This movie was another absolutely top-notch, five-star documentary on the level of The Agronomist. Poignantly illustrating the life and works of a great man, Harvey Milk, a man who also happened to be gay, and somewhat of a reluctant politician.
The Times of Harvey Milk was particularly moving in its thorough exploration of politics, comraderie, and especially gay-rights, which are after-all civil rights. I recommend to everyone whose interests might follow similar lines.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Agronomist
A friend of mine recently asked me for to recommend a good documentary, I thus I realized the need to post a review of perhaps the best documentary film I've ever seen.
The Agronomist is all about the true story of Jean Dominique, a Haitian radio journalist and human rights activist.
I'm partial to educational documentaries, and I learned so much about the island, its politics, and history that I'll never think of it the same way again. Its truly a microcosm of the world at large.
I would recommend this movie to anyone with an interest in Haiti, politics, history, human rights, political activism, and/or humnity in general, so....yeah, basically everyone.
The Agronomist is all about the true story of Jean Dominique, a Haitian radio journalist and human rights activist.
I'm partial to educational documentaries, and I learned so much about the island, its politics, and history that I'll never think of it the same way again. Its truly a microcosm of the world at large.
I would recommend this movie to anyone with an interest in Haiti, politics, history, human rights, political activism, and/or humnity in general, so....yeah, basically everyone.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
The Weather Underground
Watching this movie really shook me up. It seemed to make a valiant attempt to clearly explain the history, motivations, and philosophies of one of the most radical political groups ever created in America. All in all I would say that the film was successful in its attempt, and heavy watching.
Giving a voice to revolutionaries may seem a dangerous endeavor, but as I watched this movie I began to understand the philosophies of the infamous Weathermen. I may not have agreed entirely with their message, but it was definitely one worth acknowledging. I began to understand the truly devisive nature of the Vietnam War, the desperation of those who wished to end it, and the overall mood of the times. The 60's were in-fact revolutionary times.
The film also revives seemingly long-forgotten injustices, one-by-one for the viewer to face anew. I had never known that Chicago police had murdered Fred Hampton, Black Panther. There are a string of other incident that coincided with the Weather Underground's bombings of government buildings.
The film uses a great deal of archival television footage, which enhace the viewer's understanding of the era. Everything from nightly news clips, war footage, interviews, and amateur video is used effectively to propel the viewer into chaos of those times. It was a pleasure to watch, because of its educational value, but I found the cost-cutting technique of using the same two songs repeatedly throughout the movie irritating and severely distracting. I would have to say that this film was unlike many others I've seen, absolutely stirring and thought-provoking.
Giving a voice to revolutionaries may seem a dangerous endeavor, but as I watched this movie I began to understand the philosophies of the infamous Weathermen. I may not have agreed entirely with their message, but it was definitely one worth acknowledging. I began to understand the truly devisive nature of the Vietnam War, the desperation of those who wished to end it, and the overall mood of the times. The 60's were in-fact revolutionary times.
The film also revives seemingly long-forgotten injustices, one-by-one for the viewer to face anew. I had never known that Chicago police had murdered Fred Hampton, Black Panther. There are a string of other incident that coincided with the Weather Underground's bombings of government buildings.
The film uses a great deal of archival television footage, which enhace the viewer's understanding of the era. Everything from nightly news clips, war footage, interviews, and amateur video is used effectively to propel the viewer into chaos of those times. It was a pleasure to watch, because of its educational value, but I found the cost-cutting technique of using the same two songs repeatedly throughout the movie irritating and severely distracting. I would have to say that this film was unlike many others I've seen, absolutely stirring and thought-provoking.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Occupation: Dreamland
"An uncensored look at the war on the ground"
Well, I have to say that watching this film was a bit boring for me. I find many documentaries seem to move so slowly that the overwhelming boredom felt in watching them overpowers the significance and meaning of the content itself. I found this to be the case with this film. Nearly nothing seemed to happen for the first half of the movie, which was a huge letdown as I was expecting to watch our Army battling it out in Fallujah of all places, one of Iraq's most tumultuous areas...
Where was all the action? Instead of guns blazing and bombs exploding, I was sitting around watching interview after interview of American soldiers. These candid interviews of the Army's 82nd Airborne provided each man(soldier) with a platform to express his own insight and point of view as to what was really going on in the area. Open discussions regarding the state of the war, whether we should be there, personal reasons for being there, re-enlistment, recruitment, were the opposite of what I was expecting, and I was pretty bored. What I realized by the end of the movie is that the pervasive boredom I was experiencing while watching this movie perfectly reflected the bored reality these soldiers were facing in the barracks each day and night.
After getting through the interviews, however, we begin to see more action footage of night operations, civilian suspects being taken as prisoners, and overall an unprecedented glimpse into the violence, chaos, confusion, despair, destruction, and pain of war itself. We also get a sense for what this all looks like when the cameras aren't running. But once again we end up back in the barracks with confused debriefings, mindless chatter, and many other boredom-inducing scenarios.
