Although there is not time to tell the whole story, this is a powerful film with a lot of lessons, none of them easy. Directed, written and produced by Stanley Nelson, this riveting documentary takes the viewer inside the closed doors of the Panthers as well as the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. This
Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich is known for his many film adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays and fascinating documentaries on Harvey Weinstein, Bob Guccione, Jackie Mason and Lew Wasserman among others. He will introduce his latest documentary, a short called The Man Who Shot Hollywood September 16th at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The seed was
It takes a special kind of moviegoer to watch a film about two guys talking. While there is some brief relief from a marathon five day conversation including a trip to the Mall of America, this is for word lovers. I’m one and was captivated by conversation in End of the Tour. The story concerns
It’s chilly March and a pair of adventurers has set off to conquer the Appalachian Trail and its 2,200 miles or 3,500 km of wilderness. New gear and optimism drowns out a wife’s warnings and fears. The men crave adventure and feel compelled to perform this rite. Like those who climb Everest or Meru it’s
A good try at a difficult story but a lack of character development leaves us in a vacuum. Writer/director Alex Ross Perry’s urban pot-boiler falls well short of expectations. A high bar was set by avid Elisabeth Moss fans who came to adore her as she stole the show in the blockbuster “Mad Men” TV
Focused on art forgery, this flabbergasting story expands into a full scale expose of the modern confidence game and why, after all these years, it still works. Arne Birkenstock’s fascinating documentary is a skillful and entertaining examination the latest, and what may be the greatest, con game of all time. Starting in the 1970’s Wolfgang
Getting to know the neighbors has a lot to do with getting to know one’s self. But this film leaves us unconvinced. Patrick Brice is not going to sugar coat it. We are messed up and we better figure why and learn to get on with our lives before it is too late. This is
“If you took acting away from me, I’d stop breathing.” —Ingrid Bergman My mother accompanied me on a working trip to Los Angeles some years ago. She came to the screening of Isabella Rossellini’s new film and remarked how much “the girl” looked like Ingrid Bergman, her favourite actress. I told her the girl was
This provocative and incredible story of the rise of N.W.A. is worthy and well-made and signals the beginning of awards season. It’s that good. At 2 hours and 45 minutes it’s rich and dense as it follows the dramatic journey of Compton rappers N.W.A. as an expression of a politically and socially important time and
A must see for climbing buffs and anyone fascinated by the strength and resilience of the human body and spirit. “Meru” may be one of the best mountain climbing movies ever made. Although it appeals to a limited audience, the insights provided through personal interviews with climbers Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk, and