12 O'Clock Boys

12 O'Clock Boys
(2014) [Trailer]
Director: Lotfy Nathan [IMDB]

My first review of a 2014 release. Let it soak in, feel it in all its glory. I actually heard about this documentary last year, after it got glowing reviews at Hot Docs. But like most films at Hot Docs, I had to wait until it got a wide release to sample it, which was this week when it open in theaters and VOD. So here we go.

Synopsis: This doc follows Pug, a young boy in a shitty Baltimore neighborhood who is trying his hardest to join a local dirt bike gang called... The 12 O'Clock Boys.

This documentary and the view into the world of Pug and The 12 O'Clock Boys is awesome. Lotfy Nathan does a fantastic job just capturing everything as it is and letting the pieces fall where they may. It's unbiased in its aim and allows the viewer to ride along with the boys and see what their life is all about. Whether or not you agree with them, it's still worth the trip.

Construction-wise, this piece hits a lot of sweet cinematic notes and elevates the documentary genre a little higher than normal. I gotta say, there's not much I can think of to rag on.. maybe it could have focused on some of the other members a little more. Then again, maybe it didn't need to.

Check it out, it's available on your cable box or Apple TV through video on demand.

Room 237

Room 237
(2012) [Trailer]
Director: Rodney Ascher [IMDB]

I consider The Shining one of the greatest horror films of all time. Not too long ago I reviewed it, which you can read HERE. The reason I actually decided to rewatch it in October was because I saw the trailer for this documentary and it peaked my interest. I finally got the chance to check it out... now I will pass along my knowledge to you... the reader... enjoy.

Synopsis: There are a lot of people out there who have a lot of theories behind the "real" meaning of The Shining... Room 237 explores those theories.

Room 237 is a compelling doc and for a fan of The Shining, it's interesting to see a lot of the hidden messages that people have picked up on. The one big problem for me was the "messages" or secret meanings don't really add up to anything significant. They are certainly entertaining, but open for extreme criticism. You know those conspiracy guys like Alex Jones... imagine that dude was a huge Kubrick fan and also went to film school, those are the kind of people you have in Room 236. Don't get me wrong, it's fascinating, I just don't think most of it holds any weight.

One other problem I have with this documentary is its construction. It feels a bit cheap and unprofessional. Almost like some dudes with iMovie got a bunch of Kubrick clips and threw this together.

There's a few really awesome moments in Room 237. I really dug the imagery they got when the film was ran backwards and forwards at the same time. I also enjoyed a lot of irregularities they found throughout the film.

If you're a fan of The Shining, I recommend this. It opened wide this week so you should be able to find it near by.

Undefeated

Undefeated
(2012) [Trailer]
Directors: Daniel Lindsay [IMDB], T.J. Martin [IMDB]

There are a few documentaries that came out in 2012 that I really wanted to see, but never got the chance too... Undefeated is one of them. I saw the trailer for this awhile back and immediately thought it looked like a real life version of Season 4 in Friday Night Lights, which is one of the greatest television programs of all time. So why would I not want to see it?

Synopsis: A high school coach struggles to build a successful football program in the inner city of West Memphis.

This is a fantastic documentary and just an overall enjoyable experience. Most effective documentaries have a strong character who is an interesting subject to watch on camera... Coach Bill Courtney is that man. He is so sincere and genuinely cares about, not only building a great team, but making a difference in his players lives. The team dynamic is robust but there are few members that tend to get the focus of the film. Watching the way things unfold over the season is captivating and there's definitely a few tear jerking moments in Undefeated's run time.

If you like docs, this is a must see and highly recommended by me.

Searching for Sugar Man

Searching for Sugar Man
(2012) [Trailer]
Director: Malik Bendjelloul [IMDB]

I keep hearing lots of good things about this documentary and it's been in my watch list for a few months now. Tonight I decided to rent it and see what all the hype is about.

Synopsis: Rodriguez is an obscure singer/songwriter from Detroit  who released records in the 70's that you never heard about. Turns out, he's the Elvis of South Africa and they are curious to know what the hell happened to him?

