To Be Takei (2014)

In this day and age, George Takei has transcended generations, mediums, and cultures to truly become an icon.  He has successfully remastered his career and pro-actively shaped his legacy.  In his 2014 documentary, Takei examines the events of his life that have shaped the man he has become.

Oddly enough, this view didn't learn anything new about the cultural icon.  I continue to be impressed by his overwhelmingly positive view on everything and how he comes across so authentic instead of a cloyingly one-dimension.

Kudos to Takei for being to frank with himself and his fans.  He exposes himself--warts and all--to his fans and celebrates all the things that make him George.  And at the same time, he challenges you to embrace all the things that make you... you.

As I see it, fans of George Takei may not learn anything new here; however, this documentary is the closest we will ever come to having over for tea.

Good Ol' Freda (2013)

Freda Kelly?  Does the name ring a bell?  This Beatles fan didn't recognize the name, but I imagine most hardcore fans would.  In Good Ol' Freda, Freda Kelly, the official secretary of The Beatles Fan Club breaks her silence to talk about 'the lads'. 

Through a series of recollections, Freda shares her stories about John, Paul, George, and Ringo and never sensationalizes.  Crawling into her attic, she manages to find a few collectables. Freda had one of the most enviable jobs in the world.  To which Freda says "Who wants to hear the secretary's story?"  For the Beatles fan, this documentary manages to add fresh content to an exhaustive canon.  Be warned.  The Liverpudlian accent is thick and often makes her stories difficult to follow.  Stick with it and you'll be rewarded with sweet anecdotes.

As I see it, Good Ol' Freda speaks of a day when loyalty was alive and well.  I found myself almost bored with the documentary because it lacks the sensationalism that our society has come to expect.  Kudos to Freda!!  Having a front row seat to music history, Freda never betrays a confidence or allows the pandemonium to overcome her responsibilities and love for her boys.  The film is a real gem for music fans.

Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D (2012)

Watching Katy Perry's documentary today, I was struck by how authentic this woman comes across as.  Unlike her peers, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Niki Minaj, etc... Katy comes across as genuine.  Part of Me follows her seemingly overnight rise to fame, the early nuptials, and Katy's unwillingness to be anything other than herself.

In Part of Me, concert tracks from her 2011 tour are interspersed with interviews from family and friends that expose the less than meteoric rise of this superstar.  This cynical viewer couldn't help but enjoy herself amid Perry's cotton candy world.  If anything, Katy has made me respect her more.  Her unrelenting dedication to riding the insanely famous wave is admirable, but at the end of the day she goes home with herself.

As I see it, if you're a fan of Katy, you will find exactly what you need here.  Great pop music and a dazzling 3-D experience.  If you're not, you'll find a few more useless facts about young woman trying to make her way in a world of haters.

Freakonomics (2010)

If you’ve read the book, then you know what the movie is about.  A myriad of filmmakers bring to life chapters from the amazing book of the same name by economists Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner.  Exploring the rampant cheating in Sumo wresting, if your name makes you more like to secure a good life, and if Roe V. Wade inadvertently created a drop in crime, the movie—as in the book—raises interesting questions.  Using statistics to prove or disprove theories, Freakonomics, the movie and the book are insightful.

Picture Me: A Model's Diary (2009)

Sara Ziff is the unlikely supermodel covered in this documentary.  With girl next door good looks, Sara and her filmmaker boyfriend, Ole track Sara's rise to international model in this fascinating documentary.  Recorded over a few years, Picture Me pulls the curtain back on the glamorous world of modeling.

Picture Me is fascinating.  What makes it interesting is Sara herself.  The young woman is torn between the incredible opportunities presented by the business of modeling (money, fame, travel) and security of pursing higher education.  She decides to ride her star as far as it will take her.  The film documents the highs (paychecks, people, clothes) and lows (exhaustion, exploitation, working conditions) and the ultimate toll it takes on the women who pursue a career in modeling.  Sara's endearing manor and the honesty of her peers is insightful.  Whether on the catwalk or at a photoshoot, these girls all want the same thing: security--they just happened to choose modeling as a career.

As I see it, Picture Me won't incite reform like Sinclair's The Jungle, but it does provide an interesting and often critical look at the industry.

Restrepo (2010)

Journalist and author Sebastian Junger spent a year embedded with the Second Platoon in Afghanistan. Along with photographer Tim Hetherington, the duo documents the myriad of emotions from a brotherhood than most will never know. The Second Platoon is assigned to the most deadly valley in Afghani territory—the Korangal Valley. Must of the film is about soldiers fighting an enemy they can’t see, building dirt barriers, burning human excrement, and frustrated not only boredom, but the deaths of their fellow man.

What strikes me most about this film is how young these soldiers look. Amid the chaos and brutality of their mission are moments of great candor. Restrepo is violently engaging, graphically absorbing and bittersweet. The war-weary faces of these men speak volumes and Junger and Hetherington capture them wonderfully.

