If you weren’t convinced before that Donald Trump presents a serious threat to our democracy, this documentary pulling in experts in psychology, psychiatry, counter-terrorism, history, current politics, and a Trump co-writer presents reasoned arguments about why we should be apprehensive and do everything we can to exercise our rights in the next election. “Stand up and […]
Seventeen year-old boys being politicians and running for office—that’s something to see. And you can see it too in Boys State, a documentary by Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss chronicling the 2018 proceedings in Austin, Texas. Established years ago by the American Legion (one for girls, and one for boys in their junior year of high school), it’s
This documentary offers a lesson in why not to get involved in conducting business in a culture one doesn’t fully understand. The particular men who got involved in the venture can be forgiven, in that their dealings with the Russians occurred at a turbulent time in history—the fall of the Soviet Union, the rise of Yeltsin,
I applaud this film most for demonstrating so clearly how a dictatorship can evolve in a country newly liberated from Communism and asking for government to be more accountable, to be hijacked, a lesson for many democracies in the world today. Citizen K (Mikhail Khodorkovsky) is about a man whom we will all recognize. He’s flawed—at least among
Competitions are generally fun to watch, and Stacey Tenenbaum (writer/director/producer) of Pipe Dreams has created a finely constructed and balanced production of the 2017 Canadian International Oregon Competition in Montreal, Canada, where the first place prize is $100,000. Featured competitors comprise a diverse group, one from China, one from New Zealand, one from Germany, and two from the U.S. Tenenbaum
I was struck by Hatidze’s face when she first appears on screen. She has one of those visages that reflect life experiences; and the fact that the wrinkles all up her cheeks seem to be from smiling gives us a clue as to her personality. Of course, it’s also obvious that wrinkles from worry are there as
Gender inequality: And the best way to fight this is? Of all the voices I appreciated in this documentary, it was Mel Brooks’ “This is their time (meaning women’s)!” It’s long past time, but this documentary shows that the battle is far from won. It traces the inching progress that women have made in finding a voice in film,
Anyone who is a fan of Leonard Cohen’s music is sure to want to see this documentary about his life and the woman who became his muse despite their disconnections through the years. It’s a love story, but likely more unconventional than any other told before, perhaps partly because of the times (1960’s-70’s) and partly
Maiden: A film beautifully directed by Alex Holmes, that should be seen by boys and girls, men and women, to counteract misconceptions about supposed differences between males and females. In addition to Holmes’ direction, Katie Byer’s editing brings the viewer along on the race at a well planned pace, so that it becomes a mystery as to
Jakob Dylan and his band create an echo in Laurel Canyon when they perform some of the major hits that were recorded there in the mid-60’s, e.g., the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Beach Boys, and the Mamas and the Papas. Also appearing in interviews and chats are Tom Petty, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, David