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Reviews
Time (2020)
Weak, flimsy
As far as documentaries go, this one is incredibly sparse and shallow. There's not a lot of factual information or real details in it, but there's a lot of cinematic moments that are clearly meant to pull on your heartstrings. I really hoped that instead of building up to emotional moments with their black and white mind blowing cinematography that they had focused on actually telling a better story. It's really not Oscar worthy material, no chance. It's as slow moving as molasses in January and a lot of repetitive close up shots that look like someone shot them on an iPhone pointed at themselves, a lot of insipid moments of waiting on hold or working out at the gym, and really, really boring scenes where almost nothing happens. Let's please raise the bar a little bit.
The Ringmaster (2019)
More than Onions
This is a movie about a very talented cook and his onion rings. But it's also about wealth and entitlement, manipulation and mental illness, obsession and obliviousness. This filmmaker is so wrapped up in his abundance of money (which, in turn, keeps a revolving cast of assistants flowing in and out, mostly out when they realize what's really going on) that he doesn't realize that his obsession with Larry the ring maker is actually stifling the subject himself, alienating and shocking those around him, and keeping him blind to his own motives and actions. The filmmaker throws more and more money at the project with reckless abandon as the subject descends into severe mental illness, only to discard Larry when he has outgrown his use for the film. It is actually textbook manipulation, narcissistic tendencies and an absolute lack of remorse for what he's doing to those around him. I felt very sorry for most of the people in this film, but less than all for the filmmaker. He should be embarrassed of himself and take the funds he's god left and get some therapy (and preferably, leave the cameras at the door).
Strip Down, Rise Up (2021)
It's whack
Get ready for a lot of sobbing, and a lot of advertising Sheila's studio. Great stuff, everybody.
Uncle Tom (2020)
Delusional bordering on insane
A documentary about black conservatives, put together by a white filmmaker. Got it. Some of the people are so brainwashed by their upbringing and their surroundings that a social psychologist would have an absolute field day breaking this stuff apart. Having read Caste, White Fragility, and The New Jim Crow, that information holds just a little bit more weight than smashing together interviews of a bunch of brainwashed conservatives spewing half-truths and hold lies. For all your pro-military , anti-commie, whitewashed propaganda - look no further.
The Rape of Recy Taylor (2017)
Great story could use better treatment
The story of Recy Taylor is a harsh reality that needs to be brought to light. Sadly this documentary errs on the busy side, with an ominous churning soundtrack throughout that , at times, has two types of music going on at once. The images are often rapidly switched with transitions that don't give sufficient breathing time and even the story itself seemed insufficient in the eyes of the filmmakers to stand on its own. It's a necessary story and a difficult truth but it could have used a more effective treatment through this medium.
H. H. Holmes: Original Evil (2018)
As Bad as it Gets
Shockingly horrific. An irredeemable mess. An epic disaster of magnificent proportions. You honestly couldn't do worse if you tried to make a documentary about HH Holmes. The re-enactments which typically mar this sort of production are somehow even more faked, more preposterous, and more amateurish than usual. The narration borders on comical, the visual imagery a resolute mess. Honestly everybody involved with this production should hang their heads in shame, because this absolutely sucks. Even HH Holmes deserved better - the incredible true story certainly does.
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton (2017)
Insufferable and hard to watch
I'm typically a Jim Carrey fan, and I greatly enjoy and admire Andy Kaufman, but this film was just difficult to watch. Carrey goes out of his way to tell you he's made 10mil off his film credits (sounds like he found out money and fame only messes with your sense of self worth, it doesn't create it). He then proceeds to drive the entire cast and crew absolutely bonkers as he takes method acting to the extreme during the filming of Man on the Moon. It may endear him to the surviving members of the Kaufman family but everyone from director Milos Foreman to the makeup and lighting crew are simply pawns in Carrey's game, relegated to being punchlines or extras in his "behind the scenes" documentary (lest we forget, the cameras keep rolling, so Carrey must keep performing). A stunt to hunt down Spielberg only results in annoying the assistants, exacerbating the security and harassing restaurant goers. Ad nauseum. We get it, you got a Golden Globe for the performance. But Carrey has hardly ever over-acted quite this much, making the result just painful.
Seaspiracy (2021)
Imperfect but necessary
One must commend the filmmakers for exposing themselves personally to unmask the harsh realities of "sustainable" fishing. Although some attempts to interview high-ranking execs are clearly heavy-handed, the compelling points and urgent call to action (though what, exactly, those actions are, seems somewhat murky) makes this film a necessary watch for anyone who eats fish or loves life.
I, Dolours (2018)
Weak
Shabby re-enactments and a poor soundtrack do a great disservice to an otherwise pretty depressing story which enlightens some, and drones on far too often. Poor, poor film.
Can't Get You Out of My Head (2021)
Incredible, Unmissable
Adam Curtis is a treasure, and his latest documentary is a triumph. Revealing his truths through a compelling and excellently edited film and making an incredibly convincing point, he never fails to dazzle and entertain. I'm never glued to the edge of my seat quite the way Curtis makes me, and his 2021 release is no different. A remarkable piece of film, a great success, and thoroughly unmissable.
Pelé (2021)
Great, but....
Pelé is the title of this documentary. Going into it I expected vintage footage of the football player in his greatest moments, the story of his footballing career, and an in-depth look at his personal life which would presumably give us insights into his mind and actions. What we get is some of that, and a strong dose of heavy-handed political rhetoric. It's curious, but pretty revealing as to the filmmaker's bias and political leanings. Honestly, if they'd stuck to the task at hand, we'd be presented with a more focused film. "Pelé - the footballer, his life, and the Brazilian dictatorship" would have been a more accurate title.
The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear (2004)
Consistent, marvelous
Adam Curtis is consistent. Consistently compelling, consistently producing excellent quality, consistent unique content, consistent excellent editing. This documentary is a triumph and, like many of Curtis' recent productions, ought to be made mandatory viewing. Unmissable, instantly recommendable.
Get on Up (2014)
Not good
Does anybody else find it a bit disingenuous to put together a documentary about the wonderful James Brown without even consulting the surviving members of the JBs? There's a scene in which Maceo Parker gets fined for cursing on the tour bus. Maceo didn't cuss back then, and he doesn't cuss now, so why the was this scene inserted into the movie? Some of these productions are pretty quick not to let pesky facts get in the way of a good story. "Get on Up" gets wrong what "Ray" got so right, and ultimately plays a great disservice to the legacy of Brown. It's popcorn entertainment , bubblegum media made to be forgotten as soon as it is consumed. It's disrespectful to the story and legacy of James Brown but hey, I'm sure they had fun making it.
I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
Fantastic
If people claim not to know about the history of racial tension, violence, and oppression in America it comes down to simple avoidance of facts. Baldwin makes a compelling case for discovering the history of America through the eyes of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. America would do well to not turn away.
The Century of the Self (2002)
Unmissable
This should be mandatory viewing. It's incredibly well-put together from the editing to the soundtrack, it's unique and compelling in its content and structure, and Adam Curtis manages to make an unbelievable convincing point which ultimately will empower citizens to understand the history of the world. Absolutely unmissable.
Murder Among the Mormons (2021)
Phenomenally Entertaining
A true tale that seems to have snuck under the radar gets the 5 star treatment in this incredibly entertaining documentary. It's as unexpected and surprising as it is well-done. Highly entertaining, an unforgettable story.
Becoming Bond (2017)
Terrific
Even the re-enactments work in this thoroughly well-done documentary. A must for any Bond fan.