Category Archives: Recommendations

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 10: THE ABOMINABLE CRIME

Micah Fink’s exploration of the persecution of LGBT Jamaicans had its world premiere at Frameline last year. Its festival circuit has included DOC NYC, Montclair, QDocs, BFI London, St Louis, Reeling, and Outfest, among others.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program saying:
Exposing the roots of homophobia in Jamaican society, THE ABOMINABLE CRIME tells the story of a mother’s love for her child and an activist’s love for his country. It gives voice to Jamaicans like Simone Edwards, who survived an anti-gay shooting, and Maurice Tomlinson, a leading activist who is forced to flee the country after being outed. These personal accounts take the audience on an emotional journey traversing four years and five countries.

Coming to theatres today, Friday, June 6: WALKING THE CAMINO: SIX WAYS TO SANTIAGO

Lydia Smith’s portrait of pilgrims walking across Spain debuted at Ashland last year. Its fest run has included Newport Beach, Galway, American Doc, Heartland, and Hollywood, among others.

Spain’s Camino de Santiago is a 500 mile path that culminates in the city of Santiago de Compostela, a popular pilgrimage destination as the site of St James’ remains, annually drawing more than 270,000 pilgrims. Smith, a former pilgrim herself, follows nearly a dozen international individuals who make the journey for a variety of reasons, walking during the day and stopping at hostels along the way to rest and socialize. These include two Canadian retirees, one of whom is still dealing with his wife’s passing; an American woman who learns how to let go of some of her anxiety around competition after the trek takes a physical and emotional toll; a recently unemployed Brazilian woman who needs a fresh start; an adventurous Portuguese man who experiences a lot of physical trouble en route; an uptight, religious young French mother who travels with her inquisitive young son and her non-religious, free-spirited younger brother; and a sporty Danish loner who unexpectedly finds herself starting a relationship with a younger fellow pilgrim. As they reflect on the issues in their lives over the course of the pilgrimage, they learn to appreciate a slower pace and absorb the beauty of the Spanish countryside in this handsomely lensed if (appropriately) meandering production. Smith does an admirable job in balancing multiple subjects – though I’m left unconvinced that all needed to be included, with more than one indulging in navel-gazing and First World Problems – but it’s easy to see the film resonating with viewers with particular interest in spirituality and self-development.

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, June 6: SUPERMENSCH: THE LEGEND OF SHEP GORDON

Mike Myers’ celebration of the man behind the careers of the likes of Alice Cooper and Emeril Lagasse premiered at Toronto last year. It went on to screen at Tribeca, Full Frame, Sarasota, SXSW, Sydney, Miami, and Montclair.

I included the doc in my Toronto coverage here.

Out on DVD and VOD this week: WE ALWAYS LIE TO STRANGERS

AJ Schnack and David Wilson’s portrait of musical families in Branson MO debuted at SXSW last year, where it claimed a special jury prize. It went on to screen at DOC NYC, Ashland, Full Frame, Dallas, Sarasota, Hot Docs, Nashville, St Louis, and Denver, among others. The film is available on iTunes and Amazon streaming, and was just released on DVD this week.

I included the doc in my SXSW coverage here.

Coming to DVD and VOD today, Tuesday, June 3: BIG JOY: THE ADVENTURES OF JAMES BROUGHTON

Eric Slade and Stephen Silha’s love letter to the experimental filmmaker and writer made its world premiere at SXSW last year. It went on to screen at Tribeca, Seattle, New Orleans, DOXA, Outfest, Hong Kong, Frameline, Mill Valley, Big Sky, Woods Hole, QDoc, and Göteborg, among others.

I included the doc in my SXSW coverage here.