Mindy Cohn 'lights up the screen' in 'Violet Tendencies'

Reviews for Violet Tendencies have been rolling in (the DVD came out this past Tuesday) and the critics have agreed on one thing: Mindy Cohn rocks as the lead.

The “Facts of Life” star takes a decidedly more risqué turn as Violet, a lovably raunchy middle-aged woman who struggles to distance herself from her adoring gay friends in order to nab a boyfriend. Below is a sampling of what critics are saying about Mindy’s performance. Let’s hope she takes a cue and shows more of her “adult” side on the big screen in the near future.

• “Cohn is vibrant and funny and sensitive as the searching Violet and, admittedly much to my surprise, she's perfectly cast.” — The Independent Critic

• “[Violet Tendencies] moves smartly and delivers outrageous one-liners with rapid-fire efficiency, particularly in the hands of ‘Facts of Life’ veteran Mindy Cohn, who tosses off vulgarisms with seasoned aplomb.” — Variety

• “Mindy Cohn — you might remember her as Natalie from “The Facts of Life” — is likable as Violet, the profane yet rueful center of gravity among a group of younger gay men who are not inclined to share her.” — The New York Times

• "Mindy Cohn is amazing here. You are in love with her from the single second she appears on screen. She is totally adorable, totally loveable, totally fabulous, and totally hilarious!” — The M Reporter

• “[Cohn is] a gifted comedienne and actress and lights up the screen with every scene.” — Entertainment Focus

• “this is The Cohn Show and here the girl does not disappoint” — Gay Celluloid

• “Cohn is great in her role” — Oasis Magazine

• “Cohn's performance and those of the supporting cast are great.” — Movie Dearest

• “funny and engaging thanks to Mindy Cohn’s delightfully charismatic performance and terrific comic timing as Violet” — NYC Movie Guru

New Trailer Posted: Dawning

When siblings Chris and Aurora go to visit their father and stepmother at their northern Minnesota cabin, their first night turns tragic after the family dog disappears into the woods and ends up mortally wounded. As the family reels from the sudden loss of their beloved pet, underlying feelings of resentment begin boiling to the surface. Then, a crazed, blood-soaked stranger barges into the cabin and tells the family that he has come to save them…but from what? Though their unwanted guest may just be a lone maniac, menacing noises outside suggest the presence of something far more frightening. It’s not long before the family realizes a dark force is at play – one that wants them all dead by the dawning of the day.

Director Gregg Holtgrewe’s Dawning is a psychological thriller that ratchets up the tension as it uncovers the hidden demons that can tear a family apart. With its mysterious and unpredictable plotline, it will rivet viewers till its shocking and disturbing end.

Breaking Glass Pictures to Release Satirical Documentary ‘Selling God’ April 26

Breaking Glass Pictures will release Carl Christman’s documentary Selling God on April 26 (retail $19.99). The documentary satirizes the rise of evangelical Christianity as a money-making force in pop culture.

What is the price of a soul? At a time when televangelists can fill a stadium at the same rate as a rock star and a theme park can sell tickets to the Holy Land, organized religion has in many ways put a price tag on salvation.

Selling God is a fascinating and always amusing survey of evangelical Christianity – from Biblical times to the rise of megachurches to the post-9/11 culture wars. Combining historical insight with irreverent humor, director Carl Christman explores the many absurdities that arise when pop culture meets religious doctrine. Featuring interviews with Dr. Noam Chomsky and a host of other scholars and religious leaders, this satirical documentary shows that in many modern churches, every prayer is accounted for — and every penny, too.

Breaking Glass Pictures to Release Slamdance Best Doc Winner ‘American Jihadist’ on DVD

Breaking Glass Pictures has announced the April 5 DVD release of director Mark Claywell’s documentary “American Jihadist.” The film, which follows the life story of American-born Muslim militant Isa Abdullah Ali, has played at over a dozen film festivals and won Best Documentary at last year’s Slamdance.

American soldier. Family man. Jihadist. Isa Abdullah Ali is a person of many identities and contradictions, but in the beginning, he was a bullied young boy growing up in America’s capital. At fifteen he joined the American army, and as a young man he converted to Islam and fought alongside the Amal militia and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Though the details of his past are murky, Isa claims to have killed more than 150 people in the fight to defend his faith.

