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

From Heartbreak to Summer Jam: Drew Angus’ ‘Broken Heart Last’ Resonate

Summer’s heat often comes with a rollercoaster of emotions. For some, it’s a time of love and adventure; for others, it might dredge up memories of loves lost. Yet, in this melting pot of emotions, Drew Angus and Matt Giella have penned a song that speaks to those very contrasts – “Broken Heart Last,” a track that’s a beautiful mix of classic Americana vibes and energetic pop-rock.

Hailing from the lively streets of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Drew Angus isn’t just another guy with a guitar; he’s a musical chef who knows how to mix different flavors to create something memorable. His songs don’t just offer melodies; they paint vivid pictures. Delve into his music and find yourself on a soulful journey where the old-world charm of Americana meets the upbeat pulse of modern tunes. Drew’s tunes take you back to simpler times, drawing from the classics like Tom Petty and The Beatles while adding contemporary touches that fans of John Mayer or Ben Rector would love.

Yet, to truly understand Drew, one must trace back to his roots. The streets of Bridgeport served as his playground and classroom. It’s where the rhythms of rock legends like The Rolling Stones and the deep storytelling of The Beatles shaped his musical inclinations. This influence is evident in his tunes. Drew’s mantra, “I sing for my supper,” isn’t just a saying; it’s a testament to his unwavering passion.

It’s hard to think that this independent talent, who once swayed to classic anthems in his living room, now shares the limelight with big names like Harry Styles and Nile Rogers. If you’ve ever been to a live performance featuring Drew with legends like Andrea Bocelli or Ann Willson, you’d understand the sheer energy and charisma he brings.

While Drew’s journey is impressive, this summer is all about “Broken Heart Last.” A collaboration with Matt Giella, this track delves into the emotional depths of love’s aftermath. As you sink into the lyrics, an upbeat rhythm lifts your spirit, reminding listeners that heartaches might last, but so does the healing power of music. The song doesn’t just ask how long heartbreak lingers; it offers a remedy – dance. Let the rhythm guide your feet, find release, and celebrate the moment.

Remember the moments when a particular song would trigger challenging memories, but its rhythm would make you dance anyway? That’s the allure of “Broken Heart Last“. Now available on all popular streaming platforms, this song is not just a tune; it’s therapy for anyone nursing the wounds of lost love. As it fills the airwaves this summer, the message is loud and clear: Let go, groove to the memories, and let the rhythm mend your heart.

For those keeping an ear to the ground, Drew Angus isn’t just a passing comet; he’s a force in the musical galaxy. And while “Broken Heart Last” is currently stealing the show, there’s a buzz about more captivating tunes from Drew’s to release later this year.

So, as the sun sets on another day, let Drew Angus’ tunes be your soundtrack, echoing the timeless tussle between love, loss, and the undying spirit to dance again.

Entertainment

From ‘Cold’ Streetwear to Cosmic Dreams: The Ryley Gauthier Odyssey

Success stories have always inspired us to chase our dreams. While many successful people are just motivations for aspiring talents, some went beyond to share their hard-earned knowledge to help others replicate their achievements. One such example is Ryley Gauthier, an entrepreneurial prodigy who ventured into his first business at the tender age of 16. Ryley’s journey is captivating not just for his achievements but for his mission to become a genuine mentor to others who want to break free from the 9 to 5 grind.

Starting his journey with $0 Ryley worked his way up becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur, mentor, and dreamer with a cosmic ambition. Hailing from a middle-class family, Ryley was raised with the values of hard work and determination by his parents. His father, a Ph.D. in criminal justice from Liberty University has been his greatest inspiration to share his knowledge and wisdom with others so they can walk in his footsteps.

His first venture was a streetwear clothing brand called “Cold.” Although the business initially struggled to find ground, Ryley turned it around in three months to generate his first $10k as revenue. Following this success, he delved deeper into e-commerce, founding and scaling more successful brands that are spinning seven-figure revenue even today.

Ryley’s achievements are not limited to e-commerce only. He developed a unique content strategy that helped him amass a whopping 3.5 billion views on TikTok in just six months. Armed with innovative thinking ability and a passion for helping others, Ryley added a new dimension to his career as a mentor. He founded a mentorship program named “Ryley’s Workshop” through which he shares his wisdom with aspiring talents. It is a personalized mentorship program that has already achieved a remarkable 100% success rate among its students. This reflects Ryley’s dedication to helping others escape the 9-to-5 grind with proven strategies.

Like other successful entrepreneurs, Ryley also overcame his share of struggles and challenges. Growing up with no financial privilege, he had to work at an amusement park and a Whole Foods to fund his business idea. The next series of challenges for Ryley was signing up for essential services on various e-commerce platforms. Due to his young age, e-commerce sites like Shopify, Stripe, and Square restricted him from availing services crucial for his business growth.

With a few years of experience as an entrepreneur, Ryley has already accomplished a series of milestones. He created the second-largest financial education platform globally in just 8 months which currently has over 100K students. He founded a content strategy to earn views and owns a scaling e-commerce empire. At 18 Ryley purchased his dream car, a 2022 Corvette Z06, and also bought a penthouse. He also has an enviable collection of watches. Apart from his personal achievements, Ryley serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Parrot Finance, stirring the fintech company to new horizons of success.

At present, Ryley is focused on creating one of the most impactful and helpful mentorship programs for e-commerce worldwide. Going forward, he aspires to venture into space exploration. This reflects his boundless dreams and determination to leave a lasting legacy in the cosmos. Ryley Gauthier has turned his ordinary narrative into an extraordinary story with hard work and dedication that is inspiring millions to follow their passion.

Entertainment

Art Angels Presents 10 Years With David Drebin X the Diamond Dust Collection

Drebin has been with Art Angels since the beginning.

Art Angels celebrates 10 years with David Drebin opening on September 14th at their flagship gallery in Beverly Hills.

Multidisciplinary artist David Drebin has had exhibitions all over the world and has been a loyal Artist to Art Angels since they opened their doors 10 years ago in Los Angeles.

“Flirting With Danger” published by teNeues publishing (their 8th book together ) marks the latest book release of Drebin’s plus Art Angels will debut in Los Angeles his long-awaited Magic of Lenticular series featuring limited editions of his best-selling art pieces to date.

“Drebins” collected all over the world will be on display on the walls of Art Angels Gallery in Beverly Hills opening on September 14th.