7 Movies to Watch for Artists Sunday This Weekend

The Madlab Post has joined artists and organizations from coast to coast for Artists Sunday, the world’s largest art event dedicated to encouraging the public to buy something special, unique and handcrafted this holiday season – from paintings, sculptures, and pottery to multimedia works, textiles, music, photography and more. 

Artists Sunday is bringing 500 communities around the country together for the fourth time in a movement to recognize the importance of art in our lives and its impact on the local economy.

“It’s a day to fill our lives with beauty, creativity, and joy,” says Christopher V. Sherman, an aerial photographer, videographer and entrepreneur who loves experimenting with cameras and digital software tools. 

What We're Doing This Holiday Season 

There's a lot going on...to start, on Sundays I will be introducing you to several indie film directors, writers and producers who you can support by renting, streaming or buying their films and other merchandise. You can also support many of them by attending the festivals where their films are screening. 

Documentaries to Watch this Weekend...

See extra footage from the documentary Reinventing Freedom directed by Robert J Moore and Eleftherios Koutinas when you rent it to stream from a computer, TV, or mobile device! Reinventing Freedom tells the incredible journey of resilience, redemption, and triumph from homelessness and years behind bars to global recognition. 

Interdisciplinary Artist Anitra Nelson directed, wrote, produced, narrated, and did photography seen in her documentary film Beyond Money: Yenomon -- lively thought experiment of a postcapitalist world without money — a world satisfying everyone’s basic needs, living within Earth’s limits and offering power to people. The documentary is based on a chapter of Nelson’s book Beyond Money: A Postcapitalist Strategy, drawing on activists engaged in a fight for a money-free society.

In her book, Nelson aims to deepen our understanding of how money is the driver of political power, environmental destruction and social inequality today, arguing that it has to be abolished rather than repurposed to achieve a postcapitalist future. Beyond Money: A Postcapitalist Strategy is available as a Paperback and Ebook. 

Historical & Romantic Drama Movies to Watch this Weekend...

Listen to the Soundtrack of the The Astronot by Pennan BraeA reclusive wishful astronaut strives to overcome his fear of loss during the space race of the 1960s in The Astronot by screenwriter, actor, co-producer & music composer Pennan Brae and Co-Producer/Director Tim Cash. This historical drama film is available to stream on Amazon Prime in the U.S. and UK. 

A singer-songwriter named Sarah Jane moves to London to make it in the music industry, where an industry executive named Russel D leads her down a path that is difficult for her to return from in Purple Beatz written and directed by Lola Atkins. Set in the underground drum and bass scene of 90's London, this coming-of-age romantic drama is available to stream on Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Apple TV, Google Movies and YouTube. 

Comedy Movies to Watch this Weekend...

When a gym bag goes missing, the lives of a ride share driver and a slap fighter intertwine in the comedy Slapped Straight by David Anderson & Raynel Almonte of Luminary Figures Group. You can directly support the artists who created this project by renting the film for 48 hours, or buying it for unlimited streaming. You can also get your very own Slapped Straight gym bag and SFC (Smack Fighting Championship) T-Shirt to match your movie night viewing of this story about a man who gave up on life until he gets slapped into a new perspective by a fighter named Hothands who gives him the courage to face his fears.  

Science Fiction Movies to Watch this Weekend

The Art-house Sci-Fi Drama Foreclosure by Maki recently made its VOD debut and is now available for rent on Gumroad, where you can watch this movie about alien colonization, the desire to live forever and a global Armageddon. Foreclosure re-imagines footage from a 1960s post-apocalyptic Italian horror film based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel, I Am Legend. 

Horror Movies to Watch this Weekend...

NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon: Stream the horror film Many Keys - The Heartbreak Monologue by Mike Messier, for Artists SundayHeartbreak welcomes her new friends to "this odd reality" in the horror film, Many Keys - The Heartbreak Monologue by producer, writer and director Mike Messier.

