One Sentence: We have always been on top, hahaha we’re fabulous!

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: 24-May-2013

Nudity: None

Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf’s is a new documentary releasing in movie houses around the world this week.  You probably haven’t heard about it, and unless you live in a big city you probably will not be able to see it either.  Bergdorf’s I found out is a department store on 5th ave in New York Ciry, and they would like to proclaim they are the best store of all the stores around, and here are a bunch of people in sunglasses to tell you that as well, but not really why.

Scatter is a scattered attempt at telling the story about a store in New York that sells clothes to rich people and why they are wonderful at it.  It provides very little that you would want to know and instead has a lot of quick snipit’s of celebrities and celebrity designers saying why they are wonderful without saying anything at all.  There is hardly any history, and even less how or why.   It really comes off as a long form commercial about a store that I guess is famous?  Until today I had never heard of it, and I enjoy fashion at least a little bit.

It seems to go on and on about not much, and jumps around to many different subjects without showing or saying very much at all.  They talk about the shoe salon at one point and how it is magical, without ever showing the shoe salon and having one stylist say “Oh I can’t talk about the shoe salon.”  Not why it is magical, how the process is put together, how the shoes are sold or anything of any value.  This is how the whole movie shakes out, except for a small focus on the window dressings and how they come about.  This was the only part of the doc that I found any interest in and it was still struggling to be interesting.

I was very excited by this one, I thought it would be another small subject documentary that found magic in the nuance and details.  Instead it missed every detail while patting the subject on the back for being the subject.  I think this doc is completely skippable and I wouldn’t even rent it. I found it very hard to make it through the 91 minutes of the movie.

One Sentence: The funniest documentary I have ever seen.

Rated: PG-13

Release Date: 22-Apr-2011

Nudity: None

I hear you and I agree, the idea of a documentary about marketing and production placement, paid for by the marketing and product placement that it is making the documentary about sounds like a very boring paradox that will put you to sleep all while blowing up the universe in some weird unexciting anti-big bang, but it really is a lot better than that. Pom Wonderful Presents The Greatest Movie Ever Sold is actually a wonderfully perfect performance piece and look into the back alley world of marketing and product placement. A movie that I don’t think could have succeeded without Morgan Spurlock.

Morgan Spurlock, new documentary movie maker delivers everything that makes this movie not only watchable, but one of the funniest movies I have seen this year, all while dealing with dry boring marketing employees from various companies from around America. A lifted veil can be a bit less exciting and this movie could have been a total snoozer, but thanks to wonderfully candid shots, and an amazing balance of good editing, comedy, and timing, this movie delivers a message all while making you laugh through most of the movie. There were a few bits in the middle where it got a little serious but this is a documentary, and a few minutes where you are getting into the meat of the story doesn’t detract from this great doc. The credit has to go to Morgan Spurlock and his willingness to do what it takes to get the story, to show it how he wants and while selling out, delivering something that is beneficial to both the audience and his sponsors. Not something that most of us would say is easy to do.

I don’t know if I have ever had more fun watching a documentary. If you like documentaries then I would pay for this movie this weekend in the theater. It is as entertaining as fiction and you learn some things in the process. It’s a win for everyone. It is easily a rental as well, but this one gets a high see it in theater rating because you are going to want to talk about this one with your friends who just saw it.

One Sentence: This is a made for IMAX movie.

Rated: G

Release Date: 08-Apr-2011

Nudity: None

I have been invited to IMAX movies for press before. I think I saw The Dark Knight there, and at least one more movie, but never have I been invited to an IMAX movie screening. What I mean by that is a movie that is only released in IMAX theaters and is only 40 minutes long. I am really confused by this push by IMAX films to market this as a normal movie. I was very surprised by the length of this movie and a bit confused.

Born To Be Wild is the first release shot on 4k IMAX cameras, in 3-D and visually it is amazing. The images are powerful, amazing and really put you there with the animals. It is a wonderful visual experience. I would think this movie would be perfect for people with kids who enjoy animals. It is a gentle, sweet movie, with no conflict or peril.

It is also 40 minutes long and has two parallel stories, so you can guess that the stories are not that in depth. I really felt like I was just getting really into the movie and the story lines when the movie ended. I was like, that is it? Where is the rest of the movie. I didn’t know it was going to be that short of a movie. I don’t know if the length is worth the cost of going to see an IMAX movie, but then I guess all IMAX movies that are not studio releases are this long already. So I would say it is a great addition to the IMAX catalog, but I don’t know if I would go out of the way to go see this at an IMAX unless you are taking kids or are already going to the IMAX for another reason.

One Sentence: Art imitating life that imitates art.

Rated: R

Running Time: 87 Minutes

Release Date: On DVD Now

Nudity: None

This documentary is nominated for Best Doc Of The Year so if you are going to play the fantasy Oscar's better pay attention to this one.  

