Category Archives: Recommendations

On DVD: HOW TO DIE IN OREGON

Coming to DVD next Tuesday, February 14: HOW TO DIE IN OREGON

Peter D Richardson premiered his doc on the terminally ill and dying with dignity at Sundance last year, where it won the Documentary Grand Jury Prize. It went on to screen at numerous additional fests, picking up awards at Full Frame and Ashland Independent, before making its cable debut last Spring on HBO.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

On TV: SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME

Coming to PBS next Monday, February 13: SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME

Sam Pollard’s adaptation of Douglas A Blackmon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning excavation of post-abolition African-American servitude made its world premiere last month at Sundance. It reaches widespread audiences during Black History Month via public television.

My pre-Sundance profile may be found here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

On TV/DVD: THE INTERRUPTERS

Coming to PBS’ Frontline and to DVD next Tuesday, February 14: THE INTERRUPTERS

My favorite film of 2011, Steve James epic exploration of violence prevention, debuted at last year’s Sundance. It went on to screen at a number of festival and has screened theatrically. It now comes to DVD the same day it will reach wide audiences through public television.

I wrote about the doc before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

On TV: THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1967-1975

Coming to PBS’ Independent Lens this Thursday, February 9: THE BLACK POWER MIXTAPE 1967-1975

Göran Hugo Olsson’s unearthed the Swedish take on the Black Power movement, premiering the film at last year’s Sundance. Sundance Selects later brought the doc to theatres and VOD.

I wrote about the film pre-Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Sundance

On DVD/VOD: URBANIZED

Coming to DVD/VOD next Tuesday, February 14: URBANIZED

The third in Gary Hustwit’s design trilogy premiered at Toronto last Fall. Additional festivals followed, as well as a DIY theatrical release.

The film was included in my Toronto roundup here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

On DVD: PROJECT NIM

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, February 7: PROJECT NIM

Academy Award winner James Marsh’s poignant doc on the story of a young ape was one of the opening night screenings of last year’s Sundance where Marsh also claimed the Documentary Directing Award. Since then, it has screened to critical and audience acclaim at various festivals, and enjoyed a theatrical release last Summer. While the doc made the Oscar shortlist, it didn’t end up receiving the final nomination.

I wrote about the film before Sundance here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

Indiewire @ Hulu Docs: Athletes & the Fighting Spirit

My latest Indiewire-curated selections for Hulu documentaries looks to this weekend’s Super Bowl for inspiration. The docs on view focus not only on sports, but on the competitive drive of the people involved – from college football players to mixed martial artists. View them all now for free!

For more information about the selections, see my Indiewire article.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Indiewire @ Hulu Docs, Recommendations

On DVD: KNUCKLE

Coming to DVD this coming Tuesday, February 7: KNUCKLE

Ian Palmer’s longitudinal portrait of the Irish Traveller community premiered at last year’s Sundance. It went on to screen extensively at festivals as well as in theatrical release in the UK, Ireland, and the US.

My pre-Sundance profile of the doc may be found here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

On VOD: SYNC OR SWIM

Now on VOD via iTunes: SYNC OR SWIM

Cheryl Furjanic’s doc on the US synchronized swim team’s road to the 2004 Olympics screened at fests extensively after its debut at Slamdance in 2008. It was released on DVD this past May.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases

In Theatres: SPLINTERS

Coming to NYC’s Cinema Village this Friday, February 3 and to various LA Laemmle theatres this Saturday, February 4: SPLINTERS

Adam Pesce’s doc on the development of surfing in Papua New Guinea made its world premiere at Tribeca last year. It went on to screen at IDFA and Hawaii, among others, and won two awards at the Newport Beach Film Festival, and now receives a theatrical release by SnagFilms.

I included the doc in my Tribeca roundup here.

Leave a comment

Filed under Documentary, Film, Recommendations, Releases