News – USTimes

Mark My Words: Andy Marken on the Big Divide in the Media and Entertainment Industry

May 20, 2021

(Editorial, Andy Marken, San Jose, California, May 19, 2021) “To kill a monster, you need a monster.” – Artemis, “Monster Hunter,” Constantin Films, 2020 Have you ever been suddenly awakened from a really, really bad dream? Yeah, that’s about what the Oscars and all the award events felt like this year There were a lot…

Berlin International Film Fest Announces Summer Outdoor Schedule June 9-20, 2021

May 11, 2021

(Special to US Times via Berlinale Press Office, 2021-05-11) Berlinale: Summer Special to Take Place as an Outdoor Event Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the Berlin International Film Festival has developed a new festival format for 2021. The 71st Berlinale kicked off with the Industry Event in March and will be followed by an…

The Art of Sound: Mixing “Sound of Metal”

April 24, 2021

(Editorial by Cirina Catania, Senior Editor, US Times. 2021-04-23, California, USA) One of my favorite movies of the 2021 Awards Season is, “Sound of Metal,” nominated for SIX ACADEMY AWARDS! Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Sound. This team went above and beyond the norm and…

30 Million Americans Identify as “Irish Descent” – Happy St. Patrick’s Day

March 17, 2021

by Niall McCarthy, Mar 17, 2021 For the second year running, Ireland is experiencing a highly abnormal Saint Patrick’s Day with shuttered pubs and deserted streets replacing the marching bands, bagpipers and revelers. Usually, 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed across the world in honor of Ireland’s national day (enough to fill two and a half Olympic swimming…

The 71st Berlin International Film Festival begins March 1st, 2021

Berlinale Publishes 2021 Stats

March 12, 2021

(Special to the USTimes, by the Berlin Film Festival Office, 2021-03-12) “The Berlinale Celebrates a Successful First Stage, Looks Forward to the Summer Special With Berlin Audiences, and Sets the Date for the 2022 Festival“ Happy winners, good sales at the film market, interesting panel discussions and ample film coverage by the press – the Industry…

2021 Stimulus Package Breakdown

(2021-03-12, by Nial McCarthy, Statista) President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package cleared its final hurdle in Congress on Wednesday despite no Republicans voting in favor of it. The plan contains a range of measures such as a further direct round of payments to most Americans, amounting to more than $400 billion. Checks of $1,400 will…

Katia Pascariu stars in Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn

Berlinale 2021 Review: “Bad Luck Banging, Loony Porn”

March 3, 2021

(Review from the Berlinale 2021, 2021-03-03, by Cirina Catania, Sr. Editor) With respect to the insightful and important curation of the Berlinale’s Competition Films, I watched this one from start to finish. Here’s my review: My parents taught me that, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” ###

Berlinale Review: “Memory Box,” Brilliant Story-Telling

March 1, 2021

(Berlin, Germany, 2021-02-28, film review by Cirina Catania, Sr. Editor, US Times.) If the film, “Memory Box,” is any indication of what is to become available for viewing during the 71st Berlin International Film Festival, it will be a banner year. Unexpected, insightful, tough, triste, joyful and full of love, this film is a must-see….

Berlinale 2021 – All New Format, Just as Exciting

February 16, 2021

(Berlin, Germany, February 15, 2021) Mariette Rissenbeek, Executive Director of the Berlin International Film Festival, and Artistic Director, Carlo Chatrian, welcome us to another year at the Berlinale (the 71st), explain the new virtual format for the Fest and present the films that have been selected for this year’s Competition and Berlinale Special sections. The…

Berlinale Forum 2021: “First 54 Years” by Avi Mograbi

February 15, 2021

(Berlin, Germany, February 15, 2021, by Cirina Catania) Drawing on his knowledge of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza strip, Mograbi has created a documentary feature offering what he calls, a “Manual for Military Occupation.” The film will have its world premiere in the Forum Section at the…