Jackie Spafford
Film Review: On the End
Based on true events, On the End is a classic tale of an underdog’s fight against The Man. Tim Blake Nelson plays Tom Ferreira, a cantankerous mechanic with a rundown repair shop and house in an area of Montauk, Long…
Michael B. Jordan Receives Outstanding Performer of the Year at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The wildly popular actor Michael B. Jordan was honored with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award on Thursday night for his work in Sinners. He is only 39 (his birthday was on Monday), yet he has already delivered so…
Decorated Filmmakers Honored with Outstanding Directors Award at Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Four young but already highly decorated filmmakers were the honorees at the Outstanding Directors Award event on Tuesday night. Hosted by Scott Feinberg of the Hollywood Reporter, the honorees came out for one-on-one discussions, followed by a lively group conversation.…
Film review: Tenor – My Name is Pati
This lovely documentary, in a SBIFF world premiere, introduces us to two brothers who are operatic tenors, Pene and Amitai Pati (but focuses on elder brother, Pene). It’s remarkable enough that there are two people in one family with such…
International Directors Discuss Commonalities at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The five participants in the International Directors Panel this year included an incredible number of awards and award nominees. Moderated by festival director Roger Durling, the panelists discussed the commonalities in their films, as well as their own unique film…
Ethan Hawke Receives American Riviera Award at Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Actor and Local Resident Jeff Bridges Presents the Award The award this year was given to Ethan Hawke for his performance in Blue Moon, and looked back over his lengthy and extremely impressive career. In addition to being a prolific…
Film Review: You Had to Be There
There was a rare confluence of comedy talent in Toronto in the 1970s. The musical Godspell was so successful that companies were being formed in cities around the world. Toronto was one of these lucky cities. The auditions drew in…
Film Review: Little Lorraine
Based on true events, Little Lorraine recounts an episode in 1986 when a mining explosion in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, resulted in 10 mineworker deaths, and the collapse of the mining industry. There were two employers in the region: mining…