Director: Tiffany Shlain
Website: http://connectedthefilm.com/
Summary: With wonderful heart and an impressive sense of scale, Tiffany Shlain’s vibrant and insightful documentary, Connected, explores the visible and invisible connections linking major issues of our time—the environment, consumption, population growth, technology, human rights, the global economy—while searching for her place in the world during a transformative time in her life. Employing a splendidly imaginative combination of animation and archival footage, plus several surprises, Shlain constructs a chronological tour of Western modernization through the work of her late father, Leonard Shlain, a brain surgeon and best-selling author of Art and Physics and The Alphabet Versus the Goddess.
With humor and irony, the Shlain family life merges with philosophy to create both a personal portrait and a proposal for ways we can move forward as a civilization. Connected illuminates the beauty and tragedy of human endeavor while boldly championing the importance of personal connectedness for understanding and coping with today’s global conditions.
Excitement scale (1-10): 3 – This is one of those ideas that ends up either really cool or extremely pretentious. There is no middle ground and unfortunately, these documentaries tend to fall in the latter category. Shlain is relatively new to the documentary world and her desire to experiment and try something unique could be refreshing, but so far I’m not too hopeful.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sundance Film: Buck
Director: Cindy Meehl
Website: http://www.buckthefilm.com/
Summary: A living legend in the horse world, Buck Brannaman was the inspiration for The Horse Whisperer. For this true cowboy, horses are a mirror of the human soul. Reared by an abusive father, Buck eschews violence. By teaching people to communicate with horses through instinct, not punishment, he frees the spirit of the horse and its human comrade. Crisscrossing the world with Zenlike wisdom, Buck promulgates grace in the bond between man and horse. The animal-human relationship becomes a perfect metaphor for meeting the challenges of daily life, whether they consist of raising kids, running a business, or finding your flow with a dance partner.
What is extraordinary about Buck Brannaman, the man, leaps off the screen in this strikingly cinematic film by first-time director Cindy Meehl. Part guru, part psychologist, the adult Buck, who was once a beaten kid, has now beaten the odds. Buck Brannaman could transform your troubled horse. Buck the movie may transform your soul.
Excitement scale (1-10): 10 – Admittedly, the first time I heard about this documentary, I wasn’t impressed. Then again, audiences have been swooning over this film and after reading a few interviews with Buck Brannaman, I have to admit, I’m hooked.
Website: http://www.buckthefilm.com/
Summary: A living legend in the horse world, Buck Brannaman was the inspiration for The Horse Whisperer. For this true cowboy, horses are a mirror of the human soul. Reared by an abusive father, Buck eschews violence. By teaching people to communicate with horses through instinct, not punishment, he frees the spirit of the horse and its human comrade. Crisscrossing the world with Zenlike wisdom, Buck promulgates grace in the bond between man and horse. The animal-human relationship becomes a perfect metaphor for meeting the challenges of daily life, whether they consist of raising kids, running a business, or finding your flow with a dance partner.
What is extraordinary about Buck Brannaman, the man, leaps off the screen in this strikingly cinematic film by first-time director Cindy Meehl. Part guru, part psychologist, the adult Buck, who was once a beaten kid, has now beaten the odds. Buck Brannaman could transform your troubled horse. Buck the movie may transform your soul.
Excitement scale (1-10): 10 – Admittedly, the first time I heard about this documentary, I wasn’t impressed. Then again, audiences have been swooning over this film and after reading a few interviews with Buck Brannaman, I have to admit, I’m hooked.
Sundance Film: BEING ELMO: A Puppeteer's Journey
Director: Constance Marks
Website: http://beingelmo.com/
Summary: Each and every day, millions of kids tune in to Sesame Street to see one of the world’s most adored and recognizable children’s characters, a furry red monster named Elmo. Yet, with all of Elmo’s fame, the man behind the Muppet is able to walk down the street without being recognized.
Meet Kevin Clash. As an average teenager growing up in Baltimore in the 1970s, Kevin had very different aspirations from his classmates—he wanted to be a puppeteer. More specifically, he wanted to be part of Jim Henson’s team of Muppeteers, the creative force responsible for delivering the magic of Sesame Street on a daily basis. With a supportive family behind him every step of the way, Kevin made those dreams come true. Combining amazing archival footage with material from the present day, filmmaker Constance Marks explores his story in vivid detail, chronicling the meteoric rise of Jim Henson’s Muppets in the process.
