Posts with the tag 'documentary'
LOST SON OF HAVANA- Premise by Netflix. “When Castro rose to power in Cuba, Major League Baseball pitcher Luis Tiant lost the ability to return to his homeland to see his family. This documentary chronicles Tiant’s story and his emotional visit to Havana after nearly 50 years in exile. During the course of his long professional career, Tiant played on three All-Star teams and pitched for six MLB clubs, including the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.”
5/10- Very good, especially if you followed his career in baseball. Some touching moments, primarily in the second half. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
May 6th, 2010
LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT- Premise by Netflix. “Financed by the Sundance Documentary Fund, filmmaker Petr Lom (On A Tightrope) offers audiences a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse inside the regime of controversial Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Inspired by the millions of letters written to the outspoken leader throughout his term, Lom tracks Ahmadinejad on a tour across the Middle Eastern nation and captures the wide-ranging reactions the president garners from the Iranian people.”
Tags: documentary
May 4th, 2010
BICYCLE DREAMS- Premise by Netflix. “From the Pacific to the Atlantic, bicyclists race against time and their own physical limitations as they face Mojave Desert heat, steep Rocky Mountain climbs and more. Then, when tragedy strikes, the endurance test takes an emotional turn. As they attempt to make it across the country in less than 10 days, the participants in the Race Across America must draw on all their inner resources to meet the challenge in this fascinating documentary.”
Tags: documentary
May 4th, 2010
MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT- Premise by Netflix. “Rehearsal footage, backstage action and interviews comprise this moving Michael Jackson experience. He is shown here preparing for a series of 50 sold-out London shows, which were scheduled to kick off in late summer 2009. Singing his numerous hits at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during the days leading up to his untimely death, Jackson is also seen refining cues, delving into dance details and working with director Kenny Ortega.”
5/10- If you like MJ this movie is great. I do and it is!! A very different view of the master and his interaction with the crew to improve the production. Nothing about the man himself in the movie. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
May 4th, 2010
MAN ON WIRE- Premise by Netflix. “Philippe Petit captured the world’s attention in 1974 when he successfully walked across a high wire between New York’s Twin Towers. This Oscar winner for Best Documentary explores the preparations that went into the stunt as well as the event and its aftermath. Obsessed with the towers even before they were fully constructed, Petit sneaked into the buildings several times to determine the equipment he needed to accomplish his daring feat.”
5/10- I loved this movie. Very suspenseful even when you know the outcome. TRDB.
Tags: documentary
April 29th, 2010
BABIES- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Documentary filmmaker Thomas Balmes charts the simultaneous early development of four babies from different parts of the world, illustrating what makes human life unique, similar and precious wherever it occurs. Training his camera on newborns Hattie from San Francisco, Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia and Mari from Tokyo, Balmes captures every moment, from their first screaming breaths to their first tentative steps.” Fairly good reviews.
9/10- Interesting and informative documentary but could have been shorter than the already short 79min. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
April 26th, 2010
OLD PARTNER- Premise by Netflix. “Set in the fertile fields of South Korea, Chung-Ryoul Lee’s pensive yet playful documentary examines the enduring bond between an elderly farmer and his loyal ox, forged over 40 years of service, while his sometimes jealous wife stands by. Mr. Lee tends to the ox with special care, feeding him by hand and keeping the land free of pesticides, while the aging beast faithfully carts him back and forth from town, never leaving his side.” Very good reviews.
4/10- This documentary is a sensitive study of man’s relationship to beast. It is also, I think, a study of aging in general. Very good. Netflix.
Tags: Add new tag, documentary
April 17th, 2010
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker Thierry Guetta had been casually documenting the underground world of street art for years, but when he encounters Banksy, an elusive British stencil artist, his project takes a fascinating twist. Unimpressed with Guetta’s footage, Banksy takes over filmmaking duties and Guetta reinvents himself as a street artist named Mr. Brainwash — and, much to Banksy‘s surprise, immediately becomes a darling of the Los Angeles art scene.” Great reviews.
12/10- To be honest, I just don’t know what the hoopla is with this movie. I can take it or leave it with the comment “who cares?” TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
April 17th, 2010
BEHIND THE BURLY Q- 2010. Premise by Netflix. “Dive into more than a century of decadence with this tantalizing look at the evolution of burlesque. Cabaret star Leslie Zemeckis traces the art form from vaudeville-style variety show through its extinction and contemporary rebirth. Vintage photos, film clips and ads illustrate burlesque’s resilient history, and how the public’s sexual appetites kept it alive amid moral and legal ado. Zemeckis’s husband, Oscar winner Robert, executive produced.” Good professional reviews but poor audience ones. TRDB.
4/11- This was of interest for about 45min. and then became redundant. TRDB. Netflix.
Tags: documentary
April 7th, 2010
AFGHAN STAR- Premise by Netflix. “AFGHAN STAR- Premise by Netflix. “Director Havana Marking’s eye-opening documentary captures the resurgence of pop culture in Afghanistan after three decades of Taliban rule. Following four “American Idol”-type contestants from auditions to finals in Kabul, Marking reveals a precedent in this suppressed and war-torn nation: all ethnicities, genders and age groups are equal — but everyone competing risks their lives to sing for enthused audiences.” Great reviews and I look forward to seeing this movie.
4/10- It tooK talent plus courage to make this documentary as death threats were a constant companion with dancing and music being against Sharia law. I liked the movie. TRDB.
Tags: documentary, Foreign
April 6th, 2010
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