Whether you want to immerse yourself in the world of birds, bees, baseball or backup singers, Netflix has a documentary for you. Missed "Man on Wire"? It's on there.
Here are films that changed the world, righted wrongs, pinpointed a moment in history, or simply shone a light on a previously unknown subset of society. (Availability subject to change. Films are unrated, except as noted.)
1. "20 Feet from Stardom" (2013) PG-13
This Oscar-winning doc shines a spotlight on the relatively unknown backup singers behind such superstars as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder.
2. "The Act of Killing" (2012)
The director invited killers -- men who took part in the horrific purge that left more than 500,000 dead in Indonesia in the 1960s -- to reenact their crimes on film, resulting in a bizarre look inside the mind of men capable of mass murder.
3. "The Battered Bastards of Baseball" (2014)
Two filmmakers pay homage to their grandfather,...
Here are films that changed the world, righted wrongs, pinpointed a moment in history, or simply shone a light on a previously unknown subset of society. (Availability subject to change. Films are unrated, except as noted.)
1. "20 Feet from Stardom" (2013) PG-13
This Oscar-winning doc shines a spotlight on the relatively unknown backup singers behind such superstars as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder.
2. "The Act of Killing" (2012)
The director invited killers -- men who took part in the horrific purge that left more than 500,000 dead in Indonesia in the 1960s -- to reenact their crimes on film, resulting in a bizarre look inside the mind of men capable of mass murder.
3. "The Battered Bastards of Baseball" (2014)
Two filmmakers pay homage to their grandfather,...
- 12/12/2014
- by Sharon Knolle
- Moviefone
When Brittany Maynard first started having mysterious headaches off and on in the spring of 2013, she went to see a neurologist. "He said, 'You're having migraines,' " Debbie Ziegler, Maynard's mother, told People in an interview Oct. 11, "and sent her home" - without doing an Mri. That initial reaction by her doctor - while heartbreaking - is not that uncommon with brain tumors, experts say. "A young woman with migraine syndrome, you wouldn't think about a malignant brain tumor," Sean Grady, chairman of the neurosurgery department at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, tells People. Elizabeth Wilson,...
- 11/5/2014
- by Nicole Weisensee Egan,@nweisenseeegan
- PEOPLE.com
The Calling
Directed by Jason Stone
Written by Scott Abramovitch
2014, USA
Canadian culture has long been a topic of discussion among intellectuals simply because there are those who argue that it doesn’t really exist. Obviously there is a culture that those of us living in Canada experience, but it is difficult to ascribe a distinct Canadian nature to that culture since so much of it is almost directly adopted from our neighbors to the south.
There is one piece though, that does differ significantly between Canadians and Americans, religion. It doesn’t really matter what faith one practices in Canada, it is generally a very private thing. Popular culture is almost universally secular with the exception of the occasional political discussion. But even then, the rhetoric in discussions around abortion, same gender marriage, and physician assisted suicide never reach the same heights that they do in the Us.
That...
Directed by Jason Stone
Written by Scott Abramovitch
2014, USA
Canadian culture has long been a topic of discussion among intellectuals simply because there are those who argue that it doesn’t really exist. Obviously there is a culture that those of us living in Canada experience, but it is difficult to ascribe a distinct Canadian nature to that culture since so much of it is almost directly adopted from our neighbors to the south.
There is one piece though, that does differ significantly between Canadians and Americans, religion. It doesn’t really matter what faith one practices in Canada, it is generally a very private thing. Popular culture is almost universally secular with the exception of the occasional political discussion. But even then, the rhetoric in discussions around abortion, same gender marriage, and physician assisted suicide never reach the same heights that they do in the Us.
That...
- 8/31/2014
- by Mynt Marsellus
- SoundOnSight
Of the sixteen titles that are listed here there are at least more than half that will be talked about throughout the calendar year up until award season in 2015. It speaks volumes about the quality offerings from American Documentarian filmmakers, but it also says a lot about Sundance programming team David Courier, Caroline Libresco et al. exquisite taste for the form. As is the norm for the Sundance doc-comp, there is plenty of socially conscious films on offer, from Andrew Rossi’s film on the insurmountable rise of student debt, Ivory Tower, to government backed food campaigns that have resulted in massive amounts of American health problems in Stephanie Soechtig’s Fed Up, with plenty of diversity within the program as a whole.
Though our non-fiction guesses have never been stellar, the films themselves look auspicious as all get out. Of this year’s promising batch of American docs, we...
Though our non-fiction guesses have never been stellar, the films themselves look auspicious as all get out. Of this year’s promising batch of American docs, we...
- 12/5/2013
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Here is Amanda Seyfried with some paparazzi at Sundance. Amanda is great at being a celebrity.
So even if Lovelace didn't exactly light the world on fire, she still wins.
But I suppose we should discuss actual festival winners, now that the fest has wrapped and the journos have all exited the snowy peaks of Park City, Utah. Before we list the winners, let's look at the context of how well they usually fare come Oscar time the following year. Are there any patterns?
2012 Beasts of the Southern Wild & The Sessions split the jury & audience prizes for drama, respectively. Beasts went on to major Oscar nominations and The Sessions (which also won a prize for its ensemble acting held on for one Oscar nomination in the form of the title character played by Helen Hunt (back then it was called "The Surrogate" remember?). The House I Live In and The Invisible War...
So even if Lovelace didn't exactly light the world on fire, she still wins.
But I suppose we should discuss actual festival winners, now that the fest has wrapped and the journos have all exited the snowy peaks of Park City, Utah. Before we list the winners, let's look at the context of how well they usually fare come Oscar time the following year. Are there any patterns?
2012 Beasts of the Southern Wild & The Sessions split the jury & audience prizes for drama, respectively. Beasts went on to major Oscar nominations and The Sessions (which also won a prize for its ensemble acting held on for one Oscar nomination in the form of the title character played by Helen Hunt (back then it was called "The Surrogate" remember?). The House I Live In and The Invisible War...
- 1/27/2013
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nominations for the 33rd Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards this morning. Among the nominees are docs "Armadillo," which received four nods and "The Battle for Marjah," "Better This World" and "Enemies of the People," which each received three. With 43 nominations overall, CBS is on top this year thanks in large part to "60 Minutes," while PBS came in a close second with 37. NBC, ABC and HBO also received double-digit nominations. The awards ceremony will take place Monday, October 1 at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. Select categories are listed below -- for the full list of nominees, check out the Emmy Awards site. Best Documentary HBO Documentary Films (HBO): "How to Die in Oregon" Producer/Director: Peter Richardson Executive Producers: Melody Korenbrot, Sheila Nevins Pov...
