Documentary Film Review « J R Martin Media

Posts Tagged ‘Documentary Film Review’

ZEITGEIST THE MOVIE

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

ZEITGEIST is a film that has a definite point-of-view which is presented in a sort of on going rant against an alleged world establishment. It is basically divided in to three acts that lead to some interesting conclusions in the final act. The first part examines the similarity of Christianity to many other earlier religions. Jesus is compared to the Egyptian God Horas, who the film claims has an identical birth story; Horas and Jesus both were conceived by a woman without a man. In the case of Horas, his mother, the Goddess Isis, magically conceived him. The entire notion of Christianity is tied into the astrological Zodiac and the 12 signs in the documentary. Horas and Jesus, the film shows, were both Sun Gods (Horas son of a God – Jesus a Demigod) which puts them in line with many other religions and myths. In some instances the information, presented as hard facts, makes a convincing argument. Christian scholars might argue that the mythical elements were applied after the fact to make Christianity more palatable to pagans. However, the film goes back to prehistory to establish its premise.

The second part of ZEITGEIST explores what can only be called a conspiracy theory regarding how the destruction of the World Trade Center Towers was accomplished beyond being hit by two large jets carrying a full load of aircraft fuel. The premise is that the aircraft striking the towers and exploding were not enough to cause the buildings implode in the fashion they did. The film claims that there must have been explosives planted within the building to cause the buildings to collapse the way they did. No evidence to support this theory is presented except for a couple accounts of individuals hearing secondary explosions. The film also disputes the number of hijackers involved. It claims that there is no evidence of a plane hitting the Pentagon on the same day. It also disputes facts about the crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The reason for all this according to the film was to start wars in the Middle East among other things.

The final scene, or part three, of ZEITGEIST attack the institution of the Federal Reserve Bank which the film relates to other world banks and the idea of a group of individuals who through wealth and power have controlled the world since Christianity became a world religion. The World Wars, Viet Nam and the current crop of wars were all arranged to the benefit of the Military Industrial Complex of various corporations and countries.

ZEITGEIST presents a great deal of information that is often based on speculation rather than hard facts. It does bring to light a striking number of facts and ideas that tie the dogma and history of Jesus Christ and Christianity to obvious similarities with earlier religions and creation stories. The film makes the case that Judaic/Christian bibles do include stories that appear to be plagiarized from Egyptian and other religions. The 911 section is difficult to accept without more concrete facts and evidence. The conclusion segment does make a strong case regarding the manipulation of world events for profit.

ZEITGEIST – 2007 – 118 MIN. WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY PETER JOSEPH

ZEITGEIST uses graphics, stock footage, and archival materials along with voice over third party narration through out most of the film. There are a few interviews. The overall production value is minimal but well edited. The film is interesting to watch and it provides a lot to think about. In many ways this film might be classified as an “Attackumentary.” It doesn’t present any alternative views to what it claims to be true. Perhaps because it assumes everyone has heard the “establishment” version of history and events. It seems that many groups and individuals would dispute some of the information presented.

In many respects ZEITGEIST borders on a propaganda format in that it takes many ideas or coincidences out of context to construct scenarios that present new or fabricated realities. ZEITGEIST treads a fine line between reality and extreme subjectivity. But it is worth watching and thinking about carefully.

J R MARTIN – AUTHOR CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEOS AND MULTIMEDIA — See other documentary reviews by J R Martin at http://www.jrmartinmedia.com/reviews

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Tags: 911, Christianity, Documentary, Documentary Film Review, Federal Reserve Bank, Horas, Jesus, Religion, Trade Towers, war, ZEITGEIST THE MOVIE
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GUNNER PALACE - SOME WAR STORIES WILL NEVER MAKE THE NIGHTLY NEWS

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

Documentaries like 2011 Oscar Nominee RESTREPO and Fiction Films including Oscar Winning HURT LOCKER are strong stories about War. GUNNER PALACE is a documentary that offers insight into the soldier’s life and their psychological attitudes in a war zone. The daily grind of patrols, guns and occupying captured territory and property are seen from the inside looking out. A soldier’s sense of humor under these conditions may seem bizarre, macabre or odd in these situations but it is representative of the stress of dealing with life threatening situations and conducting war. Many are young men who’s only experience with war or combat previously was a video game.

