documentary Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Check Out The Real-Life Men Who Stare at Goats
Filed under: Comedy », Fandom », Trailers and Clips »
By: John Gholson
I'm not sure why, but Overture Films has chosen to downplay the "based on a true story" aspects of their high-profile new satirical film The Men Who Stare at Goats. The film finds Ewan McGregor as a journalist looking for a story in Iraq who stumbles across a former member (George Clooney) of a special platoon of psychics employed by the U.S. military. While many moments in the film seem outlandish and ridiculous, they become even more jaw-dropping with the knowledge that the film is based on fact.
Author Jon Ronson first explored the topic of remote viewers and psychic super-soldiers in a three-part Channel 4 television documentary, The Crazy Rulers of the World, the first part of which ("The Men Who Stare at Goats") he turned into a book in 2004. It's amazing to see the very real people behind the First Earth Battalion (renamed the New Earth Army in the film) recounting the bizarre stories that are brought to life on the big screen in the quasi-fictional movie by writer-director Grant Heslov.
It's a must-see if you plan on catching the film, and absolutely fascinating. There's a cynical side of me that would like to assume the members of the First Earth Battallion all are crackpots, but there's too much fact mixed in with the weirdness for me to dismiss it outright.
You can see the first episode of Jon Ronson's original documentary, in its entirety, over at SciFi Squad.
Review: Michael Jackson's This Is It
Filed under: Documentary », Music & Musicals », New Releases », Sony », Theatrical Reviews », New in Theaters »
As I watched Michael Jackson's This Is It, I found myself wondering exactly what I was supposed to be reviewing. It's nearly impossible to separate the context of the film from the film itself -- that it was supposedly never meant to be a documentary and is only now being seen by public eyes because of Michael Jackson's death in June as he was preparing for his last tour. And, as difficult as it is, I'm obviously not reviewing the person himself. Was I reviewing his performances? That's not it, either, because they're rehearsals and Jackson was saving his voice and strength for the tour. The documentary itself is a strange, confusing look into Michael Jackson's world, or at least the version of it that his friends, family, and/or estate wanted us to see.
Producer Randy Phillips is quoted in the production notes as follows: "What makes this footage so compelling is that Michael is so open and unguarded. From March 5 when we did the press conference [announcing Jackson's tour] to June 25 when Michael died – we had a three-person crew with HD cameras." The production notes also say they shot "more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage shot in Los Angeles." Why were three people shooting with HD cameras, producing over 100 hours of footage that "was never intended for wide release"? And if it was eventually going to be part of a behind-the-scenes doc, then why did it often look blurry or shaky, and why, if there was so much more footage to choose from, are we seeing rehearsals that seemed to be from a handful of different days, judging by the different clothes Jackson wore?
Exclusive: Chris Smith's 'Collapse' Gets Poster, Release Dates
Filed under: Documentary », Movie Marketing », Posters »
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Click image below to view full poster
The scariest movie coming out this year isn't about a murderous psycho or a ghostly demon who terrorizes a couple in their own home. It's Chris Smith's (American Movie, The Yes Men) documentary Collapse, where one man uncannily outlines the dark path our nation and world are heading down. He's no Nostradamus talking about the "great bear from the east" or anything, he's just a normal guy using the same facts and figures available to everyone.
The exclusive poster might only feature the back of his head, but once you hear Michael Ruppert talk (he's a bit like The Smoking Man on The X-Files), you'll realize why the truth is much scarier than fiction. The movie opens in New York on 11/6, Los Angeles on 11/13, and will be released on cable video on demand on the Cinetic FilmBuff channel on 11/15. Bug your provider now if you don't already get it -- this is one you definitely don't want to miss.
Check out the full poster by clicking the image below.
Gallery: 'Collapse' Poster
Review: Good Hair
Filed under: Comedy », Documentary », Theatrical Reviews »
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By Scott Weinberg. Reprinted from Sundance Film Festival, 2009
I now know more about black womens' hair than any middle-class Jewish guy ever has.