- 7/12/2012
- by Alison Willmore
- Indiewire
SXSW 2012 film review
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines
Director: Kristy Guevara-Flanagan
This documentary examines the fascinating evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman and introduces audiences to a dynamic group of real life superheroes who continue to fight the good fight both on and off the screen.
(World Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: All movie fans, and comic book fans. You don’t have to be a big Wonder Woman fan before going in.
Overall
This documentary has a great structure, in which it uses the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman as its central example of how important heroines can be to their followers, and also how said heroines are still powerless to image-conscious writers who manipulate their creations to better align with current cultural images. First and foremost, it provides a thoughtful background on the surprising history of Wonder Woman,...
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines
Director: Kristy Guevara-Flanagan
This documentary examines the fascinating evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman and introduces audiences to a dynamic group of real life superheroes who continue to fight the good fight both on and off the screen.
(World Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: All movie fans, and comic book fans. You don’t have to be a big Wonder Woman fan before going in.
Overall
This documentary has a great structure, in which it uses the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman as its central example of how important heroines can be to their followers, and also how said heroines are still powerless to image-conscious writers who manipulate their creations to better align with current cultural images. First and foremost, it provides a thoughtful background on the surprising history of Wonder Woman,...
- 3/22/2012
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
SXSW 2012 film review
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Compliance
Director & Screenwriter: Craig Zobel
When a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee, no one is left unscathed. Inspired by true events.
Cast: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, Pat Healy, Bill Camp, Phil Ettinger, Ashlie Atkinson, James McCaffrey
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: If you like your thrillers incredibly restrained, with a very strong aftertaste.
Overall
Compliance is a daytime nightmare that you aren’t soon to shake off. A slow-burning thriller, this movie serves super-size questions about the power of authority with a micro concept. A large chunk of it takes place in the back room of a fast food restaurant (which is expertly shot). Conversations usually happen over the phone, and characters never handle their problems with shouting matches. And yet this movie is really, really disturbing.
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Compliance
Director & Screenwriter: Craig Zobel
When a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee, no one is left unscathed. Inspired by true events.
Cast: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, Pat Healy, Bill Camp, Phil Ettinger, Ashlie Atkinson, James McCaffrey
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: If you like your thrillers incredibly restrained, with a very strong aftertaste.
Overall
Compliance is a daytime nightmare that you aren’t soon to shake off. A slow-burning thriller, this movie serves super-size questions about the power of authority with a micro concept. A large chunk of it takes place in the back room of a fast food restaurant (which is expertly shot). Conversations usually happen over the phone, and characters never handle their problems with shouting matches. And yet this movie is really, really disturbing.
- 3/22/2012
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
SXSW 2012 film review
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Extracted
Director & Screenwriter: Nir Paniry
A scientist is trapped in the memories of a criminal and must solve a crime in order to get back home to his family.
Cast: Sasha Roiz, Dominic Bogart, Jenny Mollen, Nick Jameson, Brad Culver
(World Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: Fans who are perfectly satisfied by science fiction television shows.
Overall
Extracted has a concept that is perfectly sexy for the lower standards of a cable TV series. With its simple story and lack of magnetic tension, it’s a reminder of the lower attention span asked for by most TV shows compared to any theatrical experience. Most TV shows (especially the ones that look like Extracted) feel like they’re meant to amuse viewers in-between commercial breaks. Viewers can move about their rooms while full episodes play out.
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Extracted
Director & Screenwriter: Nir Paniry
A scientist is trapped in the memories of a criminal and must solve a crime in order to get back home to his family.
Cast: Sasha Roiz, Dominic Bogart, Jenny Mollen, Nick Jameson, Brad Culver
(World Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: Fans who are perfectly satisfied by science fiction television shows.
Overall
Extracted has a concept that is perfectly sexy for the lower standards of a cable TV series. With its simple story and lack of magnetic tension, it’s a reminder of the lower attention span asked for by most TV shows compared to any theatrical experience. Most TV shows (especially the ones that look like Extracted) feel like they’re meant to amuse viewers in-between commercial breaks. Viewers can move about their rooms while full episodes play out.
- 3/20/2012
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
SXSW 2012 film review
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Somebody Up There Likes Me
Director & Screenwriter: Bob Byington
Thirty-five years in the life of Max, his best friend Sal, and a woman they both adore. A deadpan fable about time sneaking up on and swerving right around us.
Cast: Keith Poulson, Nick Offerman, Jess Weixler, Stephanie Hunt, Kevin Corrigan
(North American Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: If you like quirky humor but hesitate when said quirk becomes overly cute, this is the perfect refresh for you. Fans of Nick Offerman should give this one a whirl to see what kind of comedic magic he can pull within a feature-length film. If you simply like funny movies in general, keep this one on your radar.
Overall
In a way that feels similar to a first experience with The Royal Tenenbaums, Bob Byington’s hilarious gem...
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Somebody Up There Likes Me
Director & Screenwriter: Bob Byington
Thirty-five years in the life of Max, his best friend Sal, and a woman they both adore. A deadpan fable about time sneaking up on and swerving right around us.
Cast: Keith Poulson, Nick Offerman, Jess Weixler, Stephanie Hunt, Kevin Corrigan
(North American Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For?: If you like quirky humor but hesitate when said quirk becomes overly cute, this is the perfect refresh for you. Fans of Nick Offerman should give this one a whirl to see what kind of comedic magic he can pull within a feature-length film. If you simply like funny movies in general, keep this one on your radar.
Overall
In a way that feels similar to a first experience with The Royal Tenenbaums, Bob Byington’s hilarious gem...
- 3/16/2012
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
SXSW 2012 film review
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Killer Joe
Director: William Friedkin | Screenwriter: Tracy Letts
A garish, Southwestern tale – a violent black comedy about a desperate Texas debtor (Hirsch) who plots to kill his mother with help of his family (Haden Church, Gershon). They hire a crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer (McConaughey) to do the job, but Killer Joe asks for their teenage daughter (Temple) as a retainer. The film is based on Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts’ (August: Osage County) award winning play.
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church
(U.S. Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For? It’s dark, uncomfortably sexual, intensely violent and definately worth your time (unless this sentence scares you away).
Overall
When at a film festival you’ll constantly hear the question, “What have you liked so far?...
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Killer Joe
Director: William Friedkin | Screenwriter: Tracy Letts
A garish, Southwestern tale – a violent black comedy about a desperate Texas debtor (Hirsch) who plots to kill his mother with help of his family (Haden Church, Gershon). They hire a crazy Dallas cop who moonlights as a contract killer (McConaughey) to do the job, but Killer Joe asks for their teenage daughter (Temple) as a retainer. The film is based on Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts’ (August: Osage County) award winning play.
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church
(U.S. Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For? It’s dark, uncomfortably sexual, intensely violent and definately worth your time (unless this sentence scares you away).
