Posts with the tag 'documentary'
MY WINNIPEG- Guy Maddin‘s dreamlike biographical documentary is part psychoanalysis and part historical study of Winnipeg, Canada, Maddin’s hometown. Poetry serves as narration to explain how the city’s idiosyncratic culture has influenced the director. From lyrical ramblings about how the denizens of Winnipeg exist in perpetual “sleep mode” to fanciful reenactments of scenes from Maddin’s dysfunctional childhood, the film comprises a unique allegory of life.”
7/10- Interesting for about 20min. and then just plain weird. So novel that I’d recommend trying it. Netflix Streaming only at this time.
Tags: documentary
July 22nd, 2010
SMASH HIS CAMERA- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “While profiling the controversial life and career of pioneering paparazzo Ron Galella, Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Leon Gast raises intriguing questions about the freedom of the press, the right to privacy and our celebrity-obsessed culture. A great risk taker who never backed down, Galella suffered a broken jaw at the hands of Marlon Brando and fought two major lawsuits filed by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.” I’ve seen 2 reviews, both very good.
11/10- Well done documentary about Galella who was a nemesis to many famous people but personified the conflict between privacy and free speech. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
July 21st, 2010
SWEETGRASS- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “As much a work of cultural anthropology as it is a documentary, this unique film traces the path of a family of Montana sheepherders as they drive their flock down from the treacherous and beautiful Absaroka Beartooth mountain range. With no guiding narration, filmmakers Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor let the natural images speak for themselves, capturing the danger, pathos and humor in this haunting elegy to a bygone way of life.” Very good reviews.
8/10- Done in a very interesting way and like nothing you’ve seen before. Worth viewing. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
July 21st, 2010
NEW YORK STREET GAMES-
NEW YORK STREET GAMES- Directed by Matt Levy. Premise by Rotten Tomatoes. “Through interviews with dozens of prominent New Yorkers including Ray Romano, Regis Philbin, Hector Elizondo, Joe Pantoliano, Curtis Sliwa and experts including former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop (a Brooklyn boy), New York Street Games takes us back to a simpler time when the rules of the game were?.well, the rules of the game. Their stories offer an intriguing and often humorous portrait of how things used to be, how they have changed, and how to recapture some of the positives of a simpler time.”
7/10- About the games we used to play e.g. punchball, stoopball, stickball, etc. Very good documentary. TRDB. Borrowed from a friend.
Tags: documentary
July 21st, 2010
THE ART OF THE STEAL- Premise by Netflix. “”A gripping tale of intrigue and mystery in the art world, this film traces the history of the Barnes collection of Post-Impressionist paintings, which was worth billions and became the subject of a power struggle after the 1951 death of the owner. Dr. Albert Barnes collected 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 59 Matisses, 46 Picassos and many other valuable paintings. But the political wrangling over the collection eventually led to its division.”
I enjoyed this movie very much. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
July 20th, 2010
RED ALERT- Documentary about the Maoist rebels in India. Mediocre review in NY Times on 7/9/10.
Tags: documentary
July 10th, 2010
ONLY WHEN I DANCE- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “To achieve their shared dream of becoming ballet superstars, two young black dancers from the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, must overcome poverty, prejudice and incredible odds — a journey captured in this inspiring documentary. Filmmaker Beadie Finzi chronicles the day-to-day struggles of these gifted performers as they challenge the notion that ballet is the province of the wealthy, white elite.” OK review in NY Times.
12/10- Very good documentary and I enjoyed it very much. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
July 2nd, 2010
SAVING MARRIAGE- 2006. Directed by Mike Roth and John Henning. Premise by Netflix. “In the recent intense debate over same-sex marriage, Massachusetts emerged as a key battleground state. Mike Roth and John Henning’s documentary follows progressive politicians, lobbyists and civil rights activists who brought attention to the issue. Along the way, the filmmakers meet ordinary people whose passion for this controversial topic helped them make state history and expand national awareness.”
7/10- Excellent documentary. The message is that the fight is not over. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
July 1st, 2010
OUT IN THE SILENCE- Premise by Netflix. “When filmmaker Joe Wilson runs an announcement of his wedding to another man in the newspaper of the conservative Pennsylvania town where he grew up, the resulting controversy enables him to examine the depth and fragility of his social bonds. By stepping outside of the traditional documentary frame, Wilson illuminates the challenges facing those who grow up “different” in rural America, and the courage that simple tolerance can sometimes require.” Very few reviews but they are all good. TRDB.
7/10- Very good documentary about the issues and the people involved. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 29th, 2010
GREAT DIRECTORS- Synopsis by Netflix. “New York-based businesswoman and filmmaker Angela Ismailos offers this collection of in-depth interviews with David Lynch, John Sayles, Catherine Breillat, Bernardo Bertolucci and six other internationally acclaimed film directors. Touching on everything from the creative process and the history of cinema to the necessity of balancing art and commerce, Ismailos’s interviews also include sit-downs with Liliana Cavani, Ken Loach and Agnès Varda.” Decent professional reviews and only fair audience reaction. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
June 27th, 2010
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