The film features a monologue extracted from Messier ‘s novel/feature film screenplay, A Distance from Avalon - When the Dying and the Dead Reunite.

 Many Keys - The Heartbreak Monologue is available on Amazon. 

The Madlab Post will be highlighting and promoting the giving of art-focused items and experiences for the holidays.

“Every artist that you invest in, whether it's buying something to hang on your wall, or something for your kitchen, or something that you wear, or jewelry, that's going back into the local economy,” says Sherman. 

Another way you can support Artists Sunday is by making a holiday wish-list and encouraging your loved ones to gift you items from local artists and makers. Then send your list to your friends and family. Be sure to include your favorite movies from the list above and upcoming spotlights here on The Madlab Post! 

What fills your life with beauty, creativity, and joy?

Which of these films would you like to watch first?

Aliens Rain Fire, Romance and Beach Vibes in Sci-Fi Comedy 'Higher Grounds'

If you want a good laugh and enjoy Sci-Fi comedy films with a retro twist, Higher Grounds has arrived just in time for summer! It’s a 16-minute extraterrestrial adventure about Ralff, one slacker alien who comes to destroy earth with his fellow “field drone,” Razzorakk.

Soon they find themselves sidetracked by gastrointestinal issues, a supply shortage and a mob of people who think they are generous visitors here to save the planet from rising temperatures. The biggest distraction of all, however, is Ralff’s quest to hook up with the hot café barista, Cleo. Suddenly, our survival depends on whether this space-schmuck can get her number, before his plucky partner blows us sky high.  

Written by Joe Kramer (who also directed this film) and Christian Sarkis Graham, Higher Grounds is set in Philadelphia on a typical Saturday for working Americans. That is, most working Americans except Julie, another café barista who takes advantage of a parking situation that leaves Cleo stuck at the café on her only day off – putting a dent in her plans to get a nice tan at the beach.  

It doesn't take long for Ralff to believe he's a “Gracious God” based on little more than speculative propaganda distributed by local news reporters, TV broadcasts and a growing crowd of neighbors who put him on a pedestal. Ralff takes things a step further by deciding it was destined for him to come to earth at this particular time, and be at this particular location. 

It’s nuts how misinformation and propaganda spreads like a viral disease when people refuse to do their own due diligence to understand what's happening around them, why it's happening, and what they can do about it. This leads to group thinking, which can often take a destructive turn when people believe things just because they heard it on the news or because it's the norm in their culture or locale.  

As the plot in Higher Grounds illustrates, this is hard to do when your Mayor, NASA and other leaders share false narratives while the local media gives them a platform to do so, thus perpetuating the nonsense. It's alarming to not be able to trust many, if not all, of the sources of information we have come to rely on for news, exploratory findings and leadership. 

The good news is the first act sets you up for a funny ride through a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon that is, like Cleo, easy on the eyes. Kudos to director Joe Kramer and cinematographer Daniel Brennan on the great shots. It's really a treat to see a film that delivers all sorts of angles that make the story even more visually pleasing. 

Speaking of storylines, there seems to be two that intersect throughout Higher Grounds in a surprisingly organic way. That is, if running into aliens on a mission to destroy the planet is business as usual for you. Much like the annoying traffic and parking headaches that motorists and SEPTA bus riders often experience in center city, South Philly is notorious for its parking issues. So, those who live in or nearby Philadelphia can relate to the parking headaches that sometimes turn into a life altering ordeal. 

Sprinkled with funny lines that have great timing, Higher Grounds, also has some likeable characters to root for and others that remind you of people you’ve met that make your life hell. You know, that co-worker who calls out at the last minute or doesn’t do their job so you end up taking on their responsibilities. Some quips in the film, like the Elroy Jetson reference, might fly over your head depending on how in tune you are with pop culture and your age. 

