The end of term has come; here are our picks for interesting and provocative docs! See the Comments below; thanks to BCIT Television students, Class of 2011! Have a great holiday. Shannon
Our Lives In Our Hands examines the traditional Native American craft of basketmaking as a means of economic and cultural survival for Aroostook Micmac Indians of northern Maine. Filmed between 1983 and 1985, when the US government did not yet officially recognize their tribal status and before their successful land claim (1991), this documentary aims to break down stereotypical images. Basketmakers are filmed cutting brown ash trees in the winter woods, at their craft in their homes, at work on local potato farms and at business meetings of their tribal cooperative. First person commentaries are augmented by music based on an early 17th-century Micmac melody
Autism is a world is a CNN sponsored documentary produced in 2004, about a young woman, whom, until the age of 13, was considered to be mentally “retarded.” Through a treatment called “Facilitated Communication” Sue was for the first time in her life, able to communicate through typed words instead of the spoken words and mannerisms non-severely autistic people communicate though. This documentary, written by Sue Rubin herself, explains the trails and difficulties, be that in social or educational forms, she struggles with everyday, as she tries to complete a college degree in History. Narrated by an actor, in Sue’s words, it draws upon the misconceptions and stereotypes society en masse has towards Autistic and mentally handicapped individuals.
Ronald L. Mallet, a Professor of Physics at the University of Connecticut, lost his father at the age of ten. Since then he dedicated his life attempting to develop a time machine so he could be with his father again, and possibly save his life. This film uses Scientists and Physicists to explain time travel, and the many theories behind it, in simple terms, as well as showing Mallet’s journey to create his own time machine. This movie is extremely interesting and mind blowing and will make you think.
I would like to preface this quick review by saying thanks to everyone for reading this review. Thanks.
When we were kings
Is a riveting tale about the build of the fantastic Ali vs Foreman title fight. Its a great story that also deals with the implications of the fight, the two boxers as well as other politics involved. Its interesting how back in the day they compared fighters by who they fought and how they beat them (some styles give other styles more problems than others) not taking into account the many different factors.
It is such a wonderfully exquisite piece of movie making that I would highly recommend this.
Rediscovering the Yangtze River is the sequel to the 1985 CCTV Documentary series “The Story of the Yangtze River”. It documents historical events and the people surrounding cities and the river itself. The first episode starts from the source of the Yangtze and the final episode covers Shanghai and the mouth of the Yangtze. It goes highly in-depth when it comes to information about the area that’s covered in each episode. There are interviews with select locals and historical experts, but there is no host, only a narrator with a lot of B-roll spliced in. Archive and historical footage is also prominent in the doc.
Dig! Follows two modern psychadelic rock bands, The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre as they tour the United States together. It follows the tale of the two bands, brought together by the friendship between Dandy frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Jonestown frontman Anton Newcombe, to their falling out after disputes arise revolving primarily around Newcombe's heroine addiction. The film is biased in favor of The Dandy Warhols as opposed to Jonestown. It is shot plainly, mostly allowing the events and people involved to speak for themselves. I found it to be a riveting examination of the rock and roll lifestyle, as well as an interesting and candid look into the world of underground rock as well as life in a band that succeeds enough to make a life of it, but is playing the smaller venues of the world.
65_RedRoses: Redefining the traditional scope of documentary film in an electronic age, 65_RedRoses leaves viewers with a new appreciation of life and the digital world. This personal and touching journey takes an unflinching look into the lives of Eva Markvoort and her two online friends who are all battling Cystic Fibrosis (CF) – a fatal genetic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system. Unable to meet in person because of the spread of infections and super bugs, the girls have become each other’s lifelines through the Internet, providing unconditional love, support and understanding long after visiting hours are over. Now at a critical turning point in their lives, the film travels the distance the friends cannot go themselves, capturing the compelling and often heartbreaking realities they face, just trying to take each breath. This has been picked up by Oprah Winfrey’s Documentary Club. Eva's life and legacy will continue to grow, as will our awareness of CF.
Eva Markvoort always thought on a bigger scale. Her message in life was to Love, Love, Love.
The Lottery is a documentary that follows four families as they wait to hear the results of a lottery that determines the names of children awarded entry to one of four acclaimed Charter schools in New York. The schools provide unique educational opportunities to the students, and significantly increase their chances of graduating high school and heading to university. The film also shows some of the opposition to these schools. This film is interesting because it highlights serious issues with the education system in the United States. This has implications in Canada since many of the same issues are seen here, albeit to a lesser extent. This film has high production value. It relies heavily on interviews with the families, and is clearly in favour of the Charter schools. This is an interesting film that raises serious questions about the state of education in the United States. Posted by: R. Duane
In 1996 an electric car was distributed across California. It was a hit and everyone who owned one or drove one instantly fell in love with it. Shortly after the cars stopped being produced and people who had them leased got them taken away. It was interesting because it shows how money hungry our society is, and that they would rather make money then do what is better for the environment. Overall I would say it is a good thought provoking documentary.