Searching for Sugar Man is one hell of a film. It's beautifully orchestrated and is a really easy documentary to digest. The cinematography is incredible... some of the scenes filmed in Detroit are breathe taking... and one normally doesn't say that about Detroit. The film is stocked with music by Rodriguez and being someone who is unfamiliar with his work... I am now a fan. Searching for Sugar Man's greatest strength is its story. It's amazing, I really don't want to spoil anything and I would highly recommend you go in with your blinders on. The less you know, the better, so stay off  Wikipedia and don't watch the trailer... even though I posted it up there... I'm an asshole.

This documentary is a must for any fan of music and if you're into the documentary stylings of Werner Herzog, Errol Morris, or James Marsh .. you'll love this.

Last Days Here

Last Days Here
(2012) [Trailer]
Directors: Don Argott [IMDB], Demian Fenton [IMDB]

I consider myself a fan of Pentagram and have listened to their music since my early twenties. They were influential in the metal scene but widely unknown outside it. Well, turns out there's a pretty interesting story about the group that's waiting to be told and Last Days Here is the film to do it.

Synopsis: A documentary about Pentagram's lead singer Bobby Liebling's struggle to overcome drug addiction and get out of his parents basement.

This is definitely a killer documentary and even if you've never heard of Pentagram, you'll enjoy it. It's overly revealing and basically shows a man on his deathbed made from drugs. This a  very personal doc that takes you into Bobby's parent's basement and shows you just how fucked up someone's life can become. It does get into the talking head's point of view on Pentagram and how awesome they were, but it doesn't take too much time indulging in that. Instead, Last Days Here focuses on the present and how Bobby turned out. Will he clean his shit up and make something of himself, or will he deteriorate in his house? I won't spoil it for you, but trust me, it's worth your time to find out.

If you subscribe to Netflix, it's on instant view and available now, so get on it.

The Queen of Versailles

The Queen of Versailles
(2012) [Trailer]
Director: Lauren Greenfield [IMDB]

We live in a society that's obsessed with things. We are so worried about obtaining wealth and making something of ourselves. All of us are guilty of this in some way and if you say you're not you are only lying to yourself. Some are definitely concerned about this more than others, the Siegel family may be some of the biggest offenders.

Synopsis: This documentary follows the rise and fall of the Siegel family, who are responsible for operating the largest time share company in America.

I enjoyed The Queen of Versailles on a few levels but felt like it lacked in other departments. Technically it's sound and feels like a reality tv show, only better constructed. The other impressive thing that I enjoyed was how the film crew came in on the up swing then were there to see things fall apart. It's always awesome when a documentary pulls off that kind of tenure.

The family dynamic is pretty interesting and like everyone says about shows like the Jersey Shore and Orange House Wives... it's like a train wreck... you're horrified but can't help but watch. I felt like husband was a pretty shitty guy and ultimately a sad man who doesn't have a lot of depth. I couldn't tell if the wife was dumbing it down for the camera, or if she really was that clueless, she seemed like a joke.

Either way, it's a interesting watch and worth your time.

The People vs. George Lucas

The People vs. George Lucas
(2010) [Trailer]
Director: Alexandre O. Philippe [IMDB]

I love The Empire Strikes Back, it's probably one of my favorite sci-fi films of all time... no, actually it is. I would consider myself a pretty huge Star Wars fan as well... well at least a fan of the original three. After watching this, I realized something: I'm not as big of a fan as I thought. 

Synopsis: Star Wars fanboys talk about why they are so upset with George Lucas.

Jesus guys... Star Wars is just a movie... calm down. I get being disappointed in the prequels and even being annoyed with all of the tinkering Lucas did with the original trilogy, but it's not really that big of a deal. I guess I don't get all the angst behind this film... these people that claimed Lucas raped their childhood are a little over the top. The originals can still be watched (even the untinkered versions) and aren't going anywhere... your childhood is fine. I guess this film will connect more with the Star Wars Fanboys, but for me it was kind of boring and really one sided.