Excitement scale (1-10): 9 – Documentaries covering subjects our inner child craves tend to do well (especially in terms of audience entertainment) and if you add Kevin Clash’s personality with the overall praise this film has been receiving and it’s hard not to be excited.
Website: http://beingelmo.com/
Summary: Each and every day, millions of kids tune in to Sesame Street to see one of the world’s most adored and recognizable children’s characters, a furry red monster named Elmo. Yet, with all of Elmo’s fame, the man behind the Muppet is able to walk down the street without being recognized.
Meet Kevin Clash. As an average teenager growing up in Baltimore in the 1970s, Kevin had very different aspirations from his classmates—he wanted to be a puppeteer. More specifically, he wanted to be part of Jim Henson’s team of Muppeteers, the creative force responsible for delivering the magic of Sesame Street on a daily basis. With a supportive family behind him every step of the way, Kevin made those dreams come true. Combining amazing archival footage with material from the present day, filmmaker Constance Marks explores his story in vivid detail, chronicling the meteoric rise of Jim Henson’s Muppets in the process.
Excitement scale (1-10): 9 – Documentaries covering subjects our inner child craves tend to do well (especially in terms of audience entertainment) and if you add Kevin Clash’s personality with the overall praise this film has been receiving and it’s hard not to be excited.
Sundance Film: Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest
Director: Michael Rapaport
Website: http://www.atribecalledquestmovie.com/
Summary: Having forged a 20-year run as one of the most innovative and influential hip-hop bands of all time, A Tribe Called Quest has kept a generation hungry for more of its groundbreaking music since the group’s much-publicized breakup in 1998. The band shaped a unique sound by wedding jazz-infused musicscapes to Afrocentric rhymes espousing unity and community. Its music became the anthem for cool and broke down barriers for people who had never before connected with hip-hop. In spite of unparalleled artistic success, however, the group encountered pitfalls that eventually caused its tumultuous breakup.
Beats, Rhymes & Life, the feature directorial debut of acclaimed actor Michael Rapaport, documents the inner workings and behind-the-scenes drama that follow the band even today and explores what's next for a group many claim are the pioneers of alternative rap. Rapaport’s passion for his subjects allows them to open up to the camera, resulting in a remarkably honest, emotional portrait that does justice to this seminal band.
Excitement scale (1-10): 5 - Michael Rapaport is an enjoyable actor, but can he translate as a documentary director? The relative lack of buzz (no trailer?) does not bode well for this film. The only thing currently saving it is the subject matter (A Tribe Called Quest is awesome). This could definitely gain steam, but for now, I'm remaining neutral.
Website: http://www.atribecalledquestmovie.com/
Summary: Having forged a 20-year run as one of the most innovative and influential hip-hop bands of all time, A Tribe Called Quest has kept a generation hungry for more of its groundbreaking music since the group’s much-publicized breakup in 1998. The band shaped a unique sound by wedding jazz-infused musicscapes to Afrocentric rhymes espousing unity and community. Its music became the anthem for cool and broke down barriers for people who had never before connected with hip-hop. In spite of unparalleled artistic success, however, the group encountered pitfalls that eventually caused its tumultuous breakup.
Beats, Rhymes & Life, the feature directorial debut of acclaimed actor Michael Rapaport, documents the inner workings and behind-the-scenes drama that follow the band even today and explores what's next for a group many claim are the pioneers of alternative rap. Rapaport’s passion for his subjects allows them to open up to the camera, resulting in a remarkably honest, emotional portrait that does justice to this seminal band.
Excitement scale (1-10): 5 - Michael Rapaport is an enjoyable actor, but can he translate as a documentary director? The relative lack of buzz (no trailer?) does not bode well for this film. The only thing currently saving it is the subject matter (A Tribe Called Quest is awesome). This could definitely gain steam, but for now, I'm remaining neutral.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sundance Film Festival Award Winners
Alas, Sundance has come and gone (we will have a summary of the films that premiered in the next few days), but while we mourn the passing of another great festival, we praise the winners who came out on top. The list is below (note, we're only listing documentary awards... we don't cover fictional nonsense here), head on over to the Sundance website to learn more about each film.
