Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, April 24:
DO NOT RESIST

Director:
Craig Atkinson

Premiere:
Tribeca 2016

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Traverse City, AFI Docs, DOXA, Human Rights Watch, Telluride Mountainfilm, Bergen, Zurich, Dokufest, Camden

About:
An exploration of the militarization of America’s police force.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, April 24:
44 PAGES

Director:
Tony Shaff

Premiere:
SXSW Edu 2017

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Dallas, Sarasota, Cleveland, RiverRun, Nashville, Sidewalk, Indie Memphis, St Louis,

About:
A behind the scenes look at the most popular children’s magazine in the world.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, April 24:
BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY

Directors:
David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg

Premiere:
SXSW 2017

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, San Francisco, Hot Docs, Telluride Mountainfilm, Seattle, Human Rights Watch, AFI Docs, Hot Springs Doc, Traverse City, Los Angeles, Provincetown

About:
A revealing profile of the well-known educational television personality turned science advocate.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

New to DVD this week:
KILLING FOR LOVE

Directors:
Marcus Vetter and Karin Steinberger

Premiere:
Munich 2016

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, IDFA, Denver, RiverRun, Virginia, DocsDF, DMZ Docs, Docs Barcelona, Docaviv, Reykjavik, Durban, Krakow, Doc Edge, Docs Against Gravity, Turkey

About:
A brutal double homicide reveals secrets, lies, and the limits of the American justice system.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres today, Wednesday, April 18:
44 PAGES

Director:
Tony Shaff

Premiere:
SXSW Edu 2017

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Dallas, Sarasota, Cleveland, RiverRun, Nashville, Sidewalk, Indie Memphis, St Louis,

About:
A behind the scenes look at the most popular children’s magazine in the world.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Since 1946, kids across the country, and, eventually, around the world, have enjoyed Highlights magazine, a staple at doctors’ offices known for its instructive Goofus and Gallant feature and hidden-picture illustrations. Shaff’s heartwarming film follows the creation of the magazine’s landmark 70th anniversary issue, from initial editorial meetings through cover and feature designs, to the finished product, offering an inside look at the family-owned publication and the passionate staff that serves “the world’s most important people:” children.

Coming to PBS’s POV tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18:
BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY

Directors:
David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg

Premiere:
SXSW 2017

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, San Francisco, Hot Docs, Telluride Mountainfilm, Seattle, Human Rights Watch, AFI Docs, Hot Springs Doc, Traverse City, Los Angeles, Provincetown

About:
A revealing profile of the well-known educational television personality turned science advocate.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to PBS’s America ReFramed tonight, Tuesday, April 17:
THE CORRIDOR

Directors:
Annelise Wunderlich and Richard O’Connell

Premiere:
Mill Valley 2017

About:
A profile of a unique prisoner education program.

The film focuses on the Five Keys Charter School, notable as the first high school custom-built within an adult jail. Housed in San Francisco’s county jail, it serves both male and female prisoners. By law, participation is mandatory, and those who embrace the program are able to earn their high school diplomas, while also developing tools and knowledge to be able to make it on the outside. The program was developed in response to a criminally high rate of recidivism, a clear signal that traditional methods were not succeeding. With a solid, unflashy approach, Wunderlich and O’Connell economically follow two inmate students, William, an older African American man who has spent most of his life in jail, and Bethany, a younger woman who has been a drug addict and lost custodial rights of her kids, as well as a teacher and prison officers. While some remain skeptical, the program has graduated an impressive number of students since 2007, with a corresponding drop in recidivism, and has been replicated elsewhere.