Category Archives: Recommendations

In Theatres: THE 5 BROWNS: DIGGING THROUGH THE DARKNESS

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Wednesday, January 23:
THE 5 BROWNS: DIGGING THROUGH THE DARKNESS

Director:
Ben Niles

Premiere:
Montclair 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, SF DocFest, Sedona

About:
A unique family musical group reckons with the revelation of past trauma.

The film screened as part of DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Five close-knit siblings, all piano virtuosos trained at Juilliard, form The 5 Browns, a musical group that takes the world by storm, touring and recording best-selling albums. The facade of their happy, all-American family is shattered, however, with the revelation of a dark secret. Laced with brilliant musical performances, this is the compelling story of how the gifted siblings struggle to save themselves and their music while confronting their disturbing past.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: LEAVING NEVERLAND

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

LEAVING NEVERLAND
Dan Reed presents an intimate profile of two of Michael Jackson’s alleged sexual abuse victims.

Festival Section:
Special Events
Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

On TV: THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS

Coming to CNN this Sunday, January 27:
THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS

Director:
Tim Wardle

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, DOC NYC, Hot Docs, Miami, San Francisco, Sydney, Dallas, Montclair, Cleveland, Newport Beach

Notable Recognition:
The doc was shortlisted for the Academy Awards.

About:
The surprising, stranger than fiction tale of triplets separated at birth.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: MAIDEN

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Tracy Edwards

MAIDEN
Alex Holmes tells the story of a pioneering all-female yacht racing team.

Festival Section:
Spotlight
Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

91st Oscars: Best Documentary Nominees

The Best Documentary Oscar finalists were announced this morning, together with all the other categories – the entire list of nominees has been posted by the Academy here. The documentaries are listed below. Congratulations to all the nominees – of which 4 were on the DOC NYC Short List, and the fifth part of the fest’s larger lineup – and good luck on Sunday, February 24!

FREE SOLO

HALE COUNTY THIS MORNING, THIS EVENING

MINDING THE GAP

OF FATHERS & SONS

RBG

 

Congrats also to the Documentary Shorts nominees, which includes two DOC NYC alumni:
BLACK SHEEP
END GAME
LIFEBOAT
A NIGHT AT THE GARDEN
PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations

2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
John Chester charts the ups and downs of starting a farm over eight years.

Festival Section:
Spotlight
Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Edward Burtynsky

ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH
Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, and Edward Burtynsky present a striking visual chronicle of human impact on the planet.

Festival Section:
Spotlight
Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

On DVD: ROBIN WILLIAMS: COME INSIDE MY MIND

photo by Mark Sennet

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, January 22:
ROBIN WILLIAMS: COME INSIDE MY MIND

Director:
Marina Zenovich

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Karlovy Vary, San Francisco, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard

About:
A revealing look at the life and career of the late comedian/actor.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

2019 Sundance Docs in Focus: WALDEN

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

WALDEN
Daniel Zimmermann traces the journey of lumber across the world in a series of 360° sequences.

Festival Section:
New Frontier
Continue reading

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

On TV: RUMBLE: THE INDIANS WHO ROCKED THE WORLD

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens tonight, Monday, January 21:
RUMBLE: THE INDIANS WHO ROCKED THE WORLD

Directors:
Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana

Premiere:
Sundance 2017

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Edinburgh, Thessaloniki Doc, Cleveland, Florida, DOXA, DOK Fest Munich, Docs Against Gravity, Seattle, Big Sky Doc, Biografilm, Sydney, AFI Docs, In-Edit, Traverse City

About:
A celebration of the unheralded Native roots of popular music.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance