Love, Sex and Missed Connections
a kate west review
directed by Eric Kissack; produced by Lisa Rudin
written by Kenny Stevenson
Official website: http://missedconnectionsmovie.com/

Real-life married couple, the ridiculously talented Kenny Stevenson and Dorien Davies, have worked together a lot, mostly in comedy. So it makes perfect sense that they would make a funny romantic movie together (yup,a rom-com). They play a misguided pair suffering from the pains of recent break-ups in the delightful script by Stevenson, "Love, Sex and Missed Connections." Garnering film festival awards* from all over the country, this charming film stars friends, colleagues and their dog Zoe. And it is obviously a labor of love, judging from the very real chemical sparks between the two stars (and the fun everyone else seems to be having).

Neal (Stevenson) tries hopelessly to bury the nightmare of walking in on his girlfriend having sex with another guy. On their couch. His friends Barry and George try to drag him back to the dating world and get him right back on the 'ol saddle. Since nothing else seems to be working, Neal attempts their plan of responding to missed connections ads, pretending to be the guy lonely girls are searching for in order to take advantage of their disappointment when the real guy doesn't show. It works like a charm and he gets laid - a lot. That is, until he runs into Jane (Davies), who places fake ads to turn the tables on the opposite sex (it's complicated - but so is love, right?)

Funny things happen. Actually, pretty hilarious stuff. Since the cast has a background in comedy, they all know their way around one-liners. Shane Elliot and Alex Enriquez are hilarious as goofballs Barry and George, Avi Rothman is hilarious as friend Allan who sleeps with the ex Christine (Julie Mitchell) and appears naked in Neal's dreams, Stephanie Escajeda and Scott Beehner are hilarious as well-meaning awkward relatives Jillian and Daren, all of the missed connections are hilarious and those one-liners are definitely hilarious. And look out for minor characters with hilariously big encounters. But more than that, the underlying message of overcoming the crippling effects of a broken heart is touching and relatable. The zingers are nice and fun, but as they are supported by a sincere and heartfelt story, everything works. You laugh at the silly and root for the broken.

Director Eric Kissack puts together some nicely edited shots (and he's got the background to back that up) and Kenny Stevenson puts together a nicely written film, eliciting instant sympathy for the characters and holding our attention for the duration (it's 77 minutes, in case you were wondering). Stevenson and Davies shine as the lovelorn soul mates and are lovely to watch and cheer. There is not one wrong note here and the entire cast and crew is to be commended for a job well done and a story well told. Catch it live at a film festival near you, or at least watch it here.

Seriously, look how cute they all are:

*The Awards ... so far:
2013 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival – Best Narrative Feature
2012 Naples International Film Festival – Indie Spirit Award
2012 New Hampshire Film Festival – Audience Award
2012 Hell’s Half Mile Film and Music Festival - Best Of Fest
2012 Big Bear Lakes International Film Festival – Audience Award – Best Feature Film
2012 Traverse City Film Festival – Special Jury Prize – First Time Director
2012 Woods Hole Film Festival – Audience Award Best Comedy Feature
2012 Boston International Film Festival – Indie Spirit Story Line Award
2012 Cleveland International Film Festival – American Independent Award
2012 Indie Spirit Film Festival – Screener’s Choice Award
2012 Cinetopia International Film Festival – Cinetopia Laurels Award Read more!

Sex and the City - the Movie

Sex and the City
a kate west review











The much-anticipated film "Sex and the City" delivers luscious fashion images to its multitude of eager fans. Designer dresses and shoes galore abound as does, of course, the gorgeous background of a hip Manhattan, New York. All served up in a yummy visual feast that you won't be able to take your eyes off of.

Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha are back, a little older, but maybe not so much wiser. As in the show, they keep making the same mistakes, falling back on friendship for support and these life experiences force them to grow up just the tiniest bit. This is the main complaint of naysayers, that that film is merely an expanded episode, but any transition from television to film will inevitably go that route, since the two mediums are so different. However, rabid fans will be satiated by the gorgeous accessories and the familiar patterns of characters. Just keep in mind that there is only so much you can fit into a feature length film, versus six years of a series run. If you allow yourself to enjoy the ride, you'll find that the movie ties in nicely with the series and that even though the series finale seemed to give us a final note, there is always more urban angst to squeeze out of truly neurotic New Yorkers. And isn't that part of the fun?

