Showing posts with label documentary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label documentary. Show all posts
Nov 26, 2018
Apr 1, 2018
Jul 4, 2017
May 1, 2017
Apr 1, 2016
Nov 6, 2015
Iris (DVD)
Video Librarian Reviews
This splashy, stylish cinematic portrait of indomitable 93-year-old Manhattan fashionista Iris Apfel—the penultimate film from late documentarian Albert Maysles (his final film will be In Transit)—is somewhat reminiscent of his 1975 classic Grey Gardens, which profiled reclusive eccentrics related to Jacqueline Kennedy. Born Iris Barrel in 1921 in Astoria, Queens, Iris is the only child of Samuel Barrel, whose family owned a glass-and-mirror business, and his wife Sadye, who ran a fashion boutique. After studying art history, Iris worked for Women's Wear Daily, interior designer Elinor Johnston, and illustrator Robert Goodman. She married Carl Apfel in 1948 and the pair launched the textile firm Old World Weavers. Having no children, the couple globe-trotted, acquiring an eclectic collection of exotic souvenirs. Several years ago, Architectural Digest slyly described their luxurious Park Avenue apartment as looking "a little as if the Collyer brothers had moved in with Madame de Pompadour." Iris was involved in the White House interior design restoration projects of nine presidents, from Truman to Clinton. Iris—who is famous for her lament, "There is so much sameness. I hate it!"— wears enormous owl glasses, costume jewelry necklaces, and a multitude of glittering bracelets and clothing adorned with feathers, prints, and bright colors (she says that "it's better to be happy than well-dressed"). Dispensing wit, charm, and wisdom, elderly Iris advocates old-fashioned values and a healthy work ethic: "If you're lucky enough to do something you love, everything else follows." Recommended. (S. Granger) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2015.
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Oct 1, 2015
The war (DVD)
Summary: Tells the story of ordinary people in four quintessentially American towns - Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama; Sacramento, California; and Luverne, Minnesota - and examines the ways in which the Second World War touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America.
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Sep 8, 2015
The lost fleet of Guadalcanal (DVD)
Summary: Retracing the events at Guadalcanal that changed the course of World War II, Dr. Robert Ballard leads a joint National Geographic Society/U.S. Navy expedition to discover ships unseen for fifty years and to share the memories of those who fought and survived. - (Baker & Taylor)
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Inside Mecca (DVD)
Summary: One of the most intimate and three-dimensional documentations of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. "Inside Mecca" follows three Muslims from very different backgrounds as they embark on an epic five-day reaffirmation of faith and quest for salvation. Witness the personal stories of the pilgrims and the mental preparation, physical strain and spiritual ecstasy they encounter on their pilgrimage of faith.
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Feb 5, 2015
Rape of Europa (DVD)
Summary: Imagine the world without our masterpieces. Interviews with eyewitnesses and historians and newsreel footage show how during World War II the Nazis systematically took or destroyed the art of Europe. It follows the the heroic Europeans who first hid, and then set out to find and return what had been taken, with the help of the Allied forces "Monuments Men". It is work that continues to this day.
Video Librarian Reviews
An engrossing documentary, The Rape of Europa tells the interrelated stories of the Nazi plunder of priceless objets d'art from conquered territories during World War II, the simultaneous efforts by Allied forces to preserve as much of Europe's artistic patrimony as possible while working towards the defeat of Germany, and the subsequent attempts to restore stolen and/or damaged items to their proper owners and original form. Based on the bestselling book by Lynn H. Nicholas (who appears as one of several talking-head commentators), the film draws on a wealth of archival footage to document Hitler's own artistic ambitions and his attempts, along with underlings such as Luftwaffe head Hermann Goering, to steal some artistic masterworks for personal collections while systematically destroying others—such as Polish and Russian national treasures—officially considered degenerate because they represented the work of "inferior" races. Attention is also paid here to the heroic efforts by Polish, Russian, Italian, and French patriots who strove to save endangered artwork, as well as a unit of experts attached to the American army who advised the military about minimizing damage while also aiding in the recovery of pieces that had been carted off to secret locations. The documentary follows its subject into the postwar period, detailing the extensive repair and reconstruction work, as well as the international effort to return items to their rightful owners. Narrated with quiet authority by Oscar-nominee Joan Allen, this is a fascinating film that sheds light on a lesser-known but culturally significant aspect of World War II history. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2009.
