Note: I needed to create a second page for Fact Not Fiction, as this genre grew too large for one page. Still lots of good stuff here!
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2018) An Austrian Jew who used her beauty to flee WWII and come to Hollywood, but behind her glamour was a whirling, inventive mind who built things--including a “frequency hopper” to radio-control torpedoes. “No thanks” said the Navy. “Sell war bonds instead.” As one frustration led to another, she filled the years with marriages and plastic surgeries, finally receiving recognition for her invention at the end. :( My grade: B Plus
Paterno (2018) In the final months of 2011 (and Joe Paterno’s life), Al Pacino is at the top of his game as Penn State’s legendary coach, fuzzily confronting reports that he knew of Jerry Sandusky’s molesting boys—and didn’t do enough to stop his former coach. Paterno’s reasoning, the school and the game were his priority, were also the undoing of his legacy in this all too real, all too sad recounting of a man who sacrificed all for the game. My grade: B Plus
Stronger (2017) Jake Gyllenhaal is Oscar-worthy as Jeff Bauman, who lost both his legs at the 2013 Boston marathon bombing while watching his girlfriend Erin run in the race. His first words in the hospital—“Call the FBI, I saw the bomber” made him a media sensation. But while his Sox n’ suds family enjoyed his fame, what about his loss? He’d drown in sorrow... until losing Erin and meeting his hero changed everything. Stick with this for the final inning. My grade: B Plus
All the Money in the World (2017) Christopher Plummer chills in this slow but effective drama of the 1973 kidnapping of the grandson of J.Paul Getty, the richest man in the world—he refused to pay a cent in ransom. It would be 6 months before the boy was returned, not whole but with great irony. Oh Getty, what did your greed get you? Your family despised you, and in the end they gave most of your fortune away. My grade: B Plus
American Made (2017) Tom Cruise returns to great acting as Barry Seal—a “good ol’ boy” TWA pilot recruited by the CIA in 1979 to fly over Central America and take spy photos. He was so good at it, they asked him to deliver illegal weapons to the Contras—what they didn’t want was him returning from each trip with Columbian coke, kilos of it. It made him rich, for awhile at least. In the end, he got what he knew was coming. But what a trip, right Barry? My grade: B Plus
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (2017) In 1998 while making the biopic “Man on the Moon”, Jim Carrey was also filmed behind the scenes as he immersed himself in the role of Andy Kaufman. 20 years later as we watch, incredulous that this maniacal diva made life so miserable for a director & crew, a somber, older Carrey tells us how he barely survived his own genius. There’s no denying his stardom then, but wow the arrogance then. I suspect he misses it. My grade: B Plus
Alone in Berlin (2017) As Nazi Germany celebrates their victory over France, Berliners Otto & Anna are devastated to learn their son is dead, giving his life to “Der Fuhrer”. They’ll begin leaving angry postcards in shops and stairways—Hitler is a madman, Stop the Nazi war machine, Hitler killed our son, yours is next. What happens if they’re discovered by the Gestapo? You don’t want to know, in this tragic drama based on a true story. My grade: B Plus
The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017) Jessica Chastain is Antonina Zabinski, who along with her husband Jan ran the Warsaw Zoo in the 1930s; when Germany invaded Poland, they raided the zoo, taking the best animals to Berlin and slaughtering the rest. The Zabinskis offered to raise pigs for the Nazis, using this as a front to smuggle 300 Jews out of Poland. It’s an amazing story but perhaps deserved more, this always felt a little soft around the edges. My grade: B Plus
God Knows Where I Am (2016) In May 2008, a woman’s body was found in a vacant farmhouse, dead from starvation. Beside her lay a stack of notebooks—her personal journals. She was 52 year old Linda Bishop, educated, divorced, a mother. Institutionalized for mental illness, they released her & told no one, so she hid in this empty house for the winter, ate crabapples until they were gone and wrote… yards from another home. Haunting & sad like you would not believe. My grade: B Plus
One to One: John and Yoko (2025) In 1971, John Lennon & Yoko Ono moved from London to a two room apt in Greenwich Village to protest from bed, watch tv and dabble in politics. But they did a benefit concert too, for special needs youth in mental institutions and political activists in prison. This documentary is news heavy, a real time capsule of a polarizing time in our history. Good, but feels like ancient history now. My grade: B
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023) Albert Brooks sits with (best friend) Rob Reiner as they discuss Albert’s career, from his 1930s Hollywood parents to his stand-up in high school to comedy clubs, the Tonight Show, movies & Disney voice-overs. Lots of big-name comics like Chris Rock, David Letterman and Larry David cut in to sing his praises. So how do the rest of us feel aout him? Meh… My grade: B
Leave No Trace (2022) Since it’s inception in 1901, the Boy Scouts of America carefully hid reports of sexual abuse, settling privately when forced to. In the early 2000s, they decided to take their chances in court—and lost miserably when 100,000 cases of documented abuse were uncovered. Why the big coverup? Because it’s a CORPORATION with a select few making millions off a nation of boys paying dues and buying unforms. No surprises here, just sad. My grade: B
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed (2021) He was a quiet, serene artist who enjoyed landscape paintings by smearing & blotting. PBS offered him his own show and a painting revolution was born. But as much as Bob wanted his family to enjoy his success, his rat-bastard producers battled to own his legacy after his early death. The whole thing ultimately became a sad shame. Don’t buy any art supplies with the Bob Ross brand. My grade: B
Misha & the Wolves (2021) In 1997, a Massachusetts woman shared her story of being a Holocaust runaway, living with wolves in the German forest while searching for her Jewish parents. Her story was published in the US, but soon gained international press. When Misha sued her publisher for more royalties, they went digging for truths—and found plenty, in this compelling, “what were we thinking” documentary. Oh Misha! My grade: B 
Lost Girls (2020) When Shannan Gilbert goes missing (after making a frantic 911 call that cops take 40 minutes to respond), her tough-as-nails mom Mari goes on a tear— especially after learning the bodies of 4 sex-workers Shannan’s age have turned up in the same area. Where are the goddamn police! They’ll warn & threaten her, but Mari (Amy Ryan) isn’t shutting up in this hard, true story of a serial killer and corrupt NY cops in 2010. My grade: B
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) Based on Tom Junod’s 10,000 word essay “What is a Hero”, it’s 1998 and Lloyd Vogel from Esquire Magazine is assigned to write a 400 word piece on Mister Rogers. Grumble... will Lloyd lose that 50 lb chip on his shoulder? I love Tom Hanks, I love Mr.Rogers; but I didn’t love Hanks as Mr.Rogers. This was nice but nothing special. I’m usually a sucker for this type of stuff, too. My grade: B
