Tag Archives: movie

“Life Without Parole” Documentary

Life Without Parole Documentary Screening and Q & A

Saturday, October 8, 2022

4 – 5 p.m. Screening

5:15 – 6 p.m. Q & A with Filmmakers and Special Guest George Martorano

Directed by Jill Frechie and co-produced with John Ricciutti, “Life Without Parole,” delves deep into the reasoning behind George Martorano’s incarceration and how he turned his life around, not only for himself but for those who he met in prison.

The privately funded MainLineTV.org award-winning documentary film tells the story of Martorano, who was sentenced to life without parole in 1984 for marijuana-related offenses. He is the longest serving prisoner, first time, non-violent offender, in judicial history. Martorano also served almost 5 years in solitary confinement.

After serving 32 years in prison, and filing dozens of appeals, Martorano, 71, was finally released on Oct. 5, 2015 from Coleman Federal Prison Complex in Florida, the last of a string of federal prisons where he was incarcerated.

“Life Without Parole” is a FirstGlance Film Festival Audience Choice Winner for both Best of the Fest and Best Documentary and a Telly Bronze Award Winner.

Admission is free but donations to the non-profit Lower Merion and Narberth PA TV are welcome.

Seats are limited, so please reserve your space by emailing info@vinylrevivalrecords.com.

All attendees will be entered in a raffle to win a pair of All Access Passes to the 25th annual FirstGlance Film Festival, October 14-16, 2022, at the Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, PA.

The “Life Without Parole” screening will be held during Delco Arts Week.

Official Trailer

https://vimeo.com/601254413

Official Film of Record Store Day, “The Smart Studios Story,” Screens at Vinyl Revival

The Smart Studios Story, November 16th

The Smart Studios Story, November 16th

The Smart Studios Story,” a documentary about Midwest indie rock that is the official film of Record Store Day, is coming to Vinyl Revival, 35-37 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, on Wednesday, November 16th at 7:30 p.m. Director Wendy Schneider will attend the screening. Tickets are $10 and are available online at vinylrevivalrecords.com or at the door. This is a limited seating event so advance ticket purchase is recommended.

Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, L7, Death Cab For Cutie (among many others), have created music at Smart Studios, the legendary recording facility founded by Butch Vig and Steve Marker. Drawing on in-depth-interviews with musicians and producers, never-before-seen archival footage and a powerful soundtrack, “The Smart Studios Story” tells the story of the pivotal Midwest link to the global rise of Alternative Rock in the 1990’s and the unassuming Madison, Wisconsin recording studio at its center. The post-70’s explosion of independent music in America has many traceable roots, each with a compelling story. This is one of the most significant stories that has never been told until now.  Visit www.thesmartstudiosstory.com for more information.

Wages of Spin II Soundtrack Songs Available

About a month ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Philadelphia premiere of the documentary film, “Wages of Spin II,” by Shawn Swords, at Bryn Mawr Film Institute.  The film continues the payola story from “The Wages of Spin” but also chronicles the corruption in the music industry in the 80’s and uncovers some of the players involved. You won’t believe some of the people who are implicated!

In addition to the great buzz the film is receiving, the soundtrack has been getting positive feedback from the music industry too. There are lots of great Philly talent and friends of Vinyl Revival on the soundtrack so check out some of the songs in the links below.

“Never Be Forgiven” Performed by Effusion 35 Written by Randy S. Robbins and Pat Manley © 2014 Great Blasket Music, ASCAP/What is This Crap Music, ASCAP https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/borrowed-time-reluctant-rhymes/id867812991

Several songs by Mitch Schecter of The Rip Chords: www.homeroomrecords.com www.ripchords.com

“No Sad Song” is the new single from Skip Denenberg.  Composed and performed by Skip. Produced, engineered and mixed by George Manney at Geo Sound Studio in Philadelphia. Download here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/skipdenenberg2

Several songs by Dan Brown: http://www.reverbnation.com/danieljohnbrown

Several songs by Frank Caravella: https://soundcloud.com/frank-caravella

The instrumental version of “It’s a Gas That Makes You Laugh Before it Kills You” is available all over (iTunes Amazon etc.) or at www.johnbyrneband.com “It’s a Gas That Makes You Laugh Before it Kills You” – The John Byrne Band Written by John Byrne Various Verses BMI Character Driven Productions

I hope to screen this documentary at The Vault at Vinyl Revival in the fall but if you’d like to purchase the DVD now, it is available at www.characterdrivenfilms.com.  Here’s a trailer for a sneak peek.

 

 

 

 

 

The Orlon’s Stephen Caldwell & DJ Steve Kurtz to Make Appearance at March’s Double Feature

The Orlons' Stephen Caldwell at Vinyl Revival on November 30, 2013

Me and The Orlons’ Stephen Caldwell November 30, 2013

March’s First Friday Flicks indie film screening series kicks off on Friday, March 7th at 7 p.m. with a musical double feature.  “Meet Me on South Street:  The Story of JC Dobbs” and Rufus Harley – Pipes of Peace, an intimate profile of the world’s first jazz bagpipe player, Philadelphia musician, Rufus Harley,  both by George Manney, will screen.

Special guests at the March 7th screening include Stephen Caldwell from The Orlons and DJ Steve Kurtz! Director George Manney is also scheduled to appear.

First Friday Flicks will also screen on Saturdays each month at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $8, $5 for students and seniors. Screening events are BYOB and snacks.

To purchase the $8  tickets for the Friday, March 7th show, click here.

DJ Steve Kurtz will host the March 7th First Friday Film Screening.

DJ Steve Kurtz will host the March 7th First Friday Film Screening.