Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, February 21:
THEY CALL US MONSTERS

Director:
Ben Lear

Premiere:
Los Angeles Film Festival 2016

Select Festivals:
AFI Docs, Austin, Human Rights Watch, Hot Springs Doc, Antenna Doc, Heartland,

About:
A consideration of juvenile offenders who are tried as adults.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Now on VOD:
HAUNTERS

Director:
Anthony Morrison

Premiere:
DOC NYC 2014

Select Festivals:
Hot Springs Doc, Freep

About:
A behind-the-scenes look at a family that runs a haunted house.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Phobia House consistently has been ranked as one of the best haunted houses in Michigan, but that didn’t stop the fire marshal from shutting down the Gerard family-run business last year. Determined to make up for their losses, the Gerards set out to create their scariest attraction ever. Anthony Morrison shadows them as they scout a new venue, recruit a motley crew of zombies, host screaming sorority visitors, and even contend with intimidation tactics by the local competition in the lead-up to Halloween.

Now on VOD via Amazon:
RATS

Director:
Morgan Spurlock

Premiere:
Toronto 2016

Select Festivals:
IDFA, Camden, Fantastic Fest

About:
A look at how humans deal with the furry vermin around the world.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Now on VOD via Amazon Video:
THE CREEPING GARDEN

Directors:
Tim Grabham and Jasper Sharp

Premiere:
Fantasia 2014

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Fantastic Fest, Imagine Science, CPH:DOX, Leeds, Cleveland, New Horizons, Revelation, DOXA

About:
An ode to the wonderfully weird slime mold.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Now on VOD via iTunes:
ADDICTED TO SHEEP

Director:
Magali Pettier

Premiere:
Sheffield 2015

Select Festivals:
Ashland, Holmfirth, Underwire, Leeds Wool Festival

About:
A portrait of a rural English family’s efforts to breed sheep over the course of a year.

Set in northeast England’s North Pennines, Pettier’s charming film focuses on Tom and Kay Hutchinson, who work as tenant farmers in a community largely devoted to agriculture. For their part, as underscored by the doc’s title, the Hutchinsons are devoted to their ovine charges, and dream of breeding the perfect sheep, out of both economic necessity and pride in their work. Pettier captures the slow pace of their environment as they contend with chores both mundane and heartbreaking – such as the difficult birthing process of a ewe. Also well featured are the Hutchinson children, whose experiences on the farm have given them a matter-of-fact perspective on life and death as well as a respect for the rhythms and quietude of rural life.

Now on VOD via Microsoft:
THE SPECIAL NEED

Director:
Carlo Zoratti

Premiere:
Locarno 2013

Select Festivals:
SXSW, Hamptons, Dallas, DOK Leipzig, ZagrebDox, CPH:DOX, IDFA, Ambulante, Thessaloniki Doc, Planete+ Doc, DOXA

About:
Two friends set out on a road trip to help their developmentally challenged friend lose his virginity.

Enea is a 29-year-old Italian man on the autism spectrum. Despite a healthy curiosity about sex and a boldness that sees him freely approaching women on the street, he’s not yet been able to locate the fashion model woman of his fantasies. Enter friends Alex and Carlo – the latter the film’s director. After failing to find a willing participant, they decide to hit the road on a quest through Europe to find a legal and safe way to allow Enea to meet this rite of passage. Employing some unacknowledged, yet clearly staged scenes, the crowdpleasing film is a low-level hybrid of sorts, but largely maintains a casual, observational style, enabled by the warm rapport between the three principals.