B Historical documentary Directed by Julie Cohen & Betsy West I hadn't even heard of Pauli Murray until very recently. Either I'm the only person who missed one of the most important people of 20th-century America, or almost everyone else has missed her, too. Either way, documentarians Julie Cohen and Betsy West are trying to … Continue reading My Name Is Pauli Murray
Category: Documentaries
Fauci by Fauci
B+ Documentary Directed by John Hoffman & Janet Tobias Warning: The first few minutes of Fauci, a generally optimistic documentary contains the voice and face of Tucker Carson, along with similar TV clowns. Your blood pressure may go up while people tell us that Anthony Fauci's head belongs on a spike. But this torture is … Continue reading Fauci by Fauci
Advertising Broadway
C show business documentary Directed by Directed by Oren Jacoby On Broadway is not so much a documentary, but advertising for New York City's big and flamboyant theater district. But I'm not sure who they're marketing to. Is the film for people who might buy a ticket or two, or those who are considering investing … Continue reading Advertising Broadway
Catch Mr. Rugoff tonight!
Last night I saw Searching for Mr. Rugoff, an important documentary about the business of independent cinema. It will screen tonight, at 6:45, at the Roxie. I don't know when it will screen, or stream, again. If you love independent cinema, you must watch this film. Which is why I am writing a short, and … Continue reading Catch Mr. Rugoff tonight!
The Lost Leonardo: Hobbies of the filthy rich
C art documentaryDirected by Andreas Koefoed Was the Salvator Mundi painted by Leonardo da Vinci? Or one of his students? Or was it painted by someone who's name is lost to history? But the possibility that da Vinci may have painted it has turned the picture into the most expensive painting in history, being sold … Continue reading The Lost Leonardo: Hobbies of the filthy rich
Three cinematic views of the Pray Away the Gay movement
Tuesday night I watched the new Netflix documentary, Pray Away, directed by Kristine Stolakis. It's a very good film, that won't be seen by as many who need to see it. This is the third feature-length film I've seen about gay conversion therapy, where Christian fanatics (I assume that in real life there are Jewish … Continue reading Three cinematic views of the Pray Away the Gay movement
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It
A- show business documentary Directed by Mariem Pérez Riera Rita Moreno has been an exceptional performer since before I was born, and she's still going at it. But I had to watch Mariem Pérez Riera's outstanding documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, to realize just how difficult it was … Continue reading Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It
Street Gang for kids
B+ show business documentary Directed by Marilyn Agrelo I was born too early to experience Sesame Street as a child, but I enjoyed the show with my son in the late 1980s and early 1990s. So, I was delighted to watch this documentary about the show. Marilyn Agrelo's Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street is … Continue reading Street Gang for kids
SFFilm Wednesday: COVID in China & sexism in Saudi Arabia
Here are two films worth seeing. You can stream them through SFFilm until late night Sunday. And if you miss them at the festival, I'm pretty sure they'll be available elsewhere in the near future. A In the Same Breath Be prepared to be angry and to cry, as you watch people lose their loved … Continue reading SFFilm Wednesday: COVID in China & sexism in Saudi Arabia
Stray: Dogs run free
C+ animal documentary Directed by Elizabeth Lo Don't expect a happy documentary about the wonderful relationship between people and our four-footed best friends. This documentary is about something far less enjoyable: How wild dogs manage in urban areas without a human to give them food and shelter. That's a good subject for a doc, but … Continue reading Stray: Dogs run free
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