Category Archives: Releases

New to DVD and VOD this week: BECOMING BULLETPROOF

Michael Barnett’s chronicle of a unique film production premiered at Vancouver in 2014. Screenings followed at Heartland, Cleveland, Newport Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Hollywood, and Vail, among others. After a limited theatrical release last Fall, it now comes to DVD, VOD, and digital download under the “Morgan Spurlock Presents” banner, which helps bring awareness to potentially overlooked nonfiction films.

I previously wrote about the doc upon its theatrical release here.

Coming to Starz tonight, Wednesday, February 24: HUSTLERS CONVENTION

Mike Todd’s tribute to an influential precursor to hip-hop made its world premiere at Sheffield last year. It went on to screen at DOC NYC and to have a theatrical release in the UK. The doc now comes to Starz for its broadcast debut.

For hip-hop historians and aficionados, Lightnin’ Rod’s 1973 spoken word album Hustlers Convention played a pivotal role in the development of the genre, offering African American audiences an authentic representation of the temptations and dangers of inner city life. Despite selling a million copies with virtually no official promotion, and being well-respected by the first generation of rappers, the album and its importance to African American music history has largely been forgotten. Mike Todd’s appreciative film helps to correct that, allowing for a re-examination of its creator, Lightnin’ Rod, better known as Jalal Mansur Nuriddin of The Last Poets, a prominent group within the Black Arts Movement. The ever-rhyming Nuriddin, bolstered by an impressive collection of interviews with legendary hip-hop artists, from KRS-One and Chuck D to Fab 5 Freddie and MC Lyte, reveals the story behind the album, which is illustrated throughout via vibrant animated sequences, culminating in a celebratory event in London which sees the now-senior citizen perform it live for the first time ever.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, February 23: CAROLE KING: NATURAL WOMAN

George Scott’s profile of the multi-award-winning singer-songwriter debuted on American Masters earlier this month.

I previously wrote about the film here.

Coming to VOD today, Tuesday, February 23: SHE’S THE BEST THING IN IT

Ron Nyswaner’s portrait of a lifelong character actress had its world premiere at SXSW last year. Other fest berths included DOC NYC, New Orleans, Dallas, Outfest, Denver, and St Louis. The doc now comes to iTunes and other VOD platforms.

I previously wrote about the film for DOC NYC’s program, saying:
Despite her Tony-winning performance in Broadway’s GREY GARDENS, 79-year-old veteran character actor Mary Louise Wilson finds few new opportunities on the stage, so she decides to try teaching acting back in her native New Orleans. As Wilson finds her footing in this new role, she reflects on her long career, the sacrifices she’s made, and the challenges faced by older actresses in the industry, as bolstered by interviews with such notables as Frances McDormand and Melissa Leo.

Coming to PBS’s American Masters this Friday, February 19: CAROLE KING: NATURAL WOMAN

George Scott’s portrait of the accomplished singer-songwriter makes its world premiere on the popular public television series devoted to US artists and cultural icons.

Timed to coincide with the 45th anniversary of King’s influential solo album, Tapestry, still beloved for producing such classics as “I Feel the Earth Move,” and “It’s Too Late,” Scott’s film gives the acclaimed musician her due. Interviews with the eminently likeable King herself, both present-day and archival, provide the thread through which her life and career are revealed, offering early biographical details as the young would-be teacher instead pursued a musical path. King, who partnered with lyricist Gerry Goffin, and fellow songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil reveal fascinating details about their roles in the factory songwriting process which allowed them to churn out hit songs for a revolving door of pop performers like The Shirelles and Aretha Franklin, often in the space of days if not hours. The doc importantly also details King’s evolution from behind-the-scenes creator to public performer, part of the wave of singer-songwriters that emerged in the 1970s, with numerous clips demonstrating the talent that led to four Grammy Awards, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize, among other accolades, as well as the popular Broadway musical, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, February 16: THE IRON MINISTRY

JP Sniadecki’s observational profile of Chinese train travel made its world premiere at Locarno in 2014. Other screenings have included the NYFF, Rotterdam, Vancouver, Edinburgh, Camden, Chicago, DocLisboa, Viennale, CPH:DOX, RIDM, and Ambulante.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, February 16: BONNIE & CLYDE

John Maggio’s look at the lives of the infamous criminal duo debuted on PBS’s American Experience last month.

I previously wrote about the doc here.