Miss Representation

I could write a thesis on this film, but I will keep this simple. There are essentially three parts to this film. The first, based on hard facts, is good and interesting. I don't think you can find anyone who doesn't know that women are underrepresented in TV and movies and often hypersexualized in both. The second part is where things get tricky and conclusions are drawn from these facts. As everyone in the social sciences knows, correlation does not equal causation, but this film gets that wrong time and time again. It also "helpfully" ads dubious facts to create stronger causal links... the problem being that these  "facts" aren't facts at all. For example, they state conclusively that violence on TV and in video games causes real world violence, but that is not nor could ever be "proven", and we don't even have strong correlations for it. The third part is the worst, where social actions, based on these erroneous conclusions, are demanded, and I'm just not having that. Come back to me when you have a FAR stronger case and we'll talk, but right now these filmmakers need to rethink how they are making their case. 2/5

Miss Representation on Netflix

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man

I have to admit I'd never heard Scott Walker's music before watching this film. I'm a fan of nearly every genre and type of music, but, if I'm being truthful, Walker's work just isn't for me. I'm a Bartok fan, I like some discord in my harmony, but this was a little too much for me personally. Given that introducing new people to Walker's music was the main goal of this film, I deem it a success. The whole of Walker's career was sifted through and and I really got a sense of how he grew into the influential artist he is today. However, I do wish I could have understood more about Walker the man. I wanted to really know what made him tick, and in that regard the movie didn't work quite as well. This was just average for me. 3/5

Scott Walker: 30 Century Man on Netflix

Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth

I never knew that Tyson had done a one-man show, so I was surprised as all get out when I heard about this. I have always been a Tyson fan and supporter and, as such, I greatly enjoyed this. It's so nice to see him many years into recovery and able to talk about his early years and tough times with both clarity and wit. I wish Spike Lee had left the direction alone more - all we really needed was Tyson, his voice, and his story. Even if you aren't a Tyson person, give this a try - it might make you think twice. 4/5

Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth on Netflix

Tickled

For the first time, I'm reviewing a movie I didn't get from Netflix. I saw "Tickled" on HBOGo, and I was so utter taken by it that I had to write about it. I have never in my life seen a movie turn on it's head like this. The movie you think you will see is not at all the movie that you do see, and it's glorious. Don't let the oddness of the premise put you off - this is truly one of the best and most fascinating documentaries I've ever seen. I can't say anything else about it for fear of ruining the experience. Watch this, immediately. You will thank me for it. 5/5

The Salt of the Earth

This documentary about the photographic career of Sebastião Salgado is extremely well done. Salgado's earlier photographs, particularly of the sufferings in Africa, are disturbing and devastating to view. I can't imagine the emotional pain he went through to capture those images of the dead and dying. On the other hand, his photographs of the beauty of the Earth for his Genesis project are awe-inspiring and full of life. It's remarkable how one man could capture so much beauty and pain in the course of his life. A very moving film. 5/5

The Salt of the Earth on Netflix

Call Me Lucky

This is an amazing movie about a truly inspiring man who has lived a difficult and yet triumphant life. It's humbling to watch the journey of Barry Crimmins from flame-throwing comic to activist against child pornography. He's clearly come a long way, but, judging from the depth of his still-incinerating anger, I fear he has a ways left to go. Another winner from Bobcat Goldthwait. 5/5


Call Me Lucky on Netflix

Somm: Into the Bottle

I really loved the intimacy and story of the first "Somm" documentary, and I was hoping this sequel of sorts would continue the story of the somms we met in the first film. While all of them appear in this film, this isn't a film about somms, but rather the story of wine itself. I found it intriguing and very informative, but a sequel to "Somm" it is not, and I wish it hadn't been marketed as such. Still, a fine and interesting film 4/5

Somm: Into the Bottle on Netflix

Song of Lahore

This joyful documentary about the music of Lahore, Pakistan, is just so lovely and life-affirming. The background about the musicians and the history of the region is really interesting, but the whole movie is worth the last twenty minutes, when we get to here chunks of a concert in America that is just breathtaking. I so loved the music in this, it's just stunning. An amazing movie. 5/5

Song of Lahore on Netflix

King Georges

This profile of French chef Georges Perrier is fascinating. He has the temper one expects from a master chef, but, by the end, he shows such grace and humility that I was honestly surprised by it. Also, I am very, very hungry right now! A good and short documentary. 4/5