- Grand Jury Prize (U.S.)- How to Die in Oregan by Peter Richardson
- World Cinema Grand Jury Prize - Hell and Back Again by Danfung Dennis
- Audience Award (U.S.) - Buck by Cindy Meehl
- World Cinema Audience Award - Senna by Asif Kapadia
- Directing (U.S.) - Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles by John Foy
- World Cinema Directing - Project Nim by James Marsh
- Editing (U.S.) - If a Tree Falls: A story of the Earth Liberation Front by Marshall Curry
- World Cinema Editing - The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 by Goran Hugo Olsson
- Cinematography (U.S.) - The Redemption of General Butt Naked by Eric Strauss and Daniele Anastasion
- World Cinema Cinematography - Hell and Back Again by Danfung Dennis
- Special Jury Prize (U.S.) - Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey by Constance Marks
- World Cinema Special Jury Prize - Position Among the Stars by Leonard Retel Helmrich
Friday, January 28, 2011
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:
Strongman - (rating - 100%) - A man strong enough to bend a penny with just his fingers, Stanless Steel reaches middle age, career disappointments and difficult personal relationships that begin to test his strengths and force him to struggle with the weaknesses around him.(Rottentomatoes)
Lemmy - (rating - 82%) - Over four decades, Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has registered an immeasurable impact on music history. Nearly 65, he remains the living embodiment of the rock and roll lifestyle, and this feature-length documentary tells his story, one of a hard-living rock icon who continues to enjoy the life of a man half his age. Shot on a combination of High Definition and Super 16mm film, "Lemmy" includes interviews with friends, family, bandmates past and present and such admirers/peers as Metallica, Slash, Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order), actor Billy Bob Thornton, wrestling superstar Triple H, Alice Cooper, Mick Jones of The Clash, and many more. (Rottentomatoes)
Strongman - (rating - 100%) - A man strong enough to bend a penny with just his fingers, Stanless Steel reaches middle age, career disappointments and difficult personal relationships that begin to test his strengths and force him to struggle with the weaknesses around him.(Rottentomatoes)
Lemmy - (rating - 82%) - Over four decades, Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has registered an immeasurable impact on music history. Nearly 65, he remains the living embodiment of the rock and roll lifestyle, and this feature-length documentary tells his story, one of a hard-living rock icon who continues to enjoy the life of a man half his age. Shot on a combination of High Definition and Super 16mm film, "Lemmy" includes interviews with friends, family, bandmates past and present and such admirers/peers as Metallica, Slash, Dave Grohl (Nirvana/Foo Fighters), Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order), actor Billy Bob Thornton, wrestling superstar Triple H, Alice Cooper, Mick Jones of The Clash, and many more. (Rottentomatoes)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Get your hair done right in this new trailer
Did you know Vidal Sassoon was an actual person? I honestly didn't. I thought it was just a clever/sophisticated brand name, but I'm also fashion illiterate.
But I digress. For those who know (or don't know) the hair man to revolutionize hair, there's a documentary out highlighting this quirky individual. Appropriately titled Vidal Sassoon The Movie, it is set for release in mid February (currently: Chicago, LA and New York only).
It looks to be highly entertaining... if not a little over the top in its praise. So head on over to the film's website to check out the trailer and learn more about the man who brought style back to hair.
But I digress. For those who know (or don't know) the hair man to revolutionize hair, there's a documentary out highlighting this quirky individual. Appropriately titled Vidal Sassoon The Movie, it is set for release in mid February (currently: Chicago, LA and New York only).
It looks to be highly entertaining... if not a little over the top in its praise. So head on over to the film's website to check out the trailer and learn more about the man who brought style back to hair.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
From Ace Ventura to The Nutty Professor to... a documentary?
You might not consider Tom Shadyac to be an intellectual filmmaker. The director has found fame making films like Bruce/Evan Almighty, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Patch Adams, the Nutty Professor and other similarly humorous but otherwise intellectually void movies.
So it comes as a bit of a shock that Shadyac is jumping into the documentary world with a subject that seems completely out of his realm. His film, I Am, follows the director as he "speaks with intellectual and spiritual leaders about what's wrong with our world and how we can improve both it and the way we live in it."
Sounds a bit generic and cheesy, but I must say the trailer looks pretty good and boasts a strong cast of interviews. I Am does not have an official website, but you can head on over to IMDB.com to learn more about the film and watch it's trailer. Shadyac plans on releasing his documentary in February (I assume it will be of the limited variety).