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Nov 1, 2014
Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times (DVD)
Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times (DVD)Summary: The story of the Chandler family's influence over Los Angeles through their publication, the Los Angeles Times, and its entwinement with politics, civic ideals, and personal agendas.
Video Librarian Reviews
This PBS documentary, narrated by Liev Schreiber, chronicles the rise and fall of the Chandler family—who for four decades owned the Los Angeles Times and helped provide the vision that transformed L.A. from a sleepy agricultural town to a bustling metropolis—while also charting the shifting political culture and the decline of newspapers in the Internet age. Two-time Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Peter Jones traces the family lineage from the paper's founder, Harrison Gray Otis, a tireless, often self-serving California promoter and rabid anti-union businessman; to his son-in-law Harry Chandler, who became a trusted confidante, drawing the nickname "pirate visionary"; to the savvy third-generation head Norman Chandler, whose wife, Dorothy, built a concert hall and saved the Hollywood Bowl; and their son Otis, who led the Los Angeles Times into its glory days in the 1970s. Along the way, the paper exploited its political and Hollywood connections—at one point even encouraging MGM boss Louis B. Mayer to produce a fake documentary that helped crush socialist Upton Sinclair's bid to become state governor. Eventually, political divides, attempts to diversify holdings, and the gradual decline of the newspaper business led the Chandlers to sell to out-of-town interests. Drawing upon extensive archives, this is a vivid, informative social history, featuring insights from historians, former employees, and select family members. Recommended.
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Apr 1, 2014
Cutie and the boxer (DVD)
Summary: In New York City in 1969, nineteen-year-old art student Noriko fell in love with 41-year-old avant-garde artist Ushio Shinohara and put her career on hold to marry and support this rising star of the Manhattan art world. But 40 years later and still struggling, Ushio remains consumed with reinforcing his legacy via his 'boxing' paintings, while Noriko is now finding her own creative voice through a series of drawings.
Video Librarian Reviews
Filmmaker Zachary Heinzerling's Oscar-nominated documentary begins with an arresting title sequence in which diminutive 80-year-old avant-garde Japanese emigrant artist Ushio Shinohara creates one of his trademark "boxing" paintings—methodically moving left to right while beating the bejeezus out of a huge rectangular canvas with his paint-drenched boxing gloves, finishing the work in about two minutes. In 1969, the-41-year-old Ushio married 19-year-old art student Noriko in New York City, where the couple still live, struggling to make rent payments (at one point, Ushio literally stuffs some of his surreal sculptures into a battered suitcase and jets to Japan, returning with a few thousand dollars and a beaming smile). Noriko continues to pursue her own artistic dreams, creating drawings of a nude "Cutie and Bullie" in a series of semi-autobiographical cartoon panels (sometimes presented in striking iconographic animation here), although Ushio feels that his own work is much more important ("the average one has to support the genius"). But while the couple clearly have a loving relationship, Noriko is also starting to chafe at the proverbial bit, a little tired of being a "free secretary, free assistant, free chef." Fate smiles on Noriko when she lands the chance to do a joint exhibition with her husband (tellingly, he wants to call the exhibit "Roar!"; she successfully names it "Love Is a Roar"). Heinzerling's documentary interweaves fly-on-the-wall footage of the artists' daily lives (and interactions with their alcoholic artist son, Alex), combined with excerpts from a 1970s documentary by Rod McCall entitled Shinohara: The Last Artist. Serving up a delightful portrait of an unusual artist couple, this entertaining documentary is recommended. (R. Pitman). Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2014.
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Mar 1, 2014
Twenty feet from stardom (DVD)
Summary: They are the voices behind the greatest rock, pop and R&B hits of all time, but no one knows their names. Now, in this award-winning documentary, director Morgan Neville shines the spotlight on the untold stories of such legendary background singers as Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, and more.