This incredibly intriguing and hilarious documentary goes to find what everyone wonders from time to time...
"Why did he/she leave me?"
The Complete History of My Sexual Failures is a documentary about a mid-30's man attempting to find answers as to why he is always being dumped. He creates a scrap book of memories of his past lovers and the reasons they left during the documentary. As he finds answers from the women, he finds himself confused and depressed.
The documentary is an amazing outlook of the complexity of relationships; the way people let go and hold on.
"Standing In the Shadows of Motown" For 14yrs, the band behind "the Motown Sound" created more #1 hits then The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elvis combined! The Funk Brothers, as they were referred, never received the notoriety they deserved. In this 2002 documentary, their story is told as well as a final concert with the likes of Ben Harper, Joan Osbourne, and Chaka Khan. There are interviews, reenactments, and casual story telling among the members. If you like the music of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, or the Jackson 5 (all which the Funk Brothers provided and wrote music for), you will enjoy this movie.
This documentary follows the underground scene of street art. Thierry Guetta documents the beginnings of the culture and follows its progress into mainstream culture. He comes across and interviews many prominent figures within the street art community including the now well know, Banksy. Guetta contributes almost all of the footage to the film, after sifting through thousands of hours of his footage he comes up with a edit. Banksy later reviews the cut and makes changes, resulting in the final edit of the documentary. I enjoyed this documentary thoroughly and it opened my eyes to a movement that I had an interest in going in.
"In The Shadow of Feelings" Imagine it is impossible to feel emotions or guilt. Imagine being able to slit a strangers throat without a hint of a blink. Pyschopaths live within us, four percent of the population are cold-blooded whom only live for themseleves. Jonathan was one of them, a teenager who was convicted of murder at the age of 14. In the doc, it explains that his inability of empahtize with others come genetically and from parenting.
This documentary explains that pyschopaths are not just cold-blooded monsters. They are everyday people, they are incredibilty good at hiding the trueselves to con normal people.
This was one of the few documentaries about pyschopath that interviews "Pyschopaths" and i thought this was a great documentary. My journey of research on psychopaths will continue.
Everyone has a celebrity crush right? And who wouldn't want to spend just one evening with said crush? Well, this documentary follows aspiring filmmaker Brian Herzlinger's journey on his quest to get one date with Drew Barrymore.
Unemployed and depressed but fresh off a tv game show win, Herzlinger decides to invest his win (a mere $1100) towards achieving his goal to do just that. With the help of his friends Jon and Brett, and their wives Lisa and Pam, they set out on a hilarious journey to fulfill his goal.
The one problem? Brian doesn't have a camera. And his $1100 budget won't afford them a decent camera, so he uses the Circuit City 30 Day return policy to his advantage. They charge the most expensive camera in the store onto Brett's credit card (as Brian's had been declined) and set off on their journey, hence the 30 day deadline to get the date with Drew.
Through the six degrees of separation they attempt get in contact with Drew to set up a date with Brian.
I don't want to give anything away, but this is a truly comedic and heartwarming documentary that will keep you smiling from the very beginning. I highly recommend it anyone who is in the mood for a lighthearted documentary and doesn't want anything too serious.
I really enjoyed watching "Sicko" by Michael Moore. The movie looks into the health care system in the US but does it in a very entertaining matter. This is a very serious issue. A lot of the citizens there go bank rupt because of medical bills and Moore compares the system to those of France, England and Cuba. You should watch it! Kapila
"An Inconvenient Truth" is a documentary on the state of climate change and how it is affecting the world. I had heard quite a bit of criticism going in which is why I delayed watching it for so long, but was pleasantly surprised by the movie's thoroughness in rationalizing its subject matter. It is obvious that it is a biased documentary, but I never found it to come across as overbearing or preachy. Many facts were well laid out and managed to stay interesting, while it inter-cut with some background story on Al Gore and really showed why he cares so much. I found it did a great job putting everything into perspective because of this. In the end, I highly recommend this documentary. It was both informative and entertaining, and has even inspired me to reflect on my own actions in life and make certain changes for the better.
