HERE IS MY SPIRIT AWARD CRITIC BALLOT

The SPIRIT Awards are to indie film in US what the OSCARS are to Hollywood.

Voted on by members of the IFC . They are given out the day before the Oscars. 

Here is my critic's ballot 

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Best feature  

Will: Beasts of Southern Wild

Should: Beasts

Best director:  

Will: David O. Russe

Should: Ira Sacks

Best Screenplay:

Wll: David O. Russell

Should : David O. Russell

Best first feature:

 Will: sound of my voice

Should: I want your love (travis mathew) NOT note nominated.

Best first screenplay 

Will: Gayby

Should: Gayby

John Cassavettes Award

Will: Starlet

Should: Fourplay

Best female lead actor

Will jennifer lawrence

Should: jennifer Lawrence

Best male lead actor:  

Will : bradley Cooper

Should  john hawkes

Best supportting  actress

Will rosemarie dewitt

Should: ann dowd

Best supporting actor

Will:  matthew McConneghy

Should Paul Soileau  (fourplay)...…not nominated

Best Cinematgraphy 

Will: Beasts

Should: Beasts

Best  Doc 
Will: Plague

Should: invisible war

Best International Film

Will: Amour

Should: War Witch

GAYBY director Jonathan Lisecki

Babies, Babies, Babies OH MY!

We have been writing about how films that had been ghettoed as “gay film” have evolved into films of quality, While rooted in specifics story telling these new generation of films  have crossover appeal as their themes and execution resonate universal life situations and break out of genre specific cinematic cages e.g. Week End, Turn the Lights On. Now joining these two serious, artful films is that one hilarious comedy GAYBY. Jonathan Lisecki harkens back to the screwball comedies of the 30's.. Set in one of 8 US cities with a hip, sexually liberated, community where friendships break all the politically correct boundaries.lets say its the new Brooklyn. Jenn (Jean Harris) feels her biological clock pounding in her uterus , She thinks baby now .,. or never. But who? She is single. Well, of course she thinks her best friend since high school Matt would be perfect. Except Matt is gay and in a committed relationship with Nelson. Jenn is desperate; asks Matt. 

He gets weird out but a friend is in need and Nelson, well Nelson whose has the mashed up wit of Gore Vidal/Fran Lebowitz masquerading as 'Our Miss Brooks” s Eve Arden. Its a Richard Linklater version of slapstick comedy. What is lovely and funny and ultimately moving is  that write/ director/actor (Nelson)  Lisecki clearly believes that delicate social issue are better handled with smart hip humor than hammered home with a gross out message. Nice to see two of my favorite young character actors Sarita Choudhury and Dulé Hill in Gayby's 'hood. So stop worrying about being politically correct , just make with a home date (it is now VOD everywhere) or actually movie date and take someone sexy and with a appreciation for humor and see GAYBY

Gaby trailer