"While the lead singers in rock, pop, and R&B are the ones who get the glory, knowledgeable music fans will tell you the backing vocalists often add the touches that make a performance truly memorable, and though many backup singers have the respect of their peers in the music business, they're all but unknown to the average listener. Twenty Feet From Stardom pays homage to some of these unsung heroes, including Darlene Love (the un-credited lead voice on some of Phil Spector's most memorable productions of the 1960s), Merry Clayton (who contributed a striking vocal cameo on the Rolling Stones' ""Gimme Shelter"", Lisa Fischer (who has appeared on albums by Sting, Tina Turner, and Aretha Franklin, as well as touring with the Rolling Stones), and the Waters Family (they sang with Michael Jackson on the album Thriller and lent their voices to the films The Lion King and Avatar)." - (Alert)
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Feb 1, 2014
Brew masters (DVD)
Summary: Sam Calagione, craft beer maestro, and his team at Dogfish Head Brewery travel the world – and their own backyard – searching for exotic ingredients and discovering ancient techniques to produce beers of astounding originality. They also deal with funky bottles, ruthless timelines, clouds of construction dust – even the quest for the right saliva. Sometimes it all comes together, sometimes it all hits the fan. No matter what happens, Sam and team Dogfish Head put it all out there, and have a good time doing it. Be a part of their quest to reclaim beer’s heart and soul. - (Alert)
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Jan 1, 2014
Cave of forgotten dreams (DVD)
Summary: A new documentary from Werner Herzog follows an exclusive expedition into the nearly inaccessible Chauvet Cave in France, home to the most ancient visual art known to have been created by man. An unforgettable cinematic experience that provides an unique glimpse of pristine artwork dating back to human hands over 30,000 years ago, almost twice as old as any previous discovery.
Video Librarian Reviews
In this hypnotic documentary, filmmaker Werner Herzog visits a cavern in the remote French countryside containing the oldest prehistoric wall paintings yet discovered. Given permission for a brief photo shoot in the Chauvet Cave—uncovered in 1994—Herzog and his team follow stringent rules designed to protect the site from contamination. Clad in space-age suits, the crew follow a narrow walkway, focusing their lenses on the artwork, using the play of light and shade to reveal the almost cinematic charcoal depictions of bears, rhinos, lions, and horses. Periodically they pause to note the radiant stalactites and preserved remnants of ancient human and animal habitation, including skulls of cave bears and skeletal remains of other creatures. Interspersed throughout are Herzog's observations, some delightfully wry but most meditating on what the images convey about the singularity of human nature, the seemingly innate impulse to express one's self, and the fragility of man's creations. Herzog also interviews scientists who've been investigating Chauvet, as well as art historians, and "cave finders" who use various skills to locate potential new sites. As always, the filmmaker manages to draw out his subjects' eccentricities as their remarks take a poetic or spiritual turn. Cave of Forgotten Dreams is an evocative work that raises fundamental questions about the human condition and modern man's links with—and differences from—distant ancestors. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2011.
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Nov 1, 2013
Beauty is embarrassing (DVD)
Beauty is embarrassing: the Wayne White story (DVD)
Summary: For more than 30 years, Wayne White has made an indelible mark on the creative world. As a designer, painter, puppeteer, sculptor and musician, White created images and ideas that are an integral, yet sometimes subconscious, part of the pop-culture lexicon. Part biography, part live performance; tell the irreverent and inspiring story of this one-of-a-kind visual artist and raconteur.
Reviews
Vulgar, hilarious, and filled with nostalgia…a truly entertaining examination of the power of art. --Aint It Cool News
A laugh-out-loud portrait of the wild & wacky Wayne White --IndieWire
Frantic, sentimental, surreal and very funny. --Wired
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Mar 1, 2013
Juliette of the herbs (DVD)
Juliette of the herbs (DVD)
Summary: A portrait of the life and work of Juliette de Bairacli Levy: herbalist, healer, breeder of Afghan hounds, author, and pioneer of holistic veterinary medicine.