So it comes as a bit of a shock that Shadyac is jumping into the documentary world with a subject that seems completely out of his realm. His film, I Am, follows the director as he "speaks with intellectual and spiritual leaders about what's wrong with our world and how we can improve both it and the way we live in it."
Sounds a bit generic and cheesy, but I must say the trailer looks pretty good and boasts a strong cast of interviews. I Am does not have an official website, but you can head on over to IMDB.com to learn more about the film and watch it's trailer. Shadyac plans on releasing his documentary in February (I assume it will be of the limited variety).
Oscar Nominees Announced!
Ok, so unless you have been living under a rock the past 24 hours, you are well aware that the Academy Awards announced their entire list of nominees for their February 27th award show. But while everyone else is focusing on the fictional films, we care more about the little guys, the documentaries. So without any more babble:
Documentary (Feature)
· “Exit through the Gift Shop” Banksy and Jaimie D'Cruz
· “Gasland” Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic
· “Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
· “Restrepo” Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger
· “Waste Land” Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley
Documentary (Short Subject)
· “Killing in the Name” Nominees to be determined
· “Poster Girl” Nominees to be determined
· “Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon
· “Sun Come Up” Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger
· “The Warriors of Qiugang” Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon
Frankly, I'm not surprised by the feature film selections. 'Restrepo' and 'Waste Land' are legitimately excellent films and Charles Ferguson has already proven he can make wonderfully informative documentaries. 'Gasland', though not a major player in most film festivals, won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance last year so it was clearly in the Academy's mind. And 'Exit Through the Gift Shop', for all it's early issues of audiences doubting it's legitimacy, has remained a crowd pleaser and with the out cry caused by ignoring fan favorites in recent years, it's clear the Academy is trying to play into public opinion (which I'm fine with- better to be in tune then disconnected).
The only mild surprise is the exclusion of Davis Guggenheim's 'Waiting For Superman', which seemed built for the Academy Awards (politically and socially relevant, respected director with moderate public celebrity). Then again, after a year of amazing documentaries this was bound to happen.
So what are your thoughts? Agree with the nominations? Is there another movie that should have made the cut instead? Post below!
Documentary (Feature)
· “Exit through the Gift Shop” Banksy and Jaimie D'Cruz
· “Gasland” Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic
· “Inside Job” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
· “Restrepo” Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger
· “Waste Land” Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley
Documentary (Short Subject)
· “Killing in the Name” Nominees to be determined
· “Poster Girl” Nominees to be determined
· “Strangers No More” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon
· “Sun Come Up” Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger
· “The Warriors of Qiugang” Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon
Frankly, I'm not surprised by the feature film selections. 'Restrepo' and 'Waste Land' are legitimately excellent films and Charles Ferguson has already proven he can make wonderfully informative documentaries. 'Gasland', though not a major player in most film festivals, won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance last year so it was clearly in the Academy's mind. And 'Exit Through the Gift Shop', for all it's early issues of audiences doubting it's legitimacy, has remained a crowd pleaser and with the out cry caused by ignoring fan favorites in recent years, it's clear the Academy is trying to play into public opinion (which I'm fine with- better to be in tune then disconnected).
The only mild surprise is the exclusion of Davis Guggenheim's 'Waiting For Superman', which seemed built for the Academy Awards (politically and socially relevant, respected director with moderate public celebrity). Then again, after a year of amazing documentaries this was bound to happen.
So what are your thoughts? Agree with the nominations? Is there another movie that should have made the cut instead? Post below!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Oprah eyes documentaries
With all the news coming out of Sundance (distribution deals, James Franco wearing a wig, etc) I wanted to make sure everyone caught what Oprah Winfrey said at her OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) party Saturday night:
“It is my intention to do for documentaries what we have done for books.”
It seems her new network has been acquiring documentaries for a few months now and plans to release these as part of a regular series. Titled, the 'Own Documentary Film Club,' it will be run by none other than Rosie O'Donnell.
While I'm not a hundred percent sure if this is an amazing thing or just the documentary version of the Lifetime Channel, some big names have already signed on to the collaboration, including Forrest Whitaker and Barbara Kopple.
So what do you think? Oprah and documentaries, a match made in heaven for our fair genre? Or will there just be an influx of stories for middle aged women with no benefit to other doc lovers? Post your thoughts below!
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