Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Chuan Lu pulls off a rare feat by providing a clear-eyed drama about an event in Chinese-Japanese history — the 1937 Rape of Nanking following that city‘s capture by Japan — that still casts a shadow over relations between the countries. Shot in black and white, the film chronicles the six-week period through the eyes of multiple characters — including a Japanese soldier, a refugee camp supervisor, a resistance fighter and others.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
11/15/11- Brutal to watch! A brisk reminder that war is hell or worse. I think the movie is making a statement by all of the brutality but I would have related to it more if there was more dialogue, more character development and a bit less random killing. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: drama, Foreign
June 3rd, 2011
QUEEN OF THE SUN- 2011. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “What Are the Bees Telling Us? is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel, director of THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees.” Very good reviews and a good review in the NY Times on 6/10/11. TRDB.
2/26/12- An enlightening documentary that has application for other issues besides just bees. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 3rd, 2011
LOUDER THAN A BOMB- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Capturing the combined creative spirit of more than 600 Chicago-area teenagers who are participating in what’s billed as the world’s largest youth poetry slam, this documentary highlights the joy of language and the power of collaboration.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
5/6/12- Despite the interesting individual stories of the kids and the obvious talent there I just could not get into this movie as it felt like numerous other documentaries that I have seen before. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 3rd, 2011
HEY, BOO: HARPER LEE & TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Harper Lee‘s novel To Kill a Mockingbird and its Oscar-winning film adaptation both had a deep influence on American culture and racial perspectives. This pensive documentary studies the author’s life and the controversy her work inspired.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
8/13/11- A great documentary about an unusual author with footage from the movie. See it! TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
June 3rd, 2011
THE BIG UNEASY- 2010. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “Almost five years ago, a disaster struck New Orleans. The media said it was a natural disaster primarily affecting poor black people. On both counts, the media was wrong. In his feature-length documentary The Big Uneasy, humorist and New Orleans resident Harry Shearer gets the inside story of a disaster that could have been prevented from the people who were there.” Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
May 31st, 2011
MAKE BELIEVE- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This illuminating look at the lives of young magicians follows six hopefuls from the United States, Japan and South Africa as they vie for the title of Teen World Champion at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. On one hand, their adolescence is extraordinary, but they also share the same problems as many ordinary teens, from poverty to overbearing parents to struggling to fit in. J. Clay Tweel directs this Best Documentary Feature at the L.A. Film Festival.” Good review in NY Times on 5/13/11. TRDB.
8/7/12- Very good documentary!! Really got to know the kids and what “magic” means to them. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: documentary
May 14th, 2011
HOW TO LIVE FOREVER- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “When he turned 50, Baby Boomer Mark Wexler decided to document one of the fastest-growing populations in the U.S.: centenarians. Along the way, he interviews folks who advocate special diets, laughter, or beer and a cigarette to ensure healthy aging.” Good review in NY Times on 5/13/11. TRDB.
6/25/12- A very unusual and thoughtful film that takes some of the mystery out of longevity by showing how different cultures consider aging. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
May 14th, 2011
THE LAST MOUNTAIN- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Bill Haney sounds the alarm in this penetrating documentary about the impact of coal mining on the citizens of West Virginia’s Coal River Valley, who are trying to prevent the plundering of one of the last untouched mountains in Appalachia. Aided by environmentalist Bobby Kennedy Jr., the townspeople protest against an energy conglomerate that uses ruinous mountain top removal techniques, despite the dangers to health and the environment.” Fair audience reaction so far. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
May 11th, 2011
1959: THE YEAR THAT CHANGED JAZZ- A documentary about some of the great jazz stars of that time including Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis.
5/6/11- I liked this documentary for the film itself and for the music. TRDB. Theater.
Tags: documentary
May 6th, 2011
L’AMOUR FOU- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Yves Saint-Laurent — synonymous with Le Smoking suit, the safari jacket and Studio 54 — met Pierre Bergé in 1958, and this intimate documentary pays tribute to their extraordinary 50-year friendship. The pair were lovers, then partners in fashion and in art collecting, and when they weren’t rocking haute couture with prêt-à-porter or the first black runway models, they were acquiring the objets d’art from which the designer drew inspiration.” Mediocre reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
April 23rd, 2011
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