INCENDIARY: THE WILLINGHAM CASE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “This provocative exposé revisits the case of Cameron Todd Willingham — executed for the arson deaths of his family — to probe scientists’ criticism of the investigation as well as the fighting stance of Texas forensics commissioner John Bradley.” Great audience reviews. TRDB.
10/7/11- Good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 23rd, 2011
SHUT UP LITTLE MAN- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “In 1987, Eddie Lee Sausage and Mitch Deprey recorded the nightly squabbles of their over-the-top neighbors, homophobic Raymond Huffman and proudly gay Peter Haskett, and the chronicle of the pair’s bizarre existence soon took on a life of its own. This darkly funny documentary checks in with former punks Eddie and Mitch, who detail their late-’80s Lower Haight surroundings, and surveys the tapes’ influence on an array of underground artists.”
9/16/11- Very good reviews in general and in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
12/3/12- I found this movie boring with little redeeming social value and turned it off quickly. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Add comment September 16th, 2011
THE ROAD TO FREEDOM- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “During the height of the Vietnam War, adventure-seeking photojournalists Sean (Joshua Fredric Smith) and Dana (Scott Maguire) boldly sneak into Cambodia, where they search for signs of Khmer Rouge atrocities, disappear into the hands of enemy forces and struggle to regain their freedom. Inspired by real-life events and shot on location in Cambodia, this powerful war drama co-stars Tom Proctor, Nhem Sokun and Nhem Sokunthol.” A few reviews and they’re good. TRDB.
Add comment September 15th, 2011
JANE’S JOURNEY- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “This inspiring biopic relates the lifelong crusade of chimp researcher Jane Goodall, moving from England to the Tanzanian jungle where her work began. Nearly half a century later, Goodall continues to visit the animals that ignited her passion.” Few reviews so far and they are average. TRDB.
9/16/11- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
2/22/12- I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary and am frankly unsure of why there was so much criticism of the screenplay as I thought it was interesting and informative. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 14th, 2011
CONNECTED- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “Tiffany Shlain explores the visible and invisible connections linking major issues of our time — including the environment, consumption and technology — while searching for her place in the world during a transformative time in her life.” Mediocre audience reviews and no professional reviews as yet. TRDB.
Add comment September 14th, 2011
LIFE IN A DAY- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “On July 24, 2010, thousands of people around the world joined together to document mundane and remarkable everyday life in a single day. Filmmaker Kevin MacDonald led a team of editors to condense more than 4,500 hours of footage and 80,000 clips into a portrait of life as it is lived on Earth. From dense cities to remote and forbidding landscapes, the myriad varieties of human experience are celebrated and revealed.” Fairly good reviews for this documentary. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
BOBBY FISHER AGAINST THE WORLD- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “One of the most enigmatic of 20th-century personalities, Bobby Fischer rose to fame as a world-champion child chess prodigy who later found himself embroiled in Cold War era politics. Filmmaker Liz Garbus reveals the dark side of his fame, exploring the phenom’s descent into loneliness, despair and life on the lam. Interviews with people who were close to the legend and rare archival footage provide insights into his character.”
9/9/11- Very good review in today’s NY Times and excellent reviews in general. TRDB.
12/14/11- An excellent documentary that kept me in suspence even though I knew the outcome. A genius with all of the good and bad that came with it are well described here. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
WHERE SOLDIERS COME FROM- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Starting this coming-of-age documentary in her own hometown, filmmaker Heather Courtney follows a tight-knit group of friends who grow up together, sign up for the National Guard and are subsequently sent to Afghanistan.”
9/9/11- Very good early reviews and a good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
THE INHERITORS- 2008. Synopsis by Netflix. “Eugenio Polgovsky journeys deep into the Mexican countryside to film this documentary chronicling the hardships of children who spend their days in relentless manual labor in order to help feed their families. Polgovsky exposes the chronic injustice of a system that forces youngsters to make bricks, weave cloth and harvest crops instead of attending school, but he also reveals how these children find moments of joy in the bleakest conditions.”
9/9/11- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good professional reviews in general. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011
FORDSON- 2010. Synopsis by Netflix. “Dearborn, Mich., is home to the largest population of Muslims outside the Arab world. This documentary focuses on the Muslim members of the Fordson High School football team, who must overcome intolerance and bigotry as they prepare for victory. As the players observe the final 10 days of Ramadan, a holiday marked by fasting, they must depend on one another and their own faith to make their mark on this most American sport.”
9/9/11- Good review in today’s NY Times and very good audience reactions so far. TRDB.
Add comment September 12th, 2011