The lessons come connected to a new documentary called Good Hair, which was produced by Chris Rock for HBO Films. And once again, my attendance at a film festival has compelled me to watch a documentary that, otherwise, I'd have little to no interest in -- but I walked out 90 minutes later rather well-informed on a topic that, under normal circumstances, I'd never have a reason to care about.
I'm not a hairdresser, I'm not all that interested in fashion, and I'm certainly not a black woman ... so what would a film like Good Hair have to offer? Well, I think it's always cool to learn a little something about other cultures, and when I heard what Good Hair was actually about, I started thinking ... hey, yeah, this could actually be pretty interesting! It certainly doesn't hurt that Chris Rock is along for the ride, as the comedian is as sharp and amusing as ever, but what the flick taught me is that, well, the way one wears their hair is of particular importance to women ... and there are some issues that are very specific to black women.
TIFF Review: Cleanflix
Filed under: Documentary », Theatrical Reviews », Toronto International Film Festival »
Even if you're not a resident of Utah, you've surely heard of companies like "Clean Flicks" before. Like, for example, in the virtual pages of this very blog. It's a prickly subject among movie fans, and that's probably an understatement. Basically, several companies in Utah have taken it upon themselves to edit all the "objectionable" material out of Hollywood's hottest films, and many in the Mormon community are more than happy to throw those discs into their DVD players, secure in the knowledge that Braveheart will be less bloody, that Forrest Gump never felt a female embrace, and that Sally Albright never had a fake orgasm in a New York deli.
OK, that's the last batch of lopsided editorializing for me, because while (obviously) I am dead-set opposed to censorship in cinema, I can also empathize with a religious culture that wishes to avoid things they find objectionable. And regardless of my oh-so-open-minded belief system, the plain fact is that we're not here to talk about the Clean Flicks companies. The subject this time around is a new documentary called Cleanflix, a film that attempts to tell the whole tale from beginning to end (and mostly does a fine job of it), but also manages to wander way off-track before all is said and done.
Freddy Krueger Will Be Killed with Kindness in New 'Elm Street' Documentary
Filed under: Documentary », Horror », Fandom », DIY/Filmmaking »
Michael Myers has his own Halloween: 25 Years of Terror, a certain hockey masked maniac has His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th, even Jaws has the incredibly elusive The Shark is Still Working, but no one has yet chronicled with any depth the behind-the-scenes adventures of everyone's favorite fedora sporting, sweater wearing, knife-glove loving, dreamscape-haunting pedophile. But fret no more, all it takes is a big Hollywood remake to give an icon of fright his very own documentary, and thus we shall soon have Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy.From the creators of the fantastic and comprehensive His Name Was Jason, Never Sleep Again has already begun filming in Los Angeles, which has long served as the shooting location for the fictional street. The documentary will be narrated by the series' most notable final girl, Heather Langenkamp, and span everything from the original 1984 film to its six sequels (seven counting the missed opportunity, Freddy vs Jason) to the upcoming Platinum Dunes remake directed by Samuel Bayer. Considering how vast their documentarian scope seems to be, I'd also prepare yourself for some coverage of the 1988 TV series "Freddy's Nightmares" as well as all the Freddy lunchboxes and Pez dispensers the crew can find.
For me, this is fantastic news. I love both of the Halloween and Friday the 13th documentaries, as well as the franchises they cover (save for a certain rocker-led two-film reboot I'd rather not talk about for fear of foaming at the mouth), but Krueger has always been my favorite cause for insomnia. And if there are any doubts that the filmmakers will be phoning in Never Sleep Again simply to coincide with the remake, co-director Andrew Kasch would like to dissuade you of that notion right now:
Read the rest over at Horror Squad
Why Movies Matter: 'The Cove'
Filed under: Documentary », Independent », Fandom », DIY/Filmmaking », Politics »
The Cove is an indie documentary that got great reviews but didn't do so hot at the box office, not only because it was a tiny independently distributed documentary but also because of its brutal subject matter. The Cove is about the slaughter of around 23,000 dolphins every year in just one cove in Taiji, Japan, and the group assembled by former dolphin trainer-turned-advocate Ric O'Barry to try and stop it. Cinematical's very own Scott Weinberg's Sundance review was blurbed in the trailer, and William Goss urged film-goers to "get brave and see The Cove already!"