GUNNER PALACE, is narrated by Michael Tucker, a filmmaker embedded with the 2/3 Field Artillery, a.k.a. “The Gunners,” for two months in Iraq late 2004. The shooting style is basic, largely handheld, but first person in that it feels that you are seeing the action through the eyes of the soldiers. GUNNER PALACE is directed, produced, written and edited by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein.

There are some casual interviews but most of the coverage has a “direct cinema” observer feel. After a quote from Donald Rumsfield, that he is …”pleased to be able to celebrate your liberation [Iraq People's]” and that … “Baghdad is bustling with commerce;” GUNNER PALACE opens as if running with the narrator down a street under fire. This, after another quote from Rumsfield is seen on the screen basically saying that “…everything is under control.” But the documentary is not pro or against the war it’s really about being a soldier in the army in a war zone.

TRAILER GUNNER PALACE

The Gunners are housed in the partially bombed out palace once lived in by Saddam Husein’s son Udday. The troops take advantage of what’s left of the luxurious palace including the pool for R & R.

In many ways GUNNER PALACE is reminiscent of The Anderson Platoon (1967) a Vietnam era documentary where the filmmakers take fire with the soldiers. The director, Pierre Schoendoerffer, a French veteran of the Indochina war, returns to Vietnam where he observes American soldiers in the 1st Air Calvary Division for six weeks at the height of fighting in 1966. It’s a big jump from Vietnam to Iraq in 2004, but the soldier’s life is much the same.

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Comparing these two documentaries made about war thirty-eight years apart reveals both similarities and many differences. Both show American soldiers in combat and the bonds that are formed. The differences may be symbolized by the music played by the men in the face of the constant threat of danger. The Anderson Platoon uses R&B and blues where as GUNNER PALACE is firmly accompanied by Hip Hop and Rap. There is also the reality that earlier film includes draftees and the more recent film an all volunteer unit.

Both films fall into the “Direct Cinema” or “Cinema Verite” style of documentary, but there is quite a bit of difference in the camera work and feel of the films. For starters The Anderson Platoon is filmed in Black and White using film. GUNNER PALACE is color video camcorder. There’s a much different texture and feel with the black and white film than with the color video. Black and White, to some extent, removes the viewer from the actuality of the environment because it is an abstraction, since most humans perceive reality in color. The electronic color video while closer to reality has a colder look. A small video camcorder allows much more mobility in the style of shooting than a sixteen millimeter film camera which is larger and heavier.

The editing of each film also has a much different feel both because of when they were made and the type of coverage each film had available. The pace of editing is generally much faster today than thirty-eight years ago.

GUNNER PALACE is a candid look at one aspect of the American military experience in Iraq 2004.

J R MARTIN – AUTHOR – CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEO AND MULTIMEDIA – REAL DEAL PRESS

GUNNER PALACE 2004 87 MINUTES Directed by Michael Tucker A Nomados Film – PALM DISTRIBUTION

Tags: 2/3 Field Artillery, Bagdad, Documentary Film Review, Gunner, Iraq, Saddam Husein’s son Udday, war
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IT MIGHT GET LOUD - The Edge (U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs)

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

IT MIGHT GET LOUD, directed by Davis Guggenheim, tells the story of three well-known electric guitarists, each a legend in his own right. The Edge (U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs) jam on an empty stage beginning a dialog that covers more than their music. If you like electric guitar, if you ever played or tried to play guitar or if you just like rock music you will enjoy this documentary. Each of these men has their own unique style and approach but they all share a passion for this instrument and the music they produce with it. What ultimately emerges from the speakers when these musicians perform is each of their individual voices.

There’s a lot to like in this well paced journey that explores the passion these musicians feel for their music and where that passion got started. It’s not only the archival footage of Jack White playing with bloody fingers, Jimmy Page reliving the first time he heard Rumble performed by Link Wray, or Edge playing Sunday, Bloody Sunday, after you know what inspired it, that tells the story. In this film it’s the blend of past, present and sincere emotion that creates the narrative.

IT MIGHT GET LOUD is centered on the jam session that brings the three guitarists together, however, most of the story is about how they got there and where they are now. The back-story for each musician is parallel developed and edited with interviews and archival footage. The archival footage of performances by each of the musicians provides an insightful dimension to where each person has been and their playing style.