Cracked Up (2019) He’s a doughy faced chainsmoker, his arms covered with scars from years of cutting himself. In his 60s now, Darrell Hammond (of SNL) spent much of his adulthood in therapy or institutions, never understanding why until he was 50 and re-lived his tortured childhood, in this sad, contemplative documentary of mental illness from family abuse. Life isn’t over til’ it’s over. I really got that here, thank you Darrell. My grade: B
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) It’s 1976 and Ted Bundy (played scary good by Zac Efron) meets Liz Kloepfer in Salt Lake UT, falls in love and moves in with her—just as his crimes in Washington & Colorado are catching up to him. She’ll follow him on the nightly news, filled with guilt & drink (she turned him in) as he escapes prison, runs to Florida and kills some more. His sentence proves nothing, what will bring Liz peace? Only Ted knows. Yikes! My grade: B
Knock Down The House (2019) As Trump and his GOP cohorts wreck America, various women across the country are galvanized to run for Democratic office in the 2018 primary. We’ll see 4 of them here, but this documentary focuses mostly on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a bartender in the Bronx who will run with little money but a lot of courage, angst & hard work. Still, her win will surprise no one more than herself. Gulp... this is real and inspiring stuff. My grade: B
Bathtubs Over Broadway (2019) While searching vintage record stores for unusual albums (for a comedy segment on David Letterman), writer Steve Young began finding ‘corporate souvenir’ albums from the 1950s-1970s. Never meant for sale, Broadway casts did full-blown musicals for everything from bread to shoes to Kenmore appliances. Huge shows, absurd songs and now a piece of corporate Americana, oh to be at a sales convention in the 1960s! My grade: B
Bikrim: Yogi, Guru, Predator (2019) Elvis Presley. Barbra Streisand. Richard Nixon. In the 1970s he was a yogi to celebrities, and as his fame and wealth grew, taught yoga in convention center sized classes, all while spinning fantastic stories about his origins. But with mass adoration comes ego, as he began forcing himself on his more attractive students. It’s a compelling, almost exploitative doc, but did his students not see this coming? We sure did. My grade: B
Scotty & The Secret History of Hollywood (2018) After WWII, Scotty Bowers moved to Hollywood. He managed a gas station in the ‘40s, tricked himself out (and his stable of vets) to closeted stars. He’s 95 now, loved by many & married to an old torch singer… and a voracious packrat, several old homes filled to the rafters with graphic, scandalous Hollywood lore. Both charming & depressing, he lived in a Hollywood few will ever know or want to know. My grade: B
The Price of Everything (2018) In the early 70s, a NYC cabdriver put his modern art collection up for auction. The art world was aghast, then intrigued when he became rich. Now a billion dollar industry where pieces go for tens of millions, insanely rich collectors live & breathe modern art, and artists lament their work will never be seen in museums—none can afford them. There’s wonderful stuff here, but… oh the absurdity of it all. My grade: B
The Last Resort (2018) In the 1950s, it was glittering nightclubs & swanky hotels; in the 1980s, overrun with Cuban criminals and cocaine, it was the murder capital of the world. But in the ‘60s & 70s, Miami Beach somehow—sweetly—became the mecca for Jewish retirees. Two photographers then had the foresight to capture this generation, in all their eccentric, kitschy glory in this doc of an endearing bygone era. Now this is American History. My grade: B
The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man (2018) We’re all heard the stories: Bill Murray showed up at my wedding. Bill Murray drove my cab. Bill Murray came to our frat party and washed dishes. They’re all true, at least the ones here are, evidenced by photos & videos. Dear & hilarious, the only downer here is the hipster filmmaker trying to put a Zen spin on it. Dude, don’t make it more than it is—he’s Bill Murray! My grade: B
American Circumcision (2018) The United States is the only industrialized country that performs circumcisions on male infants for non-religious reasons; yet even after studies have disproved it reduces the risk of penile cancer, STDs, UTIs it’s still performed regularly. This documentary is too painful to watch at times—the instruments used, infants screaming in pain, all too common botched circumcisions—it’s genital mutilation and its victims have no say. My grade: B
The Infiltrator (2016) In the 1980s, cocaine was king; and Federal Customs agent Robert Mazur (well played by Bryan Cranston) was tasked with going undercover as a Florida businessman-front-man for one of the largest Columbian drug cartels, to help bring down money laundering banks in the US. It’s a great story with solid performances—but between Scarface & Miami Vice, it feels like we’ve seen all this before. My grade: B Plus
In Search of General Tso (2015) In 1972, America was introduced to General Tso's Chicken. Where did it come from? Certainly not China. This mouth-watering documentary attempts to trace it's origins, as we learn other facts along the way; how did Chop Suey come about? Chinese laundries? It's a fascinating look at Asian culture in the US, and our fascination with them. My grade: B Plus
One Day Since Yesterday: Peter Bogdanovitch & The Lost American Film (2014) The Last Picture Show. What’s Up, Doc. Paper Moon. He was as famous as the actors in the films he directed, and then in 1980 while making They All Laughed, his leading lady & love of his life Dorothy Stratten was murdered by her ex-husband. It shattered him… this is the story of his climb back. Gently told and very honest, and a real look at the love of filmmaking. My grade: B Plus
Kon Tiki (2013) Science is not always found behind a desk. In 1947, Norwegian scholar Thor Heyerdahl is so convinced the people of Polynesia originated from South America, he and 4 brave men will make the months long, 5000 mile journey--on an oversized raft. Their success will sell tens of millions of books… and inspire many, including the founders of NASA. A slow start but adventurous & uplifting, I wept when these men cried and hugged. My grade: B Plus
George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011) With terrific archived footage and interviews with music legends Paul McCartney & Eric Clapton, Martin Scorsese gives us a glimpse of George Harrisons life, his accomplishments and spiritual aspirations in a respectful 4 hour biography. We should all have such souls as this man. My grade: B Plus
Chappaquiddick (2018) July 18, 1969: While giving Mary Jo Kopechne (one of Robert Kennedy’s former “Boiler Room Girls”) a ride from his party, Senator Ted Kennedy drives off a narrow bridge and into scandal & history. Her drowning (and his not reporting it right away--why, Ted?) ended presidential aspirations and raised questions still unanswered—as we witness Ted veer from truth to weak attempts at cover up, over & over. It’s a strange, sad time capsule. My grade: B
What Haunts Us (2018) When Paige Tolmach, class of ’82 learned of a former classmates suicide, she was surprised to discover there’d been other boys who attended Porter-Gaud HS and killed themselves--6 of the 49 boys from the class of ’79. Why? Well, a teacher was there from ’72 to ‘82, an Ed Fischer who liked 12 year old boys, and the school knew and did nothing. This doc tries so hard to get your attention.. just let these men talk. My grade: B
