Entertainment
Tim Dowlin’s New Film Exposing The Emotional Underbelly Of South Philly’s Mafia to Premiere at NYC CineFest

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 1999 to 2016, the rate of opioid overdose deaths increased fivefold. In 2017, the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
The opioid epidemic has devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities. It has contributed to increased rates of infectious diseases, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and child welfare issues. It has also placed a significant burden on the healthcare system, criminal justice system, and the economy.
South Philly’s crime scene is explored in Not For Nothing, a unique and emotionally charged film. The film’s premise focuses on the themes of pain, struggle, and grief as it follows two brothers’ journey through loss and revenge in the Italian American mafia. However, the film offers a fresh perspective and is not just another mafia movie.
Tartaglia explained that the film was made up. Still, it included characters based on real people living in South Philly, “Tim wanted us to write a modern-day Italian American mafia movie that took place in south Philadelphia. I was interested in telling a story that involved these Italian American characters but without them being mafia assholes. I also didn’t want greed to be the motivation to set the characters into action. Eventually, after many discussions and thinking, we came upon the idea of the girl who overdosed on fentanyl and a gang of neighborhood guys who try to solve her suspicious death. Once we had that, we built the rest of the story around that.”
Not For Nothing boasts an impressive cast with Mark Webber and Lauren LaVera in lead roles. Webber plays the film’s antagonist, Bobby Ross, and is also the film’s producer. He is a well-known actor who has appeared in several popular movies such as Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The People I Know featuring Al Pacino, and most recently, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot alongside Joaquin Phoenix.
Lauren LaVera is a talented actress and martial artist best known for her lead role as Siena in the gory cult classic sequel Terrifier 2. Aside from her acting abilities, Lavera’s martial arts expertise will add depth and intensity to Not For Nothing‘s action scenes.
With such a talented cast and a compelling story, Not For Nothing is a film that will leave a lasting impact on its audience. The film’s premiere at the New York CineFest is highly anticipated, and fans of the crime drama genre are eagerly waiting to see this emotional and thought-provoking movie.
Co-writer and co-director Frank Tartaglia passed away suddenly in November 2022, leaving a void in the community, the cast, and Tartaglia’s loved ones. However, Tim Dowlin, Tartaglia’s film partner and friend, is determined to carry on the legacy of his late partner and ensure that Not For Nothing receives the recognition it deserves.
Audiences will witness an emotional and gripping tale of two brothers’ struggle for redemption at the 2nd Annual New York CineFest on May 6th. Not For Nothing is a thought-provoking and moving film that highlights the depth of human emotions and experiences.
They deal with loss and grief in a city whose drug epidemic has wreaked havoc and taken away family members and friends. Dowlin says, “If you’re from Philly, you know someone who is battling with addiction and has overdosed. We wanted to tap into that, make that a motivating factor for revenge, for dealing with someone who is coming onto their turf and peddling poison.”
Efforts are being made to address the opioid crisis, including improving access to treatment and recovery services, promoting medication-assisted treatment, enhancing prescription drug monitoring programs, and supporting research on pain and addiction. However, much work must be done to combat this crisis and reduce its impact on society. Not For Nothing reveals the undersurface of these present problems.
Entertainment
Get Lost in the Romance: A Review of the Latest Must-Read YA Novel

Are you ready to get lost in a whirlwind of teenage romance? Look no further than Sevan Minaskanian‘s debut novel, Winter Time, the first book in her Winter Saga series. As a young adult (YA) contemporary romance author, Minaskanian has crafted a compelling story to make you feel all the emotions. From the first page, you’ll be transported into the world of Victoria Evans, a sixteen-year-old girl trying to navigate the challenges of high school while dreaming of a better life. With a touch of humor, intriguing characters, and surprising plot twists, Winter Time is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartfelt and heartwarming romance.
