RISE
RISE- Premise by Zap2it. “A celebration of figure skating.” No reviews yet.
Add comment February 10th, 2011
Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
MILK
MILK- 2008. Premise by Netflix. “Sean Penn (in an Oscar-winning role) stars in this fact-based drama about Harvey Milk, the openly gay activist and San Francisco politician who was murdered along with Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber) by disgruntled city supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin) in 1978. Emile Hirsch, James Franco and Diego Luna co-star in director Gus Van Sant’s compelling biopic, which also earned Oscar nods for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Brolin).”
I saw this movie and liked it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 6th, 2011
THE SKY TURNS
THE SKY TURNS- 2009. Premise by Rottentomatoes. ” Mercedes Alvarez was three years old when, in the late 1960s, her parents left La Aldea, a village in the barren Northern Spanish Soria region. She… Mercedes Alvarez was three years old when, in the late 1960s, her parents left La Aldea, a village in the barren Northern Spanish Soria region. She was the last child born in La Aldea. Now, only fourteen people live there, a last dying generation. Soon this village, like so many other rural communities all over the world, will be deserted and will probably disappear from the map. Alvarez returns for the first time to her ancestral home and makes a stunning film about memory and the terrifying passing of time.” Good reviews.
Add comment February 4th, 2011
CARBON NATION
CARBON NATION- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Bypassing politics and fingerpointing, this forward-thinking documentary zeroes in on enterprising individuals — from a wind farmer to a solar-panel retrofitter — who are devising business-minded ways to avert the looming climate crisis. The cross-country expedition yields encounters with Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, Earth Day founder Denis Hayes and former CIA director James Woolsey, along with everyday pioneers in low-carbon living.” A few reviews and they’re good, especially from audiences but the pros did not like it. TRDB.
9/26/11- The movie was filled with facts but lacked force and the style was repetitive and I finally lost interest. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 4th, 2011
TROUBADOURS
TROUBADOURS- 2011. Premise by Netflix. “This engrossing documentary offers a loving look at the music scene in Los Angeles in the 1970s, focusing on superstars James Taylor and Carole King, and how their careers were tied in to the evolution of the world-famous Troubadour club. Interviews and archival footage highlight the examination of how the highly political music of the 1960s transformed into the more intimate songs made popular by the increasingly predominant singer-songwriters.” Good review in NY Times on 2/2/11.
Add comment February 2nd, 2011
PHIL OCHS: THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE
PHIL OCHS: THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE- 2010. “Fiercely devoted to championing peace and social justice, folk singer Phil Ochs rose to fame at the height of the 1960s protest movements, yet his incisive lyrics and resonant melodies remain relevant for audiences today. This film tells his story. Through performance footage and interviews with Ochs’s contemporaries and admirers — including Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Sean Penn — the documentary paints a portrait of a uniquely American artist.” Great reviews.
7/29/11- An excellent documentary about this man that I didn’t know or remember too much about. Good archival footage as well. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment February 1st, 2011
BUCK
BUCK- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Buck Brannaman, inspiration for “The Horse Whisperer,” is revealed as a complex figure in this documentary by Cindy Meehl. The master horseman reveals details of his troubled childhood and his dawning awareness of new ways that humans and horses might work with one another. As Buck learns more about horses, he finds that the ways we communicate with our animal companions offer lessons on how we relate to fellow human beings.” At Sundance 2011.
7/8/11- An excellent documentary where we see the man in action and we learn about life events that made him what he is. Definitely recommended. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment January 30th, 2011
HELL AND BACK AGAIN
HELL AND BACK AGAIN- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this unvarnished documentary set on the Afghan front line, U.S. Marine Sgt. Nathan Harris is wounded by Taliban machine-gun fire, then returns to his North Carolina home to grapple with the stress of civilian life. Embedded with Harris’s company on the battlefield, filmmaker Danfung Dennis discovers that for the 25-year-old veteran, recovering from a bullet to the head is no tougher than regaining a foothold in an apathetic homeland.” At Sundance 2011. Fair audience reviews and a few professional reviews– all good. TRDB.
1/24/12- Another reminder that war is hell. Very well done and highly recommended. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment January 30th, 2011
SENNA
SENNA- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This fast-paced documentary profiles Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One racing, and a hero in his native Brazil. Using only archival footage, director Asif Kapadia examines the idealistic Senna‘s inspiring legend. Charismatic, compassionate and a dedicated risk-taker, Senna was known for his integrity in a sport often fraught with cutthroat politics, and also for the deep religious faith that gave him purpose.” At Sundance 2011.
A good (not great) review in the NY Times on 8/12/11. TRDB.
Add comment January 30th, 2011
INTO ETERNITY
INTO ETERNITY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Michael Madsen directs this documentary that chronicles the construction of Finland’s underground Onkalo nuclear waste repository, the world’s first permanent disposal zone for radioactive waste generated by nuclear power plants. As it examines the technology designed to keep the waste safely sequestered for 100,000 years, this film also explores strategies for convincing future generations to leave the lethal material undisturbed.” Very good review in NY Times on 2/2/11.
Add comment January 30th, 2011