Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, November 24: THE NEW RIJKSMUSEUM

Oeke Hoogendijk’s behind-the-scenes look at the decade-long renovation of Amsterdam’s most notable art attraction had its world premiere on Dutch television in 2013, with a substantially shortened theatrical version making its debut at NYC’s Film Forum earlier this year. Other fest screenings have included IDFA, Biografilm, Jerusalem, and Hong Kong.

In 2004, the Rijksmuseum was closed to the public in anticipation of a four-year renovation to update the institution for the 21st century and solidify its importance for the Netherlands’ international cultural tourism. As Hoogendijk’s primarily observational epic demonstrates, things didn’t go exactly to plan. Instead, four years ballooned to nearly ten, and the museum didn’t reopen until April 2013. During this fallow period, the Rijksmuseum lost its director, shown halfway through this chronicle; struggled with a surprisingly strong pro-bicyclist lobby that necessitated major architectural redesigns; tried to develop its 20th century collection with some questionable acquisitions; and ran up its budget far beyond projected estimates. While the film at times seems to revel in a schadenfreude of sorts as the renovation faces all manner of absurd bureaucratic hurdles, it’s clear that the director’s focus on numerous dedicated employees – most notably curators and restorers – demonstrates a deep and abiding respect and love for what the institution is meant to celebrate. Even if the final scene fails properly to showcase the completed museum in enough detail, there remains a distinct sense of satisfaction that its staff – and the audience – have finally seen the project to its end.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, November 24: RED LINES

Andrea Kalin and Oliver Lukacs’ on-the-ground look at the conflict in Syria debuted at Hot Docs last year. It has gone on to screen at events in Oslo, Washington DC, London, Haifa, and Little Rock, as well as at fests such as Budapest, Woodstock, United Nations Association, Docs DF, Cucalorus, DocAviv, DocuWest, and One World, among others.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, November 24: THE STORM MAKERS

Guillaume Suon’s investigation into human trafficking in Cambodia premiered at Busan last year. The film went on to screen at IDFA, Thessaloniki Doc, Movies That Matter, Full Frame, DOK.fest Munich, Docs Against Gravity, Sheffield, and AFI Docs, among others.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to theatres and to VOD today, Friday, November 20: I AM THOR

Ryan Wise’s portrait of a would-be music legend made its debut at Slamdance. Other fest appearances have included Florida, Brooklyn, San Francisco Doc, Fantasia, New Zealand, and Calgary Underground. In addition to select theatrical engagements, the doc also comes to VOD via Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Vimeo, Google Play and other platforms.

Now in his 60s, Jon Mikl Thor has still not given up on his rockstar dreams. The Canadian-born performer managed to make something of a splash in the 1970s and early ’80s with his eponymous band, owing to his focus on showmanship – bare chested and adorned with spiky leather gauntlets, the body-builder performed eye-catching feats of strength as part of his over-the-top music act, which morphed from glam to heavy metal over time. Never becoming a household name, he has quit and mounted comebacks ever since, as noted in Wise’s affectionate, if bemused, look at perseverance despite the odds. The film may have benefited from expanding on Thor’s colorful history – which included stints as a nude waiter and B-movie actor – rather than being so focused on the last decade or so of pursuing his career, but it remains a warm profile of a surprisingly likeable protagonist.

Coming to VOD today, Friday, November 20: SKY LINE

Miguel Drake-McLaughlin and Jonny Leahan’s look at science fiction potentially becoming reality just had its world premiere this past week at DOC NYC. It now comes to various VOD platforms via FilmBuff.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
In his 22nd century-set 1979 novel, THE FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE, noted sci-fi author Arthur C Clarke imagined an elevator connecting Earth with an orbiting satellite, eliminating the need for costly and environmentally destructive rockets. While scientists have considered such a project, they have been hampered by the lack of sufficiently advanced technology… until now. The entertaining and illuminating SKY LINE follows a group of scientists and entrepreneurs as egos collide in an attempt to reach for the stars.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, November 20: KINGDOM OF SHADOWS

Bernardo Ruiz’s exploration of cartel violence made its premiere at SXSW this year. It also screened at DOC NYC, Full Frame, Ambulante, San Francisco Latino, Ambulante California, Sedona, and the upcoming IDFA. In addition to a limited theatrical run, the film comes to VOD via Google Play and iTunes today.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Bernardo Ruiz’s compelling investigation into the human costs of the Mexican drug war, on both sides of the border, reveals the links between the lives and experiences of an activist nun in northern Mexico, a rancher in Texas who used to smuggle marijuana, and a US drug enforcement agent on the border. A raw history of the violence affecting countless lives, the film sheds critical light on a growing human rights crisis.

Coming to CNN tonight, Thursday, November 19: THE HUNTING GROUND

Kirby Dick’s powerful indictment of campus rape had its world premiere at Sundance at the beginning of the year. It went on to screen at True/False, Seattle, Traverse City, Martha’s Vineyard, Stockholm, and Poland’s American Festival, among other fests, as well as at special screenings at universities around the country. It also screened this past week as part of DOC NYC’s Short List.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.