Winter Time tells the story of Victoria, who silently endures verbal and emotional abuse from bullies at St. Paul’s private school in Magnolia Springs, California. Despite her posh lifestyle and love for daydreaming about happy romances, Victoria feels helpless until she convinces her friends to go on a winter forest trip. It is there that she meets William Winter from England.
What follows is a heartwarming and emotional tale that immediately captures the reader’s attention. Minaskanian’s writing is refreshing and filled with surprising plot twists, and her ability to create relatable characters that evoke strong emotions in readers is genuinely remarkable.
A case in point is that Winter Time is currently the number one Young Adult Romance and clean and wholesome fiction novel on IngramSpark, an impressive feat for a debut novel. The book has also been released on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, where it has garnered rave reviews from readers who can’t get enough of the Winter Saga.
What distinguishes Winter Time from other contemporary YA romance novels is Minaskanian’s ability to tackle complex subjects such as bullying and abuse in a sensitive yet impactful way. In addition, the author’s message that love is all around us and can be found in unexpected places is powerful and will resonate with readers long after they finish the book.
That love stands out as the driving force in Minaskanian’s books and her own life. A proud Armenian-American, Minaskanian got her gift of writing from her father, whom she deeply admired for his wisdom and knowledge. With her quick and creative solutions to life’s challenges, her mother taught Minaskanian how to keep calm by turning difficult situations into life stories. Family and God are also a vital part of Minaskanian’s life. The lifelong book lover and Elvis aficionado lives in California with her husband and two children.
With Minaskanian’s Winter Time available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, IngramSpark, and over 200 bookstores, her book signing tour has been an enormous success, with her first signings in Burbank, CA, and Valencia, CA, selling out within hours. The author has several signings planned for March, April, May, and June, which is a testament to the popularity of the Winter Saga series.
Winter Time is a must-read for anyone who loves YA contemporary romance novels. The book is well-written and filled with intriguing and relatable characters. But, perhaps most important to the author, her motto of living an authentic life and following your dreams is readily apparent throughout Winter Time. Readers who are excited to see what Sevan Minaskanian has planned for them next can follow her on Instagram. For interviews or more information, please contact Vick at vixmarketingllc@gmail.com.
Entertainment
1 Million Followers in a Year: Melina Cherry’s Ambitious Quest for TikTok Stardom

Social media is one of the vibrant digital spaces promoting talents, especially young people. Content creators who are consistent and authentic have managed to capture the attention of their fans. TikTok has been on the front line to ensure young people can bring their creative side to the world. Young people who have discovered the art of remaining relevant in this arena are making a fortune and inspiring others yet to bring their best to the world. Melina Cherry is a social media influencer, a multi-published model, and the digital environment’s new face.
The talented Melina’s journey in the social media sphere began six months ago when she created a TikTok account. Every journey begins with taking a step, and the small steps we take in the right direction eventually lead us to our dreams. However, these steps must remain consistent and bring a new wave to the audience. Melina’s determination to bring her hobby and talent to the world as a profession was driven by passion. She challenged herself to get 1M followers, and in under one year, she got over 273M views on TikTok.
At 23, Melina gained a vast audience on her TikTok account and her Instagram account, where she enjoys a following of over 83K followers. Her authenticity and high-end fashion have brought her to light. In one of her viral TikTok videos, she also demonstrates her love for animals, especially horses, which is a plus because many women are only fashion-centered. Additionally, she has perfected her modeling wear, especially lingerie which emphasizes her curvy body.
However, Melina’s journey as an outstanding icon in the modeling industry was challenging. Her most significant hurdle was when she got fired from her real estate job when a client recognized her from a lingerie magazine. “I was doing very well and had a lot of monthly payments, I had to find a way to make it work fast,” she says.
Hard work and perseverance will always take you to the top echelon in any industry. Through resilience and hard work, Melina has experienced incredible growth from 0 followers to an average of 3-4 million views per week. Although she says it takes a lot of work, the results are worthwhile. She now wants other young influencers to know that everything is possible. What may have taken other renowned influencers years to build may take a shorter time; you only have to put your best foot forward and give your best. Additionally, Melina believes if you want to thrive in this career, you must shun any negativity that comes your way.
