[Fredslist] GOTHAM FILMS REVIEW

[odeyraviv at aol.com]

Dear Gotham.


Gotham's Fourth Annual Film Festival held at the Friars Club last night was a rousing success.  Films took us to faraway places--Tibet and Kenya and to the more familiar-college dorm rooms at Purchase and Columbia.  We saw a film of a man fearing death and one featuring an ingenious murderer.  We enjoyed an insightful film of a young adult dealing with her challenge and a touching one that explored parents facing their child's mysterious illness.  The audience was entertained and stimulated--short films have a capacity to set us up for a wild ride-11 films shown with only ten second breaks made for a one hour and forty two minute night of drama and laughs.
The winner of the Express Film(under 5 minutes) in the Documentary Category was(Gotham's) Cayce Crown's Masai Moments.  The movie zeroed in on the unique and wonderful look of the Masai.  Each face was more interesting than the next.  The joy of each shot highlighted the spirit of this incredible culture.  The winner of the Express Film in the Original/Scripted Category was Alex Forstenhausler's A Special Video Message.  A clever take on a college student's attempt to stay in touch with his parents as he starts his college experience.  Good acting and smooth editing were apparent.   Roommate and hookup surprises in a dorm room evoked the spirit of the Marx Brothers.  The winner of the Local Film(over 5 to 30 minutes) in the Documentary Category was David Padrusch's John Isaacs: A Day in the Life of a Renaissance Man.  Mr. Isaacs' career as a professional basketball player in the Black League before the NBA where players received $5 a game led to a life of inspiration in the community center that became the core of his life. The film warmly evoked the relationship between the families and John.  Watching John dribble so adeptly at age ninety one is a visual that will stay with me forever.  The winner of the Local Film for Original/Scripted Category was Victoria DeMartin's Knick Knacks.  Ms. DeMartin's film truly captured the struggles of a young woman trying to find her way through the pressures of society and a family that has all the right answers.  Strong acting, a lively script, and top cinematography made for a film that delivered.  The Audience Choice winner went to Talia Zinder's 8.3.  A film that creatively evoked a criminal mind that was surprising and unexpected.  Shot with a confident touch and the ability to make an audience gasp, 8.3 certainly stood out.  Congratulations to the winners and all the entrants for making Gotham's Film Night an enjoyable and thoughtful event.  Please make sure to put the Festival on your calendar and join us next year.


Odey Raviv



Odey Raviv, Ph.D.
Educational Therapist and Learning Specialist
Attention, Organization, and Motivation
Coach and Tutor-SAT & ACT Prep
Offices in Glen Cove and Manhattan
516-732-1617
OdeyRaviv at aol.com

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