MERCEDES SOSA: THE VOICE OF LATIN AMERICA- Synopsis by Netflix. “The story of Argentinian superstar Mercedes Sosa comes to life through film clips spanning her 60-year career and interviews with her contemporaries. The documentary also delves into Sosa’s personal life and reveals how it influenced her music.”
1/24/14- Weak reviews for this documentary including the review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment January 27th, 2014
VISITORS- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “Completely devoid of dialogue and backed by a soundtrack by Philip Glass, this description-defying cinematic showpiece explores humans’ reactions to technology and media in beautiful black-and-white clarity.”
1/24/14- The NY Times and most other critics were positive about this movie but it sounds very, very different as it consists solely of black and white images of faces. TRDB.
Add comment January 27th, 2014
PAPIROSEN- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “This award-winning portrait of director Gastón Solnicki’s family weaves excerpts from 200 hours of home movies with interviews with his grandmother. The film captures generations of his Jewish family, and more than just the special occasions.”
1/24/14- A good review in today’s NY Times and from others as well. TRDB.
Add comment January 26th, 2014
LIFE IS STRANGE- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Sharing stories of fractured childhoods, this sobering documentary recounts the experiences of Jews whose lives were forever changed by World War II. The film also includes interviews with Shimon Peres, Walter Kohn, Robert Aumann and Uri Orlev.”
1/24/14- Today’s NY Times called this movie “a useful, if slightly redundant, oral history.” TRDB.
Add comment January 25th, 2014
AATSINKI: THE STORY OF ARCTIC COWBOYS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Laplander brothers Aarne and Lasse and their families share a rugged but rewarding life as reindeer herders in the northern reaches of Finland. This artful documentary chronicles a year in the herders’ lives in a beautiful but challenging landscape.”
1/24/14- The NY Times gave this a good review in today’s issue. TRDB.
Add comment January 25th, 2014
TIM’S VERMEER- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Teller, of Penn & Teller fame, directs this absorbing film about inventor Tim Jenison’s quest to solve one of art’s greatest mysteries: How did Dutch master Johannes Vermeer paint so photo-realistically 150 years before the invention of photography?”
1/31/14- Good reviews in general and the NY Times liked it also. TRDB.
7/20/14- Excellent reviews but I just could not get into this movie. TRDB.
Add comment January 25th, 2014
BAND OF SISTERS- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring documentary illustrates the turbulent journey of Catholic nuns in the U.S. following Vatican II in the early 1960s, when they began to leave behind their sheltered lives and become vocal advocates for social justice and civil rights.”
1/17/14- The NY Times gave this a fair at best review. Audiences have liked it. TRDB.
Add comment January 17th, 2014
THE GROUNDED- 2014. Synopsis by Netflix. “A photographer and native of Haines, Alaska, learns that physical contact with the ground can heal pain in this intriguing documentary. Those helped by the technique share their stories as the discovery draws the curious from around the globe.”
1/10/14-Poor early reviews. TRDB.
Add comment January 11th, 2014
MAIDENTRIP- 2013. Synopsis by Netflix. “Critics called her delusional. Child welfare agents tried to intervene. But Laura Dekker would not be denied her shot at sailing round the world. This documentary captures the 14-year-old’s solo feat through footage she shot on her two-year voyage.”
1/17/14- A good review in today’s NY Times but they commented that sailing alone Laura obviously could not film the real action while dealing with it. TRDB.
Add comment January 5th, 2014
IN NO GREAT HURRY: 13 LESSONS IN LIFE WITH SAUL LEITER- 2013.Once part of a renaissance in art photography, Saul Leiter chose to avoid the limelight in later years while continuing to take pictures. This affectionate documentary captures the reticent octogenarian living amid piles of his work.”
1/5/14- Mixed critical review and audiences have not cared for this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment January 5th, 2014