Posts filed under 'Documentary/History'
EVERY LITTLE STEP- Premise by Netflix. “Go backstage for an up-close look at a Broadway production with this entertaining documentary that follows hopeful dancers as they audition for coveted spots in the 2006 revival of “A Chorus Line.” Drawing parallels between the interactions of the aspiring actors and the events of the play, filmmakers Adam Del Deo and James D. Stern also intercut interview footage of composer Marvin Hamlisch and dancers from the original Broadway production.” I saw this and liked it a lot.
Tags: documentary
October 2nd, 2009
COCO BEFORE CHANEL- Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. “Coco Before Chanel is the story of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who began her life as headstrong orphan, and through an extraordinary journey became the legendary couturier who embodied the modern… Coco Before Chanel is the story of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who began her life as headstrong orphan, and through an extraordinary journey became the legendary couturier who embodied the modern woman and became a timeless symbol of success, freedom and style. The film portrays the formative years of Chanel’s life, the years of Chanel spent discovering and inventing herself.” Mixed reviews, mostly good.
11/16/09– Saw this and liked it.
Tags: docudrama, documentary, Foreign
October 1st, 2009
ANVIL: THE STORY OF ANVIL- Premise by Netflix. “Formed by two 14-year-olds in the 1970s, Canadian heavy metal band Anvil influenced the great acts that followed, such as Anthrax and Metallica. This documentary joins Anvil‘s now middle-aged founders as they recover from a disastrous tour of Europe. Hoping to end their youthful dreams and careers on a high note, Robb Reiner, Steve “Lips” Kudlow and the band set out to record their 13th album, “This Is Thirteen.” Very good reviews.
Tags: documentary
September 28th, 2009
THE LEAST OF THESE- 2009. By Clark and Jesse Lyda. A documentary about T. Don Hutto, a detention center for illegal immigrants in Texas and the deplorable conditions for these inmates, many of whom are innocent children. A sizable portion of the inmates are in this country seeking asylum and NOT here for economic reasons. Very good. 9/09
Tags: documentary
September 27th, 2009
FLAME & CITRON- Premise by Netflix. “FLAME AND CITRON- Premise by Netflix. “Based on actual events, this exciting drama tells the story of World War II Danish Resistance fighters Flame (Thure Lindhardt) and Citron (Mads Mikkelsen). Taking orders from Resistance leader Aksel Winther (Peter Mygind), the two systematically assassinate Danish collaborators and Nazi officers. But they are far from heroic in their personal lives, and filmmaker Ole Christian Madsen explores the serious flaws of these complex men.”
2/10- I saw this a while ago and liked it. TRDB.
Tags: drama
September 27th, 2009
TULPAN- 2008. By Sergei Dvortsevoy. A docudrama about the nomadic sheepherders of Kazakh. Interesting photography of baren landscapes and I can still taste the dust. I liked the film but be prepared that it’s very slow moving. Netflix Streaming. 9/09
Tags: Documentary/History, Foreign
September 23rd, 2009
2007. A very interesting documentary about Dalton Trumbo, the writer, created with several movie actors reading his letters along with the usual talking heads. Lots of detail about the blacklisting of actors and screenwriters by the movie industry and it’s effect on them personally. A good documentary if a little repetitive. Netflix. 9/09
Tags: Documentary/History
September 22nd, 2009
THE HORSE BOY- Premise by Netflix. “THE HORSE BOY- Premise by Netflix. “When conventional therapies fail to help their autistic son, Rupert and Kristin Isaacson travel with Rowan to Mongolia in the hopes that a combination of traditional shamanic healing and horseback riding will benefit him. Director Michel O. Scott’s documentary juxtaposes scenes of the family at home in Texas with their journey on horseback across the breathtaking Mongolian countryside in search of reindeer herders and a powerful shaman.” Fairly good reviews for this documentary.
4/10- Great photography and very interesting movie. Painful to watch at times. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: documentary
September 7th, 2009
NO IMPACT MAN- Premise by Netflix. “A Fifth Avenue family goes very green when writer Colin Beavan leads his wife, Michelle Conlin, and their baby daughter on a yearlong crusade to make no net impact on the environment in this engaging documentary. Among their activities: eating only locally grown organic food, generating no trash except for compost and using no carbon-fueled transportation. Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein‘s film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.”
1/31/10- I found this movie very interesting, especially the disagreements between Beavan and his wife who took longer to “come around” on the project. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 7th, 2009
CRUDE- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Joe Berlinger‘s provocative documentary explores the ongoing battle waged by 30,000 indigenous Ecuadorans and their lawyers against Chevron for dumping billions of gallons of toxic oil waste into the Amazon. Berlinger examines the environmental catastrophe — dubbed the “Amazon Chernobyl” — from all sides, following the drama as it moves from the contamination site to the courtroom and beyond, even landing on the cover of Vanity Fair.” Very good reviews.
3/10- Fascinating documentary, especially the second half and I highly recommend it. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
September 7th, 2009
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