Indie Game: The Movie

Indie Game: The Movie
2012 [Trailer]
Directors: Lisanne Pajot [IMDB], James Swirsky [IMDB]

I feel bad for kids born in the 90's, they missed out on the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES for short. Sure they can go back now and download the games or even hunt down a console and hook it up, but nothing well ever give them the same feeling I had as a young boy watching video game history unfold before my eyes. So suck it... kids born in the 90's.

Synopsis: This documentary follows three sets of indie game developers on their quest for glory. What is an indie game you ask? Basically, a video game designed by independent developers, verses big studios.

Indie Game strikes at my nerdy nostalgic heart and makes me automatically want to go out and buy 'Super Meat Boy' and 'Fez', which are two of the titles being developed in the film. I think anyone that grew up with Nintendo or Sega will connect with these designers and their mission, but what I also enjoyed was watching their passion unfold on screen. It's not so much what they are making, but the process and the struggle itself that is interesting... it just so happens they are working on cool video games... so it's even better. I think out of three, the two guys that created 'Super Meat Boy' were the most interesting and I found myself pulling for them to make it big.

Technically the film is pretty solid as well. There's a lot of interesting cinematography, especially the scenes filmed at the boardwalk in Santa Cruz, which is one of my favorite places in California. The score is also really interesting and fits the film's aesthetic perfectly.

I'd definitely recommend this, it's one of the better documentaries I've seen this year and it's available on Netflix Instant.

I Think We're Alone Now

I Think We're Alone Now
(2008) [Trailer]
Director: Sean Donnelly [IMDB]

Synopsis: People are creepy as shit.

This film follows two guys... well one guy and a guy who is kind of a women but still a guy. They are both certifiably insane and completely obsessed with Tiffany... just in case you think that's some girl that's a sandwich artist at the local Subway, it's not, it's the famous pop singer from the 80's. These two guys are extremely fucked up, to the point where it almost feels exploitative, but it's like a car wreck that you can help watching.

I think the subject matter is obviously worth viewing but the documentary itself is ugly and not very impressive in terms of film making. I'd still give it a poke, it's on Netflix instant.

 

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Jiro Dreams of Sushi
(2012) [Trailer]
Director: David Gelb [IMDB]

Synopsis: 85 year old sushi extraordinaire (Jiro) is the best in the biz, this documentary shows you why.

You might say... who the hell wants to watch a documentary about a guy making sushi? I do, you little jerk. I love documentaries and often times when done right, they can shine an insightful light on almost any topic. That being said, the praise this film received earlier this year was high and I knew going into it that it wasn't just about making sushi. It's more about the man and his family. It's about their determination to perfect their craft and even how after 70 years of making sushi, you can still feel like there is something to learn. He is an interesting character and while I can appreciate his drive, it's also kind of sad in a way. When all you are is your work, I think you miss out of a lot that life has to offer. I mean, this guy never takes a day off or a vacation. It's work all the time and definitely no play.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is pretty impressive from a technical stand point and delivers on the promise of something different and interesting to watch. It's on Netflix instant if you're curious.

The Betrayal - Nerakhoon

The Betrayal - Nerakhoon
(2008) [Trailer]
Director: Ellen Kuras, Thavisouk Phrasavath

Synopsis: During the Vietnam Way a family from Laos escapes to America but find their new home isn't all what it's cracked up to be.

The overal story in The Betrayal isn't too unique, but still... it offers enough curve balls to keep it interesting enough. The two main subjects are Thavi and his mother, the mother is pretty depressing but in an interesting way... if that makes sense. What really makes this documentary is the commitment made to it by the director/cinematographer. It's footage spans over decades and it's incredible to see Thavi hanging out on a street corner in Brooklyn as a teenager one minute, then see him as an adult the next minute. There's also a lot of beautiful footage spread throughout and a pretty pleasing score to accompany it.