The Glass Castle (2017) In this dramatization of her biography, NY columnist Jeannette Walls & her 3 sibs grew up taking care of each other—they had to. Their mother (Naomi Watts) fancied herself an artist and worried more about paints than feeding her kids. Their father (Woody Harrelson) was smart, but a lazy drunk who kept them in absolute squalor. Each survived by escaping and ultimately forgiving, in this very tough but touching watch. My grade: B
Breathe (2017) Andrew Garfield is truly remarkable as Robin Cavendish, struck with polio at 28 and paralyzed from the neck down. But this true tale is a love story, as he married Diana (Claire Foy) just one year earlier, who remained by his side until his death 35 years later. They helped change how polio victims were seen too, when he insisted his life not end in a hospital bed… and that others didn’t either. The (real) home movies at the end are brief, but a must-see. My grade: B
Dunkirk (2017) June 1940, and Nazi forces have the French city Dunkirk surrounded. 300,000 British & French troops are gathered on its beaches in retreat, hoping to escape to fight another day. As they wait for rescue, Nazi biplanes fly overhead, raining bullets and dropping bombs on rescue ships. Most will somehow survive, but director Chris Nolan wants to show us at what cost. It’s a methodical, almost emotionless watch… but ends with real grace. My grade: B
Kingdom of Us (2017) In 2007, Paul Shanks walked into the woods behind his home and committed suicide. He left behind a wife and 7 children, aged 6-16. As the years pass, they’ll struggle to grow up in a house filled with clutter, emotions and their dad’s hidden notebook that contained much darker plans for his family. This explains the deadbolts he installed on our bedroom doors. They love & miss him still, in this bittersweet documentary of one very brave family. My grade: B
The Polka King (2017) Jack Black’s European accent is straight out of a Laugh-In skit—but he’s still fun to watch as Jan Lewan, the hammy, manic Pole who crowned himself the King of Pennsylvania Polka in the 1990s, then fleeced his senior citizen fanbase to keep his star high. Jenny Slate as his “look at me too!” wife was inspired casting in this ridiculous romp made all the better by being true. I need more Jack Black in my life. My grade: B
Darkest Hour (2017) Gary Oldman earns his Oscar as Winston Churchill, who In May 1940 dared to defy Parliament by demanding England fight versus broker a peace agreement with Hitler. It’s an actor’s showcase, and a real piece of history, but too obvious in its embellishments to make it long enough for a movie and worth watching. The truth is, I just didn’t feel stirred watching him deliver his bluster to other pompous old men. Admirable effort though. My grade: B
American Anarchist (2017) In 1969, William Powell was an angry 20 year old political activist who wrote ‘The Anarchist Cookbook’, which explained how to cook napalm, make bombs, etc; he later married & became a teacher for emotionally challenged children. 50 years later, copies of his book are still found, notably with kids involved in school killings like Columbine. The irony is not lost on him in this sobering, remorseful documentary. My grade: B
Voyeur (2017) In 1980, acclaimed writer Gay Talese was invited to visit a peculiar motel, where the owner had installed vents in the rooms ceilings to spy on his guests at night (keeping copious notes). 36 years later, the voyeur is ready to come forward and asks 80 year old Gay to write his story—which Gay does, only to learn not all is as it seems. Not so much a doc on the voyeurism as it is a ponderous look at this elderly pair—joined at the hip whether they like it or not. My grade: B
Anthropoid (2016) WWII is in full swing, and 2 agents are sent into Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia to assassinate SS officer Reinhard Heydrich, “The Butcher of Prague”. The Czech Resistance begs them to abort their mission: If you succeed, the Nazis will rain horror upon us. They’re right, a bloodbath ensues. Still, their actions forced the Allies into action in this chiller based on true events. WARNING: The Nazi torture scenes... jarring. My grade: B
Free State of Jones (2016) Matthew McConaughey gives a hammy but compelling performance as Newt Knight, a Confederate soldier who deserted the Civil War after learning only the poor had to fight—wealthy plantation owners were excused from battle. He (and 250 deserters & runaway slaves) banded together & fought to secede Mississippi from the South, a war within the war. It’s a fascinating piece of history, but much was glossed over to fit a saga into 2 hours. My grade: B
Denial (2016) In the 1990s, British cuckoo & Holocaust denier David Irving sued American Jewish historian Deborah Lipstadt for defamation of character—forcing her to go to London to prove the Holocaust was real & Irving a dick. It’s a well-played, exact accounting of events… but in real life this was a lengthy, costly trial. And for what? To prove what we already knew? Fine performances, but this still felt like a hollow victory. My grade: B
Lion (2016) The true story of Saroo, a 5 year old boy lost in India, who rode trains for thousands of miles looking for home. Adopted by a couple in Australia (Nicole Kidman is really good here) he’ll have a loving, happy life. And then one night 25 years later, while looking at Google Earth… home. Told with care & tenderness, it’s sweet, tearful ending makes up for so much. I loved meeting the real people here too. My grade: B
De Palma (2015) Carrie. Dressed to Kill. Scarface. The Untouchables. From his start in 1960s arthouse cinema to his first 70's success with Sisters, famed director Brian DePalma reflects on every film he's written or directed, with wry observations on why they succeeded (or flopped), praise (or scorn) for various actors and how filmmaking affected his own life. It's good, honest stuff. My grade: B
Pawn Sacrifice (2015) Tobey Maguire is the unlikeable, arrogant & delusional Bobby Fischer, who took the world by storm with both his genius & madness in the early 1970s, when he played Soviet rival Boris Spassky for the World title. This was a tough pill to swallow for the first half, but finished strongly in the second. Too bad the same couldn't be said for Bobby Fischer. My grade: B
The Winding Stream (2015) Long before country music, in the Virginia mountains was mountain music--and the Carter Family, with A.P., Sarah & Maybelle, and later Helen, Anita, June and Johnny Cash. (I love the clips of a young June Carter: "what's this all mean to ya dear?" "Money!") It's a warm, homespun look at this talented family & their roots in American Folk music. My grade: B
Trumbo (2015) Bryan Cranston (love) is the wildly personable Dalton Trumbo, blacklisted in 1947 for being a Communist. But he was also Hollywood's most successful screenwriter and you can't keep a good man down--as much as Amerimaniacs like John Wayne & hate-monger Hedda Hopper tried. Not a compelling story, but it's still a stylish period piece that deserves the credit--as did Trumbo. My grade: B
The Seven Five (2015) In the 1980s-early 90s, crime in NYC was rampant--along with a corrupt NYPD & one precinct in particular, the 75th. But these bad cops paled in comparison to Michael Dowd, who went from petty thefts at crime scenes to full-on drug trafficking. Right down to the drug use, paranoia & brassy Long Island wives, this doc is Goodfellas--Cops Edition. My grade: B
The Walk (2015) Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a fun, daring performance as Phillippe Petit, the French aerialist who wire-walked 140 feet across (over & over) between the World Trade Towers in 1974, to an amazed city Critics complain of the slow first hour, but his start in Paris was my favorite part; this was a wonderful tribute to those fallen NY landmarks too. My grade: B