It's not Shakespeare people, so let yourself go - drink that cosmopolitan, rent that Prada handbag and bring your best gal pals. And toast fabulous women in their 40's and 50's who are still viable, beautiful and more than relevant, with or without men (plus, nice addition of sweet Jennifer Hudson, guys!)


Past review of the show here:
http://www.katewestreviews.com/2004/12/sex-and-city.html

Directed by	Michael Patrick King
Produced by	Michael Patrick King Sarah Jessica Parker
Written by	Michael Patrick King

• Starring
  
• Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw
• Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones
• Kristin Davis as Charlotte Goldenblatt
• Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes
• Chris Noth as Mr. Big (John James Preston)
• David Eigenberg as Steve Brady
• Evan Handler as Harry Goldenblatt
• Jennifer Hudson as Louise, Carrie's assistant
• Jason Lewis as Smith Jerrod
• Willie Garson as Stanford Blatch
• Mario Cantone as Anthony Marantino
• Lynn Cohen as Magda
• Candice Bergen as Enid Frick
• Joseph Pupo as Brady Hobbes
• Vaughan Sidebottom as Restaurant Patron
• Andre Leon Talley as himself
• Gilles Marini as Dante

The Complete Series:
Sex and the City - The Complete Series (Collector's Giftset)

Featured Website:
www.BagBorroworSteal.com
(best viewed when watching the show or playing the theme song by Douglas J. Cuomo ...)

Update: SATC2?

Meh.

Read more!

Sex and the City

Sex and the City
a kate west favorite





From 1998 to 2004, American women everywhere were riveted to HBO's bold new ultra feminine series, "Sex and the City". Sexy Manolo Blahnik heels and cosmopolitans abound in this sensually fulfilling indulgence (better than a box of chocolates and a night of "Desperate Housewives"). American style indulgence, of course. We all know Europeans are more sophisticated. But then again, this is New York, our most suave city, so maybe we do have a leg up after all, so to speak. And we want to believe in the magic that helps those girls walk the Big Apple in those impossible shoes.

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) writes a column on sex and relationships. Her three friends are as single as she is and have apparently extravagant career and lifestyles enabling them to live in fabulous New York apartments. Miranda, the lawyer (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte, the graceful housewife (Kristin Davis), and Samantha, the sexy PR lady (Kim Cattrall). They all want love, pretend they don't, and then decide they do. We've all seen the show. And it's a fun fantasy. But is it one to emulate?

On the one hand, they were four fabulously single and carefree ladies in New York, but on the other, the series ended with everyone successfully paired up with a man. Does this mean they are only complete with a man in their lives or that they each finally grew up and were finally mature enough to handle a relationship? I choose to think it's the latter. And because while all the guys come and go in their lives, the friendship foursome remains intact. At least that's what the creators wanted to leave us with. That and the burning desire to recreate some of that mojo in our own lives. We all want to be Carrie, but we're probably more a Miranda or a Charlotte. Or maybe some of us are lucky enough to be the uninhibited Samantha. In spite of all the risqué talk, these girls were fairly standard for their generation - my generation. And much of that bold talk often made them quite uncomfortable (again, with the notable exception of no-holds-barred Samantha). I get them, unlike the brash twenty-somethings these days who really do want to talk about anything and everything. Ugh.

So there's nothing wrong with being any of those four stylish ladies, all different sides of a single gal. If only reality was so fab. Guess we'll all just have to keep being our boring old selves. Thank God for reruns, Netflix and Amazon.

Created by
Darren Star

Based on the book by
Candace Bushnell

Starring
Sarah Jessica Parker
Kristin Davis
Cynthia Nixon
Kim Cattrall
Chris Noth
David Eigenberg
Mikhail Baryshnikov

Who Could Resist?
Sex and the City - The Complete Series (Collector's Giftset)

Speaking of Indulgences:
Desperate Housewives - The Complete First Season
(Felicity Huffman being the one consistently elevating this show.)

And yet another modern twist on dating - men in the kitchen, cooking for women:
Cooking to Hook Up: The Bachelor's Date-Night Cookbook (Cookbooks)
Read more!