Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
TOP PRIORITY: THE TERROR WITHIN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Federal officer with the Department of Homeland Security discovers a national security breach related to the entry of 23 aliens from terrorist countries into the United States. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, former head of the DEA Robert Bonner can’t afford any more media scrutiny, since his incompetence was already exposed in the NASA ‘Challenger’ disaster. To avoid the scandal, the full might of the government is unleashed against Julia Davis, her family and witnesses. This retaliation reaches the unprecedented magnitude, including four unexplained deaths, Hollywood and the Mafia, false imprisonments and the use of helicopters and airplanes for warrantless surveillance. Amidst many shocking revelations, this documentary provides a new insight into the deaths of well-known Hollywood figures unwittingly dragged into this scandal. The truth is no longer a secret.”
6/29/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 29th, 2012
KATY PERRY: PART OF ME- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Pop star Katy Perry is captured on- and offstage in this revealing diary of her California Dreams Tour, featuring her Los Angeles performances in 3-D. The film shares the air of glamour and fun that radiate from this talented and unique artist.”
Very good audience reaction and good professional reviews as well. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 23rd, 2012
ORDINARY MIRACLES- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “From 1936 to 1951, the Photo League was the center of the documentary movement in American photography. This tribute presents seldom-seen photos of New York City urban life in the ’30s and ’40s from 50 of the group’s leading members.”
6/22/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and in general as well. TRDBB.
Tags: documentary
June 22nd, 2012
NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Following rocker Neil Young to his Toronto hometown, Jonathan Demme captures the artist live in concert at Massey Hall and on the road in Ontario. This film is the third in Demme’s Neil Young concert trilogy, following Heart of Gold and Trunk Show.”
Mediocre early reviews. TRDB.
6/29/12- The NY Times gave this movie a good review today. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 16th, 2012
IKLAND- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The Ik were described as sadists who starved their own children and crapped in front of each others’ homes for fun. They were reviled as the worst and most depraved beings on Earth, and it was recommended that their culture be destroyed for its own good. No one has dared to film them in the 40 years since they were first studied. Ikland recounts a quest to re-connect with a lost corner of humanity. For producer Cevin Soling, they represented the last outpost of imagination in a world devoid of myth. Soling and his crew risked their lives by traveling through war-ravaged northern Uganda to reach them. Their experience was alien and surreal in ways only Jonathan Swift might have imagined”
6/15/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 15th, 2012
PAUL WILLIAMS STILL ALIVE- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “He won Grammys and an Academy Award; wrote many #1 songs; starred in a Brian DePalma movie; put out his own hit records and albums; was a guest on The Tonight Show fifty times; and is the president of ASCAP…and you might not have heard of him. In the 1970’s, Paul Williams was the singer / actor / songwriter that emotional, alienated teenage boys all over the world wanted to be, a sex symbol before MTV, when sex symbols could be 5″2 and sing songs about loneliness with the Muppets. A wistful musical journey that will re-introduce a new generation to Williams’ soulful classics, Paul Williams: Still Alive is the charmingly self-narrated story of Stephen Kessler’s lifelong obsession with the former superstar-and what happens when the nostalgic filmmaker finally catches up with him.”
Good review in the NY Times on 6/8/12 despite a negative reaction to the director who may have taken advantage of the subject more for personal gain. TRDB.
7/28/16- An excellent documentary with great access to the subject. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 13th, 2012
PATAGONIA RISING- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Over the past century more than 45,000 large dams have redefined river corridors around the globe with disastrous results. Descending the Baker River from the Northern Patagonia Ice-cap to its terminus at the Pacific Ocean, Patagonia Rising investigates a controversial plan to build five large hydroelectric dams in Chile’s famed wilderness. Stopping off at Patagonia’s most remote frontier ranches, this engaging story brings voice to the iconic South American cowboys, Gauchos, caught in the crossfire of future energy demands. Chile could become a leader in sustainable energy development, or it could continue down the road to squandering the pure watersheds of Patagonia. Juxtaposing the pro-dam business sector with renewable energy experts, Patagonia Rising brings intimate awareness to this global conflict over water and power.”
The NY Times on 6/8/12 called this documentary beautifully filmed but without emotion. Others said the same. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 13th, 2012
THE INVISIBLE WAR- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary calls attention to little-known facts about the high prevalence of rape within the ranks of America’s armed forces. Interviews with military personnel, elected officials and rape victims provide alarming evidence.”
Just a few reviews so far and they are excellent. TRDB.
6/22/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
7/1/13- Interview after interview of woman who were sexually assaulted while serving our nation in the military AND the cover-ups that denied them any justice. Very well done and this film was nominated for the 2012 Academy Award for best documentary. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 13th, 2012
ONE DAY ON EARTH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Capturing ordinary and extraordinary life events from around the globe over the course of one day — November 11, 2011 — this documentary explores the human experience in an attempt to answer the question, “Who are we?”
The NY Times on 6/1/12 said that this film was scattered but astounding. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 12th, 2012
U.N. ME- Synopsis by Netflix. “Recounting tales of uninvestigated civilian Ivory Coast shootings, the botched Oil for Food Program, a wild mishandling of the Darfur genocide and more, filmmakers Ami Horowitz and Matthew Groff craft a scathing attack on the United Nations. This darkly funny documentary features exclusive interviews with former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, former U.N. Weapons Inspector Charles Duelfer and former CIA Director James Woolsey.”
An OK review in the NY Times on 6/1/12. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 12th, 2012
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