indieethos

[indieethos]

It was a beautiful, fun time seeing Montreal’s @corridormtl perform @grampswynwood with @leala_dhara (who snapped this flattering pic under the super moon last night before the show). There were only 18 or so other enthusiastic, head banging indie rock fans inside, and it was a blast! Easy access to one of my favorite discoveries of last year and their @subpop debut JUNIOR. Picked up their set list and the “loser edition” scrambled egg colored vinyl of their new album, which they signed. @deeper.band are touring in support and their angular post-punk was a brilliant compliment. A delightful discovery for this year and easy access to them, too! Set list and new colored album acquired (it’s not out till March 27 but you can stream “This Heat,” the song I highlight here, now). The tour continues up to Gainesville tonight. . . . . . #corridorband #deeperband #indierock #janglepop #postpunk #subpop #loseredition #coloredvinyl #signedvinyl #ontheturntable #livemusic #concert #setlist #grampswynwood #wynwoodmusic #indiemusic #ontour #clubshow #supermoon #stereolabtshirt (at Gramps) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9jmrl3gDBO/?igshid=1q4u7lasfevm6

[indieethos]

Announcement: IndieEthos on sabbatical for 2020

Announcement: IndieEthos on sabbatical for 2020

This site is now on hiatus. This writer is taking a sabbatical from writing about film, music and art in this or any other publication for the rest of 2020. On a personal level, this means I’m stepping away from my public persona as a critic and chronicler of independent film and music in any form. Besides this freeing of pressure to write, I’ve already begun cutting back on social media (it’s a…

[indieethos]

Best indie films of 2019 on Jolt Radio podcast, episode 13

Best indie films of 2019 on Jolt Radio podcast, episode 13

Image used with permission from Neon

Regular readers of this blog probably know what my top movie of 2019 is, so no use playing coy. Still, I tried using an obscure image of it for this article’s summary image. Like last year, this year, I used my show on Jolt Radioto reveal what my top 10 indie films of 2019 were, so you won’t find a list of images and text below. However, I did review most…

[indieethos]

eXistenZ, the stronger testament to 'The Matrix' of escapism from 1999

eXistenZ, the stronger testament to ‘The Matrix’ of escapism from 1999

Image courtesy Dimension Films

Before its 20-year anniversary passes, I’d like to write something about one of 1999’s more overlooked movies. This film I want to dwell on for a bit presents a rather hopeless version of “the matrix” that those might seek escape into from reality. It’s rather vital nowadays considering the real money-making in entertainment is in video games and not movies. Then…

[indieethos]

IndieEthos podcast, Episode 12: Great indie music tunes of 2019

IndieEthos podcast, Episode 12: Great indie music tunes of 2019

Screengrab of the playlist on Spotify

It’s the end of the year, and this month’s installment of “The Independent Ethos Radio Hour” on Jolt Radio features some of my favorite indie music tracks I discovered in 2019. We had time to squeeze in 13 tracks, though the playlist could have easily featured 20 or more.

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[indieethos]

Great movies of the 2010s

Great movies of the 2010s

This year film critics everywhere are being asked for something that happens at the end of the decade: What are the best of movies of the past 10 years? When it comes to personal taste, it’s hard to call any movie “the best” of anything. I’ve always felt there was something troublesome about the routine end of year lists that are expected of film critics, especially considering my distinctive…

[indieethos]

Portrait of a Lady on Fire slays it for Florida Film Critics Circle

Portrait of a Lady on Fire slays it for Florida Film Critics Circle

Image used with permission from Neon

I’m really proud to see that The Florida Film Critics Circle really went against trends in their choices for the best of cinema in 2019. Most impressive was the nice representation for what I think is this year’s masterpiece in cinema: Portrait of a Lady on Fire. It won in some of the most prestigious categories: Best Picture and Best Director for Céline…

[indieethos]

Florida Film Critics Circle announces nominees for 2019 awards

Florida Film Critics Circle announces nominees for 2019 awards

Image used with permission from Netflix

This morning, the Florida Film Critics Circle, for which I am chairman, announced its nominees for achievement in cinema arts for 2019. The front runner, directed by a longtime favorite filmmaker on this site, is Marriage Story. With seven nominations, it will be a tough film to beat.

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[indieethos]

Just a few favorites of 2019 talk I’ll be playing on @joltradio tonight at 9 pm EST. . . , #indiemusic #indierock #indiepop #alternativerock #altrock #joltradio #indieethos #independentmusic #dj #internetradio https://www.instagram.com/p/B6L3GpDAUlm/?igshid=dhxuwudnowj8

[indieethos]

IndieEthos podcast, Episode 11: awards season; new indie music

IndieEthos podcast, Episode 11: awards season; new indie music

Still image used with permission from Netflix

In this month’s installment of our latest podcast for Jolt Radio, we look at several films vying for prizes as award seasons warms up. There are also some indie films in the mix. As for music: it’s all new. There are lots of great new tunes ahead of some album releases this month. I really like this mix I put together.

