By Ashley Callahan

On August 7th, 2011, National Sisters’ day became an unofficial holiday and was celebrated for the first time. It has been recognized annually ever since. The day acknowledges the strong bond people share with their sisters and encourages them to celebrate the special relationship. Studies from Brigham Young University actually show that sisters give siblings better mental health. In the film, Red Roses and Petrol, younger sister Medbh (Heather Juergensen) can be seen as a caretaker for her mother as well as an anchor that keeps her siblings together. Her brother, Johnny is an out of control playboy who spends his time drinking and doing as he pleases. However, with Medbh, Johnny is a loving, wise individual who cares deeply for his family. When older sister, Catherine (Susan Lynch), returns home with her new fiancé Tom, Medbh is reminded of her position and that she has not yet experienced the world in the same way. This shows the sacrifice she makes for her family. It also proves her ability to bring independent Catherine back home after years of being away. A day like Sisters’ day encourages us to show appreciation for the strength and compassion our own sisters give us. It is a “thank you” for those like the character Medbh who strive to show their families why they need to depend on each other. It is a celebration of a very integral part of family.

Although there are deeply rooted issues in the Doyle family, the importance of a sister like Medbh is easy to recognize. There may be some jealousy with her sister, Catherine, but she loves her regardless and would clearly do anything for her. It is often those who are closest to us and challenge us the most will become a source of tension at times. Still, there is nothing like a bond between siblings. Many of us have sisters who know us better than anyone. This year, National Sisters’ Day will be held on August 5th, as it is celebrated the first Sunday of every August. Don’t forget to express your appreciation for your sister this Sister’s Day!

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In order to keep the promise he made to his late wife, ZHIGEN decides to go back to his home town to free his bird, his sole companion in his senior years. He expected to go on this journey alone but he has been entrusted with RENXING, his granddaughter, a young spoiled city girl from Beijing, while her parents are out of town. This constraint becomes a welcome diversion on his mission. During this journey at the edge of traditional China, in all its magnificent natural landscapes, these two individuals will discover one another and share experiences and adventures. The little girl will discover new values, particularly the ones of the heart, and the importance of family and tradition.

(Available to purchase April 5th)

Starring: Baotian Li, Xiaoran Li, Hao Qin, Xin Yi Yang

Directed By: Philippe Muyl

Written By: Philippe Muyl

Genre: Drama

Run Time: 100 minutes

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The Lovely Patient follows the lives of two people: Leonard Marshall, a teenage boy in need of a stable job to support his ill mother, and Frank Hartsfield, a man battling breast cancer desperately searching for a way to attend his daughter's wedding. When Leonard Marshall is fired from his job for repeat tardiness, he finds a new job after responding to an advertisement. He is hired as Frank's new driver. Together, they face hurdles life throws at them and discover the importance of forgiveness and love.

Starring: Joseph L. Glenn, John Collier, Dafydd Taffy, Michelle Mclemore, Jimmie Anne Campbell, Brittany Carden, A.J. Sexton, Shannon Kraiger, Kim Priolo

Directed By: Sylvester K. Folks

Written By: Sylvester K. Folks

Genre: Drama

Run Time: 99 minutes

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Ways to Live Forever is available courtesy of World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation.

Starring: Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox, Greta Scacchi, Robbie Kay, Alex Etel, Ella Purnell, Natalia Tena, Phllida Law

Directed By: Gustavo Ron

Written By: Gustavo Ron, Sally Nicholls (book Ways To Live Forever)

Genre: Drama

Run Time: 100 minutes

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ON DVD

REVIEWS:

"An extrodinary performance by Paprika Steen"

-Roger Ebert, The Chicago Sun-Times

"One of the best screen performances of the year."

-Karen Durbin, The New York Times

Starring: Paprika Steen, Michael Falch

Directed By: Martin Zandvliet

Written By: Martin Zandvliet, Anders Frithiof August

Genre: Drama

Run Time: 87 minutes

The post Applause – Paprika Steen, Michael Falch appeared first on Indie Movie Store.