If you are interested playing electric guitar you will learn something from IT MIGHT GET LOUD about technique and other aspects, including the craft of building and modifying your own guitar as The Edge has done, or how certain notes can be played. The film opens with Jack White making a rudimentary electric guitar with a coke bottle on a piece of wood, the guitar string and an input for the amp. There’s an abundance of archival footage of performances by each musician and the groups they are associated with. Even as you see clips of the current session the story quickly jumps back into the individual lives and performances of each person. What emerges is the soul and philosophy of each person toward their music and playing.

When Jimmy Page plays an old LP of Link Wray, performing Rumble, a guitar classic, you can begin to understand how he feels the music. This feeling is strong enough to bring you into the room with Jimmy so that you feel it too. Jack White tells how he is the youngest of ten children growing up in a predominately Latin area of SW Detroit, at a time when playing an instrument was not cool. Edge talks about growing up in Ireland and his first attraction to the guitar and music.

All of the back-story for each of these musicians is blended with the music they create, and short clips of their jam session right up until the end of the documentary when enough is now known about each of them to understand where they are coming from as they spectacularly play a few final songs together.

From a technical perspective IT MIGHT GET LOUD uses parallel story development in a way that contrasts each of the three musicians, the music they play, their experience and unique passion for their craft. The extensive use of archival footage edited into segments along with interviews is integrated with short clips of the current jam session until the end of the film where a longer session ensues. Excellent directing, editing and cinematography along with audio mixing.

IT MIGHT GET LOUD is a wonderful documentary that entertains and informs you about the world of making music and the passion these musicians have for the guitar and the music they create.

J R MARTIN – AUTHOR – CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEO AND MULTIMEDIA – REAL DEAL PRESS

IT MIGHT GET LOUD 2009 – 98 MINUTES – DIRECTED BY DAVIS GUGGENHEIM – A THOMAS TULL PRODUCTION - The Edge (U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs) SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

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Tags: Davis Guggenheim, Documentary Film Review, electric guitar, IT MIGHT GET LOUD, Jack White, Jimmy Page, music U2. The Edge
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FOR ALL MANKIND

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

FOR ALL MANKIND, directed by Al Reinert is a compilation documentary that uses footage shot entirely by The National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) over the years of the mission to reach the moon. Edited by Susan Karda the documentary captures not only a trip to the moon but also the spirit of the astronauts who made the journey. FOR ALL MANKIND is an exciting documentary that takes you back in time as you travel to the moon with the astronauts who were there. The entire film uses first person narration of a large number of astronauts speaking at the time or reflecting on their experience. In addition footage of the Houston Command Center, and the dialog between the astronauts and mission control is used. Original Music by Brian Eno plus recordings the astronauts took with them are also used.

The documentary film FOR ALL MANKIND begins as the moon comes out from behind some dark clouds, and the edited footage of President John F Kennedy at Rice University in 1962 where he said: “We choose to go to the moon, We Choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”

“We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people…”

“…we shall send to the moon, 240,000 miles away from the control station in Houston, a giant rocket more than 300 feet tall, the length of this football field, made of new metal alloys, some of which have not yet been invented, capable of standing heat and stresses several times more than have ever been experienced, fitted together with a precision better than the finest watch, carrying all the equipment needed for propulsion, guidance, control, communications, food and survival, on an untried mission, to an unknown celestial body, and then return it safely to earth, re-entering the atmosphere at speeds of over 25,000 miles per hour, causing heat about half that of the temperature of the sun–almost as hot as it is here today–and do all this, and do it right, and do it first before this decade is out–then we must be bold.”

“And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God’s blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.” — JFK

Six years later in 1968 the first manned flights to the moon began and continued through 1972. During that time there were nine manned flights resulting men walking on the moon. A nation accomplished a goal and in the process learned much, produced much and found a renewed identity. There’s a lesson to be learned in this historic journey in to outer space at a time, when NASA did not have the computing power found in the basic MacBookPro today! Much can be accomplished when a culture has the will to do something. It’s hard to imagine anything as grand and challenging as the trips to the moon happening today. FOR ALL MANKIND shows what can be accomplished when there is a collective shared agenda.

