Posts Tagged Shana Feste
Support Women in Film: 2010 films by female directors
Posted by Amy Steele in Film, Women/ feminism on January 25, 2011
Of all the films released in 2010, I found merely 14 directed by women:
The Kids Are All Right—Lisa Chodolenko
–smart film about family, relationships and when challenges threaten the status quo
Please Give—Nicole Holofcener
–darkly amusing film about a jaded New York couple and the two sisters that live in their building, who affect them more than expected
Somewhere—Sofia Coppola
–a spoiled film star gets real with an undeniably sweet, gentle relationship with his tween daughter
Country Strong—Shana Feste
–the challenges of staying young and relevant in the music industry without letting the pressures steal your individuality
The Extra Man—Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini
Going the Distance – Nanette Burstein
–cute rom-com about a long distance relationship w/ Drew Barrymore and Justin Long
The Greatest—Shana Feste
Just Wright—Sanaa Hamri
–Queen Latifah plays a physical therapist who gets her dream assignment: personal rehab to one of the New York Knicks. It’s funny and touching.
Nanny McPhee Returns—Susanna White
Ramona and Beezus— Elizabeth Allen
The Runaways— Floria Sigismondi
–pretty tame biopic of the all-girl punk rock band The Runaways with Joan Jett and Cherie Currie
The Tempest—Julie Taymor
Winter’s Bone— Debra Granik
–gritty, harrowing, suspenseful and one of the best films of 2010
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Country Strong: film review
Posted by Amy Steele in Film on January 15, 2011
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund, Leighton Meester
Written and directed by: Shana Feste
A ripped-from-the-tabloids story, Country Strong shows the come-back attempt of talented and award-winning country singer, Kelly Cantor [Gwyneth Paltrow]. Her manager-husband [Tim McGraw] yanks her out of rehab early and insists that she get right back on tour and go back to Dallas where she collapsed, drunk and five-months pregnant. Kelly’s husband has smudged the line between love and fame. It’s quite evident he sees his wife as a cash machine. Two up-and-coming country singers open for her—Beau Hutton and Chiles Stanton. Kelly had an affair at the rehab with Beau [Garrett Hedlund], an honest, caring guy who understands her fragility and won’t take advantage of her. Hedlund’s a scene stealer. Charisma goes a long way. As Chiles Stanton, Leighton Meester truly shines as a starry eyed dreamer. Paltrow achingly and deftly reveals every self-doubt and struggle with losing herself, her career, her youth and her lifestyle. As for the music? I’m an alternative music fan but do enjoy a bit of country pop by Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. I was tapping my toes to this music. I’m not giving away the ending but I knew how it would end is all this macabre critic will reveal.
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About Me
covering mostly music and books. focus on alternative/indie and women in music, literature and the arts. feminist. vegan. mostly alternative, a bit bohemian. Masters in journalism from Boston University. BA from Simmons College.
Entertainment Realm by Amy Steele is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at entertainmentrealm.comCopyright © 2009. All writing, unless otherwise noted, by Amy Steele.
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