Autism film gets all-star soundtrack

Going from (in my mind) obscurity to limelight, Gerardine Wurzburg's latest documentary has become a pleasant surprise. Titled, Wretches and Jabbers, the film follows two autistic men travelling the world to change our perceptions of disabilities and intelligence.

Providing a direct outlet for those with autism, the film is certainly worth consideration, especially considering Wurzburg's Oscar winning pedigree and extensive work covering the disability. However, if you needed further reason to support Wretches and Jabbers, perhaps it's impressive collection of musical talent will sway you.

The soundtrack (released yesterday) features 20 original songs written and produced by (Grammy award winner) J. Ralph and features artists like Antony, Vincent Gallo, Ben Harper, Norah Jones, Scarlett Johannson, Carly Simon, Steven Stills, Bob Weir and more.

Already playing in a limited screening capacity, Wretches and Jabbers will only get a boost from the media attention on this soundtrack, so I expect a limited theatrical run or DVD release in the near future. In the meantime, head on over to the film's website to learn more about the documentary and its soundtrack, watch a trailer, or just learn about the two main characters.

12th Annual Golden Tomato Awards Announced

For all of you not familiar with the great website Rottentomatoes.com, you're missing out on a film site that compiles numerous reviews to create a love/hate percentage for released movies. The site's success allows it to compile the best and worst of the year and announce those to the world.

This year's top documentaries (according to their system):

1) Marwencol
2) Waste Land
3) Restrepo
4) Exit through the Gift Shop
5) Inside Job

Not a bad list and it's probably a strong indication of who the front runners are for the Academy Awards. But, it is important (and odd) to note that Rottentomatoes listed 'Last Train Home' ahead of the aforementioned documentaries in it's list of top 'limited release' films. So there could be a battle brewing with the award season getting into full swing.

Head on over to Rottentomatoes.com for the full details then tell us your thoughts. Do you think Marwencol was the best documentary of 2010?

Theatrical Releases

Every Friday we update you all with the week's theatrical documentary releases. Now, this is not a perfect process as our beloved genre prefers the rolling/limited release schedule instead of a big nationwide or international-wide release. So apologies if a film isn't out in your area or if you are a filmmaker and we missed the boat on announcing your documentary's big day (if that is the case, please let us know and we'll correct the mistake).

Now, with that introduction out of the way, here's this weekend's releases with their current rating on the amazing website Rottentomatoes.com:

Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune - (Rottentomatoes rating - 100%) Fiercely devoted to championing peace and social justice, folk singer Phil Ochs rose to fame at the height of the 1960s protest movements, yet his incisive lyrics and resonant melodies remain relevant for audiences today. This film tells his story. Through performance footage and interviews with Ochs's contemporaries and admirers -- including Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and Sean Penn -- the documentary paints a portrait of a uniquely American artist. (NetFlix)

CNBC's “THE FACEBOOK OBSESSION”

You love Facebook. We love Facebook. Heck, millions of people love, nay obsess over, Facebook. The question is 'why'? With the hit fictional film 'The Social Network' and numerous public lawsuits against its founder, its no surprise a few documentary filmmakers want to explore every detail surrounding the massive Mark Zuckerberg creation.

CNBC's The Facebook Obsession may be the most broad reaching of documentaries on the subject to date. Correspondent Lester Holt anchors the film as it covers both the history of the website and its impact (good and bad) on individuals.

The documentary premiers tonight, so stop 'poking' your friends and head on over to CNBC's website to get more info, watch a trailer and see other Facebook related clips.

WGA Nominees for Best Documentary Screenplay

A new year, a new award season and to start things off, the Writers Guild of America announced their nominees for 2010 film season. Surprisingly, the WGA has a category titled "Documentary Screen Play" so naturally we jumped at the chance to cover the announcement.

