For me, the most interesting documentaries involve some sort of accident of fate. When the end result of a documentary, whatever it's about, is pretty much what the filmmaker envisioned at the start, I'm not interested. You may end up with something great, and certainly something worth the time, but it's never as brilliant an adventure, or (for me) as entertaining in terms of the world of … [Read more...]
Every generation in the history of mankind has talked about the good old days, so it isn't surprising to find one more example of reminiscing about days gone by and the way things have changed. Most generations probably have some version of pointing out that things really are different in their case, but there might be a pretty good argument this time around. New York Street Games, a feature … [Read more...]
If you're a fan of Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion, there's a good chance you're already familiar with the documentary The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes. It's just the nature of Keillor fans to find out what's going on. The touring dates sell out practically before anyone knows they're on sale. If you happen not to be aware, and have any interest in Garrison Keillor at … [Read more...]
The genesis of Andrew Jarecki’s Capturing the Friedmans has already become an established industry anecdote. Jarecki, who from what I understand has only his status as co-founder of MovieFone connecting him to the industry, set out, for reasons I cannot imagine, to make a documentary about party clowns in New York City. David Friedman had somehow managed to become, according to someone I … [Read more...]
At a certain point in Stacy Peralta's latest effort, Crips and Bloods: Made in America, one of our interview subjects comments (roughly) that one of the chief devices of oppression is to turn the oppressed into the tools of their own oppression. It was at this point, historically-moving documentary aside, that the film became interesting for me. Sure, the whole thing is a worthy effort just … [Read more...]
