NO NO: A DOCKUMENTARY- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Baseball history is rich with heroic lore, but no tale may be stranger than that of Pittsburgh Pirates ace Dock Ellis throwing a no-hitter while high on LSD. This absorbing documentary looks at his stormy career and the life he found after baseball.”
8/25/14- Very good early reviews. TRDB.
Add comment August 25th, 2014
LEVITATED MASS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 2012, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art installed Michael Heizer’s sculpture Levitated Mass — a 340-ton boulder perched atop a trench. This film traces the piece’s journey — from conception to the monolith’s 11-day transport from Riverside.”
8/25/14- Two reviews and they are both good. TRDB.
Add comment August 25th, 2014
TO BE TAKEI- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Proving there’s life after “Star Trek,” this documentary profiles the career of actor George Takei, who played Lieutenant Sulu in the series and later became a well-known advocate for gay rights, backed by a legion of enduring fans.”
8/22/14- Very good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment August 22nd, 2014
KINK- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Take a peek into the secret world of sex, fetishes and bondage with this eye-opening documentary that tells the story of the people who work at San Francisco’s Kink.com, the world’s largest producer of BDSM porn.”
8/22/14- Good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.
6/8/15- A one of a kind documentary about a company that has tried to improve the reputation of the industry by the actions of the actors it employs and by the various precautions used to insure the safety of the actors, both male and female. I couldn’t help looking for the elephant in the room. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment August 22nd, 2014
EXPEDITION TO THE END OF THE WORLD- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this thoughtful and amusing adventure documentary, an eclectic crew of scientists and aesthetes sets sail for an untracked region of Northeastern Greenland, where they encounter an icy landscape full of danger and beauty.”
8/20/14- Fairly good reviews for this documentary. The NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.
Add comment August 20th, 2014
LAST DAYS IN VIETNAM- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary recounts the Vietnam War’s final days, when unexpected roadblocks threatened the evacuation of America’s South Vietnamese allies. Witnesses and rare footage reveal the heroism and sacrifice that played out amid the chaos.”
9/5/14- Excellent reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
5/1/15- An exhaustive description of what actually happened during those last few days before the evacuation of our embassy in Saigon. Very well done and an important piece of work. TRDB.
Add comment August 18th, 2014
A WILL FOR THE WOODS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this affecting documentary, a man suffering from terminal lymphoma makes plans for a “green” burial, eschewing the traditional funeral-industry practices of interment and cremation to help preserve the environment.”
8/15/14- Very good reviews from critics and audiences. TRDB.
Add comment August 15th, 2014
RED HOLLYWOOD- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Film essayist Thom Andersen (Los Angeles Plays Itself) collaborated with film historian/theoretician Noël Burch on Red Hollywood, a documentary adaptation of their essay “Les Communistes de Hollywood.” Andersen and Burch examine the work of the “Hollywood Ten,” and other filmmakers and artists impacted by the infamous House Committee on Un-American Activities.”
8/15/14- I’ve seen just 3 reviews– 2 up including the NY Times and 1 down. TRDB.
Add comment August 15th, 2014
LEVEL 5- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In Chris Marker’s futuristic reverie, game-developer Laura creates a video game based on the WWII Battle of Okinawa. Laura searches the Internet for information on the battle, and interviews Japanese experts and witnesses.”
8/15/14- Very good reviews including the one in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment August 15th, 2014
DINOSAUR 13- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “While fossil-digging in South Dakota, dinosaur expert Peter Larson and his team made a find that would transform paleontology. This engrossing documentary details the legal fights that followed their discovery of the first complete Tyrannosaurus rex.”
8/15/14- Good reviews for this documentary from critics and audiences as well. TRDB.
Add comment August 15th, 2014