Freeheld (2015) Based on a true story, Julianne Moore is Laurel Hester, a New Jersey police officer who fought for her pension to go to her domestic partner (Ellen Page) in the early 2000s after discovering she had lung cancer. Julianne gives it her all, but a cookie-cutter cast & storyline makes this better suited for a tv-movie. We've seen it, we've seen it. My grade: B
Truth (2015) Robert Redford & Cate Blanchett are Dan Rather and producer Mary Mapes, in this reconstruction of the 2004 debacle where questionable documents were used to show George Bush went AWOL in the Texas National Guard. (CBS retracted the story and 5-6 heads rolled.) Good performances, but all I kept thinking was 'who cares?' There was overreaching then, and again now. My grade: B
Orion: The Man Who Would Be King (2015) Shortly after Elvis' death in 1977, a masked entertainer came on the scene with a singing voice uncannily like Presley. His was a novelty that earned 7 records, endless touring & groupies galore until he tired of the mask and tried to make it on his own as Jim Ellis. What a curious ride; his beginnings (he was adopted, knowing only his birth-fathers name was Vernon) are as sad & remarkable as his end. My grade: B
Meet the Patels (2015) Ravi Patel is an Indian American who's 30 & still single. His parents only want him to be happy--and MARRIED. So when Ravi confesses he's ready to settle down, they're only too happy to help in this honest, funny doc that attempts to explain the Indian culture, their focus on marriage and the lengths parents go to for their kids to wed. In the end, it's all about love & family. We should all be so lucky. My grade: B
Matthew Shepard is a Friend of Mine (2015) In 1998, a 21 year old man was strung up on a fence in a Wyoming field and beaten to death for being gay. Such outrage grew from the attack that it led to the passing of a Federal law against hate crimes. And now, years later, his family and friends look back on Matt's life and reflect and love & miss him still. Matt dreamed of making a difference in this world, and sadly enough he did. My grade: B
Happy Valley (2014) In 2011, Jerry Sandusky was charged with 40+ counts of child sexual abuse. As details emerged, his acts would separate a town, wreck the reputations of a university & world class football team, and ruin the lives of many--particularly Penn States legendary coach, Joe Paterno. Cries for justice abound here--for Paterno, for Penn State, for college football. What about the victims, you ask? Good question. My grade: B
Love Me (2014) Russian dating sites are big business, as we follow a group of lonely, overweight men in this doc in search of brides from Ukraine. It's expensive--an average trip there will cost $10-12,000. Some men go over & over too. They'll attend socials, with 200 women to 10 men. Can it work? For an earnest few, yes. For the desperate or fantasy-driven... keep dreaming. My grade: B
All American High Revisited (2014) In 1984, a documentary was filmed of the senior year of a California high school, narrated by an 'outsider'--a foreign exchange student, a girl from Finland. "Is very social here, in Finland we go to school for study." 30 years later, this celluloid time capsule is found and shown to a few of the former kids, including the Finnish girl. Everyone's older now, of course. Some more than others. My grade: B
Life Itself (2014) Roger Ebert was a brilliant writer, a newspaperman, and ultimately our favorite movie critic. And now as we accompany him along the final months of his life, we're shown his Americana upbringing, his struggles with alcoholism, years with Gene Siskel and falling in love at 50. He was full of himself alright--but his words will be missed. My grade: B
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon (2014) Mike Myers paints a loving tribute to the entertainment industry's 'nicest guy', Shep Gordon--who managed the careers of people from Anne Murray to Alice Cooper. The first half is especially fascinating, the lengths he went to make his clients famous in the '70s--even though he later says 'Fame is not a healthy thing; no one should want to live with it.' My grade: B
Chaos on the Bridge (2014) William Shatner has some heart to hearts with the former cast & crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The fans didn't want it, networks wouldn't touch it, and the first 2 seasons were largely forgettable; but it went on to become the first tv show to air new in syndication, and the only one to date with 9 Emmy nods. Oh, and I love Patrick Stewart now more than ever. My grade: B
The Dog (2014) Remember 'Dog Day Afternoon', where Al Pacino played a gay Brooklyn bank robber trying to pay for his boyfriend's sex change? Well heeeere's Johnny! John Wojtowicz that is, the man it was all based on. His mom's here, his boyfriend from that time too; and a couple dozen more in this 'have you no shame' but thoroughly engrossing look back--not just at John's life before & after, but at another era. It's jaw dropping. My grade: B
Do I Sound Gay? (2014) David Thorpe is a writer in New York City who happens to be gay. Problem is, he knows he "sounds" gay--and doesn't like it. Can he change it? What begins as an unintentionally funny documentary soon becomes an earnest, thoughtful study of personal identity, how it's formed and how gays are perceived by family, other gays, and society as a whole. My grade: B
Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013) Based on the life of Eugene Allen, Forest Whitaker is Cecil Gaines, White House butler from 1952-1986. He does his job without fuss, as his family and people experience the most turbulent years in African-American history. A commendable film--and both Forest & Oprah (as his flawed but loving wife) are outstanding. My grade: B
42 (2013) Chadwick Boseman hits it out of the park as Jackie Robinson, the first black player signed to major league baseball by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. (I almost didn't recognize Harrison Ford, who plays the clubs owner Branch Rickey.) It's not a biopic of his career, but of the racial challenges he overcame in his rookie year--there were many. The man was, and still is, an American hero. Watch the credits! My grade: B
The Fabulous Ice Age (2013) From Sonja Henie's Ice Revue to the Ice Follies, to Holiday on Ice, Ice Capades & Stars on Ice--for 50 years these lavish spectacles were big business. Top designers, choreographers & the highest ethical standards attracted the finest talent--the likes of which we'll never see again, in this technicolor look back at a real slice of Americana. My grade: B
The Imposter (2012) In 1994, a 13 year old boy from Austin TX disappeared; 4 years later a 23 year old man in Spain somehow convinced the authorities & the boy's family he was their missing son. Narrated by the imposter & the real boy's family, we learn the lengths people will go when they want to believe or be believed. My grade: B
Shenandoah (2012) In 2008, four high school football players beat a Mexican man to death--and almost got away with murder. (It was only when the FBI stepped in that heads rolled, including the town's police.) This documentary shows us how a place steeped in all things American was not separated after the tragedy, but long before it. Is there hope for us? Yes. My grade: B
The Iceman (2012) Michael Shannon is Richard Kuklinski, fiercely devoted to his wife Winona Ryder and two daughters--and equally fierce as a murderer for hire, killing over 100 people for the Mob from 1964-86. Based on real life and enthralling from start to finish, we need more films with Shannon--he's a force to be reckoned with. My grade: B
