Category Archives: Recommendations

On TV: DARK MONEY

Coming to PBS’s DARK MONEYPOV tonight, Monday, October 1:
DARK MONEY

Director:
Kimberly Reed

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Big Sky, Full Frame, AFI Docs, Boulder, Martha’s Vineyard, Florida, Ashland, Cleveland, Freep, Montclair, Dallas, Nashville, Telluride Mountainfilm

About:
Montana serves as a case study for the dangerous impact of Citizens United on politics.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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In Theatres: ABOVE AND BEYOND: NASA’S JOURNEY TO TOMORROW

Coming to theatres today, Friday, September 28 and Wednesday, October 3:
ABOVE AND BEYOND: NASA’S JOURNEY TO TOMORROW

Director:
Rory Kennedy

Premiere:
Sarasota 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, AFI Docs, Hamptons, Martha’s Vineyard, GlobeDocs

About:
A celebration of the pioneering and continuing work of NASA.

I previously wrote about the doc for Nantucket’s program, saying:
In 1961, President John F Kennedy famously challenged NASA to put a man on the moon by the decade’s end. This year, on the occasion of NASA’s 60th anniversary, acclaimed director Rory Kennedy, JFK’s niece, considers the agency’s breathtaking achievements and ability to inspire wonder: NASA has taken us to the moon, to the surface of Mars, and beyond the solar system, but, just as importantly, it has played a vital, ongoing role in expanding our knowledge of our own imperiled planet.

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In Theatres: FREE SOLO

Coming to theatres today, Friday, September 28:
FREE SOLO

Directors:
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin

Premiere:
Telluride 2018

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Toronto, Los Angeles

About:
The chronicle of a man’s attempt to be the first person to scale a notorious cliff wall without ropes or safety gear.

The doc will screen as part of DOC NYC’s Short List this November, for which our program notes read:
Alex Honnold is one of the most accomplished rock climbers ever. This riveting film follows him as he seeks to be the first climber to ascend free solo – without safety ropes – the 3000-foot cliff of El Capitan in California’s Yosemite Park. He also has to navigate the concerns of loved ones over this life-risking pursuit. Winner of the Toronto International Film Festival’s People’s Choice Documentary Award, this film delivers suspense like no other.

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In Theatres: MATANGI/MAYA/MIA

Coming to theatres today, Friday, September 28:
MATANGI/MAYA/MIA

Director:
Stephen Loveridge

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Berlin, True/False, CPH:DOX, New Directors/New Films, Docs Against Gravity, Biografilm, Sydney, New Zealand, Melbourne, Helsinki, Zurich, Seattle

About:
An insider perspective on the life and career of popular musician MIA.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

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New York Film Festival 2018: Documentary Overview

Festival:
The 56th New York Film Festival

Dates:
September 28-October 14

About:
The storied Film Society of Lincoln Center event presents approximately 20 docs among its more than 50 new features, a slight drop compared to last year. Continue reading

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In Theatres & On VOD: BAD REPUTATION

Coming to theatres and to VOD tomorrow, Friday, September 28:
BAD REPUTATION

Director:
Kevin Kerslake

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
BFI London, Cleveland, San Francisco, Montclair, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Outfest

About:
A portrait of the queen of rock ‘n’ roll, Joan Jett.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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In Theatres: 306 HOLLYWOOD

Coming to theatres this Friday, September 28:
306 HOLLYWOOD

Directors:
Elan Bogarín and Jonathan Bogarín

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Hot Docs, Full Frame, Cleveland, Sarasota, Montclair, Aspen Ideas, Atlanta, Berkshire, Woods Hole, San Francisco Jewish

About:
A magical realist archaeological exploration of the filmmakers’ late grandmother’s home and possessions.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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On VOD: MCQUEEN

Photo by Ann Ray

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, September 25:
MCQUEEN

Director:
Ian Bonhôte

Co-Director:
Peter Ettedgui

Premiere:
Tribeca 2018

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Seattle, Victoria, Nashville, Dallas, Biografilm, Sydney, Melbourne, Revelation Perth, Frameline, Provincetown

About:
A portrait of late fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On DVD: BASQUIAT: RAGE TO RICHES

Photo by Marion Busch

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, September 25:
BASQUIAT: RAGE TO RICHES

Director:
David Shulman

Premiere:
BBC broadcast (October 2017)

About:
An exploration of the life and art of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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Special Screening: STUDIO 54

Coming to NYC’s Stranger Than Fiction tomorrow, Tuesday, September 25:
STUDIO 54

Director:
Matt Tyrnauer

Premiere:
Sundance 2018

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, Tribeca, Full Frame, CPH:DOX, Reykjavik, Provincetown, Santa Barbara, Hot Springs Doc, Savannah, Vancouver, Sidewalk, Outfest, Frameline

About:
A look back at the meteoric rise and crushing fall of the legendary NYC nightclub.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

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