Based on the Irish play by acclaimed writer Joseph O'Connor and directed by Tamar Simon Hoffs, Red Roses and Petrol is an award-winning, darkly comedic drama. In it, Malcolm McDowell stars as Enda Doyle, an Irish poet, University librarian, and rascal whose sudden death triggers the dysfunction in his family and sparks a disturbing mystery. Gathering for the wake are his wife Moya (Olivia Tracey), stuck-at-home 20-something daughter Medbh (Heather Juergensen), outspoken older sister Catherine (Susan Lynch) from New York with her awkward Yankee boyfriend Tom (Greg Ellis), and their volatile brother Johnny (Max Beesley). The accidental discovery of their father's video diaries prompts the family to realize that they may not have known him - or his shocking secrets ‹ at all. However, through a haze of cigarettes, sarcasm, uneaten food, and more than a splash of Irish whiskey, the family overcomes their differences.

In addition to the accomplished cast, the film also features a memorable soundtrack, including new and classic recordings from the popular Irish American band, Flogging Molly, and Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles.

McDowell's body of work encompasses more than 40 years of cinematic achievements, including such classic films as A Clockwork Orange, O Lucky Man!, If...., Time After Time, Rob Zombie's Halloween, and television dramas like HEROES, ENTOURAGE, and FRANKLIN & BASH.

Red Roses and Petrol is available courtesy of World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation.
[See image gallery at indiemoviestore.com]
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Olivia Tracey, Heather Juergensen, Max Beesley, Susan Lynch and Greg Ellis

Directed By: Tamar Simon Hoffs

Written By: Tamar Simon Hoffs & Gail Wager Stayden, Joseph O'Conner (play)

Genre: Drama

Run Time: 97 minutes

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Amy stars actress Rachel Griffiths and a young Alana De Roma as the title character in a family drama that follows the life of an 8-year-old girl’s journey to find her voice.

After Amy (Alana De Roma) witnesses her famous rock star father, Will, be electrocuted while performing during a concert, her entire life is changed forever and the trauma from the accident causes her to become mute and deaf. Amy's mother, played by Rachel Griffiths, moves her to Melbourne in order to find a diagnosis for her daughter’s mute and deaf disorders.

Tanya (Rachel Griffiths) consults the help of a therapist for her own emotional issues while Amy struggles to communicate to the social workers trying to help her. When Amy finally has a breakthrough, it is through her late father’s music and she is able to find her voice again through singing her father’s music.

The Amy Movie marks a homecoming role for actress Rachel Griffiths, who was born in Melbourne, Australia where the film takes place. Since Amy, Rachel Griffiths has kept busy as an actress in America, where she has appeared in several hit films including My Best Friend’s Wedding alongside Julia Roberts and her Academy Award-nominated turn in 1997’sHILARY & JACKIE. Griffiths has also starred in two popular television series, including HBO’s SIX FEET UNDER from 2001-2005 and ABC’s BROTHERS AND SISTERS from 2006-2011 – with both shows garnering the actress several award nominations.

Amy is available on DVD courtesy of World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation.

Alana De Roma's first acting role was as the title character in Amy. The actress, now in her 20s, lives in Australia and continues to pursue acting.

Preview of the new Alana DeRoma Interview included with the DVD:

  [See image gallery at indiemoviestore.com]

Starring: Rachel Griffiths, Alana De Roma and Ben Mendelsohn

Directed By: Nadia Tass

Written By: David Parker

Genre: Drama

Run Time: 104 minutes

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Pop Kowboy follows the lives of three people: Frankie, a transgender woman in need of money; Vinnie, an incompetent aspiring gangster who is given one last chance to make good with the local mob boss; and Pony, a wannabe cowboy who has trouble with love. Frankie is broke, evicted from his apartment, and unable to afford the sex change operation that he desires. He decides to deliver a briefcase for quick money, not realizing it’s full of illegal drugs. Pony falls for Frankie, not realizing he was born a man, and botches the briefcase delivery with Vinnie and the two end up on the run. Along the way, they realize they’re not just pretending to be someone they’re not - their identities are what make them unique. Pop Kowboy is a comedy that reveals that life is more than who you are; it's also about what you can become.