Overall
When at a film festival you’ll constantly hear the question, “What have you liked so far?...
- 3/11/2012
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
SXSW 2012 film review
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Rec 3: Genesis
Director: Paco Plaza | Screenwriters: Luiso Berdejo & Paco Plaza
Koldo and Clara’s wedding is horrifically interrupted when some of the guests start showing signs of a strange illness. Before they know what’s happening, the bride and groom find themselves in the middle of a hellish ordeal, as an uncontrollable torrent of violence is unleashed on the wedding.
Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martin
(World Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For? If you’re scouring VOD for something to keep you occupied and amused in the late hours of the night, pick this one. Even if zombie movies feel tiresome, this one will engage cynics if just during its swift running time.
Overall
Rec 3 is a nifty little zombie movie that provides a satiable dosage of madness for midnight viewing. It’s bloody and usually funny,...
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Rec 3: Genesis
Director: Paco Plaza | Screenwriters: Luiso Berdejo & Paco Plaza
Koldo and Clara’s wedding is horrifically interrupted when some of the guests start showing signs of a strange illness. Before they know what’s happening, the bride and groom find themselves in the middle of a hellish ordeal, as an uncontrollable torrent of violence is unleashed on the wedding.
Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martin
(World Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For? If you’re scouring VOD for something to keep you occupied and amused in the late hours of the night, pick this one. Even if zombie movies feel tiresome, this one will engage cynics if just during its swift running time.
Overall
Rec 3 is a nifty little zombie movie that provides a satiable dosage of madness for midnight viewing. It’s bloody and usually funny,...
- 3/11/2012
- by Nick Allen
- The Scorecard Review
SXSW 2012 film review
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Thale
Director & Screenwriter: Aleksander L. Nordaas
The film revolves around huldra, a mythical, tailed creature, found by two crime scene cleaners in a concealed cellar. Someone’s been keeping her down here for decades, for reasons soon to surface.
Cast: Silje Reinåmo, Jon Sigve Skard, Erlend Nervold, Morten Andresen
(North American Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For? It’s a nice piece of minimalist horror/fantasy.
Overall
Less is more with Thale, and starting with a dead guy ain’t too shabby either. The crime scene cleaners are Leo (Sigve Skard) and Elvis (Nervold). They could easily be described as the old pro and the reluctant new guy. You know Elvis is reluctant to clean up blood because he vomits a lot. A new job takes them to a remote location. Elvis decides to explore and that...
complete coverage of SXSW Film 2012
Thale
Director & Screenwriter: Aleksander L. Nordaas
The film revolves around huldra, a mythical, tailed creature, found by two crime scene cleaners in a concealed cellar. Someone’s been keeping her down here for decades, for reasons soon to surface.
Cast: Silje Reinåmo, Jon Sigve Skard, Erlend Nervold, Morten Andresen
(North American Premiere)
Film Synopsis (from SXSW.com)
Who’S It For? It’s a nice piece of minimalist horror/fantasy.
Overall
Less is more with Thale, and starting with a dead guy ain’t too shabby either. The crime scene cleaners are Leo (Sigve Skard) and Elvis (Nervold). They could easily be described as the old pro and the reluctant new guy. You know Elvis is reluctant to clean up blood because he vomits a lot. A new job takes them to a remote location. Elvis decides to explore and that...
- 3/10/2012
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
How to Die in Oregon Movie: Disc: Click here to read the dvd review! "The conundrum of not wanting to die while desperately wanting the pain to be over is a hard idea to wrestle with, but thanks to the unimaginable courage of Cody and many others, this contemplation is thoroughly explored with a lucid perspective and a humane handle on what it means to deal with a terminal illness with the option to opt out."...
- 2/21/2012
- IONCINEMA.com
by Vadim Rizov
The opening of How to Die in Oregon is unadulterated documentation (minus a few unobtrusive cuts) of the final moments of Roger Sagner. He didn't just take advantage of the titular state's law, in place since 1994, that allows the terminally ill and suffering to kill themselves. Sagner wanted to ensure that the impact of watching someone die on camera could be used as an argument for others wishing to do the same. He thanks the voters of Oregon; his last words are "It was easy, folks."
Director Peter B. Richardson uses this found footage as a literally killer opener; the rest of his film spins variations on this scene. The main throughline is Cody Curtis: middle-aged mother, hiking lover, liver cancer sufferer. Other terminal patients appear, but Cody gets the most screen time as she experiences spasms of pain during interviews, watches her body swell with fluids,...
The opening of How to Die in Oregon is unadulterated documentation (minus a few unobtrusive cuts) of the final moments of Roger Sagner. He didn't just take advantage of the titular state's law, in place since 1994, that allows the terminally ill and suffering to kill themselves. Sagner wanted to ensure that the impact of watching someone die on camera could be used as an argument for others wishing to do the same. He thanks the voters of Oregon; his last words are "It was easy, folks."
Director Peter B. Richardson uses this found footage as a literally killer opener; the rest of his film spins variations on this scene. The main throughline is Cody Curtis: middle-aged mother, hiking lover, liver cancer sufferer. Other terminal patients appear, but Cody gets the most screen time as she experiences spasms of pain during interviews, watches her body swell with fluids,...
- 2/14/2012
- GreenCine Daily
This week on DVD/Blu-ray: The deserving winner of the Grand Jury Prize (Documentary) at last year's Sundance Film Festival; the film that put Lena Dunham on the map; a documentary that delves into the life of one of America's most beloved filmmakers; the sequel to one of the sickest films of all time; and a period musical drama. 1. Critic's Pick: "How to Die in Oregon" (DVD) No matter where you stand on the legalized physician-assisted suicide debate, there's no denying the power of last year's Grand Jury Prize Winner (Documentary), "How to Die in Oregon." Peter D. Richardson's fearless documentary tackles the controversial subject head-on by opening with a home video recording of one man's last breath. From there on in, Richardson opens his film up to people in Oregon who, for their varied reasons, chose to take advantage of the state's Death With Dignity Act. "Despite assuming a one-sided.
- 2/14/2012
- Indiewire
Below Portland-based filmmaker Peter Richardson shares a scene from his second feature documentary, "How to Die in Oregon," winner of the Grand Jury Prize (Documentary) at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The HBO release comes out on DVD February 14. Why I Made the Film “How to Die in Oregon” was born out of a rather serendipitous moment in 2006. I was departing Portland for Sundance with my first documentary, “Clear Cut: The Story of Philomath, Oregon” and, as I left my airport hotel room that morning I saw the USA Today that had been delivered to the door. One of the above-the-fold headlines announced that the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, had upheld Oregon’s Death with Dignity Law -- the law had been challenged by the Bush Administration under the Controlled Substances Act. It was clear to me in that moment that this would be the topic of my next film.