Now, because it is the Writers Guild, there are certain regulations that prevent non-union documentaries from being considered, so don't fret if your favorite documentary didn't get the nod. Alright, enough babbling here are the nominees:

1) Enemies of the People, Written, Directed, Filmed and Produced by Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath; International Film Circuit

2) Freedom Riders, Written, Produced and Directed by Stanley Nelson; International Film Circuit

3) Gasland, Written and Directed by Josh Fox; HBO Documentary Films and International WOW Company

4) Inside Job, Produced, Written and Directed by Charles Ferguson; Co-written by Chad Beck, Adam Bolt; Sony Pictures Classics

5) The Two Escobars, Written by Michael Zimbalist, Jeff Zimbalist; ESPN Films

6) Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)?, Written and Directed by John Scheinfeld; Lorber Films

So there's the list? What are your thoughts? Are you as surprised as we are about Enemies of the People receiving such praise (check are review out to understand our thoughts).

Documentaries rock!... but nobody cares?

The New York Times wrote an interesting, but semi-depressing article over the weekend discussing the current state of documentaries. Indeed, it's clear that after several years of 'blockbuster' hits and rising ticket sales, the documentary genre took a hit this year, receiving little to no attention from theater audiences.

If you've been able to see the Oscar Nominee's shortlist, you'll know there are some excellent films out this year, so clearly the product isn't suffering. So why the low attendance? Well, I'm no New York Times writer so you'll have to check it out for yourself but my personal thoughts- despite growing interest from distribution companies in picking up the rights to films, there isn't the same marketing push previous successful doc's enjoyed, nor are there major theatrical runs outside of the usual art house options.

But tell us your thoughts?

Michael Jackson Special Postponed

New Years is about starting over and getting a fresh start and The Discovery Channel is trying to do just that. Last week, the network decided to "postpone indefinitely" their re-enactment of the 2009 Michael Jackson autopsy. Apparently friends and family of the late pop-music star didn't appreciate a network displaying the (fake) dead body of Jackson and mustered up enough complaints to force the network to reconsider.

“Michael Jackson’s Autopsy: What Really Killed Michael Jackson” was scheduled to air on on Jan. 13 in several countries around Europe (sorry Americans, the U.S. was not in the original release plans).

Ken Burns returns to baseball

Did you see Ken Burn's 1994 documentary series Baseball and think, "I feel like I need more?" Well if you did, you're a freak who needs a social life (19 hours and you want more?!?) . But, while your social life may be lacking your need for more baseball can now be quenched!

Burns returns to baseball to fill in the gaps between 1994 and today in a four hour (2- 2 hour segments) examination of America's past time- appropriately titled The 10th Inning (because Lord knows this history lesson is well into extra innings). The film premieres September 28th and 29th at 8pm (EST) on PBS.

Head on over to PBS' website to learn more about the film and catch a trailer for what will undoubtedly be yet another award winning piece from Burns.

Silverdocs - Saturday recap

The final day for Silverdocs (Sunday has films, but none will be seen by this writer) turned out to be short but sweet. Two excellent documentaries finished up the festival and they are certainly worth the price of admission:

Into Eternity - as artful a film as you could imagine in this investigation of a permanent solution to dealing with nuclear waste. Though it might come off as pretentious at times, it does an excellent job helping audiences fully comprehend just how long 100,000 years actually is (that's the amount of time it takes for the waste to no longer be harmful to humans).

The Tillman Story - why would a story about one soldier's death be so interesting? Well it's a story of government cover ups and lies in order to generate war propaganda. It's a great documentary from an established filmmaker and is worth watching whether you know the story or not.

Stay tuned for a full festival wrap up in the coming days!

Silverdocs - Friday recap

Friday at Silverdocs will now be known as 'European Day', as it turned into a day of four films from the continent. Not surprisingly, each and everyone was very well made. Let's dissect:

Living Room of a Nation - a documentary with no real message or theme, but to show the lives of the people they record. Perhaps that sounds boring, but this ode to daily life is as simple and charming as its characters.

Woman with 5 Elephants - a film about a woman who translates Russian literature into German may sound dull, but what it lacks in entertainment it makes up for in intimacy and sincerity.

Men Who Swim - easily the most enjoyable documentary of the festival. Men's synchronized swimming sounds like the perfect subject to ridicule but watching characters as bizarre and enjoyable as the sport, it's hard not to ponder joining your own team as well.

Steam of Life - saunas and men pouring out their souls, that is the premise of this documentary and it works perfectly. Equal parts touching and humorous, it's hard not to appreciate this honest reflection of Finish society.