Category Archives: Recommendations

New to DVD this week:
WILLIAM AND THE WINDMILL

Director:
Ben Nabors

Premiere:
SXSW 2013

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, CPH:DOX, Virginia, Ashland, Camden, Bahamas, Leeds, SF DocFest, Sydney, BAMcinemaFest, Jerusalem

About:
A portrait of an industrious young Malawian man.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, October 2:
WHITNEY

Director:
Kevin Macdonald

Premiere:
Cannes 2018

Select Festivals:
Edinburgh, Sydney, Munich, Biografilm

About:
A candid exploration of the rise and fall of Whitney Houston.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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.

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.