Our Lives In Our Hands examines the traditional Native American craft of basketmaking as a means of economic and cultural survival for Aroostook Micmac Indians of northern Maine. Filmed between 1983 and 1985, when the US government did not yet officially recognize their tribal status and before their successful land claim (1991), this documentary aims to break down stereotypical images. Basketmakers are filmed cutting brown ash trees in the winter woods, at their craft in their homes, at work on local potato farms and at business meetings of their tribal cooperative. First person commentaries are augmented by music based on an early 17th-century Micmac melody
ReplyDeleteAutism is a World – The Story of Sue Rubin
ReplyDeleteAutism is a world is a CNN sponsored documentary produced in 2004, about a young woman, whom, until the age of 13, was considered to be mentally “retarded.” Through a treatment called “Facilitated Communication” Sue was for the first time in her life, able to communicate through typed words instead of the spoken words and mannerisms non-severely autistic people communicate though. This documentary, written by Sue Rubin herself, explains the trails and difficulties, be that in social or educational forms, she struggles with everyday, as she tries to complete a college degree in History. Narrated by an actor, in Sue’s words, it draws upon the misconceptions and stereotypes society en masse has towards Autistic and mentally handicapped individuals.
Emelia Winnig
A00765988
Ronald L. Mallet, a Professor of Physics at the University of Connecticut, lost his father at the age of ten. Since then he dedicated his life attempting to develop a time machine so he could be with his father again, and possibly save his life. This film uses Scientists and Physicists to explain time travel, and the many theories behind it, in simple terms, as well as showing Mallet’s journey to create his own time machine. This movie is extremely interesting and mind blowing and will make you think.
ReplyDeleteJay Moro
^^ Doc is called The Worlds First Time Machine
ReplyDeleteI would like to preface this quick review by saying thanks to everyone for reading this review. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were kings
Is a riveting tale about the build of the fantastic Ali vs Foreman title fight. Its a great story that also deals with the implications of the fight, the two boxers as well as other politics involved. Its interesting how back in the day they compared fighters by who they fought and how they beat them (some styles give other styles more problems than others) not taking into account the many different factors.
It is such a wonderfully exquisite piece of movie making that I would highly recommend this.
Colin
A00748901
Rediscovering the Yangtze River
ReplyDeleteRediscovering the Yangtze River is the sequel to the 1985 CCTV Documentary series “The Story of the Yangtze River”. It documents historical events and the people surrounding cities and the river itself. The first episode starts from the source of the Yangtze and the final episode covers Shanghai and the mouth of the Yangtze. It goes highly in-depth when it comes to information about the area that’s covered in each episode. There are interviews with select locals and historical experts, but there is no host, only a narrator with a lot of B-roll spliced in. Archive and historical footage is also prominent in the doc.
reviewed by Jack Zhang
Dig! Follows two modern psychadelic rock bands, The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre as they tour the United States together. It follows the tale of the two bands, brought together by the friendship between Dandy frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Jonestown frontman Anton Newcombe, to their falling out after disputes arise revolving primarily around Newcombe's heroine addiction.
ReplyDeleteThe film is biased in favor of The Dandy Warhols as opposed to Jonestown. It is shot plainly, mostly allowing the events and people involved to speak for themselves.
I found it to be a riveting examination of the rock and roll lifestyle, as well as an interesting and candid look into the world of underground rock as well as life in a band that succeeds enough to make a life of it, but is playing the smaller venues of the world.
-Casey Por
65_RedRoses: Redefining the traditional scope of documentary film in an electronic age, 65_RedRoses leaves viewers with a new appreciation of life and the digital world. This personal and touching journey takes an unflinching look into the lives of Eva Markvoort and her two online friends who are all battling Cystic Fibrosis (CF) – a fatal genetic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system.
ReplyDeleteUnable to meet in person because of the spread of infections and super bugs, the girls have become each other’s lifelines through the Internet, providing unconditional love, support and understanding long after visiting hours are over. Now at a critical turning point in their lives, the film travels the distance the friends cannot go themselves, capturing the compelling and often heartbreaking realities they face, just trying to take each breath.
This has been picked up by Oprah Winfrey’s Documentary Club.
Eva's life and legacy will continue to grow, as will our awareness of CF.
Eva Markvoort always thought on a bigger scale. Her message in life was to Love, Love, Love.
Torey,
The Lottery is a documentary that follows four families as they wait to hear the results of a lottery that determines the names of children awarded entry to one of four acclaimed Charter schools in New York. The schools provide unique educational opportunities to the students, and significantly increase their chances of graduating high school and heading to university. The film also shows some of the opposition to these schools. This film is interesting because it highlights serious issues with the education system in the United States. This has implications in Canada since many of the same issues are seen here, albeit to a lesser extent. This film has high production value. It relies heavily on interviews with the families, and is clearly in favour of the Charter schools. This is an interesting film that raises serious questions about the state of education in the United States.
