Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
THE SWIMSUIT ISSUE- Premise by Netflix. “Unfortunately for the guys on Sweden’s only all-male synchronized swim team, a passion for their sport does not necessarily equal a proficiency in it. But that’s not going to stop them in their quest for gold in this comedy from Mans Herngren. Determined to prove naysayers wrong, the middle-aged mermen work first to improve their swimming and then synchronize it as they fervently pursue their ultimate goal — the world championship.” Weak reviews. TRDB.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 17th, 2011
THE DESERT OF FORBIDDEN ART- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Trace the incredible story of defiant visionary Igor Savitsky, an artist and museum curator who cunningly acquired more than 40,000 banned Soviet Union paintings and hid the illegal collection from the KGB in Uzbekistan’s Nukus Museum. In addition to rare archival footage and interviews with the artists’ children, this absorbing documentary also features letters and diary entries read by Ben Kingsley, Sally Field and Edward Asner.” Good reviews. TRDB.
6/27/11- I have to admit that I’m a bit too hyper to sit through a documentary of this type. I was very interested in the concept, what had been done to preserve the works but not really in the movie per se. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
March 11th, 2011
DEAR PYONGYANG- 2005. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Yonghi Yang divides her time behind and in front of the camera in this poignant exploration of family, place and identity, a 2006 Sundance prize winner. To better understand her father’s fierce loyalty to Communist North Korea — and the personal sacrifices that resulted from his political convictions — Yang candidly questions her father about his beliefs, revealing a complex man shaped by both emotional and ideological forces.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
3/11- An interesting documentary but I felt that the film lacked a certain passion that would be inherent in a family that had sent all 3 of their sons from Japan, where they lived, to live permanently in North Korea. Still lots of unanswered questions. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
March 5th, 2011
STRANGERS NO MORE- 2010. Premise by IMDB. “In the heart of Tel Aviv, there is an exceptional school where children from forty-eight different countries and diverse backgrounds come together to learn. Many of the students arrive at Bialik-Rogozin School fleeing poverty, political adversity and even genocide. Here, no child is a stranger. The film follows several students’ struggle to acclimate to life in a new land while slowly opening up to share their stories of hardship and tragedy: Mohammed, a sixteen-year-old refugee from Darfur, witnessed the killing of his grandmother and father before escaping alone through Egypt to Israel. Having never been in a school before, his sharp mind and tremendous determination enable him to make up the years of study he never had. Johannes arrived at Bialik-Rogozin after spending most of his life in refugee camps across the Middle East. His father struggles to obtain a work visa while twelve-year-old Johannes struggles to adjust to attending school for the first time.” This movie won the 2011 Academy Award for Best Documentary- Short Subject. TRDB.
4/11- The concept of this school is very interesting and appears to be working. The film was well done and we learned a lot about the students and the system in this 40min. documentry. Definitely recommended. TRDB. Seen at Temple Shaaray Tefila.
Tags: documentary
March 1st, 2011
MAKING THE BOYS- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Revered by some for breaking new ground and reviled by others for reinforcing stereotypes, The Boys in the Band was the first gay-themed film to reach a mainstream audience. This documentary paints a vivid picture of how it got there. Through interviews with Tony Kushner, Edward Albee and more — plus wonderful period footage of Hollywood’s gay past (think Roddy MacDowell and Sal Mineo) — the film reveals The Boys in the Band’s enduring legacy.” Very good reviews. TRDB. Good review in NY Times on 3/11/11.
12/17/11- Well done but I lost interest about halfway through. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
March 1st, 2011
ORGASM INC.- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “With humor and a wealth of research, director Liz Canner examines how drug companies promote and profit from the myth of female sexual dysfunction as they compete to produce the first FDA-approved “cure” for this condition. The provocative documentary features enlightening interviews with a passionate sex shop owner and a vintage-vibrator collector who argue that it’s society — not women’s bodies — that needs fixing.” Fairly good reviews.
7/1/11- An unusually candid documentary that makes it’s points well and exposes the drug industry yet one more time. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
March 1st, 2011
MEDICINAL CANNABIS AND IT’S IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH- 2011. A documentary with interviews with physicians and researchers. No reviews as yet.
Tags: documentary
February 20th, 2011
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL- 2007. Premise by Netflix. “Assigned to lead the United Nations troops in Rwanda in 1993, Canadian Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire (Roy Dupuis) tries desperately — and unsuccessfully — to obtain international help as the Hutus begin their genocide of the Tutsis in this true story. Roger Spottiswoode directed this compelling historical drama based on Dallaire’s award-winning autobiographical book detailing the horrific events of the massacre in Rwanda.”
2/11- This movie is well worth seeing as a reminder of the tragedy and the frustrations of trying to help while being constrained by governmental policies. Nothing really new here in that regard but the film gives us an unusual view of Dallaire’s torture as he watches his men and mission die. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: docudrama
February 11th, 2011
THE ROUNDUP (LA RAFLE)- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “This gripping drama based on a true story follows the fate of three carefree Parisian boys and their families as Nazi officials and corrupt French collaborators arrest them — along with thousands of other French Jews — in 1942. Shipped to a holding facility until they can be sent to concentration camps, the lads encounter a weary Jewish doctor (Jean Reno) and a kindly Christian nurse (Mélanie Laurent). Roselyne Bosch directs.” Good audience reviews.
4/11- A true and difficult film to watch, this well done docudrama portrays a piece of history that is unfortunately not well known. Recommended with a warning that this film will evoke a powerful emotional response. TRDB. At the Westchester Jewish Film Festival.
11/16/12- A mixed review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Tags: drama, Foreign
February 10th, 2011
THE LAST LIONS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “Narrated by actor Jeremy Irons, this thrilling documentary follows an African lioness named Ma di Tau as she and her cubs flee a devastating fire, then struggle to live in new territory amidst dangerous predators and a lethal pride of rival lions. Besides being a harrowing tale of survival, this film from directors Dereck and Beverly Joubert illuminates the urgent plight of all Africa’s lions, whose population has reached dangerously low levels.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
1/31/12- Beautiful photography and an interesting story of the evolution of a pride of lions and one lioness and her cubs in particular. Well worth seeing. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
February 10th, 2011
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