- 2/13/2012
- Indiewire
2011 has been a fantastic year for documentaries. In fact, you might see more than one on our best films of 2011 list. But in order to give the genre the recognition it deserves, we wanted to highlight all those that missed the cut. These films often provide more engaging drama with their veracity and technique than most narrative features and it killed us to skip over some we loved.
Just to mention a few that didn’t make the cut in no particular order: Tabloid, Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, Public Speaking, George Harrison: Living In The Material World, Self Made, Project Nim, The Swell Season, Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, Page One: Inside the New York Times and Cave of Forgotten Dreams. But we’ve narrowed it down to just ten with write-ups from our own John Fink, unless otherwise noted. Check them out...
Just to mention a few that didn’t make the cut in no particular order: Tabloid, Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, Public Speaking, George Harrison: Living In The Material World, Self Made, Project Nim, The Swell Season, Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, Page One: Inside the New York Times and Cave of Forgotten Dreams. But we’ve narrowed it down to just ten with write-ups from our own John Fink, unless otherwise noted. Check them out...
- 12/29/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
As we walk down towards the Super Bowl of the movie awards season aka the Academy Awards aka the Oscars, all the various critics associations and guilds release their own kudofest. It can get confusing and beguiling, so I created a nifty package for you -- I compiled all the nominees, winners of various award-giving bodies so you can make informed decision when it comes to predicting the Oscars.
Come and take the Awards Avenue with me!
And here we go (click on each link):
AFI Awards
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
British Independent Film Awards
Cinema Eye Honors
Critics' Choice (Broadcast Film Critics Association)
Detroit Film Critics
European Film Awards
Gotham Awards
Houston Film Critics Awards
Ida Awards
Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Indiana Film Critics
Las Vegas Film Critics
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
National Board of Review
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
New York...
Come and take the Awards Avenue with me!
And here we go (click on each link):
AFI Awards
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
British Independent Film Awards
Cinema Eye Honors
Critics' Choice (Broadcast Film Critics Association)
Detroit Film Critics
European Film Awards
Gotham Awards
Houston Film Critics Awards
Ida Awards
Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Indiana Film Critics
Las Vegas Film Critics
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
National Board of Review
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
New York...
- 12/12/2011
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Two weeks after the Academy advanced 15 films in the race for Best Documentary Feature, the non-fiction awards circuit is showing further signs of life. Last night, the International Documentary Association held its annual awards gala. None of the nominees happened to be on the AMPAS shortlist, but "Nostalgia for Light" came out on top, besting "Better This Workd" (one of the surprise Academy omissions), "How to Die in Oregon," "The Redemption of General Butt Naked" and "The Tiniest Place." One of last year's Best Documentary Short Oscar nominees, "Poster Girl" -- a fantastic portrait of a female Iraq veteran grappling with...
- 12/4/2011
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
Patricio Guzmán's Nostalgia for the Light won Best Feature at the International Documentary Association's Awards ceremony in Los Angeles last night. The La Times' Susan King: "Set in northern Chile's Atacama Desert, the documentary juxtaposes scenes of astronomers in observatories scanning the galaxies, while nearby, archaeologists and elderly women dig through the sand searching for the human remains of pre-Columbian mummies, 19th century miners who labored in slave conditions and the bodies of victims of Gen Augusto Pinochet's regime who were taken to the Atacama as political prisoners and dumped there." Michael Guillén interviewed Guzmán in October 2010.
TheWrap's Steve Pond notes that neither Nostalgia nor any of the other docs nominated for the Ida's top award — Better This World, How to Die in Oregon, The Redemption of General Butt Naked and The Tiniest Place — have made the Academy's shortlist of 15 films left in the race for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar.
TheWrap's Steve Pond notes that neither Nostalgia nor any of the other docs nominated for the Ida's top award — Better This World, How to Die in Oregon, The Redemption of General Butt Naked and The Tiniest Place — have made the Academy's shortlist of 15 films left in the race for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar.
- 12/3/2011
- MUBI
There are so many well-made, well-lauded documentaries this year, that the finalists for the International Documentary Association awards aren't even on the Oscar shortlist of fifteen. Thus Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzman's "Nostalgia for the Light" won Best Feature at the 2011 Ida Documentary Awards Friday night, beating out terrorist thriller "Better This World," end-of-life drama "How to Die in Oregon," "The Redemption of General Butt Naked," and "Tiniest Place." "Nostalgia for the Light" also won Best Documentary at the Cinema Tropical Awards Thursday night in New York, and is nominated for the Cinema Eye Awards....
- 12/3/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
Snow is falling, the temperature is dropping, movies are getting better. Some might say it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas but I say it's beginning to look a lot like Sundance. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival announced its first batch of films Wednesday, all of which are in competition. Meaning these are the films eligible for awards. It also means that, as of right now, these are the films you probably haven't heard of. But, at this time last year [1], the competition films included a ton that you've surely now heard of such as Another Earth, Circumstance, Like Crazy, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Pariah, The Guard, Tyrannosaur and Take Shelter. Those were just the narratives. In last year's documentary competition, films like Beats, Rhymes and Life, Being Elmo, How to Die in Oregon, Page One, Knuckle, Project Nim and Senna all played. Basically, while you probably haven't heard of these movies yet,...
- 11/30/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Every single year come awards season, it's always upsetting to see the blatant misfires on the Academy's short list of films eligible for the Best Documentary Oscar. Just last year [1], the big story wasn't so much that Exit Through the Gift Shop or Restrepo were up for the award, it was that films like Catfish, Best Worst Movie and Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work were snubbed. This year it's more of the same. Much more. Fifteen films have been chosen that will be narrowed down to five to tangle for the Oscar itself and on that list are several exceptional documentaries: Bill Cunningham New York, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory and Project Nim (above) just to name a few. Not on the list, however are Constance Mark's Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, Steve James’s The Interrupters, Werner Herzog‘s Into the Abyss, Errol Morris' Tabloid, Ian Palmer's Knuckle,...
- 11/19/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Better This World, The Tiniest Place and the other nominations for the 2011 Ida Awards have been announced. The 27th Annual Ida Awards (documentary awards) are presented by the International Documentary Association (Ida) “a non-profit organization promoting documentary film, video and new media, to support the efforts of documentary filmmaking and video production makers around the world and to increase public appreciation and demand for the art of the documentary…the Ida has approximately 2,800 members in 53 countries, providing a forum for supporters and suppliers of documentary film making.”
This years presentation will see “the 2011 Career Achievement Award [awarded] to legendary documentary filmmaker Les Blank. He will be presented his award by Werner Herzog. Director Danfung Dennis (Hell and Back Again) will receive the 2011 Jacqueline Donnet Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award.”
The full listing of the 2011 Ida Awards nominations is below.