King Georges on Netflix

Amanda Knox

 I admit I only knew some of the more sensational details about the Amanda Knox story, so I was very interested in learning more in this documentary. I wasn't disappointed - this film gave a thorough accounting from the views of Knox and Sollecito, the police, and the press. I can see how Knox's demeanor must have seemed strange to many, but it is so important to remember that trauma affects everyone in very different ways. Coming out of this film, I am inclined to believe Knox is innocent, but, as with most true crime, we'll never truly know. A fascinating film. 4.5/5

Amanda Knox on Netflix

A Ballerina's Tale

This documentary about Misty was both beautiful and a bit frustrating. It was beautiful because I had never seen Misty dance for extended periods of time and she's just breathtaking to watch. She has such a gift, it's amazing. But it was also frustrating because I wanted to know more about Misty the woman and less about the issue of Black women in classical dance. This would have been a five star film if I could have learned more about what really made Misty the amazing dancer she is. 4/5

A Ballerina's Tale on Netflix

Weiner

This documentary was really difficult for me to watch. Weiner gave this documentary crew tremendous access to his life and his campaign. I was honestly stunned with how much he allowed them to film. But what was was most shocking was the relationship between Weiner and Abedin. Speaking very frankly, Weiner seemed abusive and awful to Abedin throughout most of the film. A reporter commented, after watching them together, that Huma looked like an abused spouse, and I totally agree with that assessment. Weiner was a bully, not just to her, but to people on the street, to reporters, and to everyone who dared stand up to him. Knowing the most recent scandal that has broken from his camp, I feel sickened by everything that has transpired. This is a brilliant documentary about a subject that, for me, was just very difficult to watch. 5/5

Weiner on Netflix

City of Gold

I admit I've never been adventurous when it comes to food, but watching Jonathan Gold eat what, to me, were exotic cuisines out of food trucks and strip mall restaurants all over LA made me really hungry and want to try new things. A very loving portrait of a man and his legacy of food. 4/5

City of Gold on Netflix

Pink Ribbons, Inc

I have dear friends who are very invested in the Pink Ribbon movement, and I don't blame them. Cancer is a scary thing, and, on the surface, it seems like many of these campaigns could be of help. Sadly, this documentary discusses something I already had some familiarity with - that many of these pink ribbon campaigns do precious little to actually research, prevent or cure breast cancer. The bottom line is, if you really want to help do something about cancer, do your research and donate to funds that are actually doing quality work in the area of research. That's the only way we're really going to make serious headway into finding out what causes cancers such as this. Bravo to this documentary for bring that to light and really talking about it. 4/5

Pink Ribbons, Inc. on Netflix

The Hunting Ground

There's no easy way to put this. This is a devastating documentary to watch. What these brave women and men have been through is just horrifying, and to watch them tell their tales hurt me in a place deep in my gut. The problem of college rape is a very real one, and I don't know what it will take to finally get the changes we so desperately need. I hope films like this keep getting made, and survivors keep telling their stories, and, maybe then, we will finally see and end to this horrible crime. An extremely well done documentary on a very difficult topic. Well done once again, Kirby Dick 5/5

The Hunting Ground on Netflix

Dark Horse

This documentary about a small Welsh town who banded together to raise a champion racehorse was tender, witty, and heartfelt. I really enjoyed this - it had real heart, and I felt inspired watching it. 4/5

Dark Horse on Netflix

Being Evel

Growing up as a kid in the 70's I knew and loved Evel Knievel. I had his toys, I thought he was a god. This documentary did a good job of separating the man, the myth, and the legend. I enjoyed this. 4/5

Being Evel on Netflix

Sagrada: The Mystery of Creation

I had never heard of this cathedral before, so I was interested in this film. This is honestly the most beautiful architectural structure I've ever seen, and the story behind it is amazing. We wroth a watch. 4/5

Sagrada: The Mystery of Creation on Netflix

Unbranded

I wasn't sure about the direction of this movie at the outset, but it morphed into a really nice buddy film with some great information about the state of wild horses in America to boot. I enjoyed this. 4/5

Unbranded on Netflix

Twinsters

I ran across this title on a list of great documentaries, and I wasn't disappointed. It's both a heartwarming and, at time, emotionally complex and heartbreaking story, that I found captivating. I was glad the documentary was captured as the events occurred, it brought an immediacy to the emotional content that was needed. Well done. 4/5

Twinsters on Netflix