MAIDAN- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This street-level documentary chronicles the dramatic tide of public unrest — beginning in 2013 — that led to massive demonstrations in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, resulting in a brutal response by the nation’s military police.”
12/12/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
Add comment December 14th, 2014
DO YOU KNOW WHAT MY NAME IS?- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Spotlighting a nonpharmaceutical therapy for dementia patients developed by neuroscientist Ryuta Kawashima, this upbeat documentary chronicles the startling results produced through “brain exercises” conducted during a study at a Cleveland clinic.”
12/12/14- No reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment December 14th, 2014
A SPELL TO WARD OFF THE DARKNESS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Passing through a trio of disparate communities and subcultures, including an isolated island commune and an ear-piercing heavy metal festival, a young man pursues an existential quest in this abstract meditation on spiritual values.”
12/5/14- Very good professional reviews but audiences gave it terrible reviews. TRDB.
Add comment December 6th, 2014
SHE’S BEAUTIFUL WHEN SHE’S ANGRY- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Taking middle-class U.S. culture by surprise, the women’s liberation movement of the 1960s was spearheaded in the media by a diverse collection of women. Their collaborative and individual struggles are chronicled in this illuminating documentary.”
12/5/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
Add comment December 6th, 2014
POVERTY, INC.- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Challenging the record of global poverty-assistance programs in genuinely relieving deprivation in many areas around the world, this thought-provoking documentary also questions the overall structure of what is a multibillion-dollar industry.”
12/5/14– I’ve seen just 2 professional reviews and they are both terrible. Audiences have liked this documentary, however. TRDB.
3/15/16- Still very few professional reviews but most are good. I found the movie interesting but, sad to say, I think I’m getting a little tired of this important topic on film. TRDB.
Add comment December 6th, 2014
CONCERNING VIOLENCE- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Africa’s long struggle against colonial domination gets stunning visual treatment in this documentary that includes previously unseen archival footage and illuminates the continuing exploitation of the continent’s resources by foreign interests.”
12/5/14- Very good critical reviews for this documentary. Audiences have been less than enthusiastic. TRDB.
Add comment December 5th, 2014
THE BAREFOOT ARTIST- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspirational and affecting documentary charts the long and fruitful life of 70-year-old artist Lily Yeh, who has traveled the globe helping broken communities restore hope and a sense of purpose through public art projects.”
12/5/14- Excellent early reviews. TRDB.
Add comment December 5th, 2014
TOUCH THE WALL- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “TOUCH THE WALL is the story of two Olympic swimmers – Gold-Medalist Missy Franklin and Silver-Medalist Kara Lynn Joyce – and their journey to the 2012 London Olympics.”
11/28/14- Just 2 professional reviews and they are both bad. TRDB.
Add comment November 30th, 2014
REMOTE AREA MEDICAL- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “During the U.S. debate about healthcare reform, the media-reporters and news crews and filmmakers-failed to put a human face on what it means to not have access to healthcare. This documentary fills that gap-it is a film about people, not policy.”
11/28/14– Good critical review and audiences have uniformly liked it. The NY Times did not, feeling that the documentary did not take any stand. TRDB.
Add comment November 30th, 2014
THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Granted near-unfettered access to the notoriously insular Studio Ghibli, director Mami Sunada follows the three men who are the lifeblood of Ghibli: the eminent director Hayao Miyazaki, the producer Toshio Suzuki, and the elusive and influential ‘other director’ Isao Takahata over the course of a year as the studio rushes to complete two films, Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises and Takahata’s The Tale of The Princess Kaguya.”
11/28/14- Very good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment November 29th, 2014