Hitchcock (2012) Anthony Hopkins & Helen Mirren are charming as Alfred and Mrs. Hitchcock, in this curious retelling of their attempts in 1960 to get 'Psycho' on the silver screen. It's more marital soap than anything else, but it's still a tasty treat--and Scarlett Johansson as Janet Leigh provides the icing. My grade: B
Searching for Sugar Man (2012) In 1970, a Detroit singer released 2 albums to critical praise--but went unheard. The man gave up music and became another working joe. But unknown to anyone, his albums were played in South Africa, sold in the millions and became the voice of Apartheid. So what happens 40 years later when they discover he's alive & ask him to visit? Magic. My grade: B
Her Master's Voice (2012) After learning of her mentor's passing, British ventriloquist Nina Conti (and her 'talking monkey') travel to the US to meet with others of their kind, and to Kentucky to donate one of his characters to Kent Haven, a museum where hundreds of dummies of the deceased are put on display. Odd but sweet and heartfelt, like many of those puppets. My grade: B
The American Scream (2012) In Fair Haven Mass, a trio of average American families spend weeks--one, months--transforming their properties into 'haunted houses' for Halloween. With colossal sets, sculptures & animatronics, the few hours of accolades they receive are all they ask for. This is ingenuity, inspiration & artistry at it's finest. My grade: B
The Woman Who Wasn't There (2012) As survivors from the 9-11 attacks came forward, Tania Head was embraced by the city and soon the nation as she shared her harrowing account from the 78th floor and her husbands death in the first tower. So what happens after you're elected president of the New York Survivors Council and its discovered all your stories were lies? My grade: B
Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (2012) Joe Cross is a likable Australian businessman who is 41 years old, covered in hives and 90 pounds overweight--now what? How about a 60 day 'juice fast' while driving across the US and asking Americans what they eat, and inspiring a few others as well. I really want a juicer. My grade: B
Surviving Progress (2011) The Earth is a finite object and unable to keep up with overpopulation (among other things) in this thought-provoking documentary that theorizes that technology is evolving much faster than man, and what this means for humankind. Can we slow down before it's too late? My grade: B
The Pruitt-Igoe Myth (2011) In 1954, St.Louis built an impressive group of 33 high-rise apartment buildings for thousands of welfare reipients--only to see them go into ruin & be demolished in 15 years time. Why? A thought-provoking documentary of good intentions gone awry. My grade: B
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011) Jiro Ono is an 85 year old master sushi chef in Tokyo, with a restaurant that seats only ten people yet has earned a 3 star Michelin rating. Serenely told, this documentary shows how a lifelong dedication to one's craft is an artwork in itself. Good for the soul. My grade: B
Corman's World (2011) Loving tribute to Roger Corman, "The King of the B's" who defined the cult classic genre & grindhouse flicks of the '70s. Loved the early history lesson, but the second half (with the camp drive-in trailers) kicked ass, what can I say? Awesome stuff. My grade: B
The King's Speech (2010) A brave & warm recounting of the friendship between King George VI (who wore the crown after his brother abdicated the throne in 1936) and the speech therapist he hired to rid his stammer. Oscar winner for Best Picture in 2011 and while I love Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush... he's remarkable. My grade: B
Conviction (2010) Hilary Swank is exceptional in this inspiring story of Betty Anne Waters, a high school dropout who returned to school and became a lawyer after her brother (Sam Rockwell) was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. What a remarkable journey these real-life siblings shared. My grade: B
The Elephant in the Living Room (2010) Lions and tigers and bears oh my! Waitasec, there's cougars and alligators too. Your dog needs a license, but there's tens of thousands of fools in this country keeping man-eating animals as pets. And not doing a very good job of it either, tigers roam the highways and Ohio has a bigger aligator problem then Florida. THIS IS SCARY. My grade: B
The Woodmans (2010) are married artists. All that matters is art. And perhaps this helps explain why their daughter Francesca, depressed over her career in photography, committed suicide at 22. And now 30 years later her work lives on, and the Woodmans are known as the artists parents in this curious documentary. "We're artists too!" We know. My grade: B
Exporting Raymond (2010) In 2009, Phil Rosenthal (the creator of "Everybody Loves Raymond") was asked to come to Moscow & recreate his show for Russian television. "So, this must be where they filmed 'Saw'... are those wild dogs?" The Russians weren't laughing but I was--this was terrific. My grade: B
Tabloid (2010) In 1977, an American named Joyce McKinney took the world by storm when she flew to London to kidnap and rape the Mormon man she'd fallen in love with. As British tabloids painted her as a lovestruck angel, the Daily Mirror discovered her hidden life: a bondage "masseuse", with a thousand photos. Then things got really crazy. Who the hell is this? My grade: B
127 Hours (2010) James Franco portrays the real-life rock climber who gets his arm pinned under a boulder and makes a life or death decision. I wasn't planning to see this (because of what I knew was coming) but the story is told with a real visual style & the Utah scenery is spectacular--for the few minutes we get to see it. My grade: B
Toast (2010) After young Nigel's mum dies & his dad hires a new cleaner (Helen Bonham Carter who is determined to marry Nigel's pap), both compete for the man's affection thru their love of cooking. Based on food critic Nigel Slater's childhood memoirs, this is one quirky British charmer. My grade: B
Monica & David (2009) are a couple with Down Syndrome who meet, fall in love & want to marry. Can they do it? This documentary isn't so much about any obstacles they face (they live with Monica's parents), it's just a glimpse into the lives of two special people who want to love and be loved like anyone else. My grade: B
Outrage (2009) Surprising, disturbing documentary of various congressmen & other political leaders caught in gay sex scandals, who almost always were the strongest opponents of same-sex marriages, adoptions, & other gay rights (to better hide their true natures). These men are sad and sickening. My grade: B
Mao's Last Dancer (2009) Ballet, life under Chairman Mao's rule & Chinese American politics are brought to life in this kind (if not a bit too soapy) story of Li Cunxin, an 11 year old peasant boy who was selected to train for the Chinese Ballet, only to come to America in 1981 and make a dramatic defection to remain. The ending triumphs. My grade: B
I Love You Phillip Morris (2009) Based on a (bizarre) true story, Jim Carrey is terrific as a Texas cop who leaves his wife and becomes a con-man to support his new life as a flamboyant homosexual. And just when things couldn't get anymore absurd, he goes to prison and meets Ewan McGregor... My grade: B
Cleanflix (2009) In the early 2000s, a Utah video shop began editing the sex & violence out of their popular rentals for a few of their Mormon and Christian customers; it soon morphed into a statewide phenomenon, with hundreds of businesses and thousands of edited films. So why did it have to end? Ask Hollywood! My grade: B