There is no doubt Melina is made for greatness, and she will continue to soar high in her modeling career. She aspires to continue growing her social media, make a fortune from it, and consequently build a real estate empire. She envisions herself growing to become a brand ambassador for renowned brands. Melina also hopes to inspire other young people afraid of bringing their talents to the world to make bold moves and earn a living from social media.
Entertainment
“The Truth Tales Podcast” – A Must-Listen For Motivation, Inspiration, and Tough Truths

Podcasts have become increasingly popular due to their convenience, accessibility, and variety. Whether you want to up your business game with new tips and tricks, catch up with the latest political news, or just want some motivation, there’s a podcast for that. Today, there are so many motivational podcasts that can give you the much-needed push to get moving again. But one podcast stands out as a must-listen for anyone looking for guidance in their life journey and a safe space for mental health: The Truth Tales Podcast.
The Truth Tales Podcast, hosted by Quenton Garrett, offers listeners a unique opportunity to learn how to create a positive and meaningful life. Quenton provides guidance and inspiration to individuals who feel stuck and alone. He shares his personal story, the highs and lows, to encourage the world as he spreads awareness of mental health and general issues.
Quenton prides himself as an advocate for young men and women. As an entrepreneur and family man, he understands the many challenges young people face and is using his voice to help and support other young people as he shows them that it is possible to make their dreams a reality.
Quenton has albinism, and growing up, he was always the center of attention. Some people were curious about his condition, while others used it to attack him, especially at school, which negatively impacted his mental health and even his studies. When he was 11 years old, Quenton also lost someone he looked up to: his dad. Quenton didn’t know how to deal with this new reality. He felt like he had lost everything, and for some time, he didn’t know what to do.
But Quenton didn’t stop showing up. After he left school, he got the opportunity to move to Los Angeles, CA, to pursue acting and entertainment. At the same time, Quenton began looking deeper into mental health.
“Many people are taught to hide their feelings ‘because that is the right thing to do.’ Society views vulnerability as a weakness, and when you open up, instead of getting support, it is very easy to get crucified, especially on social media,” says Quenton.
Quenton hopes to build a safe space through The Truth Tales Podcast where people can openly share their troubles and get the support and help they need. Since the launch of the podcast last year, he has recorded and released several episodes on mental health, how to cultivate a growth mindset, and the importance of mindfulness and how to practice it. The Truth Tales Podcast has new episodes every week.
Quenton says his goal is to continue sharing more inspiration and motivational content that will give his audience a lift and sense of well-being whenever they need to hear it. “I want to be an inspiration to others and hopefully encourage at least one person to see that the sky’s the limit and you can achieve anything you set your mind to,” says Quenton.
In the coming months, Quenton hopes to do more public speaking and set up charity events to bring awareness to mental health. He was recently invited to speak to a group of 200 micro-influencers, where he got to share his story.
-
2 years ago
Demonstrating the power of social media- British bombshell, Bonnie Locket:
-
Business2 years ago
Here is how Izzy Aronbayev managed to upscale in the Jewelry making Business:
-
Business2 years ago
FortuneZ is rising the ranks as a crypto news forum, under Herbert Sim:
-
Business2 years ago
MICHAEL DRAGER- A CELEBRATED MODEL RECRUITER AND TALENT MANAGER
-
Business2 years ago
3 Nutrition Tips from Gorilla Supplements, the Trusted Place for Fitness Enthusiasts
-
Fashion2 years ago
Dr Alexis Parcells tells all about her latest venture as a plastic surgeon and educator, SUNNIE:
-
Business2 years ago
Douglas James- An entrepreneur’s best friend:
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Akil Henley, the man who loves drones and is an expert in aerial photography: