Category: Doc Talk
Sundance 2012: ‘West of Memphis’ heartwrenching and triumphant, but no victory lap
West of Memphis Directed by Amy Berg 2012, USA You might think you know the story of the West Memphis Three as it was covered extensively by the press and the Paradise Lost documentary trilogy throughout the last 18 years. Then … [Read the Rest]
‘Urbanized’ a thought provoking documentary for an urban age
After bringing us illuminating takes on graphic design and industrial design wit Helvetica and Objectified, director Gary Hustwit turns his eye toward larger things with Urbanized. In a way, this is the first in the series to feel “important”. By looking … [Read the Rest]
TIFF Bell Lightbox Presents Gary Hustwit’s Design Trilogy
Ove the past few years, documentarian Gary Hustwit has been putting out entries in his so-called Design Trilogy. Beginning Friday, January 13th, to highlight the release of the third entry in the trilogy, the TIFF Bell Lightbox will be presenting … [Read the Rest]
The United States as Defined By Documentary Films
Recently I posted our list of the best documentaries of 2011 and stated that I am impressed with the growing number of incredible docs that get released each and every year. There are docs such as The Interpreters that … [Read the Rest]
10 Best Documentaries of 2011
Documentaries have come a long way in the past twenty years, especially in the past decade. Ten years ago, I would have been at a loss for words had you asked me to name ten “great” documentaries released in a … [Read the Rest]
St. Louis International Film Festival 2011: ‘My Comic Shop DocumentARy’: A warm, entertaining depiction of a haven for comic book fans
My Comic Shop DocumentARy Written and Directed by Anthony Desiato USA, 2011 Located in an ordinary strip mall in Scarsdale, New York, Alternate Realities is a throwback to the pre-Internet days when comic book stores thrived. Its cramped aisles are … [Read the Rest]
‘Into the Abyss’ not a classically styled investigatory piece
Into the Abyss Directed by Werner Herzog Germany, Canada, 2011 Werner Herzog’s second documentary released this year is surprisingly similar to the first. Where his Cave of Forgotten Dreams looked at ancient caverns in Chauvet, the more recent Into the … [Read the Rest]
‘Into the Abyss’ – an emotionally devastating work
Into the Abyss Written and directed by Werner Herzog USA, 2011 Documentaries have an amazing power about them. In such a short amount of time, they can call into question every part of our morality, and ask us to determine … [Read the Rest]
Fantastic Fest 2011: ‘Comic Con Episode Four: A Fan’s Hope’ – joyful, inspiring filmmaking
Comic Con Episode Four: A Fan’s Hope Directed by Morgan Spurlock USA, 2011 The film’s title feels like a desperately out-of-touch ploy to seem relevant in nerd culture, sure. But in all fairness to Mr. Spurlock, it’s also a pretty … [Read the Rest]
NYFF 2011: ‘Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory’ has an impassioned energy that raises it far above the average advocacy documentary
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory Directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky 2011, USA The cameras and filmmakers are plainly visible in Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, the third, and likely last, documentary on the West Memphis Three from Joe Berlinger and … [Read the Rest]
TIFF 2011: ‘The Last Gladiators’ a documentary for puck-heads
The Last Gladiators Directed by Alex Gibney 2011, USA, 94 minutes This documentary is for hockey fans only, and by God, will hockey fans love it. The enforcer is a controversial role in hockey, beloved by fans but derided by … [Read the Rest]
TIFF 2011: ‘Samsara’ is not to be missed
Samsara Directed by Ron Fricke Written by Ron Fricke & Mark Magidson USA, 2011 Covering TIFF has been a privilege for many reasons, but particularly for the opportunity to screen Ron Fricke’s awe-inspiring Samsara. The follow-up to 1992′s breathtaking Baraka, … [Read the Rest]
TIFF 2011: ‘Urbanized’ – a witty and intelligent documentary for our time
Urbanized Directed by Gary Hustwit 2011, USA/United Kingdom, 82 minutes I expect that fans of director Gary Hustwit’s previous films Helvetica and Objectified are already making plans to see his latest work. They won’t be disappointed. The audience at … [Read the Rest]
TIFF 2011: ‘The Boy Who Was a King’ – A film overshadowed by its subject
The Boy Who Was a King Directed by Andrey Paounov 2011, Bulgaria/Germany, 90 mins. Based on its subject alone, The Boy Who Was a King should be an interesting film. Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was a boy of only six when … [Read the Rest]
TIFF: ‘First Position’ is an enjoyable look inside the competitive world of ballet
First Position Directed by Bess Kargman 2011, USA, 90 mins. There are few joys in the world like watching someone who is extremely talented do what they love. This is the best thing First Position has to recommend it. The … [Read the Rest]
