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DOC NYC Film Review: ‘The Last Out’ Compellingly Explores the Intersection of Politics and Sports
The trade embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba has long been a source of international attention for its harmful effects on the Cuban people and economy. While its restrictions are superficially related to commerce between the two nations, its ramifications permeate throughout various aspects of Cuban life. Sami Khan and Michael Gassert’s affecting […] More
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DOC NYC Film Review: ‘Belushi’ Is an Ordinary Tribute to a Comedy Icon
The concept of “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll” has long cemented itself as a certain ideal of the aspirational celebrity lifestyle. But as many narratives and documentaries have proven, there can be a fatal downside to the fast life of fame and success. R. J. Cutler’s new documentary Belushi looks back on the life […] More
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DOC NYC Film Review: ‘Once Upon a Time in Venezuela’ Is a Humble Elegy to a Dying Village
In the public consciousness, the South American nation of Venezuela is often associated with oil, beauty queens and in more recent years, a dire combination of political and economic instability. It hardly comes as a surprise therefore, when these elements emerge in Once Upon a Time in Venezuela, the new documentary from director Anabel Rodríguez […] More
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DOC NYC Review: ‘Television Event’ Details a Small-Screen Attempt to Change the World
Here in 2020, the idea that any bit of entertainment could capture the entire American viewing audience is laughable. We’re not only too segmented a society, we have so many options for what we choose to consume. The days of 100 million people watching anything are gone. A fraction of that is a smash hit. […] More
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DOC NYC Film Review: ‘The Letter’ Shines a Light on Elder Abuse in Kenya
Since time immemorial, human beings have struggled to fully comprehend the world around them. As we thus attempt to find meaning and purpose in our lives, we’ve often turned to religion and spiritual beliefs for solace. But what happens when those beliefs are manipulated and twisted to justify inhumane actions? Such is the case in Christopher […] More
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DOC NYC Film Review: ‘Collective’ Heroically Investigates a Shocking Corruption Scandal
As its sobering prologue explains, Alexander Nanau’s amazing new documentary Collective centers on a horrific tragedy that occured in Romania in 2015. During a concert at a Bucharest nightclub called Collectiv, a fire broke out that killed 27 people and injured another 180. The cause of the fatalities was later determined to be the lack […] More
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DOC NYC 2020 Preview: 6 Must-See Films at America’s Largest Documentary Festival
For fans of non-fiction filmmaking, one of the major stops on the fall festival circuit is the annual DOC NYC Festival, with its 11th edition taking place online from November 11-19. Solidifying its reign as America’s largest documentary festival, the 2020 lineup includes over 200 films across several themed sections, including their famously Oscar-predictive Short […] More
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Film Fest 919 Review: ‘Fatman’ Wastes a Premise of Great Promise and Lunacy
When you hear what Fatman is about, thoughts of a ridiculously good time dance in your head. The story of a spoiled little kid getting mad at Santa Claus and hiring a contract killer to take him out? Say what you will about Kevin Smith‘s Tusk (which I’m admittedly very fond of), but that executed […] More
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Film Fest 919 Announces Awards
The third edition of Film Fest 919 in North Carolina, which was held in person rather than online, has announced a few prizes. Nomadland and Fatman tied for the Audience Favorite Award, with the former taking home the Distinguished Screenwriter Award for director, writer, and editor Chloé Zhao and the latter earning the Spotlight Award […] More
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Film Fest 919 Review: ‘Herself’ is a Sturdy Depiction of Overcoming the Odds
Telling a familiar story but telling it well is an underrated skill. If you can’t manage that feat, the well-worn beats of the plot will end up being an albatross around the film’s neck, bringing it down. However, if you can pull it off, familiarity can work in your favor as a storyteller. After all, […] More
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Film Fest 919 Review: ‘Uncle Frank’ is an Engaging Drama from Alan Ball
When American Beauty was first released, Alan Ball was rightly hailed as an exciting new voice in film. Since then, he’s largely focused on the small screen, creating Six Feet Under and True Blood. On the big screen, he’s really only had his directorial debut, Towelhead, to follow up American Beauty with. Now, Ball has […] More
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Montclair Film Festival Review: ‘Minari’ is an Intimate Look at Assimilation
A darling for nearly all who have seen it since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, Minari is undeniably lovely. It makes sense, too, since this scratches so many of the itches that are necessary to turn an independent drama into a crossover success. At the same time, for someone like myself who likes […] More
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