This was nominated for an Oscar but lost to Man on Wire (which is a much better doc) but it's still deserving and I would recommend it.

The Imposter

The Imposter
(2012) [Trailer]
Director: Bart Layton (IMDB)

I've eagerly anticipated the release of this documentary ever since I first heard about it back in May on the Documentary Blog. It has a lot of buzz behind it and if Nirvana videos in the 90's taught us anything, it's that you pay attention to anything that's buzz worthy.

Synopsis: A kid in San Antonio goes missing. The grief stricken family gets a call from him 3 years later, turns out he's in Spain. Olé!

Wow... where to start with this one. First off, it's fantastic. It's completely put together in such a stunning way. If you're a fan of Werner Herzog, Errol Morris, or James Marsh... this is gonna be right up your alley. Great cinematography, score, reenactments, and editing all throughout this help elevate it above the norm.

What really impressed me about The Imposter is how fucking insane the story is and how it's real. It's not really spoiler territory to talk about the overall subject matter in this film, as they put everything out on the table right from the beginning... this guy is obviously not their son. All of the details surrounding how he got around customs, child protective services, the FBI, and also fooling the family is what makes this film great.

I couldn't recommend this enough. This is in limited release, you can check the theater locations and the trailer HERE.

Salesman

Salesman
(1968) [Trailer]
Director: Albert Maysles (IMDB), David Maysles (IMDB)

Movie blogging is a hard business and recently I have had to pick up another job to supplement my lavishness life style. I work in sales and it's also tough, but after watching Salesman, it's not so bad after all.

Synopsis: The Maysles Brothers lay down a classic documentary about door to door bible salesmen.

I wanted to check this out for a long time, its actually been sitting in my Netflix queue for over a year now. I finally got it... I rule! This little slice of cinema verite is considered a historically important piece of art and was selected to be preserved by the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress... It's also a Criterion release! All that must mean it's good right? Wrong... no I'm kidding, it's awesome.

This is such an honest little slice of real life and still just as effective today as I'm sure it was in 1968. The Maysles Brothers so easily mingle through the day to day of these men and capture their successes and failures as they chase the American dream. I absolutely see how this film has influenced more modern documentary films, especially the way it's shot, it's really impressive.

I loved this, if you're into or looking to start getting into docs, check it!

Marley

Marley

(2012) [Trailer]
Director: Kevin Macdonald (IMDB)

“Marley,” a documentary directed by Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland”), is a thorough account of Robert Nesta Marley’s rise from a poor Jamaican country boy to a bona fide Third World superstar.

Lost in the “Legend” (a greatest hits album that brought him posthumous success in the US) is Marley & the original Wailers’ early Studio One ska, the record breaking European tour in the 70s and the politically charged music towards the end of his career.

Macdonald lets the story speak for itself through concert footage, present day interviews with friends and family members, and the obligatory photos with Ken Burns effect.

Born to an African-Jamaican mother and an absent white English-Jamaican father, Marley’s racial identity crisis is highlighted throughout the film, as is his own unorthodox family life.  He fathered eleven children across seven different relationships, all the while publicly denying his lifelong marriage to Rita, who sang backup on his tour as part of the I-Threes.  Some of the more telling emotional interviews in the film are with Marley’s children, who remember him as strict and unavailable.

Marley was no saint but he wasn’t just the Rasta stoner that some reduce him to today, and that’s where “Marley” fails.  Clocking in just shy of two and a half hours, this film is not going to be accessible to the layman, but it is a fine supplement to those already familiar with the story and certainly the most comprehensive film on the singer’s life to date.

“Marley” is playing in select theaters and is available On Demand. 

Beauty Day

Beauty Day
(2011) [Trailer]
Director: Jay Cheel (IMDB)

O Canada, O Canada, the place of my birth. Besides myself, Canada is also known for producing Tim Horton's, great hockey players, and other awesome things. If you don't like our friendly neighbors to the north, chances are you're a douche. One thing that Canada has produced that you might not know about is Cap'n Video.