FOR ALL MANKIND is historical in nature, using actual footage shot at the time, to construct a story that brings you on the trip to the moon; from the dramatic lift off, the leaving of Earth orbit at six thousand feet per second and ultimately orbiting the moon. Once in moon orbit you go with the astronauts in the moon lander as it settles gently on the surface of the moon. On the moon you take that famous “small step for a man, giant step for mankind” with Neil Armstrong and walk on the moon.

FOR ALL MANKIND does a great job recreating the experience of traveling to the moon. This includes the feeling the astronauts experienced leaving our planet, seeing it grow smaller as they moved farther away from its blue oceans. There are no longer countries and continents just one mother Earth. It also shows you life in the command module as the astronauts deal with weightlessness in this tiny space ship. FOR ALL MANKIND is an amazing documentary than humanizes the notion of space travel and the uniqueness of humankind and the planet Earth.

“FOR ALL MANKIND is the firsthand story of a great mythic adventure. Touching the Moon was b definition a work of inspired imagination and high art, and scarcely requires further embellishment… The movie is a testament to the power of primitive vision and the strength of human will.” — Al Reinert

J R MARTIN – AUTHOR – CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEO AND MULTIMEDIA – REAL DEAL PRESS

For All Mankind – 1989 – The Criterion Collection – 79 Min. Directed by Al Reinhart

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Tags: Documentary Film Review, FLIGHTS TO THE MOON, FOR ALL MANKIND, NASA, SPACE PROGRAM, WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON...
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WINGED MIGRATION

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

WINGED MIGRATION is a stunningly beautiful film that brings you closer to nature and migrating birds than you have ever been, but it’s much more than showing birds in migration. It is a beautiful film that takes you into the sky with the birds as they fly thousands of miles twice each year migrating back and forth across the planet. The cinematography is great not only in capturing the flight of the birds but also in recording the natural colors of the environments in all kinds of weather and conditions. Interestingly this documentary captures not only the flight of the birds and natural environments, it also captures the birds in relation to humans, human environments and other species on the planet.

WINGED MIGRATION must be classified as a hybrid documentary because many of its scenes are staged in some way. Even so, in the same way that Nanook of the North, despite its staged scenes gives insight into the world of the Eskimo; WINGED MIGRATION explores the often mysterious world of migrating birds and offers insight into migration, a phenomenon that has gone on for tens of thousands of years.

What is controversial about WINGED MIGRATION is that certain types of migrating birds were “imprinted” for use in the film. For example a flock of geese was hatched and raised by trainers who used imprinting, to train the birds to follow them and respond to them. “The filial imprinting of birds was a primary technique used to create WINGED MIGRATION, which contains a great deal of footage of migratory birds in flight. The birds imprinted on handlers, who wore yellow jackets and honked horns constantly. The birds were then trained to fly along with a variety of aircraft, primarily ultra lights” (Wikipedia ). Some experts state that imprinting cannot be reversed and the birds will be imprinted on humans for life. The filmmakers believed that there was no other way they could get close to migrating birds as they traveled.

Making this film required four years and an amazing amount of energy and resources. Five film crews followed several varieties of birds that appear to be migrating over forty countries and each of the seven continents. Teams used fourteen cinematographers with seventeen pilots, using planes, gliders, helicopters and balloons to fly alongside, above, below and front of their subjects.

Scenes using imprinted birds are intercut with wild flocks of migrating birds. No film has ever captured birds in natural flight with such accuracy and beauty in so many actual situations. There are no simulated flying scenes, the birds are all real and they must face environmental hazards like storms, snow, avalanches, rivers, swamps, predator birds, human environments including cities, industrial pollution and illness from parasites. Some birds do not make the flight both ways. Some interaction between humans and the birds is shown. In one scene and old woman in a coat feeds some cranes. The fact that these may not be totally wild cranes doesn’t seem to matter.

The film uses a minimum of narration, lower third facts identifying the various flocks of migratory birds and where they are flying, music and natural ambient sounds. Most birds don’t fly 12,000 miles non-stop, they must land eat and rest where possible. Aside from natural obstacles like weather the birds face hunter’s guns. In some countries the pollution and industrial smog must be flown through. They land in industrial wastelands that nature never envisioned where they can get trapped in waste ponds.