Through Isa’s own words and those of family members, psychologists and political experts, this award-winning documentary attempts to decode the social and personal influences that can lead an individual down a path to radicalism. American Jihadist reaches beyond easy labels to grasp the nuances behind one man’s decision to fight — and kill — for his religion.
The DVD will also include behind-the-scenes featurettes.

For more information on “American Jihadist,” including screeners, final DVDs and interviews with the director and cast, please contact: Philip@bgpics.com.

Breaking Glass Pictures’ QC Cinema Label to Release Gay Romantic Comedy ‘Alex and Leo’ on DVD

Breaking Glass Pictures has announced the April 5 DVD release of Ives-Yuri Garate’s directorial debut “Alex and Leo.” The German language, gay-themed romantic comedy — which stars Marcel Schlutt (“Otto; or, up with Dead People,” “Unfaithful”) and premiered at the 2010 Philadelphia QFest — will be released under Breaking Glass’ QC Cinema film label.

The film begins on a Berlin summer day, when a chance encounter brings together two young men whose lives are in shambles. Alex (André Schneider) is coping with a broken heart after his deadbeat boyfriend cheats on him; Leo (Schlutt) is a media professional who can no longer hide the truth from his demanding, long-term girlfriend: he’s been attracted to men all the while.

So begins a summer of love and self-discovery for Alex and Leo. But before they can find bliss with each other, Alex must detach himself from his ex and Leo must unleash his “inner lion” to convince Alex’s oddball clique of friends that he’s a worthy suitor. “Alex and Leo” is a heartwarming romance whose international backdrop, colorful characters and irreverent humor will delight audiences around the world.

DVD extras will include outtakes and an alternate trailer.

For more information on “Alex and Leo,” including screeners, final DVDs, and interviews with the cast and director, please contact: Philip@bgpics.com

‘The Lottery’ Earns the Title of ‘Underdog’ Contendor in the Race for Oscar Gold

The New York Times has deemed it a “David and Goliath match-up” in the race for this year’s Oscar for Best Documentary: on one side there’s first-time director Madeleine Sackler’s The Lottery, on the other, there’s the highly publicized Waiting for “Superman.”

Both docs cover the same broad topic — America’s education crisis and the charter schools that are attempting to fix it — and both are currently included on the Academy’s shortlist of 15 Best Doc semifinalists.

Yet Waiting for “Superman” has a few advantages going for it. For one, it has the star power of director Davis Guggenheim, who helmed the previous Best Doc Oscar winner An Inconvenient Truth. Secondly, Paramount has bolstered Superman’s Oscar buzz with a hefty marketing campaign.

Nevertheless, The Lottery is holding its own thanks to positive word-of-mouth from critics, plus the support of celebrity spokespeople like Katie Couric.

Below is a sampling of articles that have covered The Lottery’s journey from no-budget passion project to “underdog” in the race for Oscar gold:

Wall Street Journal article

New York Times article

Village Voice review

Wall Street Journal interview with Madeleine Sackler

GLAAD Nominates ‘Edie & Thea’ as the Year’s Most Outstanding Documentary

We're thrilled to announce that the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has nominated Breaking Glass Pictures’ “Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement” for the 2010 Outstanding Documentary Award as part of the annual GLAAD Media Awards. According to the organization, awards recognize media — including films, television shows, music and magazines — that exhibit fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community, boldness, originality, impact, and overall quality.

“Edie & Thea” tells the story of Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer — two New York women who fell in love during the closeted, pre-Stonewall 1960s and spent more than four decades together before marrying in 2007.

Windsor, now 81-years-old, made headlines in December when she filed a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of the
Defense of Marriage Act. Windsor is seeking full return of the $350,000 she paid in estate taxes after the government failed to recognize her marriage to Spyer, who passed away in 2009. The American Civil Liberties Union is assisting Windsor in the ongoing case.

A GLAAD Media Award would add to the more than 20 awards that “Edie & Thea” already won during its festival run. GLAAD will hold three awards ceremonies in New York (March 14), San Francisco (May 14) and Los Angeles (TBD) to celebrate the winners. “Edie & Thea” is available now on DVD through Breaking Glass Pictures’ QC Cinema label.