Best Feature Award
Better This World
Directors/Producers/Writers: Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega...
This years presentation will see “the 2011 Career Achievement Award [awarded] to legendary documentary filmmaker Les Blank. He will be presented his award by Werner Herzog. Director Danfung Dennis (Hell and Back Again) will receive the 2011 Jacqueline Donnet Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award.”
The full listing of the 2011 Ida Awards nominations is below.
Best Feature Award
Better This World
Directors/Producers/Writers: Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega...
- 10/28/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
"Geoff Dyer's forthcoming book Zona (2012) has a premise that is so simple and brilliant it seems almost a wonder that it hasn't been tried before," blogs Katie Kitamura for frieze. "[A]s the book's subtitle puts it, Zona is 'A Book About a Film About a Journey to a Room.' In other words, a book about Andrei Tarkovsky's seminal Stalker (1979), itself loosely based on the novel Roadside Picnic (1971), by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky. 'Loosely' is key here. The skeleton of Zona is something like a glorified transcript of Tarkovsky's film, a factual description of what is seen on the screen…. But Zona hangs a great deal onto the scaffolding of this formal conceit. The book itself is full of digressions, both filmic and personal, as well as footnotes, interpretations, imprecations and asides. There's a definite gulf between the tone of Zona and the tone of Stalker, which is almost...
- 10/28/2011
- MUBI
The International Documentary Association (Ida) has announced its list of 2011 award nominees. Up for Best Feature are Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane de la Vega's Better This World, Peter D. Richardson's How to Die in Oregon, Patricio Guzmán's Nostalgia for the Light, Eric Strauss and Daniele Anastasion's The Redemption of General Butt Naked, and Tatiana Huezo's The Tiniest Place. [Photo: David McKay, imprisoned as a "domestic terrorist," in Better This World.] Themes range from political repression and the cosmos (Nostalgia for the Light), political repression and terrorism paranoia (Better This World), and political repression and hope in a small village in El Salvador (The Tiniest Place) to euthanasia and (How to Die in Oregon) and the story of a Liberian warlord (The Redemption of General Butt Naked). Of the five Best Feature nominees, only Nostalgia for the Light was also nominated in that category for the Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking, which were announced yesterday. Notably absent...
- 10/27/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan in Eugene Jarecki's Reagan Euthanasia, Political Repression, Liberian Warlord: International Documentary Association Nominations David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award This award recognizes exceptional achievement in non-fiction film and video production at the university level and brings greater public and industry awareness to the work of students in the documentary field. GUAÑAPE Sur Director/Executive Producer/Writer: János Richter Executive Producers: Heidi Gronauer, Lorenzo Paccagnella Producer: Georg Zeller ZeLIG- School for Documentary, Andanafilms, Icarus Films Heart-quake Director/Writer: Mark Olexa Executive Producers: Heidi Gronauer, Lorenzo Paccagnella Producers: Georg Zeller, Nadia Caruso ZeLIG – School for Documentary River Of Victory Director/Producer: Trevor Wright Executive Director: Jack Emery Producers: A. Todd Smith, Jordan Augustine Full Mountain Pictures, Brigham Young University Smoke Songs Director/Producer/Writer: Briar March Executive Producers: Jan Krawitz, Jamie Meltzer, Kris Samuelson On the Level Production Transit Director/Writer: Regina Tan Producers: Haley Quartarone, Juvia Chua,...
- 10/27/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Kelly Duane de la Vega, Katie Galloway's Better This World From Pinochet and Reagan to General Butt Naked and Terrorism Paranoia: International Documentary Association Nominations Best Feature Award Better This World Directors/Producers/Writers: Katie Galloway & Kelly Duane de la Vega Producer: Mike Nicholson Executive Producers: Julie Goldman, John Battsek, Nicole Stott, Chana Ben-Dov, Sally Jo Fifer (Itvs), Simon Kilmurry (American Documentary|Pov) Loteria Films, Bullfrog Films, Cat & Docs How To Die In Oregon Director/Producer: Peter D. Richardson Executive Producers: Melody Korenbrot, Sheila Nevins (HBO) Supervising Producer: Jacqueline Glover (HBO) Associate Producers: Sophie Harris, Jordan Curnes Clearcut Productions in association with HBO Documentary Films Nostalgia For The Light Director/Writer: Patricio Guzmán Producer: Renate Sachse Atacama Productions (France), Blinker Filmproduction GmbH and Wdr (Germany), and Cronomedia Ltda. (Chile), Icarus Films The Redemption Of General Butt Naked Directors/Producers: Eric Strauss & Daniele Anastasion Executive Producers: Gregory Henry, David Shadrack Smith...
- 10/27/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
The International Documentary Association (Ida) has voted its nominations and honorary awards for their December 2 event at Los Angeles' Directors Guild. The Career Achievement Award will go to filmmaker Les Blank. Past recipients of the award include Barbara Kopple, Errol Morris, and Michael Moore. The Jacqueline Donnet Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award will go to Danfung Dennis, director of Afghanistan war doc Hell and Back Again (pictured), which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival and won the fest's World Cinena Jury Award and the World Cinema Cinematography Award. The nominees for Best Feature are: Better this World, How To Die In Oregon, Nostalgia for the Light, The Redemption of General Butt Naked and The Tiniest Place; nominees for Best Short are: Broken Doors, Maya ...
- 10/27/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
Veteran nonfiction filmmaker Les Blank will receive the Career Achievement Award at the International Documentary Association's 2011 Ida Documentary Awards, the Ida announced on Thursday as it revealed the nominations for its 27th annual awards. The five films competing for the top theatrical prize, Best Feature, are "Better This World," "How to Die in Oregon," "Nostalgia for the Light," "The Redemption of General Butt Naked" and "The Tiniest Place" ("El Lugar Mas Pequeno"). The list did not include such high-touted 2011 docs as "The Interrupters," "Project Nim," "Senna," "Hot Coffee," "Tabloid," "Into...
- 10/27/2011
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The International Documentary Association (Ida) announced its nominations for the 2011 Ida Documentary Awards Thursday, with five films, including "Better This World," "How to Die in Oregon," "Nostalgia for the Light," "The Redemption of General Butt Naked" and "The Tiniest Place" (El Lugar Mas Pequeno) vying for the best feature category. In addition to nominations, Ida will honor doc filmmaker Les Blank ("Garlic Is As Good As Good Mothers") with ...
- 10/27/2011
- Indiewire
Best Picture
Frontrunners
“J. Edgar” (Warner Brothers, 11/11, ?, ?)
“War Horse” (Disney, 12/28, ?, teaser)
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” (Paramount/Warner Brothers, 12/25, ?, ?)
