Category Archives: Recommendations

2017 Sundance Docs in Focus: LEGION OF BROTHERS

legion of brothersLEGION OF BROTHERS
Greg Barker hears from Green Berets about their secret missions to overthrow the Taliban after 9/11.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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2017 Sundance Docs in Focus: AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER

inconvenient sequelAN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER
Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk helm the follow-up to the Academy Award-winning AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres

Special Program:
The New Climate
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On TV/VOD: COMMAND AND CONTROL

commandandcontrolComing to PBS’s American Experience tonight, Tuesday, January 10 and to VOD tomorrow, Wednesday, January 11:
COMMAND AND CONTROL

Director:
Robert Kenner

Premiere:
Tribeca 2016

Select Festivals:
Sheffield, AFI Docs, Traverse City, deadCENTER, Camden, GlobeDocs

Notable Recognition:
The doc has been shortlisted for the Academy Awards.

About:
A freak accident in an Arkansas missile complex nearly resulted in a nuclear detonation in 1980.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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2017 Sundance Docs in Focus: GIVE ME FUTURE

give me futureGIVE ME FUTURE
Austin Peters chronicles EDM band Major Lazer’s massive free concert in Havana.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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On VOD: CAMERAPERSON

camerapersonComing to VOD today, Tuesday, January 10: CAMERAPERSON

Director:
Kirsten Johnson

Premiere:
Sundance 2016

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Nantucket, True/False, Miami, SXSW, New Directors/New Films, Full Frame, Sarasota, RiverRun, Nashville, Hot Docs, DOXA, San Francisco

Notable Recognition:
The doc has been shortlisted for the Academy Awards.

About:
An acclaimed documentary cinematographer’s memoir through her camera lens.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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On VOD: BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS

best and most beautifulNew to VOD this week:
BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Director:
Garrett Zevgetis

Premiere:
SXSW 2016

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, Camden, Margaret Mead, Mill Valley, Florida, IFFBoston, Dallas, Bentonville, Philadelphia, Denver, IndieBo

About:
The unexpected coming of age of a young, legally blind woman with Asperger’s syndrome.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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Sundance 2017: Even More Additional Titles Announced

sundance 2017Two more additions have been made to the lineup of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, which begins next Thursday, January 19:

DOCUMENTARY PREMIERES:
TRUMPED: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL UPSET OF ALL TIME

Directors: Banks Tarver, Ted Bourne, & Mary Robertson / USA
In a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest political upset in recent history, Mark Halperin, John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon offer unprecedented access and never-before-seen footage of candidate Trump, from the primaries through the debates to the dawning realization that the controversial businessman will become the 45th President of the United States. World Premiere

PREMIERES:
NEWNESS

Director: Drake Doremus, Screenwriter: Ben York Jones / USA
In contemporary Los Angeles, two millennials navigating a social media–driven hookup culture begin a relationship that pushes both emotional and physical boundaries. Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Laia Costa, Danny Huston, Courtney Eaton, Matthew Gray Gubler, Albert Hammond Jr. World Premiere

Earlier lineup announcements include the US and World Cinema Documentary and Dramatic Competitions, plus NEXT; New Frontier; Premieres, Documentary Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, Kids, and Special Events; AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL; late feature additions; and Shorts.

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2017 Sundance Docs in Focus: CRIES FROM SYRIA

cries from syriaCRIES FROM SYRIA
Evgeny Afineevsky presents an overarching account of the impact of Syria’s civil war on its people.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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2017 Sundance Docs in Focus: BENDING THE ARC

bending the arcBENDING THE ARC
Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos chronicle the paradigm-shifting healthcare efforts of a determined team of advocates.

Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
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On DVD/VOD: BY SIDNEY LUMET

by_sidney_lumetComing to DVD and VOD today, Monday, January 9:
BY SIDNEY LUMET

Director:
Nancy Buirski

Premiere:
Cannes 2015

Select Festivals:
Tribeca, Jerusalem, Deauville, Full Frame, Traverse City, Austin, Mumbai, the Hamptons, Jewish fests in Atlanta, Toronto, and Philadelphia

About:
An appreciation of the noted film director.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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