Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Decades after Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez disappeared following the failure of his two critically praised records in the 1970s, two fans from South Africa, where Rodriguez was a huge hit, try to track down their idol, with intriguing results.”
7/27/12- A confusing but good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
9/3/12- A well structured suspenseful documentary about a legend coupled with great music, great interviews, a likable subject and a thought provoking screenplay make this a GREAT DOCUMENTARY. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
July 18th, 2012
AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary explores three years in the life of celebrated Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who uses social media and his art to inspire protests against the state, and suffers government persecution for his actions.”
Good professional reviews and fair audience ones. TRDB.
7/27/12- Excellent review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
1/8/13- A very good documentary about this artist who strives to create transparency in the Chinese government. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
July 18th, 2012
DECONSTRUCTING DAD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmmaker Stanley Warnow offers a compelling look at the life and work of his professionally successful but personally remote father, musical innovator Raymond Scott — whose career spanned from the Big Band age to the 1970s electronic music era.”
Very good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
July 17th, 2012
FAMILY PORTRAIT IN BLACK AND WHITE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sixteen black orphans adopted by Olga Nenya struggle against racism in the Ukraine. Constantly on guard against overtly racist neighbors and skinheads, the kids look to their own inner strength and the help of Westerners to attain a brighter future. Tensions rise when a European couple offers to adopt one of the children, an offer that Olga resists as she attempts to bravely hold her family together.”
Very good reviews in general and an OK one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
July 17th, 2012
THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by lauded filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield, who won the U.S. Directing Award for Documentary Film at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for this film, The Queen of Versailles is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff.”
Very good reviews in general and in the NY Times on 7/20/12. TRDB.
8/8/12- A very good and insightful documentary that also applied the psycho-social history of the characters to better understand their reaction to adversity. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
July 7th, 2012
UNITED IN ANGER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “United in Anger: A History of ACT UP is an inspiring documentary about the birth and life of the AIDS activist movement from the perspective of the people in the trenches fighting the epidemic. Utilizing oral histories of members of ACT UP, as well as rare archival footage, the film depicts the efforts of ACT UP as it battles corporate greed, social indifference, and government neglect.”
7/6/12- A good review in today’s NY Times. A few other reviews have been positive as well. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
July 6th, 2012
CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Scouted from villages throughout rural southwestern China, teens with a knack for boxing move to training centers that teach more than just the sport. While resisting pro boxing’s temptations of fame, they hone their skill for national Olympic pride.”
7/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and from other critics as well. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
July 6th, 2012
KUMARE- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A provocative social experiment-turned-documentary, Kumare follows American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi as he transforms himself into a wise Indian guru, hoping to prove the absurdity of blind faith. Instead, he finds himself forging profound connections with people from all walks of life — and wondering if and when to reveal his true self. Will his followers accept his final teaching? Can this illusion reveal a greater spiritual truth? Winner of South by Southwest’s Audience Award, Kumare is an insightful look at faith and belief.”
Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary, drama
June 30th, 2012
BALLPLAYER: PELOTERO- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This compelling documentary, narrated by John Leguizamo and executive produced by Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, is a gritty and never before seen look inside the world of Major League Baseball (MLB) training camps in the Dominican Republic. Miguel Angel and Jean Carlos are two of the top prospects and they are both about to turn 16, which means they can be signed to an MLB farm team and ultimately move up to the majors. Ballplayer: Pelotero filmmakers Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin and Jonathan Paley take you inside this never before seen world for an up close and personal look at the cost of the American dream.”
Excellent reviews in general and a good one in the NY Times on 7/14/12. TRDB.
9/21/12- I liked the movie, a very good expose but I feel that the movie lacked the passion you’d expect with this type of exploitation of minors. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 30th, 2012
THE IMPOSTER- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappeared without a trace from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in a village in southern Spain with a horrifying story of kidnap and torture. His family is overjoyed to bring him home. But all is not quite as it seems. The boy bears many of the same distinguishing marks he always did, but why does he now have a strange accent? Why does he look so different? And why doesn’t the family seem to notice these glaring inconsistencies? It’s only when an investigator starts asking questions that this strange tale takes an even stranger turn.”
Excellent reviews!! TRDB.
2/24/13- An intriguing documentary done very well and I liked it very much. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 30th, 2012
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