I feel like I have an edge with this documentary that most do not, Shepard Fairey, Banksy, Buffmonster, Angry Woebots and so many more are household names to me.  I have pieces from some of these artists in my house right now, I have been following graffiti and it's transition into street art and now into commercial products for about 15 years and it is very interesting.  I say I have an edge with this documentary, because all of the events that happened in this documentary I have already known about in some form or another, so the ability to put aside the hoax nonsense and look at this movie critically allows me to have a nicer time dealing with the message of this movie, which is a lot harder to look at when you accept Mr. Brainwash as a real person.

Exit Through The Gift Shop is a hard look at everything in the art world, and in our real world and asks what are the rules, who broke them, why didn't we do the same thing, and if we didn't we can act like we are principled enough to be discouraging about it. If you care about the rules, this movie makes your jaw drop and ears bleed with the confusion of seeing those rules being torn down right around you.  That there are people that might break those rules. Who aren't even aware they exist or if they do, they don't give a damn about them.  However those rules, that just got stomped on, were taught by those before us, who were breaking something else to make what they wanted to happen.  

If the above is confusing, I understand, and I agree, even now I do not know how I feel about Mr. Brainwash and his "art."  However I do have a toy designed by buffmoster on a shelf that cost me 20 bucks, I have a shirt with Shepard Fairey's Obama image on it and I am aware that when he appeared on The Colbert Report and stenciled OBEY on the old Colbert portrait, that the value of that image went up about $20,000 dollars in a matter of seconds.  

Mr. Brainwash's Oscar Piece unveiled last week.

Exit Through The Gift Shop is the perfect look at everything we hold dear and asks how far gone are we.  The movies that are nominated for Oscar's most of the time make very little money.  The money makers make Avatar.  Is it shocking, is it sad, is it smart, is it art?  This is the truly wonderful thing about Exit Through The Gift Shop and at least makes this documentary art if nothing else, because it presents you will something and makes you ask yourself these questions.  I highly recommend this movie to anyone, especially those that are into Art of any type.  It is an entertaining and wonderful look at everything around you and how people will go for what they want.

One Sentence: The Blair Witch's boring internet based cousin.

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 94 Minutes

Release Date: 17-Sep-2010

Nudity: None

I am already tired of "Catfish."  Internet dorks and critics gushing/crapping all over this, "is it real or not documentary."  This movie isn't even out yet and I wish it would die in a fire, and starting Friday it will grow as the masses see it.  Well unless you are smart and don't go see it.  The whole thing about this movie is that there is a shocking twist, that is the marketing goal.  It can't be real, this can't happen in real life, or can it.  This movie proves it can.  On the poster it says "Don't let anyone tell you what it is."  Of course I would never ruin a movie, but I will say this.  It's not that big of a deal if it is real or fake. 

After I saw the Blair Witch Project I was freaked out.  Driving home that night I was scared, and I loved that movie.  I own it on DVD, and now I would never watch it.  It just sits on the shelf gathering dust.  Catfish is like Blair Witch except it is not scary, with a who cares that it ended that way type of ending.  I spent about 2 minutes after the movie was over wondering if it was real, and then I realized I didn't care because the subject matter isn't so unbelievable to think it can't happen in reality.  So either it is real and it's not that big of a deal, or it's fake and they wasted your time with something that is not that big of a deal, and the movie isn't good enough in either way for you to care. 

I saw Catfish almost a month ago and I have had to endure it since.  I don't know which is better, not having seen it and wondering if I want to go see it because everyone else is talking about it, or having seen it and realizing that it is totally not worth the conversation the internet is having about it.  I didn't pay so I am able to at least take away I never paid for it.  For those paying, I would not pay for this movie, it is just not good enough, you are paying for marketing, not a good movie. 

One Sentence: A great movie history. 

Running Time: 80 Minutes

Nudity: Tons

Release: On Video On Demand Soon. 

American Grindhouse is a documentary about exploitation films starting from the beginning of the movies all the way till now.  It is an amazing look at what exploitation is, why it happened, and how it happened.  The documentary has tons of people talking about their roles in exploitation and the history of it from their point of view.  John Landis, Joe Dante, Larry Cohen and tons and tons of others all giving their view on exploitation and grindhouse theaters.

Not only does this documentary have the cred from a filmmaker point of view, it also has the clips.  Tons of clips from tons of movies, all credited and all amazing.  There seems like clips from over 100 movies (I am not sure of the exact number) and they are all valid and part of this amazing documentary.  They truly help make this documentary amazing. 

American Grindhouse is one of my favorites of SXSW so far, it will be on Video On Demand soon and is also trying to be put on DVD and possibly theatrical release so keep an eye out for it if you want to know more about exploitation in Hollywood since the very beginning. 

One Sentence: All the feelings and opinions we all have felt and argued, in an hour and a half. 

