Category Archives: Documentary
Documentary
Flash Movie Review: Catfish
Knowledge, love and dreams are a few things one can gain from computers. Learning the definition of a new word or finding an exotic locale for a dream vacation is a couple of examples of what a person can find. I have a love/hate relationship with my computer. Being told how great they are, I do not understand why my computer cannot figure out what I want it to do without asking me questions. With all the news I hear about identity theft and fake charities; I have become fearful of any emails I receive from unfamiliar senders. My limited knowledge of computers does not help matters. I do know there is a dark side to computers, especially when the computer operator has hidden intentions. My fears were stoked by this documentary that played more like a mystery story. New York photographer/producer Yaniv “Nev” Schulman received a package containing a reproduction in paint of a photograph he had published. The artist was Abby, an eight year old girl who lived in Michigan. From that initial contact an online business relationship began through Facebook, where Nev eventually was introduced to Abby’s family. Her older sister Megan took an interest in Nev and the two began to develop feelings for each other through their email exchanges. This documentary followed Nev’s blossoming affection for Megan and her intriguing family with its young prodigy. Directors Henry Joost (Paranormal 3 & 4) and Ariel “Rel” Schulman (Paranormal 3 & 4), recorded Nev (Ariel’s brother) as his increasing emotional attachment to the family motivated him to go out and meet them in person. I do not believe I need to tell you anything further about this film; I am sure you get the picture. With clues being left like bread crumbs; my attention was grabbed from the start, curious to see what would happen to Nev. Several scenes took on the aura of a modern day Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson collaboration, thanks to the directors’ style. Ultimately the story is a product of our times. I have not gone to the internet to learn more about this emotional story. Computers scare me more now.
3 1/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Gatekeepers
Having gone through the “make love not war” decade, I am not a fan of war stories. I find most conflicts today are based usually on a racial or religious prejudice. No matter what the reasons there are always innocent victims. Maybe because of all the science fiction/fantasy books I have read, I wish conflicts could be held in an arena out in space. The only value I place on war is from a historical standpoint. If I could have may way, I would prefer hearing about military stories in a dramatized style. From what I have heard about this Oscar nominated documentary, the draw for audiences has been seeing the six former heads of Israel’s secret intelligence agency, Shin Bet. What grabbed me in this movie was hearing behind the scene details of past events. This particular aspect of the movie gave it a James Bond or Jason Bourne spy type feeling. I was curious why these men agreed to speak on camera. Was it vanity, guilt or propaganda that brought these individuals together? I do not have a clear cut answer to that question even after seeing the movie. Judging this film as a whole package, I did not find it all that entertaining. Going back and forth between each former head, historical footage and computer generated scenes became boring for me. When the conversation was about major public events I remembered, it would pique my curiosity. From each man I got the sense none of them really cared for politicians, finding them a deterrent to their job. When I put this documentary up against others I have seen the past year, I found this one lacking excitement. Maybe if one had an interest in politics and warfare, they would get more out of this film. The stars I gave this documentary reflect the entertainment value on a whole that I felt from this movie. Hebrew with English subtitles.
2 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts
In my yoga classes I mention how the right side of the body is our masculine, our sun side. The left side is our feminine, our lunar side. For some individuals one side may be more dominant than the other, it is just the way we are. I mention it simply as an awareness so when we do our poses, members can notice if one side is less challenged than the other. Part of yoga is finding balance within ourselves. My yoga teacher kept reminding us before we went into a pose to always start with the side that is more challenging. I, in turn, share this idea with my classes. In the scientific world there is the theory that the left side of the brain is skilled with numbers, logic and reasoning; the right side is proficient with colors, creativity and music. Through my life I have done some things that focused more on the right side of my brain like going to college originally to become a veterinarian. Then there were things I did that nourished the left side of my brain such as taking up the piano for 8 years. I have always been fascinated on how the mind works in highly creative people. In this documentary by Academy Award nominated director Scott Hicks (Shine, The Lucky One), the subject was composer Philip Glass. Scott spent over a year following Philip, taking the footage and breaking it down into twelve segments for this movie. Besides filming Philip collaborating with such artists as Martin Scorsese, Ravi Shankur and Woody Allen; we were privy to his home life with wife and kids. The segments I enjoyed the most were the ones that showed Philip working on his compositions, his creative process. Scenes showing life at home were okay for me, though a couple of them were quite poignant. Philip’s minimalistic style may not be pleasing for some individuals, but this biography focused more towards the creation of such music. I wished there had been more scenes devoted to Philip letting the right side of his brain flourish. As documentaries go, this one kept an even balance showing the daily life of a multifaceted music master.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work
I have met a few celebrities in my travels, though not nearly as many as I hope to see some day. Las Vegas has been my lucky spot where I have seen the majority of them. There was the time tennis player John McEnroe and his wife Patty Smyth were walking down the street. My friend and I walked faster to overtake and pass them. We then stopped where I pretended I was taking a picture of my friend in front of a hotel marquee. Fiddling with the camera lens, I waited until John and his wife came into viewfinder range then shot the picture. The photo showed my friend standing next to the couple as if he belonged with them. Things like this have added an extra fun element to my Las Vegas trips. The subject of this documentary was someone I met in a Las Vegas hotel’s elevator. When she walked into the elevator it only took a second for me to realize it was really Joan Rivers and not an impersonator. The question then was whether to leave her alone or say hello. I could not resist and introduced myself, telling her I enjoyed her humor. Joan was quite cordial, thanking me and asking me if this was my first time in Las Vegas. It briefly crossed my mind to hit the emergency button to stop the elevator, so I could ask her a bunch of questions. I thought better of it because getting arrested as a stalker would be something that definitely would not stay in Vegas! If you are not a fan of Joan Rivers I do not think you would even get this film; however, I was surprised to find her story told in a funny and compassionate way. She deserves credit for what she has done in paving the way for the female comics we enjoy today. No matter what you think about her, Joan cannot be faulted for her work ethic. At her age keeping her schedule as active as it was shown, I only hope I can keep doing what I do at that age. As my cousin’s aunt who was a Hollywood manager always said, “You have to be a little crazy to be a star.”
