Posts with the tag 'documentary'
NOWHERE BOY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Raised by his aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) since he was a young boy, charismatic 15-year-old John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) is suddenly reunited with his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), which ignites a bitter battle between the two sisters for John’s affections. Along the way, John inherits his mother’s love of music and befriends fellow Liverpool lad Paul McCartney (Thomas Sangster) in this biopic of the music icon’s formative years.” Very good early reviews. Fair review in NY Times 10/8/10.
1/11- I felt that the movie was just OK but I did learn more about what made Lennon Lennon. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, history
September 27th, 2010
TAPESTRIES OF HOPE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In present-day Zimbabwe, women and girls are routinely victimized, and an epidemic of “virgin rapes” is being fueled by the widley held misconception that men can cure themselves of HIV/AIDS by having sex with virgin women. Filmmaker Michealene Cristini Risley profiles the tireless efforts of Betty Makoni, founder and director of the 1998-established Girl Child Network, to seek basic human rights for the women of Zimbabwe.” No reviews as yet.
Tags: documentary
September 26th, 2010
PURITY- 2002. Directed by Anat Zuria. Israeli documentary about the Jewish ritual mikvah.
10/10- I found this to be quite interesting and I learned a lot from it. Just 63 minutes long. TRDB. At Purchase College.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
September 22nd, 2010
CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Director Alex Gibney turns the spotlight on the life and career of politician Eliot Spitzer, the New York governor whose potential to become the first Jewish president of the United States was thwarted by his indiscretions. Supporters and opponents opine about Spitzer, who was a well-respected attorney general before becoming governor. Spitzer’s career crashed and burned with the revelation that he was involved with prostitutes.” Very good early reviews.
11/10- Very good documentary which centered on Spitzer’s personality, method of governing and his growing list of enemies rather than the prostitution scandel. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
Tags: documentary
September 16th, 2010
CATFISH- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman document the strange series of events that unfolds when a gifted 8-year-old artist named Abby contacts Nev, a 24-year-old photographer (and Schulman’s brother), through Facebook. After Abby sends Nev a remarkable painting based on one of his photos, Nev begins corresponding with her family — including her seductive 19-year-old sister. Realizing that something’s not quite right, Nev sets out to uncover the truth.” Good reviews.
10/10- A very unusual human drama involving privacy and identity on the internet. I liked it a lot. This movie is a sleeper. TRDB. At the Theater.
Tags: documentary
September 15th, 2010
I’M STILL HERE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “In 2008, Oscar nominee Joaquin Phoenix walked away from acting to pursue a rap career, an inexplicably bizarre detour captured in stunning detail in this documentary directed by Phoenix’s brother-in-law, Casey Affleck. Some speculated Phoenix’s behavior was part of a well-orchestrated hoax — or, even worse, a mental breakdown. But some of the film’s graphic footage suggests it could have been a little of both.” Mixed reviews but some really bad ones included.
12/10- I agree with the BAD reviews as this “documentary” lost all steam and became ridiculous quickly. I hated it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 14th, 2010
AHEAD OF TIME- Premise by Netflix. “After becoming the world’s youngest Ph.D. at the age of 20, accomplished journalist and humanitarian Ruth Gruber journeyed to the Soviet Arctic, covered the Nuremberg Trials and bravely escorted America-bound Holocaust refugees. This inspiring documentary weaves together archival clips, vintage photos, candid interviews and verité footage of the still-lively 97-year-old Gruber to create a remarkable biographical portrait of a largely unsung hero.” Good review in NY Times 9/10/10.
Tags: documentary
September 11th, 2010
KINGS OF PASTRY- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Acclaimed documentarians D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus venture inside the deliciously cutthroat Meilleur Ouvrier de France, the legendary French pastry competition, to capture this fascinating account of what it takes to be the best pâtissier. Held every four years, the contest separates not only the yolks from the whites but the amateurs from the artisans. Renowned chefs from around the world let their tempers fly as they vie for the crown.” Very good reviews.
3/11- Very good reviews for this documentary but I cannot understand why. No passion in this movie but oh those pastries. TRDB. Netflix Streaming.
Tags: documentary
September 9th, 2010
THE RED CHAPEL- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “While in North Korea under the pretext of a cultural exchange, two Danish-Korean comics and a subversive journalist with a video camera attempt to ridicule their host nation’s oppressive regime but encounter moral dilemmas and political manipulation. A bold look at the ethics of deceit, director Mads Brügger‘s darkly humorous documentary (and an award winner at Sundance) provides a rare glimpse inside one of the world’s most secretive societies.” Average professional reviews but very good audience acceptance. TRDB.
10/5/11- Interesting only because of the intended deceit of the production but not enough to keep me involved and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 3rd, 2010
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: THE RADIANT CHILD- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Controversial, charismatic artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is the subject of this insightful documentary from director Tamra Davis, who has uncovered a never-before-seen interview with the artist conducted before his untimely death at the age of 27. Also featured are numerous interviews with people who knew and loved Basquiat, a survey of his thought-provoking artworks, little-seen archival materials and footage of the artist at work in his studio.” Very good reviews.
11/10- Well done documentary but I just couldn’t get into the character or his art. The movie seemed to be a hype for Basquiat just as his friends hyped him when he was still alive. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 2nd, 2010
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