Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
URBANIZED- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “The third part of Gary Hustwit’s design film trilogy, Urbanized looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world’s foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders and thinkers. By exploring a diverse range of urban design projects around the world, Urbanized frames a global discussion on the future of cities.”
10/28/11- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
7/3/12- 88% of viewers liked this movie but I’m in the 12% who found this statistic filled documentary boring. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
October 28th, 2011
INTO THE ABYSS- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “In his fascinating exploration of a triple homicide case in Conroe, Texas, master filmmaker Werner Herzog probes the human psyche to explore why people kill-and why a state kills. In intimate conversations with those involved, including 28-year-old death row inmate Michael Perry (scheduled to die within eight days of appearing on-screen), Herzog achieves what he describes as “a gaze into the abyss of the human soul.” Herzog’s inquiries also extend to the families of the victims and perpetrators as well as a state executioner and pastor who’ve been with death row prisoners as they’ve taken their final breaths. As he’s so often done before, Herzog’s investigation unveils layers of humanity, making an enlightening trip out of ominous territory.” No reviews as yet. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 17th, 2011
TO BE HEARD- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Power Writers is a creative oasis in the hustle and violence of New York’s public schools. This documentary chronicles four years in the lives of three young poets who’ve found the transformative magic of the written word through this unique program.” Excellent early reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 12th, 2011
THE RESCUERS- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This searing historical documentary reveals the little-recounted saga of a group of diplomats during World War II. Thanks to their efforts, thousands of Jews escaped capture and extermination via the Nazis’ chilling “final solution.”
Tags: Documentary/History
October 11th, 2011
THE MAN NOBODY KNEW- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Carl Colby, the son of enigmatic Cold War-era CIA op William Colby, gets to know his father in discussions with contemporaries and historians. Their insights illuminate the elder Colby‘s life as well as America’s intelligence system then and now.” Generally poor reviews and friends who have seen it did not like it. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 9th, 2011
LIMELIGHT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary examines the career of New York club owner Peter Gatien, whose run-ins with the law eventually had him deported to Canada. Through Gatien, viewers are treated to a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of New York’s wild nightlife.” Mediocre reviews at best. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 8th, 2011
THE SONS OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary chronicles the little-known history of gay Mardi Gras krewes, beginning with the start of New Orleans’s “drag balls” in the 1950s. From there, the scene went public, helping the city’s gay residents fight the prejudices of the time.”
10/7/11- An OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 7th, 2011
OVER YOUR CITIES GRASS WILL GROW- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Modern artist Anselm Kiefer and his monumental landscape creation at Barjac, France — a vast complex including lakes, bridges, caves and galleries displaying Kiefer’s other work — are the focus of this documentary from Sophie Fiennes. The artist’s ruminations on the creative process and his aims and ambitions are intercut with a careful study of the art itself, shining a spotlight on the processes at work in Kiefer’s expanding mini-universe.” Mixed reviews, some calling it interesting and others calling it a slumberous bore. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 6th, 2011
ALL IN: THE POKER MOVIE- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Celebrities such as actors Matt Damon and Jennifer Tilly and National Public Radio’s Ira Glass discuss poker’s popularity resurgence in filmmaker Douglas Tirola’s documentary. The glitz of Las Vegas and the chance to win a colossal payout have made poker a bona fide phenomenon in recent years. Revealing the smoke-filled rooms of the game’s rich history, this film also explores how the Internet put poker back in the public eye.”
3/23/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and mixed reviews in general. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 3rd, 2011
AMERICAN TEACHER- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “American Teacher is the feature-length documentary created and produced by Vanessa Roth, NÃnive Calegari, Dave Eggers, and Brian McGinn. The film includes a musical score by Thao Nguyen and is narrated by Matt Damon. The film chronicles the stories of four teachers living and working in disparate urban and rural areas of the country. Their stories are told through a mixture of footage and interviews with students, families, and colleagues, as well as the teachers themselves.”
9/30/11- Fair review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
October 2nd, 2011
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