O'Barry, who is also the director for Save Japan Dolphins and returns to Taiji regularly despite the danger of the local yakuza, has good news this year. When he returned for the first day of the annual dolphin slaughter, along with journalists from major international publications, "the notorious Cove from the movie was empty. There were no dolphin killers in sight." Not only that, but Japanese police and media were also there to talk to him and cover the story – big news since according to O'Barry, the Japanese media has been ignoring the situation until now.
Fan Rant: Get Brave and Go See 'The Cove' Already!
Filed under: Documentary », Independent », Awards », Mystery & Suspense », Lionsgate Films », Box Office », Distribution », Summer Movies », Fan Rant »
I know that Scott has already sung the praises of this film back when he saw it at Sundance, but last week, I finally got to see The Cove for myself and found it to be every bit as emotional and riveting an experience as described by not only him, but colleague after colleague. In a summer season as packed with action as any other, it was this documentary that stood out as one of the more tense and touching films of the year, and the only thing that's probably keeping any of you who can see The Cove from rushing out to do so is its subject matter...
Because The Cove is kinda sorta about dolphin slaughter.
Watch This: 'Second Skin'
It's been more than a year since we've talked about Second Skin, the video gaming documentary, but now you can watch the entire movie online for free, via Hulu. In fact, you can just head down beyond the break below to watch it right here on Cinematical. The only thing we can't supply is the popcorn.
If you need a primer on the film, you can read our own Peter Martin's review of the film from 2008. It documents gamers who are fully immersed in games like World of Warcraft and Everquest, and how it affects their lives. It's not afraid to show the bad side, but it also covers the unexpected good sides as well. It's surprisingly engaging, and well, you can't beat the price of admittance.
Second Skin will be out on DVD at the end of the month, by jump the gun and watch it from the comfort of your browser just beyond the break. And if you're a hardcore gamer, shrink this window and watch it while you continue your raiding party through that new Crusaders' Coliseum all the kids are playing lately.
Lil Wayne Loses Battle to Block 'The Carter'
Filed under: Documentary », Music & Musicals », Celebrities and Controversy », Distribution »
So here's what I just can't get my head around: Why exactly would anyone sign up for a candid documentary about themselves if they're going to get all sensitive about their privacy? Well, only Lil Wayne knows the answer to that one, and he's not talking. Variety is now reporting that an earlier attempt by Wayne to block the distribution of The Carter, a documentary about the eccentric rapper from Adam Bhala Lough, has been struck down, and QD3 Entertainment has been given the green light to start looking for a distributor.The Carter was shot over the course of several months, and through a haze of weed smoke and cough syrup, Wayne recounts stories about his sexual exploits, personal feuds, and displays every kind of general strangeness on screen. After months of arguing back and forth between QD3 and Wayne's management, Wayne's lawyers finally brought formal charges back in March. Wayne's suit carries a laundry list of charges, including Breach of Contract, Fraud, and Invasion of Privacy against QD3, Digerati Holdings, Quincy Jones III (who has a stake in both of those corporations), and an additional 50 unnamed co-defendants.
Wayne claims that he was told he was to be given the final say in the theatrical release, but those promises weren't honored by QD3. The film had garnered some pretty decent reviews (read ours here) when it hit the festival circuit, but Wayne has yet to comment on what he found so objectionable in the final edit. Representatives for Wayne said the film could cause irreparable damage to his reputation and career, but considering this is the same guy who feels comfortable telling Katie Couric about his love of codeine, you have wonder just what's in the film that he doesn't want us to see.
Jeremy Renner Wants To Be An Avenger
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Indie Roundup: 'Sweetgrass,' 'Clarkworld,' 'Broken Embraces'
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Watch: Famous 'Matrix' Scene Re-Created with LEGOs
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