Desert Flower (2009) True story of Waris Dirie, the 'Nomad Girl' who came to London as a Somalian refugee and grew up to become an international model & spokesperson for African women and genital mutilation. There's some harsh flashbacks, and the story is a bit camp--but it's for all the right reasons. My grade: B
Nowhere Boy (2009) Coming-of-age story on John Lennon's teenage years, right before the Beatles; with astounding attention to detail, the movie centers on John reuniting with his mother & the stress it took on his mates & Aunt Mimi (who raised him). A quality story but I wish there'd been more focus on his budding friendship with Paul; those scenes shined. My grade: B
Defiance (2008) Based on a true story, Daniel Craig is Tuvia Bielski, a Polish Jew who escaped the Nazis & hid a thousand Jews in the Belarus Forests during WWII. A bleak tale, but the end credits tell of a happier true-life ending. My grade: B
Inheritance (2006) Monika Hertwig was raised by her grandmother, not knowing her dead father was Amon Goeth, the infamous Nazi monster. So what happens when she discovers his personal 'slave girl' Helena is alive in the US and asks if they can meet? Both of these women carry the weight of a thousand Jews on their backs in this humble documentary that left me trembling. My grade: B
Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (2005) UK drama about Albert Pierrepoint, one of England's most known (and respected) executioners who turned hanging into a science; he later went on to become a fierce opponent of capital punishment. Told with a stiff upper lip, there's an emotional scene that will make you sit upright. My grade: B
Prisoner of Paradise (2002) During WWII, as neutral countries began expressing concern over Germany's missing Jewish populace, the Nazis offered famed Jewish director Kurt Gerron his life in return for a film showing contented Jews in an imagined camp that never was. With guilt and sorrow he made a winning film, but it didn't help the Nazis. Or him. My grade: B
I Am Michael (2015) He was a writer & celebrated gay activist, but after a health scare Michael Glatze (James Franco) turned to religion. As his faith grew, so did his repulsion towards homosexuality; he prayed that gay away! But he took things a step farther, crushing the gay community when he denounced it as a sickness & sin. He married and became a pastor, and that’s where it ends right? (Not exactly… but it’s a curious story of gays who fight what they are.) My grade: B
Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017) In 1979, 28 year old Peter Burns learns his mum has rented their spare room to former Hollywood star Gloria Grahame, in London for a play. (Her star fell in the 1950s after a sex scandal.) Twice his age, Gloria (Annette Bening) & Peter have a passionate affair; she’ll leave, but return 2 years later dying from cancer… now Peter will be her final caregiver. It’s a true, glum story but Annette is it’s saving grace. My grade: B-
Battle of the Sexes (2017) In 1973, former tennis champ (and celebrity chauvinist) Bobby Riggs challenged rising tennis star Billie Jean King to a men vs women match. I remember it well, Billie Jean was a hero to the feminist movement—us kids admired her too. That’s what I wanted to see here! Instead, their match is the final act in this play of King’s gay awakening. Emma Stone & Steve Carell are fine players, but for sports stories… nope, not really. My grade: B-
The Post (2017) In 1971, socialite and Washington Post newspaper owner Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) is faced with a make or break decision—does she continue reporting local affairs like Pat Nixon’s wedding, or follow the NY Times lead and print the leaked ‘Pentagon Papers’, an expose of the Vietnam War? Take a guess, in Steven Spielberg’s boilerplate period-pic. It’s a good watch, but… this deserved to be great. My grade: B-
My Scientology Movie (2017) BBC filmmaker Louis Theroux travels to LA in an attempt to talk with a Scientologist—if he can find any willing, that is. Instead he’ll meet with former members (who bristle at being labeled ‘defrocked’) and as they share stories of cult leader David Miscaviage’s beatings, fleeing, harassed by the cult—hey, has anyone noticed that white SUV following us? Louis, welcome to Scientology. My grade: B-
Saving Capitalism (2017) Robert Reich travels the country and explains how our economy has changed for the worse, since allowing big business to influence government. (Meanwhile, We the People have only a 1% impact on things.) But this is more a call to action, as he urges us to protest & vote. A fair watch, but see his 2013 documentary ‘Inequality For All’ too; it’s informative, entertaining and (compared to this) brilliant. My grade: B-
Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015) Yet another documentary on Jobs, co-founder of Apple; what starts out as an almost philosophical study (yawn) turns into a harder look at his character & company--a visionary with a curious lack of empathy, particularly for those closest to him. Both loved & reviled by many, and is fascinating still (apparently). My grade: B-
The Queen of Versailles (2012) Documentary of David & Lauren Siegel, who owned 28 timeshare resorts and were building a 100 million dollar house. Then they lost everything in 2008 with the financial collapse, because of greed and excess. He's angry, she's dumbfounded & were either ever happy? My grade: B-
The Founder (2016) Michael Keaton is without remorse as Ray Kroc, a salesman who stumbles across a 30 second hamburger stand in 1954 and has an epiphany--FRANCHISE. This ho-hum biopic tries to make him look like a baddie, but I disagree; he saw its potential, the McDonald brothers wouldn't, so he ran with it. Well, it's unfortunate they went under after Kroc bought their name--then built a restaurant across the street from them! My grade: C Plus
Southside with You (2016) In the summer of '89, Michelle Robinson accepts an invitation from an intern at her law firm to a meeting for a new community center. Along the way they'll visit a museum, see a movie, share an ice cream and discuss their lives & aspirations. The man is Barack Obama, wonderfully played by Parker Sawyers. It's a small story, eloquently told. How I miss them. My grade: C Plus
Life (2015) It’s 1955 and photographer Dennis Scott (Robert Pattinson) convinces Life Magazine to let him do a photo essay on up-and-comer James Dean (Dane DeHaan). They’ll hang out, smoke & chat while I sit here and wish I could give this a higher grade. First-rate production values, but the story (if there even is one) moves at a snail’s pace—as both leads vie for the most sleepy-eyed, slurry performance. This coulda been a contender… My grade: C Plus
Black Mass (2015) Johnny Depp is menacing as James "Whitey" Bulger, South Boston's psychopath crimelord in the 70s-80s. He got away with murder because of his role as an FBI imformant, but they could only look the other way for so long. It's criminal enough, but I wish this had started more at the beginning, or had a narrator like Goodfellas. I think this could've been more. My grade: C Plus
Fruitvale Station (2013) On New Years Day, 2009 a 22 year old African American named Oscar Grant was shot on a train platform by an Oakland policeman, after an earlier scuffle. (The cop claimed he meant to tase him.) Oscar was no saint, but no real sinner either. This is a reenactment of how he spent his final day. No real story here, just a tragedy in the making. My grade: C Plus