“The Ides of March” (Sony, 10/14, ?, trailer)
“The Descendants” (Fox Searchlight, 11/23, R, trailer)
“Carnage” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/18, ?, trailer)
“Midnight in Paris” (Sony Pictures Classics, 5/20, PG-13, trailer)
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Sony, 12/21, ?, trailer)
“Like Crazy” (Paramount Vantage, 10/28, PG-13, trailer)
“The Iron Lady” (The Weinstein Company, 12/6, ?, teaser)
Major Threats
“The Artist” (The Weinstein Company, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (Focus Features, 11/18, ?, trailer)
“A Dangerous Method” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“The Help” (Disney, 8/12, PG-13, trailer)
“Moneyball” (Columbia, 9/23, ?, trailer)
“We Bought a Zoo” (20th Century Fox, 12/23, ?, ?)
“Hugo” (Paramount, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“50/50” (Summit, 9/30, R, trailer)
“The Tree of Life” (Fox Searchlight, 5/27, PG-13, trailer)
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2” (Warner Brothers, 7/15, PG-13, trailer) New
“Albert Nobbs” (Liddell Entertainment/Roadside Attractions, ?/?, ?, ?)
“The Way” (Icon Entertainment, 10/7, ?, ?)
“Contagion” (Warner Brothers, 9/9, ?, trailer)
Possibilities
“Coriolanus” (The Weinstein Company, 12/2, ?, trailer)
“The Adventures of Tintin” (Paramount,...
Frontrunners
“J. Edgar” (Warner Brothers, 11/11, ?, ?)
“War Horse” (Disney, 12/28, ?, teaser)
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” (Paramount/Warner Brothers, 12/25, ?, ?)
“The Ides of March” (Sony, 10/14, ?, trailer)
“The Descendants” (Fox Searchlight, 11/23, R, trailer)
“Carnage” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/18, ?, trailer)
“Midnight in Paris” (Sony Pictures Classics, 5/20, PG-13, trailer)
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Sony, 12/21, ?, trailer)
“Like Crazy” (Paramount Vantage, 10/28, PG-13, trailer)
“The Iron Lady” (The Weinstein Company, 12/6, ?, teaser)
Major Threats
“The Artist” (The Weinstein Company, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (Focus Features, 11/18, ?, trailer)
“A Dangerous Method” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“The Help” (Disney, 8/12, PG-13, trailer)
“Moneyball” (Columbia, 9/23, ?, trailer)
“We Bought a Zoo” (20th Century Fox, 12/23, ?, ?)
“Hugo” (Paramount, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“50/50” (Summit, 9/30, R, trailer)
“The Tree of Life” (Fox Searchlight, 5/27, PG-13, trailer)
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2” (Warner Brothers, 7/15, PG-13, trailer) New
“Albert Nobbs” (Liddell Entertainment/Roadside Attractions, ?/?, ?, ?)
“The Way” (Icon Entertainment, 10/7, ?, ?)
“Contagion” (Warner Brothers, 9/9, ?, trailer)
Possibilities
“Coriolanus” (The Weinstein Company, 12/2, ?, trailer)
“The Adventures of Tintin” (Paramount,...
- 8/17/2011
- by Scott Feinberg
- Scott Feinberg
9. The Cove: Psihoyos and Barry assemble a crack team like some sort of Clooney to infiltrate and record the goings-on. They gather world champion free divers to plant underwater cameras and microphones. They get Industrial Light and Magic to craft hidden HD cameras in realistic boulders and shrubbery. They get high-tech night vision and heat-sensitive cameras to scope out for guards and danger as they go all Spy Tech on the fishermen. It's a tense and dangerous operation because they're going espionage on a multi-million dollar industry. Water park dolphins sell for a minimum $150,000. But their efforts work. We see the butchery first-hand, and it's unnerving. Essentially, the dolphins are harpooned to death, as the cove fills with blood. By the finish, they're hooking carcasses out of the water, and the cove itself is drenched with sanguine waters.
8. Grizzly Man: Your view on whether Werner Herzog's Grizzly Man...
8. Grizzly Man: Your view on whether Werner Herzog's Grizzly Man...
- 8/15/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
Best Picture
Frontrunners
“J. Edgar” (Warner Brothers, 11/11, ?, ?)
“War Horse” (Disney, 12/28, ?, teaser)
“The Ides of March” (Sony, 10/14, ?, trailer)
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” (Paramount/Warner Brothers, 12/25, ?, ?)
“The Descendants” (Fox Searchlight, 11/23, R, trailer)
“Carnage” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/18, ?, ?)
“Midnight in Paris” (Sony Pictures Classics, 5/20, PG-13, trailer)
“Like Crazy” (Paramount Vantage, 10/28, PG-13, trailer)
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (Focus Features, 11/18, ?, trailer)
“The Iron Lady” (The Weinstein Company, 12/6, ?, teaser)
Major Threats
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Sony, 12/21, ?, trailer)
“Hugo” (Paramount, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“The Artist” (The Weinstein Company, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“We Bought a Zoo” (20th Century Fox, 12/23, ?, ?)
“A Dangerous Method” (Sony Pictures Classics, ?/?, ?, trailer)
“Moneyball” (Columbia, 9/23, ?, trailer)
“50/50” (Summit, 9/30, R, trailer)
“The Help” (Disney, 8/12, PG-13, trailer)
“Albert Nobbs” (Liddell Entertainment/Roadside Attractions, ?/?, ?, ?)
“The Way” (Icon Entertainment, 10/7, ?, ?)
“Contagion” (Warner Brothers, 9/9, ?, trailer)
“Coriolanus” (The Weinstein Company, 12/2, ?, ?)
“The Tree of Life” (Fox Searchlight, 5/27, PG-13, trailer)
Possibilities
“The Adventures of Tintin” (Paramount, 12/23, ?, trailer)
“Martha Marcy May Marlene” (Fox Searchlight, 10/7, ?, trailer)
“Take Shelter” (Sony Pictures Classics,...
Frontrunners
“J. Edgar” (Warner Brothers, 11/11, ?, ?)
“War Horse” (Disney, 12/28, ?, teaser)
“The Ides of March” (Sony, 10/14, ?, trailer)
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” (Paramount/Warner Brothers, 12/25, ?, ?)
“The Descendants” (Fox Searchlight, 11/23, R, trailer)
“Carnage” (Sony Pictures Classics, 11/18, ?, ?)
“Midnight in Paris” (Sony Pictures Classics, 5/20, PG-13, trailer)
“Like Crazy” (Paramount Vantage, 10/28, PG-13, trailer)
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (Focus Features, 11/18, ?, trailer)
“The Iron Lady” (The Weinstein Company, 12/6, ?, teaser)
Major Threats
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Sony, 12/21, ?, trailer)
“Hugo” (Paramount, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“The Artist” (The Weinstein Company, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“We Bought a Zoo” (20th Century Fox, 12/23, ?, ?)
