Category Archives: Releases

Streaming & In Theatres: DOWNFALL: THE CASE AGAINST BOEING

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Netflix

Coming to Netflix and to select theatres tomorrow, Friday, February 18:
DOWNFALL: THE CASE AGAINST BOEING

Director:
Rory Kennedy

World Premiere:
Sundance 2022

About:
An investigation of the two Boeing 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people, exploring both the root causes and the human cost, serves at once as a chilling portrait of a crumbling corporate culture and a fierce indictment of Wall Street’s corrupting influence.

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In Theatres: THE AUTOMAT

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, February 18:
THE AUTOMAT

Director:
Lisa Hurwitz

World Premiere:
Telluride 2021

Select Festivals:
Philadelphia, Austin, Hamptons Doc, Miami Jewish

About:
The history of the titular vending machine, weaving together interviews with engineers, collectors, admirers, former employees, and an eclectic cast of its utmost enthusiasts.

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On DVD: RONNIE’S

New to DVD this week:
RONNIE’S

Director:
Oliver Murray

World Premiere:
UK theatrical release (October 2020)

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, RiverRun

About:
The story of the legendary London night club and the musician for whom it was named.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On VOD: PRESIDENT

Coming to VOD this Friday, February 18:
PRESIDENT

Director:
Camilla Nielsson

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
CPH:DOX, AFI Docs, Docaviv, Thessaloniki Doc, Dokufest, Encounters, DMZ Docs, Melbourne, Docville, Zurich, Montclair, Philadelphia

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

About:
The leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition party seeks a free and fair election.

I previously wrote about the doc before Sundance here.

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On DVD: JULIA

New to DVD this week:
JULIA

Director:
Julie Cohen, Betsy West

World Premiere:
Telluride 2021

Select Festivals:
Toronto, DOC NYC, Hamptons, Chicago, AFI Fest, Mill Valley, Philadelphia, Woodstock, Heartland

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

About:
A portrait of the trailblazing, exuberant chef who filled TV screens for decades. 

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Streaming: JEEN-YUHS: A KANYE TRILOGY

Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Netflix

Coming to Netflix over three weeks, beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, February 16:
JEEN-YUHS: A KANYE TRILOGY

Director:
Clarence “Coodie” Simmons, Chike Ozah

World Premiere:
Sundance 2022

About:
Kanye West in three acts. The story beyond the iconic music, and an intimate and empathetic chronicle featuring never-before-seen footage from 21 years in the life of a captivating figure.

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

On TV: AMERICAN RECKONING

Coming to PBS’s Frontline today, Tuesday, February 15:
AMERICAN RECKONING

Director:
Brad Lichtenstein, Yoruba Richen

World Premiere:
LA theatrical release (February 2022)

About:
A look back at the civil rights era focused on a little-known armed resistance group called the Deacons for Defense and Justice and the still-unresolved killing of local NAACP leader Wharlest Jackson.

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On TV: THE AMERICAN DIPLOMAT

Coming to PBS’s American Experience tomorrow, Tuesday, February 15:
THE AMERICAN DIPLOMAT

Director:
Leola Calzolai-Stewart

World Premiere:
American Experience broadcast (February 2022)

About:
A spotlight on three pioneering Black diplomats assigned to advocate for American ideals abroad while contending with racism at home.

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On TV: BULLETPROOF

Coming to PBS’s Independent Lens today, Monday, February 14:
BULLETPROOF

Director:
Todd Chandler

World Premiere:
SXSW 2020 (unscreened)

Select Festivals:
Hot Docs, IDFA, Dokufest, Camden, Philadelphia, DOK Leipzig, Jihlava, Doclisboa, Maryland, Tempo Doc, Melbourne, DMZ Docs

About:
A provocative exploration of fear and American violence that interrogates what it means to be safe in school in the United States.

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In Theatres: AMERICAN RECKONING

Coming to theatres today, Friday, February 11:
AMERICAN RECKONING

Director:
Brad Lichtenstein, Yoruba Richen

World Premiere:
LA theatrical release (February 2022)

About:
A look back at the civil rights era focused on a little-known armed resistance group called the Deacons for Defense and Justice and the still-unresolved killing of local NAACP leader Wharlest Jackson.

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Filed under Documentary, Film, Releases