Lincoln (2012) Spielberg's dark, dry recounting of Abraham Lincoln's final 4 months in office, as he wrangled with various politicians to pass the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery and unite the country. I wanted to love this film but could only admire it, it's more a sepia-toned look at 19th century politics than anything else. My grade: C Plus
I Am Woman (2020) In 1966, a young woman came to New York from Australia, her 3 year old child in tow. Five years later she’d become superstar Helen Reddy. C’mon Australia, Helen deserved better than this glum tv-fare! A soapy script and wrongly cast, Reddy was a force before she sang. It takes more than good lyrics to empower a movement, and that’s what the real Helen did. She deserves a documentary, at least. My grade: C
The Legend of Cocaine Island (2019) Rodney Hyden had it all—a construction company, a boat, a mansion. But then the recession comes along and he & his family are reduced to living in a double-wide. So one night when he hears the tale of 2 million dollars of cocaine buried in Puerto Rico… He gets it alright, but not what you think in this redneck documentary with a few surprises. Funny, he sure seems proud of himself… where’s the shame? My grade: C
The Rachel Divide (2018) President of the Spokane NAACP & mother of 2 adopted black boys, Rachel Dolezal’s life came crashing down in 2015 when a reporter asked “Are you black or white?” She posed as a black woman for years, not for attention or gain, but for the strange fact she identified as one. Sadly, what makes this doc interesting isn’t her own life, but how she’s been vilified by both blacks & whites for daring such a thing. My grade: C Plus
Recovery Boys (2018) They are young criminals, even robbing their own families blind to feed their opioid addictions. But they’re desperate to be men too, so we’ll watch 4 young men leave jail for Jacob’s Ladder, a rehab-work farm outside Morgantown WV to rebuild their lives. I’m not sure why this documentary got such high praise… it’s tedious and not very hopeful, and the one you’re rooting for most… damn. Depressing. Maybe that was its intention. My grade: C
My Friend Dahmer (2017) My friend Jeffrey Dahmer is pretty weird. He collects roadkill, said he likes to see what’s inside things. Sometimes in school, he falls down and spazzes out to get some laughs—other than that, you only hear him say yes, no, I dunno. He lives with his little brother and his mom, I met her, she’s pretty spaced out. Anyway I don’t get why would anyone make a movie about him, it’s not like he’s done anything. Not yet. My grade: C
The Case for Christ (2017) After their daughter is saved from choking to death (and his thankful wife converts to Christianity), reporter & atheist Lee Strobel begins researching the resurrection of Christ to prove to his wife the Bible is one big hoohah. He’ll meet with theologians, Christian scholars… where will the evidence take him? To salvation of course, in this Christian drama based on a true story. Yes, we get it; if someone like Lee can be saved, so can we. My grade: C
Gold (2016) Based on a true story, Matthew McConaughey is the balding, greedy David Walsh—a prospector who went to Indonesia in the 1990s and (thanks to a shady geologist) claimed to find the largest gold mine in history. Investors were bilked out of 164 million dollars when it turned out there was no gold, never was. With Walsh claiming innocence to the end, who got all that money? By the end of this yawner—who cares? My grade: C
A Street Cat Named Bob (2016) James is a street musician & heroin addict who gets a second chance when he’s put into a methadone program, but he’ll be helped along when a stray cat adopts him and the two become the talk of London. Predictable fare, the “too good to be true” ending annoyed me—until I discovered it was all a true story! Good for James--and Bob :) My grade: C
True Story (2015) Jonah Hill is Jonah Hill--I mean Mike Finkel, ex-reporter from the NY Times who seeked to regain his reputation with an exclusive on Christian Longo (well played by James Franco) who killed his family, moved to Mexico & changed his name--to Mike Finkel. The TRUE story is a more curious & tragic one; this was okay, but nothing to write home about. My grade: C
The Lady in the Van (2015) In 1970, writer Alan Bennett allowed a homeless woman (Maggie Smith) to park her rusty van in his London driveway--where she remained for 15 years. Why? He was timid & alone. Neighbors were kind, bringing goods (which she took before barking at them to go away). Was this humorous or endearing? Not so much, but it had a nice finish. My grade: C
Songs from the North (2015) It's North Korea, as seen thru a curious hodgepodge of old film & news clips, staged performances of children singing their praises to Kim Jong Un and the latest cruise missile, interspersed with brief moments of everyday Koreans out and about--at school, at work or in formation. There's no narration, but it's not needed. It's fascinating enough. (Korean) My grade: C
Experimenter (2015) In 1961, Dr.Stanley Milgram conducted a series of 'obedience experiments' (having someone believe they're administering shock treatments as punishment) to understand the compliance of Jews in their own extermination during WWII. His methods were frowned upon, but he still achieved fame of sorts in this cerebral, too philosophical biopic. They got the right actor with Peter Sarsgaard. My grade: C
The Wolfpack (2015) The impossible true story of the Angulo brothers, 6 kind young men confined their whole lives to a shabby East End NY apartment by their loony, paranoid father--but they had each other & movies, thousands of them, and film became their world. It's such a remarkable story (as told by ABC News 20/20) that this doc was frustrating to watch, it felt artsy and fragmented. They deserve much more. My grade: C
Spare Parts (2015) Get your science-geek on, in this true story of 4 Mexican students in a Phoenix high school, and their dream to compete in a national robotics competition (against giants like Cornell & MIT). With George Lopez as their science teacher & Jamie Lee Curtis as their principal, it drags at times but the final act makes up for it. And the credits are sweet. My grade: C
Joy (2015) Jennifer Lawrence is Joy Mangano, the inventor of the Miracle Mop who went on to create a multimillion dollar empire on QVC & the Home Shopping Network. But this is about her hardscrabble beginnings, with a busy, unlikeable story & slew of shallow characters. It's worth watching for Jennifer's performance, but I wasn't really sold on the product. My grade: C
Love & Mercy (2015) We're given a glimpse of Brian Wilson from 2 eras in this slight musical biopic; Paul Dano portrays a younger him from his Pet Sounds days in the mid-60s, while John Cusack is the 80's version, under the doped up control of that quack doctor. No doubt Wilson's a musical genius but where was all the great songs? What we get is mostly "Dazed & Confused". My grade: C
Unbroken (2014) Based on the book (which is better), this is the true story of Lou Zamperini, Olympic track athlete, held prisoner in a Japanese camp during WWII with a hundred other soldiers. Conditions were brutal, their survival was a miracle. But why the focus on Lou? We’re told in the final moments of the film, when at age 80, he chose to return to Japan. My grade: C
Last Hijack (2014) It's an interesting mix of culture and animation in this documentary & profile of Mohamed Nur, a newlywed & former Somalian pirate. He promised never again, but misses the easy money. His bride warns she'll divorce him. "Then how do I make any money?" "Earn it." I don't get it, what are we supposed to feel here? The man should be in prison. (Somalian) My grade: C
