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Tag Archives: documentary
June 2025 Viewing Diary
The last couple of months – really since the beginning of the year – I’ve only had room in my head for re-watches of stuff I already know. It was crunch time for the Frankenstein book. Plus politics and pretty … Continue reading
Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television
Tagged documentary, Jane Austen, Jensen Ackles, New Zealand, romantic drama, sci-fi, thrillers, women directors, X-Files
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Review: My Mom Jayne (2025)
What an interesting emotional documentary, directed by actress Mariska Hargitay, about her mother, Jayne Mansfield. I reviewed for Ebert.
Review: Prime Minister (2025)
I reviewed Prime Minister, a very interesting documentary about Jacinda Ardern’s tumultuous time as the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand. It has a somewhat unique format – at least compared to other similar documentaries.
Posted in Movies
Tagged documentary, New Zealand, politics, reviews, women directors
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“Guys, film this so the world will see this chaos.”
20 Days in Mariupol, directed by Mstyslav Chernov) And film it they did. There was no other choice for Best Documentary in 2024. No other valid choice, I mean. Many good documentaries appeared, of course, but as far as I … Continue reading
“I have already been accused of trying to drown a boatload of wild Irishmen on Aran!” — Robert Flaherty
Today is the birthday of the so-called “father of documentary film” Robert Flaherty, a man whose accomplishments cannot be ignored, and yet these same accomplishments are still, rightfully, debated to this day. Known mostly for his two films about “primitive” … Continue reading
January 2025 Viewing Diary
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992; d. James Foley) I saw this one in the theatre back in the day. There’s a revival coming up on Broadway and Bill Burr is going to be in it. It’s kind of perfect! He’ll be … Continue reading
Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television
Tagged A Streetcar Named Desire, Al Pacino, art, Bill Pullman, David Lynch, David Mamet, documentary, drama, dystopia, Elia Kazan, Gary Cooper, heist movies, Jack Lemmon, Karl Malden, Kristen Stewart, Kristen Wiig, Marlene Dietrich, Marlon Brando, Mulholland Drive, Patricia Arquette, short films, Tennessee Williams, Twin Peaks, Vivien Leigh
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Review: Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (2025)
This was delightful. I reviewed for Ebert.
2024 National Society of Film Critics Awards
In my second year as a member of the NSFC, we met this morning at Elinor Bunim in Lincoln Center and voted on this year’s films. These things can be pretty grueling – and today was no different – just … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Directors, Movies
Tagged documentary, England, India, literary adaptation, Palestine, Radu Jude, Romania, short films, women directors
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