ReplyDeletePosted by: R. Duane
Keegan Moore’s Review
ReplyDeleteWho Killed The Electric Car
In 1996 an electric car was distributed across California. It was a hit and everyone who owned one or drove one instantly fell in love with it. Shortly after the cars stopped being produced and people who had them leased got them taken away. It was interesting because it shows how money hungry our society is, and that they would rather make money then do what is better for the environment. Overall I would say it is a good thought provoking documentary.
This is Rae-Anne's Review :)
ReplyDeleteThis incredibly intriguing and hilarious documentary goes to find what everyone wonders from time to time...
"Why did he/she leave me?"
The Complete History of My Sexual Failures is a documentary about a mid-30's man attempting to find answers as to why he is always being dumped. He creates a scrap book of memories of his past lovers and the reasons they left during the documentary. As he finds answers from the women, he finds himself confused and depressed.
The documentary is an amazing outlook of the complexity of relationships; the way people let go and hold on.
"Standing In the Shadows of Motown"
ReplyDeleteFor 14yrs, the band behind "the Motown Sound" created more #1 hits then The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elvis combined! The Funk Brothers, as they were referred, never received the notoriety they deserved. In this 2002 documentary, their story is told as well as a final concert with the likes of Ben Harper, Joan Osbourne, and Chaka Khan. There are interviews, reenactments, and casual story telling among the members. If you like the music of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, or the Jackson 5 (all which the Funk Brothers provided and wrote music for), you will enjoy this movie.
Geoff Rieck
Exit through the Gift Shop
ReplyDeleteThis documentary follows the underground scene of street art. Thierry Guetta documents the beginnings of the culture and follows its progress into mainstream culture. He comes across and interviews many prominent figures within the street art community including the now well know, Banksy. Guetta contributes almost all of the footage to the film, after sifting through thousands of hours of his footage he comes up with a edit. Banksy later reviews the cut and makes changes, resulting in the final edit of the documentary. I enjoyed this documentary thoroughly and it opened my eyes to a movement that I had an interest in going in.
Cheyne Kearns
Walking amongst the psychopaths.
ReplyDelete"In The Shadow of Feelings"
Imagine it is impossible to feel emotions or guilt. Imagine being able to slit a strangers throat without a hint of a blink. Pyschopaths live within us, four percent of the population are cold-blooded whom only live for themseleves. Jonathan was one of them, a teenager who was convicted of murder at the age of 14. In the doc, it explains that his inability of empahtize with others come genetically and from parenting.
This documentary explains that pyschopaths are not just cold-blooded monsters. They are everyday people, they are incredibilty good at hiding the trueselves to con normal people.
This was one of the few documentaries about pyschopath that interviews "Pyschopaths" and i thought this was a great documentary. My journey of research on psychopaths will continue.
My Date With Drew
ReplyDeleteEveryone has a celebrity crush right? And who wouldn't want to spend just one evening with said crush? Well, this documentary follows aspiring filmmaker Brian Herzlinger's journey on his quest to get one date with Drew Barrymore.
Unemployed and depressed but fresh off a tv game show win, Herzlinger decides to invest his win (a mere $1100) towards achieving his goal to do just that. With the help of his friends Jon and Brett, and their wives Lisa and Pam, they set out on a hilarious journey to fulfill his goal.
The one problem? Brian doesn't have a camera. And his $1100 budget won't afford them a decent camera, so he uses the Circuit City 30 Day return policy to his advantage. They charge the most expensive camera in the store onto Brett's credit card (as Brian's had been declined) and set off on their journey, hence the 30 day deadline to get the date with Drew.
Through the six degrees of separation they attempt get in contact with Drew to set up a date with Brian.
I don't want to give anything away, but this is a truly comedic and heartwarming documentary that will keep you smiling from the very beginning. I highly recommend it anyone who is in the mood for a lighthearted documentary and doesn't want anything too serious.
I really enjoyed watching "Sicko" by Michael Moore. The movie looks into the health care system in the US but does it in a very entertaining matter. This is a very serious issue. A lot of the citizens there go bank rupt because of medical bills and Moore compares the system to those of France, England and Cuba. You should watch it!
ReplyDeleteKapila
"An Inconvenient Truth" is a documentary on the state of climate change and how it is affecting the world. I had heard quite a bit of criticism going in which is why I delayed watching it for so long, but was pleasantly surprised by the movie's thoroughness in rationalizing its subject matter. It is obvious that it is a biased documentary, but I never found it to come across as overbearing or preachy. Many facts were well laid out and managed to stay interesting, while it inter-cut with some background story on Al Gore and really showed why he cares so much. I found it did a great job putting everything into perspective because of this. In the end, I highly recommend this documentary. It was both informative and entertaining, and has even inspired me to reflect on my own actions in life and make certain changes for the better.
ReplyDeleteJeremy