Jobs (2013) Ashton Kutcher does a fine job as Steve Jobs, founder of Apple; but that's pretty much it, as this biopic barely skms the surface. A cursory glance at Job's garage workshop with friends, some glossed over scenes of Apple's rise, fall & rise again and in the end you haven't learned anything you didnt already know. The film ends in 2001...before things really got interesting. My grade: C
Behind the Candleabra (2013) Liberace spins in his grave while Michael Douglas dons his furs and sequins in this HBO movie chronicling the showman's relationship with Scott Thorson (Matt Damon) from 1977-1981. It's a fun trip back and I like Mike just fine--but Liberace was a natural, and this wasn't. My grade: C
American Hustle (2013) Christian Bale & Amy Adams are a pair of con artists caught by the FBI for art forgery & fraudlent loans, and recruited to set up a sting operation to take down corrupt politicians. Based on the '70s Abscam scandal' and as boring as it sounds, performances by Bale, Adams, Cooper & Jennifer Lawence help make it interesting. My grade: C
Devil's Knot (2013) Director Atom Egoyan's account of three 8 year old boys found murdered & hog-tied in 1993 Arkansas, and the 3 older boys accused of the crime (by a justice system more anxious to assign blame than gather evidence). It's a well filmed drama based on a true story, but foggy in the details; why was it even made? The HBO doc 'Paradise Lost' is factual--and a more compelling watch. My grade: C
Saving Mr. Banks (2013) "Emma Thompson, here's the scene--you're J.L. Travers, the woman who wrote Mary Poppins; be as rigid & unlikeable as humanly possible. Now when Tom Hanks comes along as Walt Disney & wants to make a movie based on Mary, turn it up a notch. Got it? Roll cameras--action!" Lots of spit n' polish here, but more spit than anything. My grade: C
Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie (2012) Remember The Big Mouth? This doc looks back at the man and his rise & fall thru his hate mongering talk show, as former producers ask themselves "what were we thinking". He was a loudmouth bully who incited and pandered to the ignorant or downtrodden, this just brings it all back. So long, Mort. My grade: C
Emperor (2012) WWII has ended, now Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones (as Generals Fellers & MacArthur) are in Japan to get the country back on it's feet and determine if Emperor Hirohito began the Pacific War. Meanwhile, Fox is on a private mission to locate Aya, his Asian love before the war. Fascinating from a historical angle, but the soggy romantic flashbacks were distracting. My grade: C
Compliance (2012) Prepare for some very real discomfort in this drama based on the shocking true account of a fast food manager who was talked into performing a strip-search & assault on one of her employees from a "cop over the phone". It really happened...all of it. (So why are we reliving it?) My grade: C
Marilyn in Manhattan (2012) In 1954, Marilyn Monroe moved to NYC to reinvent herself. She joined the Actors Studio, lived with her agents family, married & divorced Arthur Miller. And aside from some rare photos and home movie clips, what else is there that hasn't been shared before? We all know how this ends. My grade: C
Time Zero: The Last Year of Polaroid Film (2012) In 2008, Polaroid announced they were ending the manufacture of their iconic instant film; and now years later, as the last of the packs disappear from the shelves, hundreds of Polaroid die-hards lament it's departure. A fascinating (albeit brief) look at the company's origin & cameras too, its a curious tribute. My grade: C
Kill the Irishman (2011) Gritty crime drama based on the life of Danny Greene, an Irish mobster who stood up to the Mafia to take control of organized crime in Cleveland in the mid-1970s. (His death resulted in the arrest of mob kingins across the country.) If you like 70s fashion and car bombs, you came to the right place my friend. My grade: C
Life in a Day (2011) From Kansas to Katmandu, Italy to Iowa, the UK to the Ukraine, snippets of real life are shown from July 24 2010--an ordinary day for ordinary people. We all arise, eat breakfast, shop, work, worry and hope for ourselves and our loved ones. Not to be cynical, but...meh. My grade: C
Bully (2011) A look at 5 families who have a child who's bullied in school; the sad surprises here are not the kids or the parents frustration, but the various adults--teachers, bus drivers and school officials who always downplay what's going on, or defend the kids tormenting others. Where's the punishment? There is none. My grade: C
Wishful Drinking (2011) Carrie Fisher comes out on stage and laughingly tells us what a starry, f-cked up life she's had. We get a little bit of showbiz nostalgia and a lot of awkward, uncomfortable blatherings about the meaning of life. Watch the 1 hour interview with Debbie Reynolds in the Special Features instead, she's a trip. My grade: C
Paul Williams : Still Alive (2011) Remember Paul Williams? The small songwriter who wrote a string of hits and guest-starred on every tv show in the 1970s? Drugs and alcohol consumed him, and by the 80s he was all but forgotten. He's 74 now, lives in Winnipeg and travels the world, singing in smaller venues. He claims to be much happier too. I believe him. My grade: C
The Social Network (2010) A bored Harvard student hears of an idea to create a school dating network & decides to do it one better. Tada, Facebook. I'm not sure why this garnered such high praise, everyone's so unlikeable. And for the person we wanted to get to know the most, we learned the least. My grade: C
Absent (2010) According to this documentary, 9 out of 10 rapists, prostitutes, drug abusers and inmates come from homes with physically or emotionally absent fathers. While some of the statistics (and arguments for the end of gender neutrality in schools) seem a bit far-fetched, there are still some good points made. We all need our mom's love & dad's approval. My grade: C
Skin (2008) Apartheid was national law in South Africa from 1948-1994, and when a dark skinned girl is born to white parents there in the '50s, her life takes a different turn when she is classified as colored. Based on the real life of Sandra Laing, who didn't lead a remarkable life, but a brave one. My grade: C
Mr. Warmth (2007) Celebrities galore gush about comedian Don Rickles in this tribute-doc showing the Vegas dinosaur still at work (and doing the same old schtick). Sweet, but I wish they would've showed more clips from his funnier past than listen to Robin Williams or Martin Scorsese's blatherings. My grade: C
Jersey Boys (2014) Based on the "hit Broadway musical of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons", Clint Eastwood (who directed) gives us 4 unlikeable toughs with bad hair, nonstop squabbles and incessant shouting. Once in awhile we hear a few notes from one of their hit songs to remind us we're fans, or should be. I like musical bios, but this was a disappointment from start to finish--VH1, bring back Behind the Music please. My grade: D
Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) Narrated by his mistress Daisy (Laura Linney), we witness the dry going-ons as FDR (Bill Murray) and Eleanor play host to King George VI shortly before the US entered the war. As much as I love the Roosevelts, this period drama was poorly written, boring beyond belief. Bill Murray, stick to what you do best. My grade: D