“A Dangerous Method” (Sony Pictures Classics, ?/?, ?, trailer)
“Moneyball” (Columbia, 9/23, ?, trailer)
“50/50” (Summit, 9/30, R, trailer)
“The Help” (Disney, 8/12, PG-13, trailer)
“Albert Nobbs” (Liddell Entertainment/Roadside Attractions, ?/?, ?, ?)
“The Way” (Icon Entertainment, 10/7, ?, ?)
“Contagion” (Warner Brothers, 9/9, ?, trailer)
“Coriolanus” (The Weinstein Company, 12/2, ?, ?)
“The Tree of Life” (Fox Searchlight, 5/27, PG-13, trailer)
Possibilities
“The Adventures of Tintin” (Paramount, 12/23, ?, trailer)
“Martha Marcy May Marlene” (Fox Searchlight, 10/7, ?, trailer)
“Take Shelter” (Sony Pictures Classics,...
- 7/30/2011
- by Scott Feinberg
- Scott Feinberg
The following forecast reflects my best sense — at roughly the mid-point of 2011 — of the Oscar landscape that awaits us. (These are my first projections to factor in the Academy’s recently-announced changes to its voting process.) Needless to say, I will be posting many updates/revisions over the coming months, but, for now, I see it as a fun discussion-starter. Your thoughts?
Best Picture
Frontrunners
“J. Edgar” (Warner Brothers, 12/14, ?, ?)
“War Horse” (Disney, 12/28, ?, teaser)
“The Ides of March” (Sony, 10/14, ?, ?)
“The Descendants” (Fox Searchlight, 12/16, R, trailer)
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” (Paramount/Warner Brothers, ?/?, ?, ?)
“Carnage” (Sony Pictures Classics, ?/?, ?, ?)
“Young Adult” (Paramount, ?/?, ?, ?)
“Like Crazy” (Paramount Vantage, 10/28, ?, ?)
“Midnight in Paris” (Sony Pictures Classics, 5/20, PG-13, trailer)
“The Iron Lady” (The Weinstein Company, 12/6, ?, teaser)
Major Threats
“The Artist” (The Weinstein Company, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“A Dangerous Method” (Sony Pictures Classics, ?/?, ?, trailer)
“Hugo” (Paramount, 11/23, ?, ?)
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Sony, 12/21, ?, ?)
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (Universal, ?/?, ?, trailer)
“Moneyball” (Columbia,...
Best Picture
Frontrunners
“J. Edgar” (Warner Brothers, 12/14, ?, ?)
“War Horse” (Disney, 12/28, ?, teaser)
“The Ides of March” (Sony, 10/14, ?, ?)
“The Descendants” (Fox Searchlight, 12/16, R, trailer)
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” (Paramount/Warner Brothers, ?/?, ?, ?)
“Carnage” (Sony Pictures Classics, ?/?, ?, ?)
“Young Adult” (Paramount, ?/?, ?, ?)
“Like Crazy” (Paramount Vantage, 10/28, ?, ?)
“Midnight in Paris” (Sony Pictures Classics, 5/20, PG-13, trailer)
“The Iron Lady” (The Weinstein Company, 12/6, ?, teaser)
Major Threats
“The Artist” (The Weinstein Company, 11/23, ?, trailer)
“A Dangerous Method” (Sony Pictures Classics, ?/?, ?, trailer)
“Hugo” (Paramount, 11/23, ?, ?)
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Sony, 12/21, ?, ?)
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (Universal, ?/?, ?, trailer)
“Moneyball” (Columbia,...
- 7/11/2011
- by Scott Feinberg
- Scott Feinberg
#10. I Saw The Devil - Kim Jee-woon (March 4th) Byung-hun Lee and Min-sik Choi going head to head in a revenge drunk, ultra violent game of cat and mouse, crafted by the headstrong stylings of Kim Jee-woon? Sign me up. #9. Bobby Fischer Against the World - Liz Garbus (HBO Premiere) An interest in chess helped peak my interest, but Liz Garbus's doc about the insanity that was chess master Bobby Fischer's life is an absorbing bit of film making. With an excellent sense of pace, and a cast of interviewees that not only were probably the only people that could tell Fischer's story, but told it with ardent detail whether they loved him, or thought he was a complete nut job, the HBO doc is sure to spread the good word of chess to the masses while simultaneously entertaining. #8. Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles - Jon Foy...
- 7/5/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
2011 is shaping up to be another stellar year for documentaries. After all, it has a lot to live up to with my favorite film of last year being the genre. Many coming from Sundance, we have The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Buck, Project Nim, Page One: Inside the New York Times, How To Die In Oregon, Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, Life in a Day, Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, and I cant forget the biggest of them all, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.
But few compare to the wackiness and sheer entertainment value found in master documentary filmmaker Errol Morris‘ latest project. I saw Tabloid at Tiff last year and it is a nonstop, evolving exercise in craziness. The first trailer (via Apple) does an excellent job of conveying the snappy style with stylish flairs. Check it out below, followed by the poster.
But few compare to the wackiness and sheer entertainment value found in master documentary filmmaker Errol Morris‘ latest project. I saw Tabloid at Tiff last year and it is a nonstop, evolving exercise in craziness. The first trailer (via Apple) does an excellent job of conveying the snappy style with stylish flairs. Check it out below, followed by the poster.
- 6/10/2011
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Director: Peter Richardson Watching characters die on film is never easy for me, but watching real people really die on film is a harrowing experience at best. I should clarify -- Peter Richardson's How To Die In Oregon is not a snuff film, it is about Oregonians who, due to terminal illness, are able to choose to take a lethal dose of medicine that will bring upon near-instantaneous death; a task that is legal in Oregon, in accordance with Death With Dignity, a state physician-assisted suicide law passed in 1994. The video footage of each death serves as legal documentation to prove that the patient died of sound mind and of their own hand. Within the first few minutes we witness -- via video footage shot by a relative -- cancer sufferer Roger Sagner take a few slurps of the physician-prescribed medicine that promptly knocks him into a coma before finally killing him.
- 5/22/2011
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
The Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) kicks off this Wednesday, and has a number of impressive films in its line-up. The festival will take place at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square, the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, and the Stuart Street Playhouse in downtown Boston. The festival, complete with over 110 film screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions, visiting filmmakers, parties and events will showcase the best in current American and International cinema.
The opening night film of the festival is Being Elmo directed by Constance Marks will open the 9th annual festival on April 27th at the Somerville Theatre. This marks the first time the festival will open with a documentary. The film follows Kevin Clash, from humble upbringings as he follows his dream to become a puppeteer and one day work with his idol, Jim Henson, to the present day...
