Posts with the tag 'documentary'

SAMSARA

SAMSARA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Filmed over five years in more than 25 different countries, this dialogue-free documentary shares snippets of life from all around the world, revealing ties between the dueling rhythms of nature and humanity.”

Early reviews are very good. I’ve seen the coming attractions and it looks interesting. TRDB.

4/15/13- Beautiful but not for the restless among us. I watched about half the movie and then turned it off. Very, very slow with NO dialogue. TRDB.

Add comment September 11th, 2012

THE WAITING ROOM

THE WAITING ROOM- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This disquieting documentary relates the stories of medical patients, many of them uninsured, as they wait to be seen at a California hospital. The film also portrays the efforts of hospital professionals to cope with a drastically strained system.”

Excellent review all around. TRDB.

Add comment September 11th, 2012

GIRL MODEL

GIRL MODEL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Documentarians Ashley Sabin and David Redmon take an unflinching look at the modeling industry, focusing on a conflicted American scout — herself a former model — who recruits poverty-stricken adolescent girls from Russia to work in Japan.”

Rotten Tomatoes had this to say- “Told through the eyes of a 13-year-old Siberian girl and the American scout who discovered her, Girl Model follows a complex global supply chain of young girls sent abroad to seek their fortunes in the unregulated and often murky world of the modeling industry”

9/7/12- Good early reviews in general but a review in today’s NY Times is weak. TRDB.

5/1/13- A very good documentary exposing the lies and deceit involved in this industry. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment September 7th, 2012

BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING

BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Get to know Wayne White, one of America’s most unusual and arresting artists, with this snappy documentary that traces the ups and downs of his career. The jovial White discusses his art, strums the banjo, plays with puppets and simply enjoys life.”

9/7/12- Very good professional reviews and mediocre audience reaction. TRDB.

Add comment September 7th, 2012

HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE

HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This passionate documentary focuses on the grass-roots crusade in the 1980s and ’90s to speed up efforts at developing treatments for the HIV virus. The film follows AIDS activists to Washington, where they challenge the government to act.”

Excellent reviews so far. TRDB.

9/21/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

4/1/13- An informative and very moving account of the early activists for AIDS. This film should be a must-see. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.

Add comment September 4th, 2012

DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL

DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This intimate and loving portrait of the legendary arbiter of fashion, art and culture illustrates the many stages of Vreeland’s remarkable life. Born in Paris in 1903, she was to become New York’s “Empress of Fashion” and a celebrated Vogue editor.”

Excellent reviews. TRDB.

9/21/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

Add comment September 4th, 2012

SIDE BY SIDE

SIDE BY SIDE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Keanu Reeves produced and narrates this engaging documentary about the history of digital cinema technology and its vast impact on the movie industry. Despite the digital takeover, many fans still embrace the unique qualities of celluloid film.”

8/31/12- Great reviews from critics and audiences alike. The NY Times loved it. TRDB.

Add comment August 31st, 2012

STEP UP TO THE PLATE

STEP UP TO THE PLATE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Acclaimed French chef Michel Bras passes the torch (in this case his namesake restaurant) to his son Sébastien in this intimate documentary. The eatery, its mouth-watering cuisine and Michel’s mammoth reputation are all virtual co-stars.”

Very early reviews are a bit weak. TRDB.

9/14/12- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.

Add comment August 29th, 2012

WORDS OF WITNESS

WORDS OF WITNESS- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Witness Hosni Mubarak’s ouster through the eyes of reporter Heba Afify, who engaged in the protests while writing for an Egyptian newspaper. Amid the fervor and danger of the Arab Spring, Afify also copes with her mother’s growing disapproval.”

Excellent audience reviews but I’ve not found a single professional review as yet. TRDB.

9/7/12- I saw this today at the Martha’s Vineyard Int. Film Festival and liked it very much. TRDB.

Add comment August 25th, 2012

DEATH BY CHINA

DEATH BY CHINA- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “This frank documentary chronicles the growing power and global ambitions of China, and concludes that its strength threatens America’s own future. The film views the loss of American jobs to China as one more facet of a one-sided economic rivalry.”

8/24/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times and elsewhere as well. Audiences haven’t liked it either. TRDB.

Add comment August 24th, 2012

Newer Posts Older Posts


All Movie Reviews

What’s New!

Find out what's playing near you

What's playing at Independent theaters near you

Archives of Past Reviews