Art means Crime on the streets of Philadelphia

On Roberta Fallon and Libby Rosof’s artblog, you’ll be captivated by the riveting account of one artist’s harrowing trip to the El from his studio. (Part Two is here.)
I bring it up for a couple of reasons.
1. Artists often have a way of looking at the world that doesn’t automatically make snap judgments about the [...]

Installation art at Morris Arboretum

Libby Rosof, proprietor of artblog, took a little field trip – literally – to Morris Arboretum to check out Papaver Rubrum Giganteum, by sculptor Gary G. Miller. Papver Rubrum, if I remember my Latin correctly (or, more accurately, if I can use Google correctly) means Red Poppy. In this case a gigantic red [...]

Get to know the Arctic through film

If you’re like me, you’ve probably never been to the Arctic. (Oh wait, I did have a layover in the Anchorage airport but I don’t think that counts.)
You have probably never gotten to experience the majesty of 100 foot high, sheer glacier walls or seen a polar bear in its rapidly dwindling natural habitat.
Most likely, [...]

Interview with Brian Wade

Writer Kristine Kennedy spoke with “Set in Philadelphia” point man Brian Wade. The program, in its sixth year, shines a spotlight on Philadelphia screenwriters by running both a writing and a movie pitch competition during the Film Festival. Thanks to Mike Kennedy for production assistance.
Listen to it here.

Black House

Horror: South Korea
Seems like every Asian horror film of note revolves around “unspeakable” childhood trauma and the uncomplicated, naïve psychological profiling of maniacs made by society. Black House is no different. At times comical in its simplistic characterizations, this fairly predictable allegory exposes, if it is to be taken at face value, not just how [...]

Philadelphia Film Festival, here we come

Last night was the official kick-off to the 17th Philadelphia Film Festival. I know, it crept up on you. You forgot all about it. What’s going on? What should I see? There are so many movies I’ve never heard of…. Well, I’m here to help. Truth be told, it crept up on me, too. But, [...]

Doing Right by Charity?

On March 1, 1780, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery. Of particular importance here was the infamous “six months” rule, which established that any slave “retained” in Pennsylvania for a period of time longer than six months must be granted their freedom.  This Act would have far-reaching consequences for [...]

Will Pennsylvania’s Tuesday Be Super?

Not sick of the primaries yet? Good thing, we haven’t even gotten to Pennsylvania’s primary. Keystone Staters have to wait until April 22nd to cast votes in the Democratic and Republican primaries. And because we have 185 delegates to bestow, you can bet the candidates are going to be bending over backwards taking our [...]

Islam vs. Islamists: Voices From the Muslim Center

A documentary about moderate Muslims in North America and Western Europe who, when they speak out against fundamentalist Muslims, meet resistance from others in their faith.
The program airs on WHYY TV12, tonight at 10:00pm
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the content of this program. Now that you have seen the show for [...]

15 Days: A Poignant 4th

At the Liberty Bell, July 3rd at 4:30 pm. Avenging the Ancestors Coalition – ATAC – pays tribute to the nine enslaved Africans owned by George and Martha Washington. In fact, the Washingtons owned hundreds of slaves and brought nine to Philadelphia, where slavery had been outlawed.  They were: Oney Judge, Hercules, Austin, Moll, Richmond, Christopher [...]