WINGED MIGRATION is a wonderful documentary style film. It covers a nonfiction subject with a little fiction here and there that does not violate the reality the migratory birds must live through on their trips across the planet. The film is one of the most beautifully shot nature films made. It includes many scenes that are the real thing. Some of those things are the many scenes of the birds dancing, doing mating rituals, diving, running across the water, and in the case of penguins leaping out of the water and marching on to land. This is a film you will remember and want to see more than once. It tells the story of migrating birds in way everyone can enjoy and understand.

The DVD release of the documentary includes a behind the scenes documentary that explains the techniques used to “imprint” the birds and shows the crew shooting in many environments. In one scene shot in New York the imprinted geese join a flock of wild geese flying over, leaving the filmmakers to think that they had lost the birds.

J R Martin

WINGED MIGRATION – 2002 – 89 MINUTES –CBC – GALATEE FILMS – Directed by Jacques Perrin, Jacques Cluzaud and Michel Debats. OSCAR NOMINEE

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Tags: Bird Migration, Documentary Film Review, Geese, hybrid documentary, imprinting, Nature, oscar nominee
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ROTHKO’S ROOMS – THE LIFE AND WORKS OF AN AMERICAN ARTIST

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

ROTHKO’S ROOMS, produced and directed by David Thompson is a journey into the world of Mark Rothko (1903 to 1970), who in the period from 1940 into 1960’s was one of the leading American Painters in the Modern Art world. The unique thing about this educational documentary is that it goes beyond mere facts and history. Through a combination of action, interviews, archival elements and additional footage, the documentary story penetrates Rothko’s abstract view of the world, unlocking the door to Rothko’s abstract work. This is a beautifully crafted documentary film well worth watching on it’s own.

With the aid of voice over narration by Dilly Barlow, interviews and commentary with Sean Scully, Artist, Brian O’Douherty, writer/artist and other artists, friends, family, critics, art historians, collectors and museum curators, Rothko’s work and fragments of his life are brought into focus. One technique used through out the documentary is to conduct the interviews in front of subjectively lit paintings by Rothko. This has an amazing affect, like being there with someone giving you a guided tour. Classical music, Mozart (Rothko enjoyed Mozart), is used through out the film under interviews and in other scenes. Between interviews and commentary there are moments when you are allowed to spend a few moments on your own with the work and music.

ROTHKO’S ROOMS looks at Mark Rothko’s life from age ten when his family moved from Russia to Portland Oregon. Upon graduating from high school he won a scholarship to Yale. According to his daughter he did not begin his career as an artist until after he finished studying and then moved to New York City. The documentary makes a beautiful transition from archival photographs of Rothko to New York City and a series of shots of the city in a twilight rush of colors. The lighting and cinematography in ROTHKO’S ROOMS is excellent and helps to tell the story. It goes beyond simply getting a good exposure. The sound track whether it’s music or the sound of a subway train pulling into the platform, also helps set the mood and subjectively narrate scenes.

ROTHKO’S ROOMS goes a long way in helping you to understand abstract modern art; how the work represents emotion, environment and the artist’s presentation of those realities. The film looks at Rothko’s early years, his time at Yale, his evolution from the early years and New York abstract minimalism to his later painting. Like many artists Rothko did not like labels. He wanted his work to stand on its own. Rothko said: “I’m not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I’m interested only in expressing basic human emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom and so on… The people who weep before my pictures are having the same religious experience as I had when I painted them.”

ROTHKO’S ROOMS examines the circumstances surrounding Mark Rothko’s refusal to deliver work he was commissioned to create for a space in the new Segrams Building in New York City. He apparently did not understand that the work would be exhibited in a Four Season’s restaurant. He visited the restaurant before the installation happened and returned the $35,000 fee he had received. This work is now exhibited in the Tate Modern in London, England.

ROTHKO’S ROOMS is both an informative and entertaining documentary. It should be watched by anyone interested in understanding modern art, Mark Rothko’s work or enjoying an excellent documentary film. But the major achievement of this documentary is that it brings you closer to Rothko’s work and his message.