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Exit Through the Gift Shop
For all I know, I may be seeing the work of the next Andy Warhol or Banksy. When I ride the city’s public transportation inevitably I see a variety of street art and graffiti. Not the kind that a teenager tags on a wall to claim he or she was there, but the detailed creations that give me reason to pause and ponder their message or even their irrelevance. Part of my curiosity is trying to figure out how the person even reached the location to place their work. This documentary gave me an inside look into the whole process and I found it wildly fascinating. The film began with the story of Frenchman Thierry Guetta, a Los Angeles shop owner. With video camera in hand, Thierry fell into recording street artists. His quirkiness and charm somehow worked; artists began trusting him, allowing Thierry to document their work in action. One of the most infamous street artists was the individual who called himself Banksy. His detailed stenciled art had become well known throughout the world. Thierry was determined to track down this artist, but when he finally met the person, Thierry’s camera lens would be turned back on himself. I know art is a personal thing for everyone. What one person calls art, another could call it junk. It should not make a difference for enjoying this funny documentary. In my naivete I had no idea Shepard Fairey, the man associated with the famous blue and red Obama campaign poster, was a graffiti artist. Or that Mr. Brainwash did the cover art for Madonna’s Greatest Hits Collection CD. The risks these creative people took was startling. Since Banksy was credited with directing this movie, I honestly did not know how much was believable and I did not care. The build up to Mr. Brainwash’s show felt surreal to me. The creative mind is a wonderful thing and watching it in action throughout this film was exciting.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Restrepo
In a discussion with a member in my yoga class who is a magazine editor, we talked about the current state of reporting on the news. If someone does not have a direct connection to an event, the story becomes abstract. We specifically were talking about war coverage since we had been talking about the movie Zero Dark Thirty. She mentioned the differences in media coverage between the Vietnam and Afghanistan wars. In the 1970’s newspapers and newscasts put battles and casualties right in people’s faces. These days it tends to be mentioned as a statistic with less importance, which angers her. Unfortunately we had to end our conversation since I was about to start class. Believing in synchronicity, I found this movie came at the perfect time; right after I had seen Zero Dark Thirty. Where one was a Hollywood production, this movie was a documentary distributed by National Geographic. Directors Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger spent over 1 year with the men of Battle Company 2nd of the 503rd Infantry Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, starting with their deployment to Afghanistan. These men were being sent to Korangal Valley, an area that could easily have been called “Death Valley” due to the never-ending deadly skirmishes with al-Qaeda and the Taliban. What I appreciated most about this Oscar nominated and Sundance Film Festival winner was the matter of fact way it was filmed. There were no political agenda, no slanted interpretations; it was more about the daily lives of these courageous men. Where Zero Dark Thirty had its intense scenes; so did this film in a different way–these men were shooting real bullets. Some people may find parts of this movie slow because there was not a story line to be followed. We were watching real soldiers up close, from deadly battles to burning their own feces. Foul language and a couple of brief scenes with blood.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Chasing Ice
Perched at the edge of the railing all we could see was the ocean’s slow rolling exhale along its surface. Walls of cold white ice surrounded us as they tried catching our eyes with a spark of reflective bright sunshine. In the still quiet I heard the sound of something cracking. It grew louder into an echoing rumble. Before me I saw a huge slab of white wall snap apart and slide into the ocean below, leaving a trail of icy crumbs. This was the experience I had in Glacier Bay, Alaska; witnessing the calving of a glacier. The idea that I may never see this part of nature again saddens me. Watching this documentary was breathtaking. I am a product of the creative left side of my brain working in tandem with the scientific right side; as I result, I had a deeper appreciation for the way this film handled the subject matter. National Geographic photographer James Balog founded the Extreme Ice Survey in 2007. Its mission has been to record the shrinkage of glaciers. There are 34 cameras stationed at 16 glaciers, taking photographs every hour year round. In this movie there was amazing, exquisite footage of James’ hiking along several glaciers, looking for the perfect setting for a photo shoot. As a visual experience I was enthralled seeing places I would never have the opportunity to visit on my own. Helping James in his endeavors were Svavar Jonatansson and Adan LeWinter. Director Jeff Orlowski did an admirable job just based on the working conditions alone. Once the photographs were compiled into a time-lapsed video it was startling to see the change in the glaciers’ sizes. There was no political agenda being fostered on the viewer; in fact, James used to be a skeptic of global warming. This film festival winner left me and the other viewers in the theater stunned. Something so simple as taking a picture made a profound impact on all of us.
