Category Archives: Recommendations

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.

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.

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.

Coming to Netflix today, Friday, September 21:
QUINCY

Directors:
Rashida Jones and Alan Hicks

Premiere:
Toronto 2018

About:
An intimate portrait of legendar music producer Quincy Jones.

Quincy Jones inarguably is one of the most influential forces behind popular music over the last six decades, influencing countless careers as a producer, composer, performer, and so much more, spanning the diverse worlds of jazz and pop to hip hop and film scores. This loving tribute – made by his daughter, actress Rashida Jones, and Alan Hicks, whose previous film, KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON, also focused on a notable musician – impressively covers the breadth of Jones’ accomplishments, while also showcasing the very much still-active octogenarian’s near-indefatigable energy in the present day, though it doesn’t shy away from showing his vulnerability to health concerns. If that weren’t enough, the ingratiating film also offers a poignant exploration of the long-lasting impact of his mother’s mental health issues on his upbringing, and touching demonstrations of his mentorship and deep impact on performers through the decades and into the present day.