Staff Comments: "Herbalist, healer, teacher and author, this is the uplifting story of the life of a remarkable woman."
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Jan 1, 2013
Proteus a nineteenth century vision (DVD)
Summary: Through the works of biologist and philosopher Ernst Haeckel, the role of the sea as the "outer space" of his time is explored. Based almost entirely on 19th-century scientific illustrations, paintings, and photographs brought to life through innovative animation, Proteus explores the undersea world through a complex tapestry of biology, oceanography, scientific history, poetry and myth.
Reviews:
A ONE-OF-A-KIND VISUAL TREAT! May cause audiences to look at (and think about) the world around them in dramatically different terms. --Variety
MAGNIFICENT...WONDERFUL! Like strolling through a cabinet of wonders. --TV Guide
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Dec 1, 2012
Bill Cunningham New York (DVD)
Summary: Bill Cunningham has been obsessively and inventively chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirees for the New York Times Style section in his columns On the Street and Evening Hours for decades. Presented is a delicate, funny, and often poignant portrait of a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace.
Video Librarian Reviews
Richard Press' documentary offers an affectionate portrait of photographer Bill Cunningham, whose snapshots of fashion shows, high society events, and distinctively dressed people on the street have graced the pages of the New York Times for years. What makes this film particularly noteworthy are Cunningham's contradictions. While the octogenarian shutterbug is fanatic about unusual dress—he spends his days on the city streets, scampering around to shoot passersby whose clothes pique his interest—his personal wardrobe is utterly functional. Cunningham moves easily among pampered celebrities, but he travels around on his 28th bike (the previous 27 having been stolen). The shutterbug admits to never having had a serious romantic relationship, but enjoys a bevy of friends, and while he's at home in rarefied social circles, he lives a positively spartan existence, occupying a tiny rent-controlled Carnegie Hall studio lacking kitchen or private bath and almost bereft of furniture aside from the file cabinets where he stores the negatives of all the pictures he's ever shot (at least until he's evicted and forced into a larger place). Cunningham's lifestyle is partially explained by his indifference to money; the photographer has frequently turned down payment in order to maintain his prized independence. Press' approach to his subject is laidback, benefiting from interesting interviews with the voluble Cunningham, his colleagues, and myriad friends and associates. A film about single-mindedness of a cheerful, contented sort—a genial surface beneath which one can glimpse something rather poignant—this is recommended. (F. Swietek) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2011.
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Eames the architect and the painter (DVD)
Summary: The husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames is widely regarded as America's most important designers. Perhaps best remembered for their mid-century plywood and fiberglass furniture, the Eames Office also created a mind-bending variety of other products. But their personal lives and influence on significant events in American life has been less widely understood. Narrated by James Franco, this is the first film dedicated to these creative geniuses and their work.
Video Librarian Reviews
Charles Eames (1907–78) and his second wife, Ray (1912–88), were among the most innovative and influential American designers of the mid-20th century. Narrated by James Franco, this documentary by Jason Cohn and Bill Jersey serves up a chronicle of their lives and achievements, alternating archival material with comments from family, colleagues, and still-adoring members of their studio staff. Eames briefly covers the early years of both—Charles the architect and Ray the painter—but the emphasis here is on the groundbreaking work they accomplished in the circus-like atmosphere of their company headquarters in Venice, CA. The revolutionary design of the so-called Eames chair, made of malleable material and contoured to fit the human body, and the house they built—rightfully considered a milestone of modern architecture—receive due attention, but so do the advertising films they devised for major American companies like IBM, the extravagant museum exhibition on the colonial period they spearheaded for the U.S. Bicentennial, and the impressionistic film about America they created for public showing in the Soviet Union. And the filmmakers take time to reflect on the Eames' personal relationship (noting that Ray consciously deferred to the more charismatic Charles) and on the charge that the pair failed to adequately acknowledge the contributions of their staff. DVD extras include bonus scenes. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2011.
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