Regardless of your political opinions, as I see it, Restrepo is an honest look at futility—the Korangal Valley is abandoned altogether as the credits roll. You can’t help respect the raw honesty of the film, but in the same breath question why did we sacrifice young men’s lives for nothing. These boy’s—and they are just that—lives are irrevocably changed. Restrepo isn’t easy to watch for anyone with a soul.

I'm Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix (2010)

Joaquin Phoenix has succeeded in being even more obnoxious that ever before.  I've always had a soft spot for this jerk because of his role in one of my favourite films of all times: Gladiator.  As Commodus, he was perfectly cold and calculating.  Brilliant performances in Walk the Line, Two Lovers and Return to Paradise lends me to defend his ‘obnoxious’ title.  But after this self-absorbed mess-terpiece, Joaquin is on his own.


Whether I’m Still Here is a calculated hoax or an exercise in narcissism, that’s for the viewer to decide.  As I see it, narcissism doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Countdown to Zero (2009)

I don’t know how you can watch a documentary of this magnitude and not come away affected in some manner. Although you must temper fear with logic—you must take head to the facts presented here. The danger of nuclear war being used by the unstable political leaders is a viable threat.

Countdown to Zero explores the growing list of countries that have and continue to grow their nuclear armaments. The documentary weights the potential for ‘rogue’ weapons and the hope for global attitude change and disarmament. Peppered with insights from world leaders and policy experts, the film is certainly thought provoking.

As I see it, Countdown to Zero stares directly into the crystal ball and while it doesn’t examine the potential fall-out of said disaster, it does question the world’s seemingly disinterest in who has what and why. Since the first bomb was dropped in 1945, ‘experts’ worldwide have questioned the morality and inherent danger with the medium. This documentary doesn't delve into that either.  It's purpose, I think, it simple to begin dialogue among citizens of this world.

LennonNYC (2010)

LennonNYC is a look at John Lennon at his happiest, I think, living in NYC and raising his son. John finally hits his stride in the mid-70s, coming to terms with his tumultuous early years of Beatlemania and his departure from England. Arriving in NYC, John faces deportation and harassment at the hands of the fearful Nixon administration (see The U.S. vs. John Lennon) for his activism, but he is happy. You can see that in the historical footage provided here. It’s as if John has become comfortable in being John Lennon.

This documentary contains great footage of studio sessions, personal home video, cameo concert appearances, media coverage and incredibly personal interviews by the likes of Dick Cavett, Elton John, and Yoko One. The film feels personal. The viewer sees John at vulnerable times when his early solo works aren’t well received by critics and his ‘Lost Weekend’ in L.A. Footage and interview highlights from his son Sean are precious.

As I see it, LennonNYC is a must see for fans of the icon.  It is Lennon at his happiest.  It's comforting to know that this troubled genius found peace before death.

The September Issue (2008)

The inspiration behind The Devil Wears Prada comes to life in this revealing documentary. Iconic fashionista and Vogue editor Anna Wintour is profiled here in The September Issue. The September issue of Vogue is the pinnacle of the fashion print industry. The demanding 9-month long creative process is shown here following the influential director and her creative director Grace Coddington as they attend fashion week abroad, lead insane staff meetings, and endless photo shoots.

The September Issue pulls back the veil ever so slightly on the illusive Wintour The so-called Ice Queen allows the camera untold intimacy as the viewer learns what drives the demanding perfectionist.  Behind that severe haircut and smileless demeanor is an enviable focused business woman. It is captivating to see how she works among the industry—her name causes designer and stylist alike to tremble with fear. Tempering Wintour is Coddington—an experience no-nonsense creative woman who will fight to end to get her creative vision to print. Personalities clash, but in the end only one woman will win.

As I see it, The September Issue is a fascinating look at the fashion industry.  If you are even remotely interested in the industry you will not be disappointed here.

No Impact Man: A Documentary (2009)

I can’t help but feel the intentions of writer Colin Beavan were sincere, but this documentary is nothing by a whiny video diary from Colin and his wife, Michelle.

The experiment: A yearlong crusade to make little to no net impact on the environment. His intentions are noble. Eating local, organically grown food, shopping intelligently to generate no trash except for compost, and using no carbon-fueled transportation. The crusade soon becomes a war for body and mind for the entire family. And by the fifth day of hearing Michelle want coffee or a chocolate bar or lugging packages, etc… you, the viewer, are disheartened.

The film is admirable, but as I see it, No Impact Man misses the mark. A balance could have been struck here and a better documentary could have been created.

Good Hair (2009)

I don’t know the true impetus for wanting to see Chris Rock’s documentary about hair. But I was intrigued enough to queue it up.