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[indieethos]

This was the most important and greatest Q&A of my life. I appreciate @keywestfilmfestival’s Michael Tuckman for asking us visiting film critics to volunteer to lead a discussion for @afterparkland. This one called to me even as I knew it would challenge me. I always feel nervous on stage, but not this time. My ego disappeared to make room for something greater than me. No self-consciousness at stake here. As a journalist who covered the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting as it unfolded last year, I had to put my feelings in a box while at work. You can never keep that inside forever, however, and I had to struggle to compose myself when I first met the filmmakers of the documentary, @emily.taguchi and Jake Lefferman. Their work does something truly amazing in that it presents the anguish of carrying a weight of loss no one ever expects to have to endure and make it visceral without dwelling on politics and blame. I asked 19-year-old MSD graduate Victoria Gonzalez what she hopes people take away from the film, and her response was to open up to the audience with incredible vulnerability. Watching her express how she still mourns the loss of her boyfriend @slump_guac every day tells us we all need to feel. Never lose track of your emotions in the face of horror. There is something broken in society where guns are so easily accessible. I’m a shameless pacifist who has no interest in ever firing a gun yet has a direct link to gun violence via a father drafted into World War II. This is how I feel. How about you? . 📸 Carol Tedesco . . . #afterparkland #msdstrong #journalism @changetheref #keywestfilmfestival #filmcritic #documentary #movies #gunviolenceawareness #parkland #artandhealing #healing #feeling #empathy (at Key West, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5QiK4RgQ8U/?igshid=fj9jf618j3ih

[indieethos]

Cruising the High Seas with some special, talented people with beer for breakfast @keywestfilmfestival. If you know them, you know them. . . . . #filmmakers #filmcritics #filmfestival #sailboat #keywest #ocean #cruise #beer #breakfast #keywestfilmfestival #oscarwinner (at Key West Port Of Key West) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5N5PAjAf7q/?igshid=9khm0onqyrym

[indieethos]

Sometimes I go inside to think aloud. Thanks to @mcastimovies mom for the pics. Always an honor to be asked to participate on @keywestfilmfestival #criticspanel #filmcritic #filmfestival #keywestfilmfestival #movies #cinema #themepark (at Viva Saloon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5LmrnyAJrJ/?igshid=1uz0zktiz2q71

[indieethos]

Home for the next few days thanks to @keywestfilmfestival. Today at 1 pm, critics panel @viva_saloon with @mcastimovies @erickohn @jenyamato @davidlfear @tomilaffly @eugonline @browniekamera Ruben Rosario and Shirrel Rhodes and maybe others on favorite films at the festival and the state of “cinema.” Then I’ll do a Q&A with @ivmeeropol on her documentary @roycohndoc @tropic.cinema at 3:45 pm. . . . . #mansion #keywest #keywestlife #keywestarchitecture #keywestfilmfestival #workingvacation #filmcritic #filmcriticism #filmfestival #movies #cinema #moviereviews #keywestmansions #bedandbreakfast (at Curry Mansion Key West Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5K--geAWN2/?igshid=r9i4rtarvasp

[indieethos]

So, pool or movies? . . . . . #keywest #keywestfilmfestival #filmfestival #movies #swimmingpool #pool #bedandbreakfast (at Amsterdam's Curry Mansion Inn) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JIErnAJcb/?igshid=1cyrqs0cjnl9j

[indieethos]

Key West Film Festival highlights this weekend

Key West Film Festival highlights this weekend

Courtesy kwfilmfest.com.

The Key West Film Festival pulls back the curtain this week on a range of movie premieres, from the high profile to the Florida-focused. In total, more than 115 films and virtual reality experiences, which include shorts, will be part of the five-day festival that begins Nov. 20 and ends on the 24th. Opening night is ambitiously programmed with the three-and-half-hour

[indieethos]

IndieEthos podcast, Episode 10: Miami Film Festival GEMS recap; new indie music

IndieEthos podcast, Episode 10: Miami Film Festival GEMS recap; new indie music

Used with permission from Neon

Here is our latest podcast for Jolt Radio. In this month’s installment, we look back at the films that played at Miami Film Festival’s GEMS, an event we previewed in our last episode (IndieEthos podcast, Episode 9: Miami Film Festival GEMS preview; new indie music). Several of the films that played the festival are coming to theaters later this year. Now is your…