriorating. Annie truly becomes tormented by the revelations of her mother’s actions, which are accelerated by Creek’s initial questioning and doubt of her claims. Creek’s suspicions of Annie’s assertions that she’s experiencing supernatural happenings keeps the story partially connected to reality, as many people have doubts about apparitions. To continue reading this review, please click here.

Madea’s Witness Protection Movie Review

Madea’s Witness Protection Shockya Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello Director: Tyler Perry Starring: Perry, Eugene Levy, Denise Richards, Doris Roberts, Danielle Campbell (‘Prom’), Devan Leos (‘L!fe Happens,’ TV’s ‘The Middle’), Romeo Miller (L’il Romeo), John Amos (TV’s ‘The West Wing’) and Tom Arnold People often times become so focused on financially succeeding in life that they often times forget their families, and that they also need close, personal relationships to make their lives worthwhile. This important message is comedically brought to the attention of not only the characters, but the audience as well, in the new Tyler Perry film ‘Madea’s Witness Protection.’ The outspoken, highly opinionated but beloved title character isn’t afraid to let her thoughts about family bonding known, even to a rich, white, suburban Connecticut family, whose differing views she’s never come into contact with before. ‘Madea’s Witness Protection’ follows George Needleman (Eugene Levy), the successful CFO of Wall Street investment bank Lockwise Industries, who contends with his frustrated second wife, Kate (Denise Richards). She’s come to her limit caring for his senile mother, Barbara (Doris Roberts), who has openly stated her dislike for her. George and Kate also have to deal with his rebellious teenage daughter from his first marriage, Cindy (Danielle Campbell), and their young son, Howie (Devan Leos), who wishes his father was home more often. But that pales in comparison when George gets the shock of his life at work; he finds out from his co-worker Walter (Tom Arnold) that the company is running a Ponzi scheme, and he’s been set up to take the blame. Brian (Perry), now a federal prosecutor in Atlanta, gets the task of placing the Needlemans in witness protection, after they received threats from the mob. So he decides to move the family in with his aunt Madea and father Joe (both also played by Perry). As Brian works to solve the case, Madea works to straighten the Needlemans out with her trademark tough love. Jake (Romeo Miller), the son of the pastor (John Amos) of Madea’s church, also decides to help in the case, after losing the money intended to pay off the church’s mortgage in an investment with Lockwise Industries. While ‘Madea’s Witness Protection’ marks Perry’s sixth film to feature the title character in either a starring or supporting role, she still serves as both the comic relief and as the wise, inspirational matriarch. The filmmaker made a wise decision, however, to introduce a wealthy white family from the suburbs of Connecticut into Madea’s life in Atlanta. Madea comedically and fearlessly infuses her own brand of tough love into the Needlemans’ dysfunctional relationships, while also teaching them the importance of appreciating your family. She doesn’t hold back just because the Needlemans are a Jewish white family placed in a black neighborhood; she overcomes their racial differences to effectively help them overcome their problems. ‘Madea’s Witness Protection’ rightfully balances the emotional challenges the Needlemans are going through after George learns of the Ponzi scheme with Madea learning to adjust to their completely different outlook on life. The exploration of the Needlemans’ relationships helps them realize what’s truly important in life; they don’t need to be greedy or have extensive amounts of money, as long as they can save their family and spend more time together. Even though the Needlemans come from a different class and are a different race than Madea, they all also learn from her to be more respectful and appreciative of each other. To continue reading this review, please click here.

Interview: Rodrigo Cortes Talks Red Lights

Interview: Rodrigo Cortes Talks Red Lights, Written by: Karen Benardello Sometimes people become so set in their ways and ideas, they fear the unknown and the contrasting beliefs that other people offer to present to them. But when these thoughts lead to obsession and turn into rivalries that become life-threatening, they must reconsider what they’re taking a stance on in order to protect themselves. This is a main motivating factor in the upcoming horror thriller ‘Red Lights,’ which is set to hit select theaters on July 13. Spanish writer-director Rodrigo Cortes wasn’t afraid to explore the supernatural and its dark, powerful effects on people’s beliefs in his new drama. ‘Red Lights’ follows veteran paranormal researchers Dr. Margaret Matheson (played by Sigourney Weaver) and Tom Buckley (portrayed by Cillian Murphy) as they debunk fraudulent claims of psychic phenomena. Matheson can detect fraud by what she calls red lights, the subtle tricks behind every staged supernatural occurrence. But when legendary blind psychic Simon Silver (played by Robert De Niro) comes out of retirement, his once-fearless rival Margaret warns Tom to back off, fearing retaliation from her old adversary. Tom is determined to discredit Simon, and elicits help from his star student, Sally Owen (portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen). The two use every tool at their disposal to uncover the truth behind the charismatic mind reader. But Tom eventually must question his own core beliefs in his quest to discredit Simon. Cortes generously took the time to speak with us over the phone recently to discuss the process of writing and directing ‘Red Lights.’ Among other things, the scribe and helmer discussed where he came up with the idea for the horror thriller, the casting process of the main actors and how penning the screenplay helped him in his directorial duties. ShockYa (SY): You both wrote the screenplay for, and directed, ‘Red Lights.’ Where did you come up with the idea for the story? Rodrigo Cortes (RC): I didn’t start working from any specific element, or anything like that. I started to become fascinated with paranormal hoaxes. In a way, this was a concept that was contradictory. You have the paranormal, which can not be explained, and you have the hoaxes, in which people are lying, in which we probably do best. I worked on two levels, with this truth and hopefully compelling story, and also with the hoaxes. I wanted to do something that was physical and tangible. This is the origin of everything. SY: Do you feel that writing the script for ‘Red Lights’ helped you in your directorial duties once you began shooting the film? RC: Yes. You feel like you’re the first director in line when you write your own material. When you’re able to generate your own material, you’re the first in line. To me, writing, directing and editing are all different phases of one creative or narrative process. In a way, I never write in abstract terms. I imagine the film in its final form and shape. When I write, I start imagining the reactions, and even the music and the sounds. In a way, they’re three stages. But in a way, when you direct, you just try to serve the script. You don’t care who wrote it. SY: There are several high-profile actors in ‘Red Lights,’ including Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver. What was the casting process like for the main actors? RC: When you read the script, you don’t take for granted you’re going to have these names. When you finish it, you try to get the best and most accurate actors. But in this case, I had two processes. For instance, I never write for anybody. But in this case, for whatever reason, when I was writing Matheson, I found myself writing for Sigourney Weaver. I imagined this character with her face and reactions and expressions. That’s risky, because it doesn’t guarantee a yes. It would have been a problem if she said no. Thank God she said yes. With De Niro, that’s exactly the same thing. I try not to limit myself, not because I think everything’s possible, but because life tends to limit you enough without any help. If you do a list of factors, for instance, from one to 10, logic tells you you’re going to get seven or eight. But you still ascend to number one, just in case. For this film, for some reason, every number one on every list yes, which is pretty amazing. But this is the way it happened. They told me they responded very strongly to the script and the characters and their lines. To continue reading this interview, please click here.