The opening night film of the festival is Being Elmo directed by Constance Marks will open the 9th annual festival on April 27th at the Somerville Theatre. This marks the first time the festival will open with a documentary. The film follows Kevin Clash, from humble upbringings as he follows his dream to become a puppeteer and one day work with his idol, Jim Henson, to the present day...
- 4/26/2011
- by Kristen Coates
- The Film Stage
Death is not a subject many like to tackle head on.
However, much like any worthwhile documentary, the latest film from documentarian Peter Richardson, How To Die In Oregon not only takes a distinct and absolutely haunting look into the idea of death, but also what it means to truly have control over ones life.
How To Die In Oregon takes a look at the state’s battle with the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, which, in 1994, culminated in the state becoming the first one to legalize the act. With only Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands having the practice legalized, Oregon became a hot bed for the battle for and against euthanasia. However, it’s also so very much more. Looking at the stories of those currently going through the process of ending their lives this way, the film follows those directly involved and their families, in what is one of...
However, much like any worthwhile documentary, the latest film from documentarian Peter Richardson, How To Die In Oregon not only takes a distinct and absolutely haunting look into the idea of death, but also what it means to truly have control over ones life.
How To Die In Oregon takes a look at the state’s battle with the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, which, in 1994, culminated in the state becoming the first one to legalize the act. With only Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands having the practice legalized, Oregon became a hot bed for the battle for and against euthanasia. However, it’s also so very much more. Looking at the stories of those currently going through the process of ending their lives this way, the film follows those directly involved and their families, in what is one of...
- 3/26/2011
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
The Independent Film Festival of Boston [1] recently released their full line-up and it's a doozy. Sundance favorites such as The Future [2] and Submarine [3] will be there, along with awesome documentaries like Being Elmo [4] (With Elmo In Attendance!!!) and Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times [5]. I'm looking forward to films I wasn't able to catch at Sundance and SXSW, such as the legal documentary Hot Coffee, the heartbreaking How to Die in Oregon, and the new fascinating Conan O'Brien film. Takashi Miike's 13 Assassins [6] also looks like it will rock the house. The full line-up is below. The festival is April 27th through May 4th, and it's one of my favorite movie events of the year. If you live anywhere in New England, I invite you to come and check it out. You can follow IFFBoston on Facebook for updates [7] or buy your passes now [8]! Narrative Features 13 Assassins...
- 3/25/2011
- by David Chen
- Slash Film
The alternate title for this review might as well been "Dying: this shit gets real, yo".
How To Die In Oregon is the second film from Oregon based documentarian Peter Richardson; it made its debut at the 2011 Sundance film festival. It is driven by a unique law in Oregon passed in 1994 that allows physicians to assist terminal patients in a "death with dignity" via a lethal dose of Seconal, a heavy barbiturate. I expected two hours of axe grinding and choir preachin', a trap documentaries on controversial subjects are prone to falling into (see also: Michael Moore). This is not the case with Oregon. Richardson presents a sympathetic but essentially unslanted picture of several families in the Pacific Northwest struggling with planned bereavement, for lack of a better phrase. It's like Logan's Run without the sci-fi tropes or tube-cars, and more grief.
Briefly, we have Nancy Niedzielski, who campaigned tirelessly...
How To Die In Oregon is the second film from Oregon based documentarian Peter Richardson; it made its debut at the 2011 Sundance film festival. It is driven by a unique law in Oregon passed in 1994 that allows physicians to assist terminal patients in a "death with dignity" via a lethal dose of Seconal, a heavy barbiturate. I expected two hours of axe grinding and choir preachin', a trap documentaries on controversial subjects are prone to falling into (see also: Michael Moore). This is not the case with Oregon. Richardson presents a sympathetic but essentially unslanted picture of several families in the Pacific Northwest struggling with planned bereavement, for lack of a better phrase. It's like Logan's Run without the sci-fi tropes or tube-cars, and more grief.
Briefly, we have Nancy Niedzielski, who campaigned tirelessly...
- 3/20/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
The Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for U.S. dramatic film went tonight to Like Crazy, writer-director Drake Doremus’s love story starring Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones. The Grand Jury Prize for U.S. documentary was awarded to How to Die in Oregon, Peter D. Richardson’s film about assisted suicide. Other winners announced tonight include:
World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary: Hell and Back Again, which follows a Marine from the start of his 2009 Afghanistan tour to his rehabilitation in the U.S., and shows what modern “unconventional” warfare really means to the men who are fighting it.
World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary: Hell and Back Again, which follows a Marine from the start of his 2009 Afghanistan tour to his rehabilitation in the U.S., and shows what modern “unconventional” warfare really means to the men who are fighting it.
- 1/30/2011
- by Benjamin Svetkey
- EW - Inside Movies
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival Awards went down tonight in Park City. While the biggest surprise was the volume of films acquired by distributor, in the end, the story was about excellence in independent film making. The big winner of the evening was the Drake Doremus-directed love story Like Crazy, which took the Grand Jury Prize for Drama. The film was the first major deal of a festival full of them, with a $4 million acquisition by Paramount and Indian Paintbrush that started a flurry of transactions. The event was hosted by Tim Blake Nelson, who starred in the festival film Flypaper, and who materialized dressed as a snowflake. Festival director John Cooper did the same. No one held the silliness against them, because they launched right into proceedings that moves at such a swift pace, I wondered if they were double parked outside. Here's the list of winners: 2011 Sundance Film...
- 1/30/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Rating: 3.5/5
Director: Peter Richardson
In 1994, Oregon passed the Death with Dignity Act, becoming the first U.S. state to legalize “physician aid-in-dying” for the terminally ill who chose to use it. Not a law that legalizes euthanasia, the Death with Dignity Act sets rigid guidelines for how it can be done – namely, that the ill must be of sound enough mind to know what they’re doing, and they must drink down their lethal doses with their own hand. Chronicling this for a documentary results in an understandably difficult moviegoing experiences, but How To Die In Oregon treats its subject matter with such respect that the film is both hard to watch and even harder to turn away from.
Read more on Sundance 2011 Review: How To Die In Oregon…...
Director: Peter Richardson
In 1994, Oregon passed the Death with Dignity Act, becoming the first U.S. state to legalize “physician aid-in-dying” for the terminally ill who chose to use it. Not a law that legalizes euthanasia, the Death with Dignity Act sets rigid guidelines for how it can be done – namely, that the ill must be of sound enough mind to know what they’re doing, and they must drink down their lethal doses with their own hand. Chronicling this for a documentary results in an understandably difficult moviegoing experiences, but How To Die In Oregon treats its subject matter with such respect that the film is both hard to watch and even harder to turn away from.
Read more on Sundance 2011 Review: How To Die In Oregon…...
- 1/25/2011
- by Kate Erbland
- GordonandtheWhale
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