J R MARTIN – AUTHOR – CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEO AND MULTIMEDIA – REAL DEAL PRESS

ROTHKO’S ROOMS -2000 – 60 MINUTES PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY DAVID THOMSON, CAMERA MIKE ROBINSON, FILM EDITOR MALCOLM DANIEL © BBC -DISTRIBUTION KULTUR

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Tags: American Artists, Documentary Film Review, Mark Rothko, Modern Art, Rothko's Rooms, TATE MODERN MUSEUM
Posted in Director, Documentary Film Reviews | 1 Comment »

BEST WORST MOVIE – THE STORY BEHIND THE WORST MOVIE EVER MADE – TROLL 2

Monday, June 27th, 2011

BEST WORST MOVIE is funny and a little sad at the same time. At first you have to wonder, is this a real documentary? Why would anyone make a documentary about the worst movie ever made? After watching BEST WORST MOVIE you may not be compelled to rush out and watch Troll 2, but you will have enjoyed this entertaining story about an amateurish horror movie that has become a minor cult film, the cult members, the actors in the film and Troll 2 director, Claudio Fragasso. Michael Paul Stephenson, who was a child actor in Troll 2 when it was made in 1990, directs the documentary BEST WORST MOVIE.

BEST WORST MOVIE begins with Dr. George Hardy, a dentist in a small town in Alabama, who had a key role in Troll 2. Dr. Hardy is a friendly, sincere man with a good dental practice. He is well liked and respected by everyone in the town. He has always had a desire to act but went into dentistry instead. Most of his patients and people in the town don’t know about his role in Troll 2. Ultimately each of the cast members who were in Troll 2 is interviewed.

At the same time cult members and fans of Troll 2 are seen having meetings and arranging events to screen the film. What emerges is an interesting look at how the cast members each handle the celebrity and the unexpected notoriety of the film. Acting performances in the film are laughable. The only redeeming value of the entire Troll 2 production is that it’s so terrible; it’s listed as the “worst movie” ever on IMDb!

Dr. Hardy seems to be the most involved in attending various events arranged by fans. These events go well when they are supported by the fan base, but not so well at large conventions for cult films of all kinds. Troll 2’s reputation as the “worst movie ever made” is not widely known. Being the “worst movie ever made” doesn’t attract the kind of cult following of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, or other classic cult films.

BEST WORST MOVIE develops a number of story lines in parallel using interviews, archival footage, clips from the Troll 2 film, and scenes from various events. While there is humor involved in the story, there’s also a candid look at how celebrity, in this case for being involved in someway with a camp, awful horror film, is handled by each of the cast members.

BEST WORST MOVIE seems like it could have been edited much shorter by cutting down some of the scenes in each segment of the documentary. Dr. Hardy is an interesting character. He becomes the main focus of the documentary, but doesn’t appear to represent the other cast members very much. It’s clear he enjoys the celebrity and takes it as far as possible. Other cast members do not. Interviews with other cast members are interesting but more about their current lives than their participation in Troll 2. Claudio Fragasso, the director of Troll 2 is not seen until the last part of the film. He’s grumpy and critical of the cast members who are participating in a panel discussion about the film at a small fan event. While Troll 2 does have a following it pales in comparison to other cult films. This may be because people watch it to laugh at how bad it is!

BEST WORST MOVIE is in many ways a documentary portrait of Dr. Hardy, other cast members including the director of BEST WORST MOVIE, suddenly experiencing their unexpected, late, five minutes of fame (unfortunately not 15 minutes). As a documentary exploring social and cultural phenomena regarding Cult Movies and how a bit of celebrity affects all concerned, BEST WORST MOVIE is informative and entertaining.

J R MARTIN – AUTHOR – CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEO AND MULTIMEDIA – REAL DEAL PRESS

BEST WORST MOVIE – 2009 – 85 Minutes – Directed by Michael Paul Stephenson – Area 23A Movie Events and Mark Stone Productions

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Tags: Cult Films, Documentary Film Review, Dr.George Hardy, Troll 2
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THE CIVIL WAR - A Film by Ken Burns

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Hailed as a film masterpiece and landmark in historical story telling The Civil War employs 100% actuality materials, no re-enactments, only historic photographs, archival documentation in many forms, archival film footage, letters from Civil War Soldiers; other quotes read voice over, contemporary footage of civil war areas, paintings, graphics and interviews with scholars. Ken Burns has used this method of storytelling successfully in a large number of documentary films. According to Erik Barnouw, author of a History of Non-fiction Film, Burn’s work won him an invitation to membership in the Society of American Historians previously only available to authors of historical books. This –“also was, recognition of documentary a medium for the writing of history.”

