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FILM ARTICLES

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New Release Review - "Pretty Lethal"

by Eric Hillis, TheMovieWaffler.com
published 2026-04-03

Pitting teenage ballerinas against heavily armed Hungarian mobsters, Pretty Lethal gives new meaning to the term "balletic violence." It's a throwback to all those '70s/'80s exploitation thrillers in which stranded cheerleaders were menaced by mouth-breathing rednecks. Surprisingly for a movie debuting on a mainstream streaming service in 2026, it carries over the extreme violence of those movies, along with the threat of sexualised violence, but its tongue is firmly in its cheek.



2026 Count Basie Center Breakthrough Filmmaker Fest to Take Place April 25th

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The 2026 Count Basie Center Breakthrough Filmmaker Fest, the annual competition celebrating New Jersey's emerging crop of young filmmakers, takes place Saturday, April 25th on the Count Basie Center campus (99 Monmouth Street) in Red Bank.



Salem County Film & Arts Festival Releases Promo Video Inviting Filmmakers and Film Lovers to Celebrate Creativity Across the County

(WOODSTOWN, NJ) -- The Salem County Film & Arts Festival is gearing up to bring an exciting celebration of film, creativity, and community to the region, welcoming filmmakers, artists, and audiences from across New Jersey and beyond. On April 25, 2026, Salem County will host their first Film & Arts Festival in Woodstown, NJ. A newly released promotional video offers a glimpse into the energy and experiences that attendees can expect, while highlighting Salem County as a unique and film-friendly destination.



New Jersey's Premier Independent Film Festival(R) Draws Record Crowds, Sold-Out Screenings, 800+ Students, and Industry Leaders in 2026

(ASBURY PARK & CRANFORD, NJ) -- The 24th Annual Garden State Film Festival (GSFF), New Jersey's Premier Independent Film Festival (R), drew record crowds across Asbury Park and Cranford, delivering sold-out screenings, strong industry participation, and one of the most impactful weekends in the festival's history.








Tony Shalhoub Announced as Special Guest at the Upcoming Lighthouse International Film Festival

(LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ) -- The Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) has announced that acclaimed, award-winning actor Tony Shalhoub will appear as a special guest at this year’s festival, taking place June 10-14, 2026 on Long Beach Island.



Lighthouse International Film Society presents Ten Films That Shaped American Comedy

(LOVELADIES, NJ) -- What role does film play in shaping a nation's sense of humor? How have films like Some Like it Hot, Blazing Saddles and Bridesmaids left a lasting impression on American society?



Cineverse to Launch New Streaming Channel Featuring Jay Mohr and WITZ Podcast Network's Mohr Stories

(LOS ANGELES and ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ) -- /PRNewswire/ -- Cineverse (Nasdaq: CNVS), an entertainment technology company and studio, has announced its newest streaming channel: Mohr Stories. Unveiled as part of LG Electronics and LG Ad Solutions' 2026 IAB NewFronts presentation to advertisers, the new channel features Emmy-nominated comedian and New Jersey native Jay Mohr (Last Comic Standing, Jerry Maguire, Saturday Night Live) and his popular podcast, with new weekly episodes including interviews with stars of comedy, film, sports, music, and TV.



New Release Review - "Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come"

by Eric Hillis, TheMovieWaffler.com
published 2026-03-28

2019's Ready or Not was a mediocre riff on the old The Most Dangerous Game template of a pleb being hunted by wealthy elites. The twist was that the murderous toffs weren't engaging in their hunt for the love of the sport but rather to avert a family curse that eventually saw them all explode at dawn, having failed to kill their prey. As a horror-comedy it was a dud for two reasons: the final girl, Samara Weaving's Grace, was so competent compared to her antagonists that we never felt she was in any real danger; and it simply wasn't funny.



RVCC to Hold Film Screening, Discussion of "The Librarians" on April 8th

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The English department and the Evelyn S. Field Library at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) will present a screening of the documentary, The Librarians, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 4:30pm. The program, which is free of charge and open to the public, will be held in the Event Center at the College's Branchburg campus.







 

EVENT PREVIEWS

NJPAC

NJPAC presents a Spring Season of Jazz

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a Spring Season of Jazz with free monthly jazz jams at Clement's Place and two special concert events inside the Victoria Theater. This series, running from September through June, is co-presented by NJPAC's Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers University–Newark's Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners' minds.



PBS'

PBS' Independent Lens Launches 20th Season of Free Pop-Up Screening Series in Teaneck and Nationwide

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The award-winning PBS documentary series, INDEPENDENT LENS, presents the launch of the upcoming season of Indie Lens Pop-Up in partnership with the Teaneck International Film Festival and the Puffin Cultural Forum. The season kicks-off on February 4, 2026 with The Librarians and continues through May. The series is free for all but sign up is required.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the series are $20-$30.



Morven

Morven Museum & Garden's Grand Homes & Gardens returns with a new series for America's 250th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Morven Museum & Garden's popular speaker series Grand Homes & Gardens returns for 2026. Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Freedom at Home: Telling the Full Story of America's Founding Homes and Gardens examines four estates belonging to five signers of the Declaration: William Paca, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and Arthur Middleton.



Faith

Faith and Frosting Collide in "The Cake" at Bergen County Players

(ORADELL, NJ) -- Enjoy a touching and topical dramedy as love clashes with conscience in Bergen County Players' (BCP) production of The Cake. The play, written by Bekah Brunstetter, producer/writer for the hit TV series This Is Us, is directed by Carol Fisher of Teaneck. It opens March 14 and runs through April 11, 2026 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.












LATEST COLUMNS


BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 4/6/26

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Ali Zanders, Sam Tunkel, Brian Westervelt, Jay Ingstrup, A Halo Called Fred, Damfino, Regency Club, and Night Windows. Plus a look back at "This American Life" by Diego Allessandro.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Promises" by Dave Vargo

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Promises" from Jersey Shore-based roots rocker Dave Vargo's latest album, "Ghost Towns."




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 04/02/2026

"Yeah, we are looking forward to it," said guitarist Johnny A of The Johnny A Trio just prior to their recent New York City Iridium appearance.