Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
BICYCLE DREAMS- Premise by Netflix. “From the Pacific to the Atlantic, bicyclists race against time and their own physical limitations as they face Mojave Desert heat, steep Rocky Mountain climbs and more. Then, when tragedy strikes, the endurance test takes an emotional turn. As they attempt to make it across the country in less than 10 days, the participants in the Race Across America must draw on all their inner resources to meet the challenge in this fascinating documentary.”
Tags: documentary
May 4th, 2010
MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT- Premise by Netflix. “Rehearsal footage, backstage action and interviews comprise this moving Michael Jackson experience. He is shown here preparing for a series of 50 sold-out London shows, which were scheduled to kick off in late summer 2009. Singing his numerous hits at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during the days leading up to his untimely death, Jackson is also seen refining cues, delving into dance details and working with director Kenny Ortega.”
5/10- If you like MJ this movie is great. I do and it is!! A very different view of the master and his interaction with the crew to improve the production. Nothing about the man himself in the movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
May 4th, 2010
MAN ON WIRE- Premise by Netflix. “Philippe Petit captured the world’s attention in 1974 when he successfully walked across a high wire between New York’s Twin Towers. This Oscar winner for Best Documentary explores the preparations that went into the stunt as well as the event and its aftermath. Obsessed with the towers even before they were fully constructed, Petit sneaked into the buildings several times to determine the equipment he needed to accomplish his daring feat.”
5/10- I loved this movie. Very suspenseful even when you know the outcome. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
April 29th, 2010
BABIES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Documentary filmmaker Thomas Balmes charts the simultaneous early development of four babies from different parts of the world, illustrating what makes human life unique, similar and precious wherever it occurs. Training his camera on newborns Hattie from San Francisco, Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia and Mari from Tokyo, Balmes captures every moment, from their first screaming breaths to their first tentative steps.” Fairly good reviews.
9/10- Interesting and informative documentary but could have been shorter than the already short 79min. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
April 26th, 2010
NORTHFACE- Premise by Netflix. “In 1936, young German climbers Toni Kurz (Benno Fürmann) and Andreas Hinterstoisser (Florian Lukas) face off against a rival Austrian duo in an attempt to be the first team to scale the infamous north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps. As the men make the treacherous climb, journalist Luise (Johanna Wokalek) — Toni’s childhood love — covers the biggest story of her career. Philipp Stölzl helms this drama based on a true story.”
5/10- Interesting and suspenseful. I liked the juxtaposition of what’s primitive on the mountain and what’s elegant at the hotel where everybody is waiting for them to complete the climb. Try not to be upset at the melodramatic ending. I liked it. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
April 26th, 2010
SAVIORS IN THE NIGHT- Directed by Ludi Boeken and starring Veronica Ferres. About a Christian family in a small town in Germany that sheltered and saved a Jewish family from being deported to a Nazi death camp.
4/10- Seen as part of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival this movie was actually a true docudrama and was terrific. Highly recommended if you can find it. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
April 21st, 2010
OLD PARTNER- Premise by Netflix. “Set in the fertile fields of South Korea, Chung-Ryoul Lee’s pensive yet playful documentary examines the enduring bond between an elderly farmer and his loyal ox, forged over 40 years of service, while his sometimes jealous wife stands by. Mr. Lee tends to the ox with special care, feeding him by hand and keeping the land free of pesticides, while the aging beast faithfully carts him back and forth from town, never leaving his side.” Very good reviews.
4/10- This documentary is a sensitive study of man’s relationship to beast. It is also, I think, a study of aging in general. Very good. Netflix.
Tags: Add new tag, documentary
April 17th, 2010
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Thierry Guetta had been casually documenting the underground world of street art for years, but when he encounters Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, his project takes a fascinating twist. Unimpressed with Guetta’s footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties and Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist named Mr. Brainwash — and, much to Banksy‘s surprise, immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.” Great reviews.
12/10- To be honest, I just don’t know what the hoopla is with this movie. I can take it or leave it with the comment “who cares?” TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
April 17th, 2010
KILLING KASZTNER- Here’s what Netflix had to say- “Gaylen Ross‘s compelling documentary explores the story of Dr. Israel Kasztner, a Hungarian Jew who saved more than 1,600 Jews during the Holocaust by buying their freedom from Nazi Adolf Eichmann. With important trial documents and witness interviews, Ross looks at Kasztner’s 1954 trial, which started as a libel case with him as a plaintiff, but ended as a war crime tribunal with him as a defendant.”
4/10- I saw this as part of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival and I thought it was a great documentary. There were so many layers of the story that I would even consider this documentary as a mystery as well. TRDB.
Tags: Documentary/History, Foreign
April 16th, 2010
BLESSED IS THE MATCH: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF HANNAH SENESH- Premise by Netflix. “Joan Allen narrates this riveting portrait of Hungarian poet Hannah Senesh, a remarkable woman who risked her own life to parachute behind enemy lines — enduring capture, torture and, ultimately, death — to rescue Jews from Nazi persecution. Ahead of her time and on a mission of incredible odds, Senesh ultimately became a martyr in Israel, evoking the spirit of warrior-heroine Joan of Arc and earning the gratitude of those she saved.”
4/10- This documentary was very well done and I highly recommend it. TRDB.
Tags: Documentary/History
April 16th, 2010
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