The documentary, The Civil War is eleven hours long and first ran as a series on PBS in 1990 and again in April of 2011. Counting both sides in the conflict six hundred thousand Americans were killed in the Civil War. In this compilation style documentary, old photographs, documents and other source materials are seen as a letter from a soldier to his wife or family is read by a voice over narrator. Sound effects like cannons being fired are heard as photographs of the day, taken of battles are shown. Burns does not simply show an old photograph he brings it to life with camera movement on the photo, authentic sound effects, music and voice over when necessary. Interviews with Shelby Foote, Civil War historian and others add insight and perspective to documentary.

The elven hour documentary The Civil War, A Film by Ken Burns, presents the viewer with an intimate history of the civil war in a way that words on paper would have difficulty accomplishing. The point-of-view of the documentary appears to be mainly from the soldiers and Americans from both the North and the South. This is a history lesson that every American should experience. It brings both knowledge of the war and an understanding of what the cost of civil war is for both sides in any internal conflict, in any country then and now.

See video below for a brief explanation by Ken Burns about the documentary and the “Ken Burns effect” using still photographs in documentary films like The Civil War.

The Civil War – 1990 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) – Distributed by Warner Home Video – 11 hours – Directed by Ken Burns -

Included among other documentary films by Ken Burns are, Brooklyn Bridge (1981); The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God (1984). More recently in 2006 he produced an 15 hour documentary on the World War II titled THE WAR.

J R MARTIN – AUTHOR – CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEO AND MULTIMEDIA – REAL DEAL PRESS

Tags: Documentary Film Review, History, Ken Burns The Civil War, The American Civil War, US History
Posted in Director, Documentary Film Reviews, News | 1 Comment »

DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND - WHICH PATH WILL THEY CHOOSE?

Friday, June 10th, 2011

“Devil’s Playground” is the term the Amish use for the world outside their own insular community. This documentary, with the same name, takes you into that “Devil’s Playground” as Amish teenagers practice “Rumspringa” (running around). At the same time the documentary is a candid look at Amish life. When an Amish child turns sixteen they may explore and experience the “English,” non Amish world, the “Devil’s Playground.” Only after this “running around” phase, it’s believed, will they be able to make the decision to be baptized into the Amish religion which was founded on the principal that no one should be baptized as a Christian until they are able to make that decision for themselves.

In theory this sounds like a reasonable notion since once you join the church it’s for life. Amish life is secure in that you are part of the community. Your goal is to live a good life, one that will get you into heaven ultimately. Too much education is considered “prideful” so Amish children are told to leave school after eighth grade and begin working. Teenagers have grown up in a world without television, cars or electricity, although there are some solar or battery powered devices.

Devil’s Playground, directed by Lucy Walker, opens with a horse trotting along pulling an Amish carriage down a country road as an automobile whizzes by. The horse pulling the carriage “clips-clops” down the asphalt road while you learn that the Amish Church was founded in 1693 in Europe. It’s members were burned at the stake for believing it was wrong to baptize infants. By 1860 all the Amish in Europe had migrated to the Americas. The Amish have done well in the United States.

The Amish depicted in the documentary appear to be living mainly in Indiana, but there are large Amish enclaves in Ohio and Pennsylvania as well. The Amish don’t like to be photographed so director Lucy Walker has accomplished much by recording some aspects of Amish life, interviewing adults and working with several key teenagers who are having difficulties with their “Rumsringa” experience. Most teenagers, ninety percent, have their fling in the “Devil’s Playground” but op for coming back, joining the religion and returning to traditional Amish life.

Walker focuses on a several teenagers who are having difficulties. The choices they face are severe. There is no middle ground, no living in both worlds. Young women must choose between the opportunities available for women in mainstream American and the Amish choice of being a housewife and mother for the rest of their lives. There’s no television or electricity in Amish homes, which may contribute to the large number of children women bear in a typical Amish family. Young men must choose between the American life style, including cars, pocket money and other activities opposed to being part of the Amish community which means working on the family farm, in one of the Amish businesses making furniture and other products.