I appreciate the hustle of the café owner, Gus, who believes its fate that aliens have come to earth to keep the lights on. Gus’s humorous attempt to save his small business by advertising the café during a viral scene in the film shows how he’s willing to act quickly and take advantage of good opportunities that may be available -- even in a crisis. 

Cleo’s desperate attempt at a staycation using what she has available in the workplace is hilarious. There seems to be a longing and desperation that permeates through the mindset and behaviors of some of the characters in this film. Desperate to be liked. Desperate to escape from work or debt. Desperate for answers and acts of God. Cleo just wants to go to the beach. Ralff just wants to get her number. Razzorakk just wants to find a bathroom and Gus just wants someone to work the Cuisinart so he can capitalize on all this foot traffic from the alien visitors. The people in the community, at least on the surface it seems, just want cooler temperatures and fresh air. Then, there’s the litter that tells a different story. 

If you’ve been a longtime reader of this blog, you already know that littering is one of my pet peeves. As someone who participated in Blog Action Day and supports several causes addressing issues such as pollution, access to clean water and disaster relief, I was aggravated by the way some characters in Higher Grounds were single-handedly and collectively destroying the quality of life in their own environment while looking for an external solution at the same time. They're so fixated on a foreign invasion of "Gracious Gods" that they aren't looking at what they can do themselves to save the planet from extinction. 

You might also recognize actor John O’Hurley, best known for his role on the TV sitcom, Seinfeld, as the alien commander who sends Ralff and Razzorakk on a mission to actually “roast the planet” in Higher Grounds. As these alien foot soldiers prepare to “rain fire on all of these women and children,” I was bothered by the way that killing only seemed morally wrong when women and children are involved.  

There's a brutal grocery store scene that highlights the differences in Ralff’s moral compass when it comes to him questioning his job duties, which led to me liking him less. I mean, there are men on planet earth too and they shouldn't die just because the half naked female human you're chasing is "easy on the eyes." 

Higher Grounds is a quick, slice of life weekend adventure that had me rooting for the aliens in some scenes. Well, except of course for that grocery store scene. That one made me mad at Ralff along with the times when he’s so wrapped up in his own world that he’s oblivious to the needs of other people and that of what’s really going on around him. 

I loved the song "Last Train to San Fernando" in this film, along with Higher Grounds' composer Randy Sutin's musical score in general. The "Last Train to San Fernando" tune lends itself to the timely message that I took away from watching it, which is that you must make the most of the time you have on this earth because it will be over -- whether by natural, extraterrestrial or man made disasters -- before you know it!

The film also gives you some of the explosive and stylized elements that you would anticipate in a summer blockbuster, with local charm. In the midst of the frenzy surrounding the arrival of visitors from outer space, Higher Grounds is full of underlying tones reflecting global and societal issues. In 2022, the film was nominated for an Audience Award at the Raindance Film Festival satellite event, the Japan Indies Film Festival. It also screened in the Coney Island Film Festival in early May. 

If you're local in the Tri-State area, or up for a day trip to New Jersey -- a popular destination for tons of people who enjoy their summer at the shores in this coastal area; just sayin.... -- Higher Grounds is showing this weekend on Sunday, June 11th at the LBI Historical Association Museum during the Lighthouse International Film Festival. 

You can also stream the film here from the comfort of your home, at the office during your lunch hour or while stuck on a side street sitting behind a double-parked car. This short film made my day and just might do the same for you! 

Do you believe in destiny or fate?

When was the last time you went to the beach?

What do you think is the biggest issue plaguing our planet?

Never Been Kissed: Inside Director Barbara Kronenberg’s qFlix Comedy ‘Ballad of Ella Plummhoff’

'The Ballad of Ella Plummhoff' writer and director Barbara KronenbergIt’s nice to be blogging again, as I interrupt the Popcorn Snobs’ (semi)regularly scheduled “Taking of A-Z” series, in favor of world cinema. If you believe laughter is the best medicine, you need to get acquainted with Barbara Kronenberg, a German writer/director whose comedy Die Ballad Von Ella Plummhoff (The Ballad of Ella Plummhoff) is among the most anticipated shorts playing at the qFLIX film festival in Philadelphia, PA this weekend.

