Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
MIS HUMAN SECRET WEAPON- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “A secret unit of the U.S. Army during World War II, the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) was almost comprised of Nisei, second generation Japanese American, military men who had pledged absolute allegiance to the United States at a time when most were facing social and political inequalities. This film will explore an untold chapter in Japanese American history and have the audience think about the values of “Peace”. It describes how the MIS contributed to America’s victory and to Japan’s recovery after the World War II ended. This film is the third and final installment of the trilogy centered on Japanese American history during WWII, following “Toyo’s Camera – Japanese American History during WWII” (2008) and “442: Live with Honor, Die with Dignity” (2010).”
4/6/12- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: Documentary/History
April 6th, 2012
HOW TO GROW A BAND- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “In How to Grow a Band, 26-year-old Chris Thile is at a crossroads. His marriage has ended, and his platinum-selling band, Nickel Creek, has gone on “indefinite hiatus.” But Thile, a perfectionist prodigy who’s defied expectations since he learned the mandolin at age five, has a plan. Step 1: Write a 45-minute, four-movement elegy to your failed marriage to be played by a bluegrass quintet. Step 2: Recruit the only musicians around talented enough to play it and crazy enough to sign on. Step 3: Make a record, launch an international tour and brace yourself. Filmed with uncommon access, How to Grow a Band provides a rare look at the start of one of America’s most promising young bands and explores the tensions that test young artists: individual talents and group identity, craft and commerce, innocence and wisdom.” No reviews yet. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
April 4th, 2012
HIT SO HARD- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This compelling documentary chronicles the life of former Hole drummer Patty Schemel, from childhood through her rise to fame and beyond, revealing her near-destruction by the personal demons that too often accompany celebrity.”
Mixed reviews with better ones from audiences than from critics. TRDB.
4/14/12- Good review in yesterday’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
April 4th, 2012
PLAYER HATING: A LOVE STORY- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Half-a-Mill is a 26 year old hip hop artist from the Albany Projects in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. By the time he was seven, Half was sharing a gun with his brother, ’cause he was sick of people putting their guns in his face in the elevator of his building, and not being able to do anything about it. Half’s been running with the same ten guys, since he was real little, and they’re his crew. But he’s the one that will take all of them out of the projects because he’s been signed by the indie music label, Warlock Records. Half and his crew are doing most of the work to launch his first album Milion, but that’s ok because there’s the chance they’ll blow up, and Half wants that so bad he can taste it, and he’ll do whatever he has to do, in order to support himself, his family and his music.”
An OK early review. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
April 2nd, 2012
GERHARD RICHTER PAINTING- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “One of the world’s greatest living painters, the German artist Gerhard Richter has spent over half a century experimenting with a tremendous range of techniques and ideas, addressing historical crises and mass media representation alongside explorations of chance procedures. The first glimpse inside his studio in decades, Gerhard Richter Painting is exactly that: a thrilling document of the 79-year-old’s creative process, juxtaposed with rare archival footage and intimate conversations with his critics and collaborators.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
March 17th, 2012
PRAY FOR JAPAN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Pray for Japan is a feature length documentary film I began when volunteering in Tohoku, Japan after the earthquake and tsunami tragedy. I shot 40 hours of footage over 5 weeks in Tohoku, interviewing over 30 people – from victims to volunteers. The goal of the film is to share with the world the same inspiration I felt from meeting these real-life heroes. No matter how difficult, how insurmountable was the challenge they faced, these people overcame. The battle to rebuild Tohoku and Japan continues – and the world must not forget their story.”
3/16/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
March 16th, 2012
SHAKESPEARE HIGH- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Featuring input from actor Kevin Spacey and other program alumni, this documentary follows a diverse group of underprivileged California youth as they escape the violence of their neighborhoods by participating in a renowned Shakespeare competition.”
3/9/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
March 9th, 2012
THE BEAT HOTEL- 2011. Synopsis by Zap-2-It. “In the late 1950s and early 1960s, a cheap Paris hotel becomes a sanctuary for Allen Ginsberg, Peter Orlovsky, William Burroughs and others of their ilk.” Poor early reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
March 9th, 2012
BULLY- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, The Bully Project is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary. At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America’s bullying crisis. The Bully Project follows five kids and families over the course of a school year. Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/31/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/17/12- A very powerful documentary that should be required viewing for all parents. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
March 9th, 2012
PRAY FOR JAPAN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This documentary chronicles the personal stories behind the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Japan in March 2011. Interviewees include victims, volunteers, and rescue workers who came together as a nation during a time of great tragedy.” Only a few reviews and they are poor so far. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
March 3rd, 2012
Newer Posts
Older Posts