Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
DANCING ACROSS BORDERS- 2010. Premise by Netflix. ” Art enthusiast and philanthropist Anne Bass makes her first foray into filmmaking with this moving documentary that traces the journey of a talented young Cambodian man in his transformation from street performer to classically trained ballet dancer. Discovered by Bass in his native land, Sokvannara “Sy” Sar must learn to assimilate to the rigid structures of Western ballet to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional dancer.” Reviews just more positive than negative.”
12/10- OK reviews but I liked the movie a lot, especially the parts with the dancer speaking about his 2 disparate worlds. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: documentary
September 28th, 2010
OCTOBER COUNTRY- 2009. “In their sensitive portrait of the Mosher family, who live in Mohawk Valley, N.Y., filmmakers Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher explore how people whose voices go unheard move through life like ghosts, unable to change their circumstances. Filmed over the course of a year, from one Halloween to the next, the film follows three generations as they struggle with poverty, an unplanned pregnancy, a custody battle and the lingering trauma of war. Premise by Netflix. ” Very good reviews.
11/10- Repetitive and of no interest to me. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 28th, 2010
GENIUS WITHIN: THE INNER LIFE OF GLENN GOULD- Premise by Netflix. “Pianist Glenn Gould was known as a unique and enigmatic personality, and his brief life has long fascinated both biographers and filmmakers. But behind Gould’s carefully cultivated image lurked a number of shadowy issues, including drug use. Through interviews and never-before-seen footage, the film carefully sifts through and examines the seemingly contradictory influences and motivations that shaped the legendary musician.” Very good reviews.
Tags: documentary
September 28th, 2010
SECRETARIAT- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s thoroughbred stable, she transforms from housewife to horse breeder — and owner of the colt that will take the 1973 Triple Crown — in this dramatic biopic. The film explores Chenery’s bond with “Big Red” and depicts her rise to greatness as the “first lady of racing.” John Malkovich plays trainer Lucien Laurin, and Fred Dalton Thompson co-stars as big-shot breeder Bull Hancock.” Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.
Tags: docudrama
September 27th, 2010
NOWHERE BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Raised by his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) since he was a young boy, charismatic 15-year-old John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) is suddenly reunited with his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), which ignites a bitter battle between the two sisters for John’s affections. Along the way, John inherits his mother’s love of music and befriends fellow Liverpool lad Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster) in this biopic of the music icon’s formative years.” Very good early reviews. Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.
1/11- I felt that the movie was just OK but I did learn more about what made Lennon Lennon. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, history
September 27th, 2010
TAPESTRIES OF HOPE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In present-day Zimbabwe, women and girls are routinely victimized, and an epidemic of “virgin rapes” is being fueled by the widley held misconception that men can cure themselves of HIV/AIDS by having sex with virgin women. Filmmaker Michealene Cristini Risley profiles the tireless efforts of Betty Makoni, founder and director of the 1998-established Girl Child Network, to seek basic human rights for the women of Zimbabwe.” No reviews as yet.
Tags: documentary
September 26th, 2010
A MOTHER’S COURAGE- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Icelandic filmmaker Fridrik Thór Fridriksson follows Margrét Dagmar Ericsdóttir’s quest to find answers about autism, a condition that confounds traditional medical practitioners and renders her 11-year-old son, Keli, unable to communicate. Across the United States and Europe, Ericsdóttir encounters autism experts exploring promising new methods and meets autistic “miracle patients” who eventually found their voices. Kate Winslet narrates.” OK review in NY Times 9/24/10.
11/10- A unique documentary with footage of a noted therapist working with new patients immediately upon arrival to their clinic. Recommended. TRDB. Netflix.
September 25th, 2010
CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Director Alex Gibney turns the spotlight on the life and career of politician Eliot Spitzer, the New York governor whose potential to become the first Jewish president of the United States was thwarted by his indiscretions. Supporters and opponents opine about Spitzer, who was a well-respected attorney general before becoming governor. Spitzer’s career crashed and burned with the revelation that he was involved with prostitutes.” Very good early reviews.
11/10- Very good documentary which centered on Spitzer’s personality, method of governing and his growing list of enemies rather than the prostitution scandel. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: documentary
September 16th, 2010
THE SOCIAL NETWORK- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “David Fincher‘s biographical drama chronicles the meteoric rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from Harvard sophomore to Internet superstar, examining his relationships with co-founder Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and founding president Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Aaron Sorkin penned the screenplay based on Ben Mezrich’s best-seller The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook.” Reviews just OK.
10/10- I liked this movie a lot even though there was probably a good deal of artistic license given to the story. Well acted (Eisenberg was great) and truly a success story. TRDB. At the theater.
Tags: docudrama
September 16th, 2010
CATFISH- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman document the strange series of events that unfolds when a gifted 8-year-old artist named Abby contacts Nev, a 24-year-old photographer (and Schulman’s brother), through Facebook. After Abby sends Nev a remarkable painting based on one of his photos, Nev begins corresponding with her family — including her seductive 19-year-old sister. Realizing that something’s not quite right, Nev sets out to uncover the truth.” Good reviews.
10/10- A very unusual human drama involving privacy and identity on the internet. I liked it a lot. This movie is a sleeper. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
September 15th, 2010
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