$10 Dollar Perspective Review

$10 Dollar Perspective Review

This is a new documentary short, about 30 minutes long that is extremely powerful. I love documentaries and they often have the ability to affect you more coarsely than dramatizations. This is a great example of that – right from the start – it moves you… a child dies every 4 seconds – in the time ..

A Billion Lives Review

A Billion Lives Review

RYAN: This is a brilliant documentary that just held its world premiere in New Zealand and will premiere in other countries soon. It covers the outrageous amount of misinformation out there about vaping, as it relates to the tobacco industry losing money. E-cigarettes and vaping not only help people quit smoking but they can potentially save ..

The Slippers Review – SXSW

The Slippers Review – SXSW

The Slippers is a great, new documentary about the iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz which recently debuted at the SXSW festival in Austin, TX. I love all things Oz and as a historian of the subject, there’s always more to learn. And with this film, whether you’re a casual fan or a viewer, ..

Behind the Mask: The Batman Dead End Story Review

Behind the Mask: The Batman Dead End Story Review

RYAN: This is a new documentary written and directed by my friend Eric S. Dow, someone I’ve worked with for many years at major TV networks. It’s his second feature-length documentary. I was impressed by the first one but I’m even more so by this one. I’m proud of and impressed by him as a strong storyteller ..

Amy Review

Amy Review

RYAN: The new Amy Winehouse documentary is really great because you to spend some time with her again.  She was so unbelievably talented, born with a gift,  She was so unique and really one of the greats, gone too soon. But also from the minute that the doc starts, it’s heartbreaking because you know how it ends.  Drugs ..

Lambert & Stamp Review

Lambert & Stamp Review

RYAN: I’m thrilled to be joined in this review by my dear friend Melinda Scott Krei – one of the most fun, exciting and thoroughly-educated people I’ve ever known. It’s an honor to have you join me on my site!  We just saw Lambert & Stamp, a new documentary about The Who, but really about ..

The Salt of the Earth Review

The Salt of the Earth Review

RYAN: This was Oscar nominated for Best Documentary and is now rolling into wider release.  It was basically a passion project for director Wim Wenders, who has done some very weird movies like Don’t Come Knocking, which I only sought out because Fairuza Balk was in it. CAROLINE: Oh, from The Craft. RYAN: Yes but I love her ..

Merchants of Doubt Review

Merchants of Doubt Review

RYAN: I love documentaries.  And they’re the best when they’re both entertaining and enlightening or educational.  This is one of those docs.  And it’s a bit maddening too because it’s about real issues and how easily manipulated we are as consumers, as the general public and the like. CAROLINE: Yes some documentaries can really be ..

Red Army Review

Red Army Review

RYAN: This new documentary is not only great storytelling, but fantastic commentary about a crucial time in world history.  All of the politics and drama between the Russia and the way it related to the rest of the world, is encapsulated in this film, uncovering insights of their winning national hockey team. CAROLINE: Whoa – ..

Jodorowsky’s Dune Review

Jodorowsky’s Dune Review

RYAN: I remember seeing the sci fi movie Dune when I was a kid but I don’t remember much about it, aside from a desert.  But there was a different version of the film in development before that one – way more ambitious, to be helmed by Alejandro Jodorowski. CAROLINE: And what happened to it ..

Approved for Adoption Review

Approved for Adoption Review

RYAN: This is an incredibly powerful, unique film.  It’s part live action, part animated and flips between narrative story and documentary.  I’ve never seen a movie like this before and like any good film, it starts with a good story. CAROLINE: What’s it about? RYAN: It’s the story of a boy who was born in ..