Dr. Sheena Howard and Wafiyyah Packer of the Women’s Screening Committee even cite it as one they would highly recommend people to come watch.

“I thought the angles and intensity of some of the shots were well put together,” praises Howard on the cinematography as well as the overall technical excellence of what she describes as “a really quirky” and entertaining short film. Packer agrees adding “I love teenage awkwardness….the way they told this coming-of-age story was great.” What’s interesting, however, is that this film almost didn’t get made. There was a time when Barbara Kronenberg got fed up with filmmaking after a string of depressing projects.

Encouraged by her wife along with family and friends to not give up, she tried working on a story that was different and more humorous than her usual fare – resulting in The Ballad of Ella Plummhoff. This 29-minute short helped Kronenberg, a former software developer, rediscover her passion for filmmaking. I arranged a conversation with Kronenberg, who was up for discussing a few topics, from the challenges of shooting goldfish to the definition of beauty and why everyone needs a funny bone.

So without further ado, here’s the woman behind this wildly enjoyable film about an eighth grader who is flunking Math, getting love lessons from a grotesque ballet teacher and only cares about landing her first kiss—on another girl. Grades be damned!

Madlab Post Asks: What is your favorite scene from The Ballad of Ella Plummhoff?

Barbara Kronenberg (BK): The one where Ella is sitting in front of the aquarium after everyone else left for holiday vacation. It has very subtle humor and people usually start laughing when they realize that Ella is wearing her swimming goggles as if she has made up her own holiday setting, which is of course not satisfying. Ella is just sitting there, observing the two goldfishes through her swimming goggles and it seems to be a very easy to shoot scene because there is no big action.

As you probably wouldn't imagine, the two fishes were not that easy to handle - they behaved like little divas. I tried to give compliments about their beautiful fish scale, I praised their skills as actors and we even bought them gourmet fish food, but they preferred to stay in the tank corners. Finally I told staff to fire them and to cast turtles instead of fishes. That was the key and they started to perform the choreography, which we trained on for about 3 or 4 weeks. So this very small scene took some more time then people are expecting.

What makes a woman beautiful?

I never felt attracted only because of a “perfect“ body, face or dressing; it’s always a mixture of charisma, behavior, attitude, brainpower and appearance. To me, beauty isn’t something that you can see, it’s something that you feel.  – BK

(l-r) Actresses Lotta devil and Inga Dreger on the set of 'Die Ballad Von Ella Plummhoff' directed by Barbara Kronenberg.Would you like to share the story behind your first kiss?

The only thing I can tell you is that I had to kiss a lot of boys before I found out that I prefer kissing girls. - BK

What is the best quality everyone should have?

I’d love to say it is humor because I think it makes life much easier and of course funnier, but there are maybe one or two things which are more important and could be helpful to save the future of humanity: honesty and tolerance. It’s ok to make mistakes as far as you admit them. It’s also ok to have a different opinion as far as you don’t force someone else to share your opinion or way of living. – BK

Kudos to Barbara Kronenberg for showing the world that perseverance pays off and it’s important to have fun when following your passion. Otherwise, what’s the point?!

Die Ballad Von Ella Plummhoff /The Ballad of Ella Plummhoff is a German language film with English subtitles playing Sunday, July 10, 2016 at the Caplan Theater - University of the Arts – 211 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA. Showtime is 2:30PM. It is part of the qFlix Film Festival’s  fun and fanciful “Damn Danielle” program, a collection of short films for everyone, with stories about family power struggles, revenge and the last laugh.

Share YOUR Comments!

What makes someone a good kisser? How supportive are YOUR loved ones in your chosen profession? If YOU had a pet turtle, what would you name it?

*Special thanks to Mike Nash for contributing to this piece. Images courtesy of Barbara Kronenberg.