Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
UNMISTAKEN CHILD- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Nati Baratz follows the spellbinding journey of Tibetan Buddhist monk Tenzin Zopa as he travels far and wide to identify the child who is the reincarnation of his deceased master, Lama Konchog. Acting on instructions from the Dalai Lama, the shy Zopa relies on astrology, dreams and other signs to locate the child, knowing that if he succeeds, he must also convince the boy’s parents to release their child into his care.” Very good reviews and highly recommended.
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 21st, 2009
THE ENGLISH SURGEON- Premise by Netflix. “Get acquainted with the work of British brain surgeon Henry Marsh, who, since his haunting first visit to a Russian hospital in the early 1990s, has been devoted to founding a quality brain surgery clinic in the former Soviet Union. Marsh cobbles together secondhand tools and used equipment from hospitals in the U.K. to treat patients in need, such as Marian, a Ukrainian man for whom Marsh is his greatest hope.” Excellent reviews for this documentary.
11/9/09–Just saw this and here’s what I said- ” Directed by Geoffrey Smith and about Henry Marsh, a British neurosurgeon who does volunteer work in the Ukraine. The film is about the frustration of practicing in an undeveloped area, particularly when there are political problems in play. A few patients are explored in detail, including close-ups of surgery and the film is not for the squeamish. It’s really about a day in the life of a neurosurgeon and I liked it. Netflix. 11/09
Tags: documentary
October 21st, 2009
PARAISO TRAVEL- Directed by Simon Brand and starring Aldemar Correa. About a young man who leaves Colombia with his girl friend and comes to NY illegally. They are separated shortly after arrival and he must fend for himself for the first time. An excellent depiction of what it’s like traveling here illegally and fwhat life is like for illegal immigrants in general. Good movie. Netflix Streaming. 10/09
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 20th, 2009
KILLING KASZTZNER: THE JEW WHO DEALT WITH NAZIS- Premise by Zap2it. “Right-wing extremists murder a Budapest lawyer who negotiated with the Nazis to save the lives of more than 1,600 Jews during World War II.” I read only one review and it was very good. TRDB
Tags: Documentary/History
October 16th, 2009
IL DIVO- Premise by Netflix. “Paolo Sorrentino directs this superbly entertaining docudrama about the colorful life and political career of Italy’s Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti and his party’s decades-long throttlehold on Italian politics. Highlighting accusations of mafia ties, Sorrentino pulls no punches as he lays any number of corruption scandals and even political assassinations at the politician’s feet, all with a sly sense of humor. Toni Servillo stars as Andreotti.” Great reviews. TRDB.
I saw this and here’s what I said- ” One critic said that the movie should come with a set of Cliff Notes to explain what was going on in Italy and I AGREE. I turned it off halfway.” TRDB. Netflix Streaming. 10/09
Tags: drama, Foreign
October 16th, 2009
AMERICAN VIOLET- Premise by Netflix. ”Inspired by true events, this penetrating drama centers on Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie), a 24-year-old mother of four who’s forced to take on a corrupt district attorney (Michael O’Keefe) when she’s unjustly prosecuted in a large-scale drug case. Directed by Tim Disney, the inspiring tale also stars Alfre Woodard as Dee’s mother, Alma, Tim Blake Nelson as ACLU attorney David Cohen and Will Patton as retired narcotics officer Sam Conroy.” Good reviews.
Very good acting and good dialogue make this film worthwhile despite the somewhat formulaic nature of the plot. Netflix. 10/09 (TRDB)
Tags: documentary, drama
October 15th, 2009
FOOD BEWARE: THE FRENCH ORGANIC REVOLUTON- Premise by Zap2it. “The mayor of a French mountain village declares that the school system will serve only organic food to children.” I read a few poor reviews about this documentary about food but most have been good.
Tags: documentary
October 11th, 2009
ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL- 2008. Directed by Sasha Gervasi. A documentary about the heavy metal group Anvil, wildly popular but went downhill fast. I didn’t like the music, the group, or the movie and turned it off. Netflix. 10/09
Tags: documentary
October 11th, 2009
CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Michael Moore (Sicko, Fahrenheit 9/11) takes on capitalism’s roots, the floundering U.S. economy, and 2008’s global financial meltdown and subsequent bank bailout in this rousing documentary. Combining stories about those who suffer most from Corporate America’s greed and insatiable thirst for profits and the people most responsible for myriad crises, Moore embarks on another shocking fact-finding rampage.”
10/09-I enjoyed the movie but I feel that it’s more of an expose, not a documentary. TRDB.
Tags: docudrama
October 7th, 2009
AMERICAN VIOLET- Premise by Netflix. “Inspired by true events, this penetrating drama centers on Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie), a 24-year-old mother of four who’s forced to take on a corrupt district attorney (Michael O’Keefe) when she’s unjustly prosecuted in a large-scale drug case. Directed by Tim Disney, the inspiring tale also stars Alfre Woodard as Dee’s mother, Alma, Tim Blake Nelson as ACLU attorney David Cohen and Will Patton as retired narcotics officer Sam Conroy.” Good reviews.
Tags: drama
October 2nd, 2009
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