http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/jfp.php/features/ en demonsblaze@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-08T20:30:49+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/smart_not_really_020812/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/smart_not_really_020812/#When:20:30:49Z Growing up with eager readers, Sumrall native David McRaney flocked to the art of storytelling. McRaney, 34, works by day as director of new media at WDAM, but in his spare time is an avid blogger and published author.by Hannah Jones February 8, 2012 Growing up with eager readers, Sumrall native David McRaney flocked to the art of storytelling. McRaney, 34, works by day as director of new media at WDAM, but in his spare time is an avid blogger and published author. interview, books 2012-02-08T20:30:49+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/oxford_film_festival_2012_020812/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/oxford_film_festival_2012_020812/#When:20:29:43Z The Oxford Film Festival follows closely on the heels of the Sundance Film Festival, which, in my book, officially launched the 2012 independent film season.by Anita Modak-Truran February 8, 2012 The Oxford Film Festival follows closely on the heels of the Sundance Film Festival, which, in my book, officially launched the 2012 independent film season. Two weeks ago, Sundance founder Robert Redford reassured filmmakers that the Sundance family has still "got their backs," but he cautioned that it's a hard road to sell a film. film 2012-02-08T20:29:43+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/a_golden_standard_020112/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/a_golden_standard_020112/#When:20:29:19Z "Are you ready for some football?" A voice in the dark asks before the start of New Stage Theatre's production of "Lombardi."by Clay A. McCollum February 1, 2012 "Are you ready for some football?" A voice in the dark asks before the start of New Stage Theatre's production of "Lombardi." Sports, theater 2012-02-01T20:29:19+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_iconic_coach_020112/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_iconic_coach_020112/#When:20:28:09Z When I think of NFL head coaches, several names come to mind. Depending on your age, you might think of Bill Belichick, Sean Payton or if you are younger, Mike Tomlin.by Bryan Flynn February 1, 2012 When I think of NFL head coaches, several names come to mind. Depending on your age, you might think of Bill Belichick, Sean Payton or if you are younger, Mike Tomlin. Sports 2012-02-01T20:28:09+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/a_pleasing_affair_020112/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/a_pleasing_affair_020112/#When:20:27:58Z The poster for "The Artist" reveals a raffishly handsome gentleman gazing into the soft, wide eyes of a beautiful ingénue. They are glamorous in the high-contrast, black-and-white photo.by by Anita Modak-Truran February 1, 2012 The poster for "The Artist" reveals a raffishly handsome gentleman gazing into the soft, wide eyes of a beautiful ingénue. They are glamorous in the high-contrast, black-and-white photo. He's in a tux, and she's in a shiny flapper dress with only the high contours of their faces lit. It reminds me of a roaring '20s version of the 1939 "Gone With The Wind" movie poster, where Rhett and Scarlett are breathy inches from each other. "The Artist" poster, a tad more highbrow than the bodice ripper from GWTW, promises a sensational love potion filled with vintage charm. film 2012-02-01T20:27:58+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/an_ill-fitting_life_020112/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/an_ill-fitting_life_020112/#When:20:26:49Z Jackson native Barrett Hathcock has given readers a small gem with his short-story collection, "The Portable Son". The stories read like a novel. Instead of unrelated snippets, protagonist Peter Gallatin's struggle toward adulthood links the tales togetherby Ronni Mott February 1, 2012 Jackson native Barrett Hathcock has given readers a small gem with his short-story collection, "The Portable Son" (Aqueous Books, 2011, $14). The stories read like a novel. Instead of unrelated snippets, protagonist Peter Gallatin's struggle toward adulthood links the tales together. 2012-02-01T20:26:49+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_matchmaker_01252012/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/the_matchmaker_01252012/#When:17:45:24Z Avi Nesher's "The Matchmaker" is a gold-dusted fable of love, friendship and everlasting hope. The movie opens at the end of the story, in war-torn Haifa, Israel, where Lebanese missiles have left casualties, and rescue personnel race to save any survivors.by Anita Modak-Truran Jan. 25, 2012   Avi Nesher's "The Matchmaker" is a gold-dusted fable of love, friendship and everlasting hope.  The movie opens at the end of the story, in war-torn Haifa, Israel, where Lebanese missiles have left casualties, and rescue personnel race to save any survivors.  Against the conflagration of the second Lebanese war in 2006, Arik Burstein, now a middle-aged writer living in Tel Aviv, and his elderly father make their way to a meeting.  They learn that a man named Yankele Bride (Adir Miller) has died and left Arik his wealth.  "I though he hated me," says Arik to his father. City/County, film 2012-01-25T17:45:24+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/jewish_film_fest_best_of_the_best_011812/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/jewish_film_fest_best_of_the_best_011812/#When:20:30:12Z Michael Steiner screened about three dozen films for the upcoming Jewish Cinema Mississippi 2012 film festival. As co-chairman of the January event, he and the other screening committee members narrowed that batch of 30-something movies down to four that they consider to be the best in recent Jewish and Israeli-themed cinema.by Valerie Wells January 18, 2012 Michael Steiner screened about three dozen films for the upcoming Jewish Cinema Mississippi 2012 film festival. As co-chairman of the January event, he and the other screening committee members narrowed that batch of 30-something movies down to four that they consider to be the best in recent Jewish and Israeli-themed cinema. film 2012-01-18T20:30:12+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/walking_the_thin_purple_line_011812/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/walking_the_thin_purple_line_011812/#When:20:29:41Z "Carnage," based on the Tony award-winning play "God of Carnage" ("Le Dieu du Carnage") by French dramatist Yasmina Rez, explores civility, savagery and vomiting on art books. The movie opens without drama on a long, static shot of a local park where a group of 11-year-old boys are playing.by Anita Modak-Truran January 18, 2012 "Carnage," based on the Tony award-winning play "God of Carnage" ("Le Dieu du Carnage") by French dramatist Yasmina Rez, explores civility, savagery and vomiting on art books. The movie opens without drama on a long, static shot of a local park where a group of 11-year-old boys are playing. One boy says something (which we can't hear) to another, and the other boy lashes out at him with a stick. It's an ordinary stick, one you could find in any park, and the childish act is nothing extraordinary. It has occurred countless times in countless parks around the world. film 2012-01-18T20:29:41+00:00 http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/tinker_tailor_texture_011112/ http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/tinker_tailor_texture_011112/#When:20:30:06Z "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," based on John Le Carré's classic espionage thriller of the same name, is a lyrical poem of intrigue told in bits and pieces of flashback from different perspectives. It has many moving parts, and it is difficult to keep it all straight.by Anita Modak-Truran January 11, 2012 "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," based on John Le Carré's classic espionage thriller of the same name, is a lyrical poem of intrigue told in bits and pieces of flashback from different perspectives. It has many moving parts, and it is difficult to keep it all straight. I was enthralled at the film's complexity and director Tomas Alfredson's ability to reveal the insights of so many characters, although I had to work hard to follow along, and a few times I wasn't sure if I missed something important. This movie requires a certain level of stamina and patience, but it provides a rare, authentic experience. film, culture 2012-01-11T20:30:06+00:00