I HAD NOWHERE TO GO- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Famed avant-garde filmmaker Jonas Mekas reads from his memoirs in this evocative look at his dramatic life, describing his escape from a German labor camp in 1945 and eventual migration to New York City, where his artistic journey began.”
5/11/18- Poor reviews. TRDB.
Add comment May 11th, 2018
ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “A landmark since its 1930 debut, New York City’s Carlyle Hotel houses a raft of celebrities, many of whom share their reminiscences in this documentary, which also includes engaging stories from longtime staffers who are legendary in their own right.”
5/11/18- Awful reviews. TRDB.
Add comment May 11th, 2018
FILMWORKER- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acting in director Stanley Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon” proved life-changing for Leon Vitali: He devoted his next 20 years to helping carry out the renowned auteur’s artistic vision, as chronicled in this riveting documentary about their partnership.”
5/11/18- Very good reviews. TRDB.
9/22/18- An excellent documentary as much about Kubrick as Vitali. TRDB.
Add comment May 11th, 2018
BOOM FOR REAL- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Before his untimely death at 27, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s meteoric career altered the New York City arts scene forever. This introspective video essay looks at Basquiat’s formative years and the energy that drove his prodigious creative output.”
5/11/18- Very good reviews for this documentary although a few critics felt that people who were not Basquiat fans might not like it as much. TRDB.
Add comment May 11th, 2018
RBG- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Providing an illuminating look at the life of trailblazer Ruth Bader Ginsburg — including her career-defining work in gender-discrimination law — this engaging documentary charts her journey to becoming a justice on America’s highest court.”
5/4/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
5/18/18- Excellent in every which way!!! TRDB.
Add comment May 4th, 2018
STRANGERS ON THE EARTH- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “With his instrument strapped to his back, American cellist Dane Johansen sets off on a pilgrimage along the hallowed paths of the Camino de Santiago in Northwestern Spain, sharing his music with fellow travelers looking for meaning and truth.”
5/4/18- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment May 4th, 2018
BECOMING WHO I WAS- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Born in Tibet, young Padma Angdu is living in Northern India when he learns that he was a revered Buddhist master in an earlier life. Accompanied by his aging godfather, Angdu sets off on a perilous quest to find his place in the world.”
5/1/18- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment May 1st, 2018
THE TEST AND THE ART OF THINKING- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “As core indicators of high schoolers’ academic talents and preparedness, SAT and ACT exam results play a critical role in college admission decisions. This thought-provoking documentary raises serious concerns about the tests’ cultural objectivity.”
4/27/18- I’ve seen just 2 reviews and they were both excellent. TRDB.
Add comment April 27th, 2018
THE RACHEL DIVIDE- 2018. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. ” Self-described “trans racial” activist Rachel Dolezal ignited an unprecedented media storm when a local news station in Spokane, WA outed her as a white woman who had been living as the black president of the NAACP.”
4/27/18- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. The NY Times did not like it. TRDB.
5/3/18- The topic is interesting, especially the term “trans” as it applies to race. I thought that the documentary lacked energy but I still enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment April 27th, 2018
GRACE JONES: BLOODLIGHT AND BAMI- 2018. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Sophie Fiennes spent 10 years filming ageless “glamazon” Grace Jones to compile this fascinating portrait. Mixing performance footage with travelogue, the documentary follows Jones on a road trip across Jamaica as she reconnects with family.”
4/20/18- Very good reviews by the critics and poor ones by audiences. TRDB.
Add comment April 20th, 2018