A preview of Jon Stewart’s “Rosewater”

By: Allison Wisyanski ~Staff Writer~ Jon Stewart’s debut feature, “Rosewater,” held a premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2014. “Rosewater” tells the true story of Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari’s five month imprisonment in Iran after his appearance on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Stewart traveled to Jordan for a month in the summer of 2013 to film the movie. In 2009, Bahari covered Iran’s unpredictable elections for Newsweek. During his stay in Tehran, Iran, he interviewed a young regime reporter and raised the possibility of election fraud. He also appeared on Stewart’s show with comedian Jason Jones. … Continue reading A preview of Jon Stewart’s “Rosewater”

American Hustle

By: Alex Spindler Much like his previous works, director David O. Russell’s new drama, “American Hustle,” blends Jersey melodrama with relationship dysfunction. Set in the late 1970s, “Hustle” follows swindlers Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) as they attempt to bribe New Jersey mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner). FBI agent Richie Di Maso (Bradley Cooper) aids the pack in an intriguing dramedy packed with deception, betrayal and even a stray gut-busting guffaw. Despite the critical acclaim given for the film’s many facets, “American Hustle” simply didn’t crackle as expected. Slow to start with a sludgy screenplay, the … Continue reading American Hustle

“Other Desert Cities” succeeds, bleeds drama

By: Alex Spindler The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati set the stage for the regional premiere of the play “Other Desert Cities,” written by Jon Robin Baitz. This drama takes place during Christmas of 2004 and deals with the Wyeth family living in post-9/11 America where threats of political upheaval and terrorism are constantly discussed. Brooke, the youngest daughter, has just left rehabilitation for her manic-depression and has written a memoir concerning the suicide of her brother, Henry, as well as her family’s past. Unbeknownst to everyone, a terrible truth lies beneath the buried Wyeth family history and Brooke’s parents, Polly … Continue reading “Other Desert Cities” succeeds, bleeds drama