I just got out of the World Premiere of The People Vs. George Lucas, which is maybe a documentary of the fans of the world affected by the life and times of George Lucas.  It was part film school history lesson, part new Star Wars bashing, part merchandising complaints/praise and part dedication and love to the man who created all.  

I don't know what The People Vs George Lucas is supposed to be exactly, or what I am supposed to take away from it.  The title makes it sound like there is some authority or something that is at least credible to whatever it is intending to be, but the more you think about whatever that thing would be, the more you are confused and don't know what you really want out of this movie, or George himself.  In the end, I am feeling like maybe all this movie is or can be to anyone is closure.  Closure of any opinion that you might have about George Lucas and Star Wars.  I think that is what I am going to take away from it, and while I don't think the movie was especially amazing, I think it is at least entertaining, and allowing for all of us to face our own feelings about the last 15 years of Star Wars and figure out what we really feel.  So if you are a fan, and feel like you have always wanted to do something about it, at least you can watch this movie and deal with your own feelings.  

I don't know anything about availability or distribution, so just keep an eye out and maybe it will come to a DVD near you.  

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This documentary film follows the Whites Stripes, Jack and Meg White, as they tour Canada. They played the usual venues and also challenged themselves by playing in buses, bowling alleys and cafés. I've never liked concert films so I wasn't really looking forward to this one. They are always boring to me. I also didn't know anything about the White Stripes and didn't think I liked them either. The music, the talent and the filmography made me change my mind about both. It was extremely well done. Jack White is a musical genius and Meg White is awesome on the drums. Even if I didn't like their music, I could appreciate the amount of talent they have. Fortunately for me, I quickly became a fan.

You can see and feel the passion they have for the music and they really let go during their performances. The White Stripes are a bare bones, true rock and roll band. I couldn't resist the urge to dance. And by dancing, I mean I bobbed my head and tapped my feet a little. That's about all you can do in the tiny seats at the Paramount theater.

I recommend this movie to anyone who loves rock and roll. If you like the White Stripes, then all the better. I think this is definitely a movie worth watching at the theater.

 

Article by monkeyjenn(aka Jenn Baldillez)

 

 

Rated: R

Running Time: 120 Minutes

Release Date: 02-Oct-2009

Nudity: None

One Sentence: I think this is totally worth seeing. 

So about a month ago or so, Goldman Sachs posted the biggest quarter profit for themselves ever, during our recession, after a lot of other banks failed.  Hank Paulson, former Treasury secretary of the United States used to be the CEO of Goldman Sachs.  I didn't know this.  I learned this from watching Capitalism: A Love Story.  I don't give a crap what you think about Michael Moore, if you are pissed about the bailout you should probably watch this movie.

I don't think this is a political issue, this is a, were getting bent over issue, and the things that you just learn about what is going on in the government make you a little upset with this movie.  It makes good points, and brings to light things that will make you upset.  It makes you want to call your congressmen and do the right things in government to make changes.  It makes you more aware.  This is what we need awareness and information. 

Capitalism: A Love Story has told me things that I didn't know and made me mad.  It causes you to write things like this, recommending others to watch it, and to make sure you pay attention to what is going on. I think this was a well made, funny, and scary movie, that I think everyone should watch.  Don't shut out information becuase you think you disagree with it, you might be surprised with how much is in here you do agree with, even if you think you are on the other side of the aisle. 

Rated: G

Running Time: 90 Minutes

Year: 2007

Nudity: None

One Sentence: Darth Vader likes to tell us about the Earth.

I believe that the series Planet Earth by BBC and Discovery is the single most important television series ever created.  I think it is absolute required watching for everyone on this planet, and I think it is the culmination of 100 years of film production.  It is a visual masterpiece unmatched by any thing else ever filmed.  So it is hard for me to say that Disneynature's feature length version of this TV series is a complete rip off and a total failure at bringing the awe and beauty of the original TV series to the big screen, since it is the same content. 

Planet Earth is an 11 hour documentary about The Earth, with episodes about different zones of the planet, like Deserts, and Forests.  Disneynature's Earth is a 90 minute documentary taking tiny snippets from that 11 hours and putting it together into 3 family stories with other parts that are linked to these stories but are actually not linked at all if you watch the real TV series.  It is a fabrication of the original story lines, and it leaves the most stunning and amazing footage on the floor in exchange for very weak family animal stories which were never the focus of the original content.  It leaves those who have seen the original wondering where the best parts are and feeling horribly bored with seeing these scenes again without the everything else that originally came with them. 

I think for those that have not seen the original story, this movie could be good for you and your family.  There are some predator scenes but they seem to be cut before anything gets really bad.  I think it will carry you for 90 minutes because some of the footage in the movie is still excellent.  If you enjoy the scenes that look visually amazing think about 9 more hours of that, and rent the original series.  If you own or have seen Planet Earth at home there is no reason for you to go see Earth at all, just watch the original again.