Posts with the tag 'documentary'
RACING DREAMS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “From go-kart champs, NASCAR winners are bred — or so goes the thinking of the drivers (and their families) involved in the World Karting Association’s National Pavement Series. This documentary follows three of the series’ top contenders. Although small in stature, the adolescent racers harbor big dreams as they hit speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour in their quest to ascend the first rung on their way to NASCAR in this film from Marshall Curry.” Great reviews.
11/10- Very good documentary reminding me of what it takes for a child to be single minded in pursuit of a dream and what it takes from the parents to keep the dream alive. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 2nd, 2010
HOWL- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “James Franco steps into the shoes of famed Beat poet Allen Ginsberg in this star-studded biopic centered around Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” — and the widely publicized obscenity trial that followed its publication in 1957. Documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (The Times of Harvey Milk) direct, with an A-list ensemble cast that includes Jon Hamm, David Strathairn, Alan Alda, Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker and Paul Rudd.” Mostly poor reviews.
1/11- I just could not get into this film– boring and relying on gimmick to make it presentable. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 2nd, 2010
WINNEBAGO MAN- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “This entertaining documentary explores the phenomenon of Jack Rebney, who became an Internet sensation after a grainy, nearly 20-year-old video of him furiously swearing up a storm while filming a Winnebago sales video made the rounds online. Traveling to a mountaintop, filmmaker Ben Steinbauer tracks down Rebney — who’s become known in underground circles as the “Angriest Man in the World” — and tries to discover what makes the loner tick.” Very good reviews.
1/11- More a documentary about “viral videos” and their effects as much as about Rebney and basically who cares about him anyway? I had my fill quickly and turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
September 1st, 2010
LAST TRAIN HOME- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “Every year, 200 million Chinese peasants embark on a distant, arduous journey to visit family and celebrate the greatness of China. But as we learn through one family’s odyssey, just getting a train ticket can be an ordeal of Orwellian proportions. First-time Chinese-Canadian director Lixin Fan makes no judgments, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions about this heavily ritualized act.” Great reviews.
10/10- Barebones documentary, no talking heads and the viewer is left to his own thoughts. I liked it. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
August 28th, 2010
YOO-HOO, MRS. GOLDBERG- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “The history of “The Goldbergs” — and the massive appeal and influence of its Jewish American main character — is explored in this fascinating documentary from filmmaker Aviva Kempner. Though she is not a household name today, Molly Goldberg — the indelible creation of writer and performer Gertrude Berg — was one of the most popular characters on radio and television from the 1930s to the ’50s.” Good reviews.
8/10- A good portrait of this pioneer of radio and TV. It places her well in the context of U.S. society at the time. I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
August 14th, 2010
PEEPLI LIVE- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When indigent farmers Natha (Omkar Das) and Budhia (Raghuvir Yadav) stand to lose their land over a loan they can’t repay, a government official comes up with a modest proposal: Commit suicide and collect a subsidy that’s paid to the relatives of deceased farmers. As Natha weighs his options, a journalist learns of his predicament and the media circus begins. Anusha Rizvi directs this satirical take on a real-life crisis afflicting India’s underclass.” OK review in NY Times 8/13/10.
1/11- Interesting idea but this ridiculous film detracted from the importance of the issue. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
August 13th, 2010
THE TILLMAN STORY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “When Pat Tillman, a former pro football player and decorated U.S. soldier, was killed in Afghanistan, the military reported that he’d died battling the Taliban. But later, a much different story emerged: Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Since that day, Tillman’s family has waged their own war, fighting tirelessly with the government in order to unravel the truth behind the cover-up. Filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev documents their struggle.” Very good reviews.
9/10- Very well done and a scathing indictment of the government’s actions in this case. TRDB. Theater.
Tags: documentary
August 12th, 2010
TOOTS- 2006. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Kristi Jacobson celebrates the life of her sharp-tongued grandfather, Toots Shor, a colorful Manhattan restaurateur who counted among his clientele scores of celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio and Dwight Eisenhower. Interviews with Shor’s pals, such as Lauren Bacall, Walter Cronkite and Yogi Berra, recall the post-World War II days when regular folk mingled at the bar with movie stars, sports heroes and politicians.”
8/10- A very good documentary as much about Toot’s friends and New York as about Toots himself. I recommend it. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
August 9th, 2010
OFF AND RUNNING- Premise by Netflix. “African American teen Avery Klein-Cloud has white Jewish lesbian parents, an older Puerto Rican brother and a younger Korean brother. As she tries to contact her biological mother, Avery risks alienating the adoptive family she’s always loved. Examining the complexities of race, identity and family, filmmaker Nicole Opper’s compelling documentary follows Avery as she wrestles with the consequences of researching her roots.” Very good reviews.
8/10- An interesting documentary, in particular the difficulty this young woman had in being black after being raised in a Jewish family. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
August 6th, 2010
SEE WHAT I’M SAYING: THE DEAF ENTERTAINERS DIARY- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Four dedicated stage artists, all either deaf or hearing-impaired, are profiled in their struggle to make inroads not only in the deaf community, but with mainstream audiences as well — despite the obvious obstacles facing them. Featuring open captions to translate the sign language used by the performers, the documentary spotlights the drummer for a deaf rock band, as well as an actor, a stage comic and an aspiring songstress.” No professional reviews as yet but audience reaction has been very good.
2/11- A fascinating idea and I enjoyed the movie for about an hour and then it became repetitive and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
August 4th, 2010
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