Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
DOCTORED- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Doctored is director Bobby Sheehan and producer Jeff Hays’ entry into the emerging genre of health focused feature documentaries and follows both patients and health care providers struggling within a broken health care system. The story begins with the AMA’s attack on their non-drug providing rivals, the chiropractic profession. Interviews and historical footage expose the AMA’s clandestine campaign to eliminate chiropractic services, which culminates in a 15 year legal battle known as the Wilk case. Sheehan uses this story, and the following stories of patients seeking or forced into alternative treatments, as “a small doorway into a large room.” The key point made early in the film is that as it relates to health care almost all areas have been “doctored”. Endemic of the problem is the plight of today’s MD who is forced to forgo the “art” of medicine in exchange for 12-15 minute appointments and forced prescriptions dispensing. The film also shows spectacular successes from seeming chiropractic miracles from Olympic gold medalists, Hall of Fame NBA players and a mother that was sent home to die who regains health. Sheehan and Hays shot hundreds of hours of footage from Surgeons, MD’s, DC’s, DO’s, patients from Picabo Street and John Stockton; normal, every day people fighting for their lives, shown in crisis, each having to choose to follow the normal, drug-based, standard of care or risk everything by providing or accepting belittled alternative therapies. Although the US makes up only 5% of the world’s population, we consume over 50% of all the world’s pharmaceutical drugs, while we endure worsening health. Sheehan shed’s light on this “doctored” system and opens a conversation on real solutions.”
9/21/12- Just a fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 24th, 2012
THREE STARS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Focusing on ten Michelin 3 Star chefs, Three Stars depicts the everyday drama of life in gourmet restaurants and includes exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access to some of the world’s most talented chefs as they work in their gastronomic laboratories, hunt for exquisite ingredients in local markets, and gather rare edible plants along rough coastlines. It reveals the business of cooking on the highest level and highlights the various kitchen routines and culinary philosophies of chefs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Yannick Alléno, and Olivier Roellinger.”
So far, poor reviews all around. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 24th, 2012
HELLBOUND?- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Enough with the comforting white light when we die; what if you end up, you know, in the other place? This thought-provoking film digs for answers. Theologians, clergy and pop culture figures discuss hell: its place in religion, history and reality.”
Good review in the NY Times on 9/21/12 and OK reviews in general. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 24th, 2012
DEAR MANDELA- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Destroyed homes, threats at gunpoint and high-court action, this battle by three young people to stand up for their rights is a testimony to people power. When the South African government promises to ‘eradicate the slums’ and begins to evict shack dwellers far outside the city, three friends who live in Durban’s vast shantytowns refuse to be moved. Dear Mandela follows their journey from their shacks to the highest court in the land as they invoke Nelson Mandela’s example and become leaders in a growing social movement. By turns inspiring, devastating and funny, the film offers a new perspective on the role that young people can play in political change and is a fascinating portrait of South Africa coming of age.”
Poor early reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 24th, 2012
THEY CALL IT MYANMAR: LIFTING THE CURTAIN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Shot clandestinely over a two-year period in the second-most isolated country on the planet, Burma, this documentary lifts the curtain to expose everyday life in a country that has been held in the iron grip of a brutal military regime for 48 years.”
Very good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 24th, 2012
BLINKY AND ME- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following his life from Nazi-occupied Poland to Israel to Australia, this documentary tells the story of pioneering animator Yoram Gross, who gained fame and fortune through his popular film series Blinky Bill.”
9/21/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. Audience reviews have been mediocre also. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 21st, 2012
ELECTORAL DYSFUNCTION- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “After discovering that the right to vote is missing from the U.S. Constitution, political humorist Mo Rocca sets out on a road trip to see how voting works — and doesn’t work — in America. He heads to Indiana, home to some of the strictest election laws in the country, and meets one Republican and one Democrat who take him inside their efforts to get out every vote during the 2008 Presidential election. As he progresses on his journey, Mo searches for the Electoral College; critiques ballot design with Todd Oldham; investigates the heated battle over Voter ID and voter fraud; and explores the case of a former felon who was sentenced to ten years in prison — for the crime of voting.”
9/21/12- Mixed reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 21st, 2012
HEAD GAMES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This incisive documentary reveals how, with more than 1 million sports-related concussions occurring in the U.S. every year, athletes, doctors, coaches and parents are paying closer attention to the long-term damage resulting from collision sports.”
9/21/12- Great review in today’s NY Times and fairly good reviews by other critics as well. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 21st, 2012
THE REVISIONARIES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary looks at a pitched cultural conflict over school textbook standards in Texas, as determined by the state’s Board of Education. For many, the creationist views of the board’s chairman run counter the findings of modern science.”
4/12/13- Very good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 18th, 2012
ESCAPE FIRE: THE FIGHT TO RESCUE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary starkly outlines the crises the United States faces in its quest to provide affordable medical care to the nation’s citizens. In response to these problems, the filmmakers propose lower-cost alternatives to high-tech medicine.”
No reviews as yet and I hope that this isn’t a campaign advertisement. TRDB.
10/5/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 18th, 2012
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