Salve ragazzi, Where have I been? Don’t ask. Let’s just say that I’ve been going through a sort of identity crisis, as far as cheerleading for the Italian film industry is concerned. Everything is SO DIFFERENT from when I picked up the red, white and green pom poms, and I started wondering if maybe I wasn’t needed anymore. The game is going so well, the players are killing it, and jumbotron has it covered. Do you NEED me to tell you how well it’s all going? Maybe not, but I think I’ll stay on the sidelines for a while. I’ll be one of those annoying sideline reporters that asks the dumb, obviou ..read more

Salve ragazzi, More Italian movies are popping up than we can keep track of, but in case you’re wondering… Here are the top 5 films that I have A) watched and loved in the last year and B) you can (or will be able to soon) watch at home. L’Immensita I am absolutely stunned that Emanuele Criale’s profoundly personal film, L’Immensità, hasn’t gotten more attention! Starring Penelope Cruz, who, by the way, is just CRAZY talented, the film couldn’t be any more topical and relevant and should be required viewing for everyone who can’t accept the reality of transsexualit ..read more

Plus, a wild new streaming platform you MUST check out!   Salve ragazzi, I’m planning my annual pilgrimage to the Venice Film Festival, and I know what you’re thinking: It won’t be any fun because of the SAG-AFTRA strike. You know what I’m thinking? I’m thinking it might be even more fun. Even though the strike will prevent American actors from coming, the show must go on. And, YAY! It will go on with more European films. Festival director Alberto Barbera is preparing for what he calls a “Pan-European” Film Festival. One obvious disappointment would be, for instance, not seeing Ze ..read more

Changing The World, One Italian Movie At A Time Salve ragazzi, Let’s take a look at the filmmakers coming up today. Who will be the next Paolo Sorrentino or Marco Bellocchio? Jonas Carpignano, 39 If you haven’t taken a look at Jonas Carpignano’s work, please do it now. He is, in my opinion, among the top 5 Italian directors today, up there with Sorrentino and Bellocchio. He takes what they’ve accomplished and brings realism to a whole new level. His sympathetic and compassionate portraits of real people, particularly the marginalized and those without a voice, are unrivaled. Take a look at h ..read more

Salve ragazzi, I’m back from Film At Lincoln Center’s outstanding film festival, Open Roads: New Italian Cinema and I have never been more excited about today’s Italian movies. I’m telling you, one year in advance, that if you love Italian cinema, PLEASE consider making the trip to New York City for this one-of-a-kind opportunity to see films that are new, innovative, and not yet available to Americans. Next year I’ll make a point of telling you places to stay, where to eat, what else to do while you’re there etc., in advance. READ ABOUT OPEN ROADS I’ll spend at least the next year ..read more

Subscribed Salve ragazzi, Y’all might have noticed how much fun I have when I find a movie that is new to a streaming platform and then make a connection with a director or actor from it. Last week I found a fun screwball comedy/murder mystery/romantic-comedy/giallo movie, and when I reached out to the director/star, he got right back to me. He’s Brando Improta, Napolitano, and his movie is Weekend Per Due (Con Delitto) – A Couple, A Weekend, and A Murder. Brando Improta – one more talented, good-looking guy from Naples “I studied cinema at an academy here in Naples, and th ..read more

Salve ragazzi, There’s no time for pleasantries today. We are absolutely exploding with Italian movie news, and it’s all good. The Big Thing Le Otto Montagne (The Eight Mountains) Wait, what? An Italian “hit” that isn’t a Checco Zalone movie? Ammazza! I think that’s what we have with Le Otto Montagne. If it isn’t playing in a theater near you, don’t worry. I’ll let you know when it’s in out VOD. It was named BEST PICTURE at the Italian Academy Awards (Premi David Di Donatello), which, let me tell you, wasn’t a given. If Americans take to an Italian movie, as they did wit ..read more

Salve ragazzi, Well, I had some fun on Friday! I got a chance to Zoom with superstar Alessandro Borghi to talk about Le Otto Montagne (The Eight Mountains) and guess what – you can watch our discussion. I come off as the fangirl that I am, but there’s no way around that. Alessandro Borghi and Luca Marinelli The Highlights: He and Costar Luca Marinelli are actual BFFs They did all their own stunts, including cow-milking and house-building. Alessandro made a solemn promise to me that he’ll make a Rom-Com someday. So, I don’t know how to edit videos, as you’ll see when yo ..read more

 Salve ragazzi, You know how you meet someone and you just immediately LIKE them? I had this experience last Friday when I sat down for a conversation with Claudia Squitieri, in New York City to talk about her mother, L’INDOMABILE Claudia Cardinale. After a half hour, I almost forgot that I’d never actually met her mother because she generously showed me the film star icon in a way that was so genuine and honest. Ms. Squitieri let me see beyond the glamour and into the actual life of her mom, a veritable workhorse. “It’s very difficult for me to even understand how much she wa ..read more

Salve ragazzi, Here’s some FUN FUN FUN! Early photo of L’Amica Geniale (My Brilliant Friend) Season 4 Filming is in progress for the fourth and final season of L’Amica Geniale (My Brilliant Friend), based on the Elena Ferrante book, Storia Della Bambina Perduta (The Story of the Lost Child). Taking over in the roles of Lenù and Lila are Alba Rohrwacher and Irene Maiorino. I know pretty much everything about Alba Rohrwacher’s career (and you probably do, too) but not so much about Irene Maiorino. Alba is in so many movies that are available in the USA, like Lazz ..read more