Overall, the most valuable and fulfilling parts of this film for me were found in the discussions between the citizens of Fallujah and the occupying soldiers. Through the help of a translator, we begin to see a point of view of the Iraqi citzen, a viewpoint rarely expressed through conventional media. Operation Dreamland is powerful in that it gives both sides of the Iraq war-story a voice and venue to be expressed.
The movie is well made, with minimal post-production and offers a look into a war most of us never see. This film provides us with a realistic view into the minds of those who fight this war.
Well, I have to say that watching this film was a bit boring for me. I find many documentaries seem to move so slowly that the overwhelming boredom felt in watching them overpowers the significance and meaning of the content itself. I found this to be the case with this film. Nearly nothing seemed to happen for the first half of the movie, which was a huge letdown as I was expecting to watch our Army battling it out in Fallujah of all places, one of Iraq's most tumultuous areas...
Where was all the action? Instead of guns blazing and bombs exploding, I was sitting around watching interview after interview of American soldiers. These candid interviews of the Army's 82nd Airborne provided each man(soldier) with a platform to express his own insight and point of view as to what was really going on in the area. Open discussions regarding the state of the war, whether we should be there, personal reasons for being there, re-enlistment, recruitment, were the opposite of what I was expecting, and I was pretty bored. What I realized by the end of the movie is that the pervasive boredom I was experiencing while watching this movie perfectly reflected the bored reality these soldiers were facing in the barracks each day and night.
After getting through the interviews, however, we begin to see more action footage of night operations, civilian suspects being taken as prisoners, and overall an unprecedented glimpse into the violence, chaos, confusion, despair, destruction, and pain of war itself. We also get a sense for what this all looks like when the cameras aren't running. But once again we end up back in the barracks with confused debriefings, mindless chatter, and many other boredom-inducing scenarios.
Overall, the most valuable and fulfilling parts of this film for me were found in the discussions between the citizens of Fallujah and the occupying soldiers. Through the help of a translator, we begin to see a point of view of the Iraqi citzen, a viewpoint rarely expressed through conventional media. Operation Dreamland is powerful in that it gives both sides of the Iraq war-story a voice and venue to be expressed.
The movie is well made, with minimal post-production and offers a look into a war most of us never see. This film provides us with a realistic view into the minds of those who fight this war.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The U.S. vs. John Lennon
"From The Beatles to National Threat"
As the packaging describes it, John Lennon's life was anything but ordinary. He was the ultimate rock n' roll superstar, rebel, intellectual, activist, artist, icon.
This film documents the later part of John's life with seamlessly interwoven (and nothing-short-of-captivating) archival footage. A variety of prominent players of the 60's anti-war movement and political scene give their account of his remarkable life and those revolutionary times. The film focuses more on John Lennon, as former-Beatle, companion to Yoko, avant-garde artist, and outspoken political activist and provides the viewer with a sense of who John really was, behind the scenes. Highlighting his useful deployment of stunts to catch the attention of the ever-invasive media, and the genius of his message, you begin to understand more about his message, his personal genius, the mood of those times and removes the shroud of his icon status.
The stunning use of graphics and powerful music make this movie a spectacular treat to watch, although I usually prefer documentaries with a little less glitz and post-production.
As the packaging describes it, John Lennon's life was anything but ordinary. He was the ultimate rock n' roll superstar, rebel, intellectual, activist, artist, icon.
This film documents the later part of John's life with seamlessly interwoven (and nothing-short-of-captivating) archival footage. A variety of prominent players of the 60's anti-war movement and political scene give their account of his remarkable life and those revolutionary times. The film focuses more on John Lennon, as former-Beatle, companion to Yoko, avant-garde artist, and outspoken political activist and provides the viewer with a sense of who John really was, behind the scenes. Highlighting his useful deployment of stunts to catch the attention of the ever-invasive media, and the genius of his message, you begin to understand more about his message, his personal genius, the mood of those times and removes the shroud of his icon status.
The stunning use of graphics and powerful music make this movie a spectacular treat to watch, although I usually prefer documentaries with a little less glitz and post-production.
Intention for this Blog
Welcome to my Blog!
The Documentalist. Don't let the name fool you, I'm not some sort of librarian or scientific data gatherer. I'm just mental about documentary films.
I plan to use this blog to review and give insight into the movies I love to watch.
If you love documentaries, but feel unsure about which to watch, this page and these reviews are especially meant for you.
Sincerely,
Richard D. Owens
The Docu-mentalist
The Documentalist. Don't let the name fool you, I'm not some sort of librarian or scientific data gatherer. I'm just mental about documentary films.
I plan to use this blog to review and give insight into the movies I love to watch.
If you love documentaries, but feel unsure about which to watch, this page and these reviews are especially meant for you.
Sincerely,
Richard D. Owens
The Docu-mentalist
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