Paul Devlin
The Front Man
With his 5th feature documentary, five-time Emmy winner and Independent Spirit Award nominee Paul Devlin has created a rare non-fiction rock 'n roll comedy love story. The Front Man is an intimate portrait that evolves into a 27-year journey about a man so busy chasing his dreams that he risks missing what success really means. Jim Wood is bursting with personality, always ready to take center stage with his clever bawdy humor. A talented musician, Jim is still dedicated to his New Jersey band Loaded Poets, together 20 years since high school. But as Jim grapples with the broken promise of rock 'n roll stardom, he must reconcile his joy of creating music and his wife Christie’s desire for a child with a culture in which anything short of celebrity is failure. Jim and Christie’s quest for fame takes a winding path through the homes of acclaimed musicians, a legendary recording studio, the set of a cult horror movie, and onto American national television. These adventures counterpoint their very personal, but also hilariously candid struggle with whether or not to have children. Their pursuit of celebrity becomes a rite of passage, transforming them in surprising ways. Perhaps growing up is not the same as giving up.
Apple TV
Apple iTunes
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme
Over 15 years in the making, the world of improvisational rap, is explosively explored in this award wining and critically acclaimed authentic look into the life, music and history of 1990's underground hip hop culture! Packed with rare and archival footage of some of the most amazing MC's ever to bless the mic, the film features the story of MC Supernatural and his quest to become a champion, battling many in his way including his arch nemesis Craig G of the famed Marley Marl Juice Crew. Made by a grass roots co-operative of independent local community filmmakers, b-boys, DJ's, and MC's, this documentary takes us on a journey through the previously unexamined dimensions of hip hop as a spiritual and community based art form. Combining the best of independent art house cinema within the hip hop mix tape format, the film features legendary battles from New York to LA, including The Lyricist Lounge, Project Blowed, and The Wake Up Show! The artists featured in the film, from Mos Def to Notorious BIG provide insight into one of the least seen faces present in the music: improvisation and creativity. Structured with insights from the Last Poet's esteemed Abioudun Oyweole and jazz & rap historians Freestyle connects the dots from the pain and love of yesterday's poets to today's hip hop inovators. Revealing the art forms stunningly emotional outlet, whether sharing energy in a street corner cipher for block cred or a stadium's commercial rap performance full of 1,000s of paying fans. Like the Griots of Africa or the wail of Coltrane's saxophone, today's hip hop MCs all have a similar purpose: to share their experience with others hungry for truth, community and healing.
Apple TV