Rock visits beauty salons, conventions, science labs, and even other countries to examine the industry that is a black woman’s hair. So much of a woman’s identity can be found in her relationship with her hair—no matter her skin color. The focus here is the extraordinary measure that black woman take to obtain the luxurious locks found on European women.

In an interview with Salt-n-Pepa, we discover the reason behind Pepa’s unlikely hair-do of the 80s—the result of a relaxer accident. Yikes! You can’t help but come away from Rock’s and others honest observations on the ridiculousness behind it all.

As I see it, Good Hair is an interesting social commentary and speaks to a true obsession with humor and candor. Ultimately, good hair is in the eye of the beholder—or rather the scalp of the wearer.

Lord, Save Us from Your Followers (2008)

In this thought-provoking documentary, Dan Merchant takes the Jesus fish to the next level. He wears a jumpsuit plastered with conservative and liberal bumper stickers. Through a man-on-the-street perspective, he examines the cultural divide between ring-wing conservative and socialist leftists.

If Merchant accomplishes anything here in Lord, Protect Us from Your Followers, he succeeds in asking Christians to examine themselves. “You call yourself a Christian, but can you call yourself Christ-like?” he asks where faith and culture collide.

Why do Christians spew such hate and rhetoric? Why do they seem so close-minded? And yet, the leftists mirror their actions and come across as the saner of the two.

As I see it and regardless of where you are on the ideological spectrum, this documentary will challenge not only your faith, but also your actions.

The Art of the Steal (2009)

Political maneuvering from the likes Walter and Lenore Annenberg (The Philadelphia), The Pew Charitable Trust, and the City of Philadelphia conspire and succeed to dismantle one man’s humble beginnings that became a brilliant (private) collection of Post-Impressionist and Modern paintings.

I Need that Record! (2008)

The independent record store is quickly becoming an endangered species. Documentor Brendan Toller explores the demise of local stores amid the rise of music downloads, conglomerate radio, and music labels that look at the balance book not the artist development.

Toller's doc doesn't lament the record store as much as celebrate it. Amid interesting facts on the monied bean counters, candid interviews with indie store owners and fans reflect on the impact the local stores have made. Toller and his interviewees make the case for 'mom and pop' stores of all kinds. These stores are not only records, they are gathering places for like-minded, independent folks that refuse to be force fed the payola driven Autotune crap that makes it on the air waves.

The film doesn’t make a villain of downloads, $10 CDs or the people that buy them. Instead the finger is clearly given to the music industry suits, their poor management and inability to react to ever changing demand. Toller pinpoints the demise of record stores to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 signed by President Clinton that helped create the monopolies the act was supposed to prevent. Death to Clear Channel!

As I see it, I Need that Record! is an interesting, if meager look at an ugly industry. If anything, the film should spur you to support small, local talent and industry.

Entre les Murs (2008)

If you have the patience to put up with this French docu-drama, released in the U.S. as The Class, then you will be forever grateful for our public schools.

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

Regardless of how you feel about the man known as Michael Moore, there is no denying that his most recent offering is a sad, sensationalistic, but immensely thought-provoking diatribe on the state of our union.

The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights (2009)

The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights is as fascinating and odd as the band itself.  The rock doc follows Jack and Meg through a massive tour of Canada as the duo hits every province and territory with impromptu gigs and full-on shows. 

Content with Jack doing most of the talking, Meg has constant bemused look on her face.  Jack says it best with his guitar, but ultimately both are just as interesting as heck.

Filmed mostly in B&W, the film has an unusual aesthetic just like it's subjects.  As I see it, only fans of the White Stripes will find this a most welcoming piece.

The Business of Being Born (2007)

For those of us who believe childbirth is a natural process and that a pregnant woman isn't sick, this documentary is for you.

Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009)

One look at this footage of MJ’s concert rehearsal and there is no denying that it was going to be one heck of a comeback. The King of Pop is in his element. Running his backup dancers and band through a tight choreography, refining cues and steps, Jackson moves like he was 30. With definitive opinions on everything from props and lighting to the action on the video screen, here is a man who continues to innovate and refuses to quit dreaming.

Over the 90+ minutes we see what the concert would have looked like. Along with interviews from director Kenny Ortega, choreographer Taylor Payne, back-up dancers, and musicians, we get the feeling we are experiencing something truly special because we are.

The musical numbers include everything a MJ fan could want. Thriller 3-D shows the promise of what could have been. Billie Jean, complete with signature moves is smooth. Beat It sounds as brilliant as ever.

Not to be missed are the accompanying bonus features. A look into his wardrobe created for the evening is amazing; as is the featurette focusing on the search for the best of the best back-up dancers.

As I see it, This Is It, is a must-see for fans of the King. Regardless of your personal feelings towards the man, this is footage of a genius—a genius who died too soon.

Postscript 02.02.10 ~ I've watched this documentary three times in two days.  It continues to fascinate me.  Michael continues to make me happy.