The biggest frustration for the teenagers is that they are totally unprepared and under educated for life outside the Amish community. This results in depression and anxiety leading to alcohol and drug abuse among some Amish youth. Devil’s Playground depicts this problem by interviewing and showing the progress of Faron, Velda, Joann, Emma and other teenagers.

Faron develops a drug problem both using and selling crack. One of the girls works her way through many difficulties trying to find a life in the world outside the Amish community. Another girl decides to go back to the Amish life. Faron and Emma establish a relationship but face the question of which life to live. However, the “Rumspringa” experience for many teenagers appears to be a big opportunity to “party.”

Devil’s Playground is a documentary structured and edited in a way that pulls the viewer into the actuality of the subject’s experience. The story is told in a narrative fashion based on three acts. There is no apparent exaggeration or staging of events. Editing allows the action and interviews with the subjects to be presented as a story. This type of nonfiction presentation relies on cinema verite style shooting and interviews. The story comes together in the editing room. With certain reservations the documentary has some anthropological overtones.

Devil’s Playground gives sincere insight into the Amish community and the notion of “Rumspringa,” as the teenagers experience it. It is important to note that ninety percent of the young adults decide to become part of the Amish religion after this experience. One contributing factor to this high rate may be the fact that their Amish families are supportive and being baptized into the religion brings security and shelter from the outside world.

J R MARTIN – AUTHOR – CREATE DOCUMENTARY FILMS, VIDEO AND MULTIMEDIA – REAL DEAL PRESS

Devils Playground – 2001 – Stick Figure Productions – 77 min. – Directed by Lucy Walker – Selection Sundance Film Festival

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Tags: Amish Religion, Amish youth, Christian Youth, Devil's Playground, Documentary Film Review, Rumspringa
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WORDPLAY - FIFTY MILLION AMERICANS DO IT EVERY WEEK

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Fifty Million Americans do Cross Word Puzzles every week on a regular basis. Wordplay, directed by Patrick Creadon explores this phenomenon. There are interviews with avid crossword puzzle fans including President Clinton, Jon Stewart, Bob Dole, Mike Mussina, Ken Burns and others. But the main focus of the documentary is on Will Shortz who is the crossword puzzle editor at The New York Times; known to millions as NPR’s “Puzzle Master,” and the World Crossword Puzzle Championship. Wordplay conveys the enthusiasm and pleasure so many people get out of doing a crossword puzzle. If you’re someone who has never tried doing a crossword you might want to give it a try after watching this documentary.

If you, a friend or relative, like doing crossword puzzles you will find this documentary “exciting,” “thrilling, with “nail biting suspense” as the quotes on the cover claim, perhaps with a tinge of “tongue and cheek.” Perhaps Wordplay will bring you ” ___ ” (a three letter word for happiness). But even if you have never completed a crossword puzzle you will be entertained and gain insight into a topic that has social and cultural implications. The documentary introduces the World Crossword Puzzle Championship that takes place every year in March at the Marriott Hotel in Stamford, CT. This event started by Will Shortz many years ago has grown into a right of passage for many crossword puzzle enthusiasts. Wordplay also looks at how crossword puzzles are designed and written to be more difficult depending on the day of the week.

The story evolves around Will Shortz and the World Crossword Puzzle Championship as central themes. Wordplay brings in interviews with celebrity puzzle doers as they work on puzzles. It becomes clear that there’s a form of competition between the puzzle creator and the puzzle doer. A form of communication all wrapped up in across and down exchanges. The documentary is well shot, edited and paced.

Wordplay is one of those documentary films on a subject that may sound too technical or “nerdy;” a topic that doesn’t appear to have social, political or advocacy overtones. But Wordplay is a nonfiction story, that once you start watching, changes your perspective about the subject it’s covering. You definitely won’t think about crossword puzzles in the same way after viewing this documentary film. Wordplay has the same kind of wonderful appeal as Helvetica, a great story about a typeface!

A good documentary film tells a story. It not only brings you insight and knowledge into some aspect of the human experience it allows you to vicariously experience that world. Wordplay does all this in an entertaining fashion.

Wordplay – 2006 – IFC films – 85 min. Directed by Patrick Creadon

J R MARTIN

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