PAUL GOODMAN CHANGED MY LIFE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This documentary explores the little-known life of best-selling author Paul Goodman, “the most influential man you’ve never heard of.” He may not be widely recognized by name, but his book Growing Up Absurd became the bible of the New Left.” Good reviews. TRDB.
Add comment February 20th, 2012
LAST DAYS HERE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant documentary portrait, an aged and gaunt Bobby Liebling — the former lead singer of the heavy metal act Pentagram — rallies to restart his life after decades of disappointment and drug addiction.”
3/2/12- An OK review in today’s NY Times and very good reviews from most other sources. TRDB.
Add comment February 17th, 2012
THE MINER’S HYMMS- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Using a variety of stunning visuals, documentarian Bill Morrison examines the evolution of a close-knit British mining community, from the troubled economic times of the 1930s through the turbulent 1960s and the divisive labor movements of the 1980s.”
2/9/12- Great reviews and a very good one in today’s NY Times as well. TRDB.
Add comment February 9th, 2012
SPLINTERS- 2012. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “Splinters is the first feature-length documentary film about the evolution of indigenous surfing in the developing nation of Papua New Guinea. In the 1980s an intrepid Australian pilot left behind a surfboard in the seaside village of Vanimo. Twenty years on, surfing is not only a pillar of village life but also a means to prestige. With no access to economic or educational advancement, let alone running water and power, village life is hermetic. A spot on the Papua New Guinea national surfing team is the way to see the wider world; the only way.”
2/3/12- OK review in today’s NY Times as well as good professional reviews in general. OK audience reaction so far. TRDB.
Add comment February 3rd, 2012
UNDEFEATED- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Cinéma vérité tackles football in this inspirational profile of an inner-city Memphis high school football team, whose downtrodden players combine with a dedicated volunteer coach in a valiant effort to reach the school’s first-ever playoff game.” Good audience reaction but no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.
2/17/12- Excellent reviews in today’s NY Times and elsewhere for this nominated film for Best Documentary for this year’s Academy Awards. TRDB.
Add comment February 3rd, 2012
PUTIN’S KISS- 2012. Synopsis by RottenTomatoes. “Putin’s Kiss portrays contemporary life in Russia through the story of Masha, a 19 year-old girl who is a member of Nashi, a political youth organization connected with the Kremlin. Extremely ambitious, the young Masha quickly rises to the top of Nashi, but begins to question her involvement when a dissident journalist whom she has befriended is savagely attacked.” Very good reviews. TRDB.
2/17/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment February 3rd, 2012
WINDFALL- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Exposing the downside of wind turbines, director Laura Israel’s illuminating documentary underlines the harmful facets of harnessing wind power, including the constant noise and potential for financial opportunism. The film focuses on an impoverished rural community in upstate New York, where residents — enticed by economic incentives — leased their land for the erection of turbines but now wonder whether the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.” Good professional reviews but weak audience reaction. TRDB.
Add comment January 30th, 2012
CRAZY HORSE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Renowned documentarian Frederick Wiseman sets up his cameras inside Paris’s famed Crazy Horse cabaret, “the best nude dancing show in the world.” The result is a titillating take on “nude chic” — and the surprising amount of work that goes into it.”
1/15/12- An article about this film in today’s NY Times. Sounds interesting. TRDB.
Add comment January 15th, 2012
IT’S ABOUT YOU- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Photographer Kurt Markus makes his first foray into film by chronicling the recording of John Mellencamp’s T-Bone Burnett-produced album “No Better than This,” which took place during the rocker’s 2009 tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.”
1/4/12- Good review in today’s NY Times and a few other good ones as well along with a load of poor ones. TRDB.
Add comment January 5th, 2012
RICHARD GARRIOTT: MAN ON A MISSION- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Fulfilling a lifelong dream, computer game creator Richard Garriott becomes the first second-generation American astronaut as his $30 million ticket and secret Moscow training puts him aboard the Russian Soyuz rocket for a 12-day journey into space. Go along on his amazing ride as he orbits Earth on the International Space Station, performs experiments designed by his scientist-astronaut father, and returns with a harrowing and fiery re-entry.” Weak early reviews. TRDB.
1/13/12- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment December 29th, 2011