Writer Charles Casillo Writes/Stars in Neo-Noir Thriller 'Let Me Die Quietly'

Acclaimed novelist and playwright Charles Casillo wrote and stars in the dark and moody, expertly paced psychological thriller “Let Me Die Quietly”, which is available now.

Casillo plays Mario, a morose alcoholic who must cope with visions of gruesome murders he has had all his life. A simple touch, encounter, or being in a particular location will give Mario the intense feelings and visions of murder. When his premonitions intensify, Mario sets out to save the life of the victim he is seeing.

After a chance encounter, Mario begins a relationship with a beautiful woman named Gabrielle who shares his same “gift”. Gabrielle see’s different aspects of the same murder Mario see’s, so they team up to stop the violence from happening. However, their new partnership could potentially lead these two lost souls down a path of destruction.

This neo-noir, directed by Mitchell Reichler and Brian Michael Finn, is a suspenseful rollercoaster ride that picks up speed as it hurdles towards its final moments.

For those who love the psychological thriller genre, “Let Me Die Quietly” is a must see!

Watch the trailer for our new film "8.5 Hours"!

Ireland, 2007. As the economy teeters on the brink of a dramatic downturn, the lives of four workers at a software company are about to reach drastic turning points. Though the day begins like a usual Monday at work -- another 8.5 hours on the clock -- there are troubles brewing just below the surface. With their company and financial security seemingly disintegrating before their eyes, each desperate employee will do whatever it takes to stay afloat, weaving a tangled web of blackmail, deception and scandal behind their professional facades.

The Best of Breaking Glass

It's been a year of landmark film releases for us at Breaking Glass Pictures, and we're honored to have had our titles recognized on some recent "best of" lists. Without further ado, here's a roundup of accolades:

Academy Award for Best Documentary (Semifinalist) - The Lottery

LA Times review: "...the film takes an effective, two-pronged approach to tell its enlightening tale. First, it follows four charismatic youngsters from Harlem and the Bronx — and their devoted, forward-thinking parents — as they wait to compete for an academy spot. At the same time, it stirringly captures the anti-charter school sentiment facing Success Academy founder Eva Moskowitz, courtesy of the United Federation of Teachers (she calls the union's tactics "thuggish") as well as from territorial local parents Moskowitz must debate at a heated community hearing."

Bay Area Reporter Top 10 Films of 2010 (#9) - The Stranger in Us

"With the best peek at life in SF's queer combat zone since Cyrus Amini's 25 Cent Preview, Scott Boswell finds original and witty ways to assess the price of life on the streets for each generation that hangs out in our little psychotic Disneyland."

Cinesploitation's Best Sleazy Madness Award - Someone's Knocking at the Door

“A puzzle to be picked-at by psychedelic minds, which subtly explores the depths of the kind of disturbed, disaffected, and depression-prone drug-altered generation of young adults that exists in society today.”

AfterElton's 10 Best Gay Movies of the 2010 (#9) - Leslie Jordan: My Trip Down the Pink Carpet

"When you meet someone who is totally comfortable in their skin, completely at peace with who they are, it's tempting to think, "Oh, it must be so easy for them." But this film of the one-man stage show of out actor Leslie Jordan shows that, at least for him, self-acceptance was a cold hard slog. On TV appearances like Will & Grace, Jordan comes across as something of a mischievous imp. In this movie, he comes across that way too — while also being bitter, foul-mouthed, bitchy, air head-y, dishy, raunchy, angry, and — guess what? — ultimately, very thoughtful. The movie is very bare bones, but this is still a trip worth taking."

PhillyMag Best Queer Debut - Easier With Practice

"Kyle Patrick Alvarez’s Easier With Practice is an odd indie that shows the out writer/director’s considerable promise. It’s tough to discuss what makes his film so good without spoiling things, so just take my word for it."

New: Half Moon Trailer

Check out the trailer to our upcoming horror film Half Moon, which pits Tori Black (in a breakout role as a hardbitten prostitute) against a client that turns out to be a werewolf. Half Moon will arrive on DVD March 1.