3 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Nature of Existence
For whatever reason, I never gave much thought to the how and why humans exist. If anything, I always thought I was an accident since my two brothers were eleven and eight years older than me. The big joke I used to tell my friends in defense of my thinking was saying, after having to deal with my graffiti spraying, story telling brothers; my mother waited eight years and decided she wanted to continue the madness by having me. I know each religion has their own definition on the nature of existence. Some believe in the ashes to ashes, dust to dust way of thinking; others believe in reincarnation. I only know there is no right answer or wrong answer. In this documentary, director Roger Nygard (Trekkies, Suckers) traveled the globe interviewing religious leaders, spiritual figureheads, scholars, artists and scientists among others, to seek out answers to some of life’s profound questions. Before you think this documentary sounds heavy and ponderous, let me tell you it was nothing like it. Roger handled the scenes with a light, humorous spin; keeping the story moving forward. Maybe an easier way of describing this documentary would be to say some of you should think of it as the CliffsNotes for religion; to others it can be thought of as Religion for Dummies book. Personally, I found this an interesting film. My curiosity with other cultures was piqued by the different locales and variety of interviewees. Can I say I found the answers to the meaning of life, to my existence from this movie? The answer would be no; however, I did gain a deeper understanding of people’s beliefs and reaffirm my own belief that there is no such thing as a right or wrong religion.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Brooklyn Castle
My biggest accomplishment in summer camp one year was making a coat hook and a chessboard. The day camp offered a variety of classes for the campers; I chose wood shop. The first time I tried making a chessboard I got frustrated. My colored blocks of wood that I had cut out were not all symmetrical. Yes, even back then I was already a bit obsessive. Wanting to trash the whole idea, it was the camp counselor who took the time to encourage me to try again, after showing me a different way to cut the blocks out. I was not the only one who received help, there were other kids who received the counselor’s help. It was this individual’s patience and encouragement that made this class my favorite that summer. When a child receives positive motivation, the possibilities are endless for what they can achieve. In this inspirational documentary, the teachers of inner city school I.S. 318 are living proof of what a student can accomplish over challenging circumstances. With 70% of the student body coming from homes that were below the poverty level set by the federal government, the school’s chess team were national champions, the best in the country. They had won more championships than any other school in the nation. To hear these students’ personal stories only made their achievement that more impressive to me. This story followed the chess team as it attempted to repeat its past success, despite looming budget cuts that could eliminate them even before the start of competition. The film makers did a wonderful job of filming, giving the viewers a front row seat to the tension, nerves and fears these students experienced during their matches. If anyone has doubts on how much a teacher can influence their students, they need to see this impressive documentary.
3 1/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Saint of 9/11
I have had the good fortune to be in the presence of charitable individuals throughout my life. Their warmth and kindness spread out to embrace me, like a soft cozy blanket; it truly was a wonderful feeling. My yoga teacher was one such individual. His patience and sweetness were always a comfort as he guided me through our lessons. I credit him for my ability to stay a calm driver, no matter how trite that may sound. My fascination with these giving people has always included their history, the steps they took to become who they are today. In this moving documentary, I was introduced to a selfless man who left a profound effect on everyone he encountered. The story was about the life of Father Mychal Judge. What I especially appreciated was his life story, his determination to go beyond doctrine and do what he felt was the right thing to do–give comfort to anyone and everyone. In my classes I avoid discussions about religion. To me, there are no better or worse religions; everyone has the right to believe what they want without pushing it on someone else. Father Mychal was a New York fire department chaplain. When the twin towers were attacked, he did what he had always done before; suit up and immediately go to the aid of those affected, to comfort them. Listening to the love and admiration throughout the movie for Father Mychal, I only wish I could have met this amazing man. One thing I especially admired was how the filmmakers did not shy away from showing the personal side of Father Mychal. For example, he was a strong advocate of AA; since he himself was a recovering alcoholic. I do not know how such extraordinary humans reach that state of mind to be all giving and accepting. But what I do know is how I was humbled after watching the life of this loving man.
3 1/3 stars — DVD
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