Beauty Day is a documenty about Ralph Zavadil, or as he's better known to native Ontarians, Cap'n Video. Cap'n Video was a outlandish 90's local cable celebrity known for performing crazy, low budget stunts à la MTV's Jackass, but well before them. You might recognize him from THIS! Beauty Day goes into the history of the Cap'n, the present and how his life has changed.

This is an excellent film and extremely well done, especially considering it's director Jay Cheel's first full length documentary. The subject matter is captivating and for not having known anything about Cap'n Video ahead of my initial viewing, I found myself really into his story. The direction and cinematography are reminiscent of Errol Morris or Werner Herzog, so if you're into them, chances are you'll love this. It's still a little hard to get a hold of it here in the states but check out the trailer and website HERE. You can also order it directly from HERE... or if you know me and are here in the city, I'll let you borrow it because I'm nice like that.

ALSO: Please take and moment and visit HOW TO BUILD A TIME MACHINE. It's Jay Cheel's new project and HotDocs is currently doing a kickstarter for funding. It's looks amazing so far, and worth your time. I've donated and you should do the same if you want to be cool like me.

Project Nim

Project Nim
(2011) [Trailer]
Director: James Marsh (IMDB)

I feel like I say this a lot, but this is one of the films I really wanted to check out last year but never got too. Not enough time in the day I guess. I loved Man On Wire and I was definitely excited to see what James Marsh had in store for this documentary.

Project Nim follows Nim, a chimp raised since birth by humans, and trained in sign language for an experiment back in the 70's.

Fuck it, I normally don't change my best of lists after I've made them, but this is getting added to my #1 for documentaries. This film is so well put together, the direction is flawless. Marsh's use of archival footage, reenactments, and interviews transitions together so smoothly and reminds me of something by Errol Morris. This is a very stylized documentary, which are my favorite kind. Nim's story is extremely interesting and it's interesting to see the failures of the people in charge of him. I felt like if he was placed in more capable hands, the results could have been a lot better. This was just released on DVD, but not blu-ray (fail), and I would highly recommend you check it out.

The Interrupters

The Interrupters
(2011) [Trailer]
Director: Steve James (IMDB)

I'm a lucky guy. I grew up in a great neighborhood, I have two parents that love me very much, and I love them. I'm fortunate. Sadly, there's a tons of people who can't say the same thing. It's a shit world, but there's still a glimmer of hope.

The Interrupters are a group of Chicago based activists that hit the rough city streets in order to stop gang violence. They are all ex gang bangers who want to try and make their city a safer place to live.

This documentary is awesome. I missed it in the theaters last year, and have been trying to track it down ever since. It was really hard to find until Frontline on PBS aired it for free the other night and my good friend alerted me about it. It's extremely captivating, powerful, and I felt like crying a few times while watching this... that's right, I'm not afraid to admit that. I would highly recommend you watch this and you can do so if you have PBS or it's on their website for free right HERE.

Touching the Void

Touching the Void

(2003) [Trailer]
Director: Kevin Macdonald (IMDB)

After reading the novel 'Into Thin Air' a few years ago I decided I'd never attempt to climb a mountain, it just doesn't seem like a very sound idea. After watching Touching the Void my decision has only been reinforced.

Touching the Void is the harrowing tale of Simon Yates and Jim Simpson's mountain climbing expedition gone a rye. Joe breaks his leg while descending down from a summit in the Andes. Simon tries to help him down and basically everything goes to shit. Joe ends up sliding off a cliff and hanging by a rope that is tied to Simon. Simon soon realizes he will fall off the cliff if he doesn't cut the line. So... he cuts the line, sending Joe down into a crevasse. From there he has to make it out alive... on his own... in the snow and ice... with a bum leg... Good times.

The style of this documentary reminds me of The Thin Blue Line, it's mostly reenactments and the interviewees face the camera straight on. It's beautifully filmed and extremely entertaining. The story is INSANE... people... please stop trying to climb these gigantic ass mountain ranges, nature doesn't give a crap about you and you will die.