PULP- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “On their long, bumpy ride to rock fame in the 1980s and ’90s, the celebrated pop group Pulp often changed their style and personnel but always maintained their spell over a legion of fans, as demonstrated in this synergistic documentary.”
11/19/14- Fairly good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment November 19th, 2014
HAPPY VALLEY- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “The town nicknamed Happy Valley searches for answers as Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is arrested on 40 counts of child molestation. Key figures talk openly in this documentary about how the scandal unfolded.”
11/19/14- Very good reviews from critics and good reviews from audiences. The NY Times liked it as well. TRDB.
Add comment November 19th, 2014
BODY OF WAR- 2007. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tomas Young returned home from the Iraq War paralyzed, struggling to deal with his physical limitations and his changing feelings about the war.”
11/18/14- An excellent documentary vividly showing what it’s like for the young man and many others. The movie also juxtaposed various themes about the duplicity of the government in the entire affair. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment November 18th, 2014
RED ARMY- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Captain of the Red Army hockey team during its glory years in the 1970s and ’80s, “Slava” Fetisov recalls the pride and constant pressure felt by the players on the squad during a turbulent political era in the Soviet Union.”
11/14/14- Excellent reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
6/18/15- An excellent documentary that placed hockey into the turmoil in the Soviet Union at the time. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment November 17th, 2014
OCCUPY THE FARM- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this conservation-minded documentary, 200 urban farmers join forces to save the last big piece of farmland in California’s East Bay region. Their solution: Occupy the land and plant 15,000 seedlings to discourage future development.”
11/14/14- Just 3 professional reviews– 2 up and 1 down (the NY Times). Audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 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.”
11/14/14- Excellent reviews from critics and OK ones from audiences. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 2014
DRUG LORD: THE LEGEND OF SHORTY- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Two documentary filmmakers begin a quest to find the legendary “El Chapo,” Mexico’s most powerful drug lord and a highly controversial figure. Though authorities portray him as a ruthless killer, many still see the elusive gangster as a folk hero.”
11/14/14- Mediocre professional reviews but audiences have invariably liked it. TRDB.
Add comment November 16th, 2014
WARSAW UPRISING- 2014. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Warsaw Uprising” is probably the world’s first war documentary film made entirely from original archive materials. It tells the story of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 through the eyes of US airman and two young reporters, witnesses to insurgent fighting. It uses authentic newsreels filmed in August of 1944.”
11/7/14- Excellent reviews from critics and audiences as well. TRDB.
Add comment November 8th, 2014
VIRUNGA- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Determined to protect the last population of Africa’s mountain gorillas, Congolese wildlife officials must contend not only with outlaw poachers but the effects of fierce combat between government forces and die-hard insurgent groups.”
11/7/14- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
Add comment November 8th, 2014
21 YEARS: RICHARD LINKLATER- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Independent film godfather Richard Linklater and his oeuvre are profiled in this survey of the first 21 years of the director’s career. Revealing interviews with his collaborators round out the picture of a cinematic artist who follows his own muse.”
11/7/14– Weak professional reviews but audiences have liked it very much. TRDB.
Add comment November 8th, 2014