Starring Shawn Driscoll (Thirteen Days, Red State, America’s Sweethearts), Ronnie Marmo (GENERAL HOSPITAL), Craig Olsen, and Ron Hunter (Van Wilder, Along Came Polly).

[See image gallery at indiemoviestore.com]

Starring: Shawn Driscoll, Craig Olsen, Ronnie Marmo, Ron Hunter

Directed and Written By: Gabrielle Sebastian

Genre: Comedy

Run Time: 101 minutes

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ON DVD

Shattered Illusions, distributed by World Wide Motion Pictures Company, stars actress Colette O’ Connell and soap-opera legend Morgan Fairchild in a thriller that finds a Los Angeles-based radio DJ (Colette O’Connell) caught in the middle of her troubled past, tension in the workplace and a mysterious fan who commits several murders.

When Lynn Richards, played by Colette O’Connell, receives a job as a talk show host at KBST radio station in Los Angeles, she is given the opportunity to ask her audience questions about the different themes and illusions in life. At the station, Lynn finds herself under a tremendous amount of pressure from the station owner and her manager to maintain high ratings of her show and faces jealousy from a fellow station DJ, psychologist Angie Mason (played by Morgan Fairchild). In addition to her work pressures, Lynn is haunted by her father’s alcohol abuse that contributed to a horrific accident that disabled her sister, Carrie.

When Lynn learns that her father has been paroled from prison after 12 years for Carries accident, she receives a mysterious phone call from a man named “Adam”, who claims to be Lynn’s biggest fan. Adam tells Lynn live on her radio show that “death is what we need”, and a handful of people close to Lynn are murdered before she can find out who is behind her current torment.

Shattered Illusions features Colette O’Connell in the starring role of Lynn Richards. As an actress, Colette O’Connell has made a variety of film and television appearances, including the films Thirteen Days and Gabriela and the television shows The West Wing, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Actress Morgan Fairchild costars in Shattered Illusions as Lynn’s jealous colleague at the radio station, psychologist Angie Mason. An active actress since the 1970s, Morgan Fairchild has made a name for herself as a soap-opera legend, appearing in prime-time soap operas such as Flamingo Road, Paper Dolls and Falcon Crest. She has also guest starred in numerous memorable television shows, including Murphy Brown, Friends, and most recently Bones.

Shattered Illusions is available on DVD courtesy of World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation.
 
[See image gallery at indiemoviestore.com]
 
Starring: Starring Morgan Fairchild, Colette O'Connell, Leland Crooke, Dan Monahan and Bruce Weitz

Directed By: Becky Best

Written By: Toni Callas

Genre: Suspense/Thriller

Run Time: 85 minutes

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For 4 people, whose lives are intertwined, there is only 1 truth that separates them. Finding out what they secretly hide from one another is the only fear they have. For Adam, the only thing he holds dear to his heart is the love for his girlfriend Amy; as he battles through a deep depression. Marko, Adam’s best friend, looks to be accepted into corporate life and, in the process, find his place in society. Carter, a man who wants to be everyone’s friend, is in search for the one woman who can make his life complete; at the expense of everyone around him. Amy, Marko’s co-worker, is under constant pressure to hide her secret ways from Adam and in turn hide her inner most thoughts in both her professional and private life.

For each of them, their personal desires are greater than the relationships they hold. In a climatic ending, where all hell breaks loose; their secret lives are unraveled and they are forced to face reality head on. The decisions each of them make directly impacts each other’s lives...resulting in everyone trying to attain what they ultimately desire. Witness this unique avant-garde film capturing the independent spirit in an innovative action-reaction format. Be the first to watch what a real “indie” film is all about.

Third Law (The Movie) is available on DVD courtesy of World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation.

Starring: Mike Estes, Katharyn Wilks, Mike Arsenault, Naveed

Written and Directed By: Naveed

Genre: Drama

Run Time: 109 minutes

The post Third Law – Mike Estes, Katharyn Wilks appeared first on Indie Movie Store.