Tag Archives: Judd Apatow

DVDs, TV

Won’t you be his neighbor . . . again? An insider’s look at the career and life of Fred Rogers

He was everyone’s neighbor.

PBS Distribution will be releasing Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like on Digital September 3 and on DVD October 2.  Save those dates!

The documentary is a celebrity-filled special that celebrates the pioneering PBS series that premiered nationally 50 years ago and became an iconic and enduring landmark in the world of children’s television and beyond. Cast members from the groundbreaking series share their personal perspectives and insights in this new program, which pays tribute to television’s longest-running children’s series, still broadcast on many PBS stations today. The program also features interviews with numerous celebrities who have been influenced and inspired by Fred Rogers, a modest man who always said, “I am not a teacher, I simply help children learn.”

Michael Keaton, who worked as a stagehand and made appearances on the series in the 1970s, hosts the special. Judd Apatow, Joyce DiDonato, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Kratt, John Lithgow, Yo-Yo Ma and son Nicholas Ma, Itzhak Perlman,Sarah Silverman, Esperanza Spalding and Caroll Spinney reveal their favorite memories from  the series,  while Joe Negri (“Handyman Negri”), David Newell (“Mr. McFeely”) and Joanne Rogers, Fred’s widow, share their personal stories. Also featured are performances from the archives by Tony Bennett, The Empire Brass Quintet, Hillary Hahn, Margaret Hamilton, Yo-Yo Ma and Nicholas, Wynton Marsalis and Perlman.

The nearly 900 episodes created by Fred Rogers encompass topics that resonate to this day with adults and children alike. Favorite segments, such as a visit with Koko the Gorilla, Big Bird’s appearance in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe as well as trips to the Crayola Factory and the Radio Flyer Wagon Company, are highlighted.

DVDs, Movies

“Dependent’s Day”: The film you never heard of. Until now.

You may not have heard of the award-winning film Dependent’s Day. Until now. The breakout indie film that received much acclaim during its festival circuit run earlier this year is (finally!) available on demand everywhere.

The breakout relationship comedy, which has been described as having “the feel of recent Judd Apatow films” was written, directed, produced and edited by Michael David Lynch. Whew!

After realizing that his girlfriend (played by Benita Robledo) is the breadwinner of their relationship, aspiring actor Cam (Joe Burke) subjects himself to a series of humiliating jobs and experiences to prove that he is not a dependent.. We found the film to be a hilarious and authentic comedy about the adventures and struggles of being in the midst of a relationship and making it work.

Dependent’s Day is now available on all major cable and satellite providers and to stream digitally on Amazon Instant Video US, Sling TV, iTunes, VUDU, Xbox, YouTube and other locations.

“I am elated that this film has resonated so well with audiences of all ages in the film festival circuit,” says Lynch. “You never know when you are making a movie how people are going to respond to it. It was incredible to have our limited theatrical release in October and I’m thrilled that now audiences across the North America will be able to enjoy this film because it is now available everywhere.”

The film is unlike most other Hollywood romantic comedies because it has a semblance of reality and strong female characters that are endearing throughout the movie. “I had lots of strong women in my life as I was growing up so I really couldn’t write this film without including that component,” adds Lynch. “I wanted to write something that reflected my experience and see if it resonated with the audiences. Apparently, the fans enjoy intelligent funny women in roles too.”