24 October
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In Interviews

TWIN CITIES FILM FEST INTERVIEWS – JON HEDER & KENDALL GOLDBERG When Jeff Tried to Save the World The Twin Cities Film Fest does a fantastic job of bringing in A-list talent by having them showcase some of their smaller films that may not get noticed outside the festival circuit. We all remember Jon Heder from his goofy role in Napoleon Dynamite. It’s been fourteen years since the cult classic’s release, and he’s in a new movie call When Jeff Tried to Save the World. In it, he plays Jef who works at a small old-fashioned bowling alley. He finds out his boss is planningRead More →

30 September
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In Podcast

PODCAST EPISODE 34 – TWIN CITIES FILM FEST 2018 I have a brand new episode of my podcast “Paul’s Trip to the Movies” up on PodcastOne, Apple Podcasts, My Talk 1071’s website or wherever you get your podcasts. It’s brought to you by T-Rex Cookie Company. The Twin Cities Film Fest is back with its best lineup to date. Host Paul McGuire Grimes chats with Jatin Setia, its founder and executive director, and movie critic Jared Huizenga to discuss what we can expect from this year’s films, workshops, mixers, and star-studded appearances. It runs October 17-27th. Click HERE for the link on PodcastOne.Read More →

24 October
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In Interviews

IN CONVERSATION: RUTH MARAMIS “HEARTS WANT” The Twin Cities Film Fest is currently in its eighth year showcasing a variety of films over a ten day period. Whether you want Oscar worthy features and independents to short films and Minnesota-made movies, there is something for everyone at the Twin Cities Film Fest. Ruth Maramis is the resident blogger for the Fest, but this year she wears the title of writer and producer. Hearts Want is her first film and is making its debut in the “The Ties That Bind Us (a Relationships Shorts Block).” I sat down with Ruth to discuss her transition from writingRead More →

17 October
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In Special Series

TWIN CITIES FILM FEST 2016 WHEN: October 19-29, 2019 WHERE: The Showplace ICON Theatre 1625 West End Blvd St. Louis Park, MN 55416 Every year the Twin Cites Film Fest brings an exciting assortment of films to Minnesota that may not normally get a wide theatrical release. In years past many movies featured like The Imitation Game, Room, Brooklyn, and Nebraska have gone ahead and received multiple Oscar nominations with a few going on to win. This year, Moonlight is the big film everybody has been buzzing about. It stars Mahershala Ali (House of Cards) and will no doubt be the talk of Oscar night.Read More →

30 October
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In Movie Reviews

ROOM Director: Lenny Abrahamson Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Joan Allen, William H. Macy The opening night gala film for the 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest was Room starring Brie Larson, which also received the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival. Expectations were high, but I went in knowing very little about the story. I came out absolutely blown away having gone through an emotional rollercoaster. Jack (Tremblay) is celebrating his fifth birthday with his mom (Larson) in the only place he knows about, which is Room. Room is the small little space they live in. There’s a sink, tub, rug,Read More →

20 October
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In Special Series

TWIN CITIES FILM FEST 2015 The Twin Cities Film Fest is upon us, and executive director Jatin Setia has delivered one of the best line-ups I’ve seen from the festival. The festival runs October 21-31, 2015 at the ShowPlace Icon Theaters at the Shops of West End in St. Louis Park, MN. Setia and Artistic Director Steve Snyder present a diverse line-up of studio films, independents, Minnesota made, documentaries, shorts, web series, and more. There is literally a film for any sort of moviegoer. The festival also features red carpet events including filmmaker interviews, mixers, and discussion panels. One big event includes a special dedicationRead More →

19 December
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In Movie Reviews

WILD Director: Jean-Marc Vallée Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Laure Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Gaby Hoffman, W. Earl Brown, Michiel Huisman I first saw Wild at the Twin Cities Film Fest back in October, which was aptly fitting as there is a Minnesota connection tied to this story. Cheryl Strayed (Witherspoon) was living in Minneapolis before she started her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. It was a 1,100 mile hike from the Mojave desert in California to the Washington border. From the beginning of her mission, it is painfully obvious that she has gotten herself in way over her head. She is by no means an experiencedRead More →

03 November
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In Movie Reviews

Here are two more reviews from the 2013 Film Festival. One short film and one film that is short. Both of which could easily be expanded into longer movies. A BETTER LIFE Director: Conor Holt Starring: Aimee Klein, Hardy Koenig, Bill Siderski Diane (Klein) can’t seem to let go of her husband as she must face some life alternating decisions. Bill (Siderski) is now in a comatose state and time will only tell when and if he shall awake. In a radical new medical breakthrough, she decides to have a chip implanted into his brain that can control his motor skills. She has control ofRead More →

23 October
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In Movie Reviews

I mentioned in a previous post, I have thoroughly enjoyed attending the 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest. It has gives great exposure to a wide variety of films ranging in style, budget, subjects, and genres. You name it. Many of these may or may not get a wider release than playing at various festivals. My plan is to write some mini-reviews showcasing some of the films I have seen. Days 4 and 5 of the Fest brought these two delightful little films.GHOST LIGHTDirector: John GaspardStarring: Dietrich Poppen, Dawn Brodey, Austan Peterschick, Joel Raney, Kelli Gorr After a performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” goesRead More →

22 October
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In Movie Reviews

This is my first year attending the 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest, and it has been a fun experience thus far. I have seen six films so far all ranging from big studio releases likeNebraska to smaller local films. I have been able sit in on a few Q&As with the directors and stars, attended some mixers, and met some new film buffs and bloggers. Here are two mini-reviews for some of the films I have seen so far. Nebraska still stands as my number one pick so far. Unfortunately, that review will have to wait a few weeks. WINTER IN THE BLOODDirector: Alex and Andrew SmithStarring: Chaske Spencer,Read More →