“The death of the author” is a concept that has become more and more relevant with the advancement of the internet as a platform for artistic expression. In a world where a piece frequently finds itself separated from its creator and spread far and wide without context, there is very little recourse to reconnect one’s name to their creation, let alone decide its direction. Arthur Jones’ documentary Feels Good Man details an extreme example of…
I may have forgotten about 2000’s buddy comedy Ready to Rumble, starring David Arquette and Scott Cann, but it turns out wrestling fans neither forgive or forget.
By: Trevor Chartrand While entertaining and informative, Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story is a documentary with two very different and almost contradictory goals. On the one hand, the film takes a mostly light-hearted look at the making-of a beloved animated series. But on the other hand, however, the doc is also a dark character study featuring the disturbing behaviours of Ren and Stimpy’s show creator, John Kricfalusi.
Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story is a fantastic example of true documentary filmmaking.
Just as California Typewriter taught us about the cult culture about its title antique, The Booksellers is an equally nifty-and-thrifty doc about the history and culture behind collecting and preserving literature.
Jeffrey McHale’s documentary You Don’t Nomi dissects 1995’s much maligned racy drama Showgirls in a similar way that Rodney Aster’s Room 237 delved into different theories on Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining. Both films are about how cult interest breathed new life into a filmmaker’s original vision, however the difference between the documentaries stems from their points of interest. Room 237 was about how movie goers have interpreted visual totems within the film. You…
Chris Bolan’s documentary A Secret Love is a sweet tearjerker that explores the nearly 70-year relationship between ex-All American Girls Professional Baseball League player Terry Donahue and her loyal partner Pat Henschel.
By: Trevor Chartrand It Started as a Joke is an emotionally charged documentary that will sort-of sneak up on you. It’s so sneaky in fact, that the film will try to convince you that you’re watching ‘just another Netflix-style comedy special’ – until you’re suddenly not. You’ll let your guard down, laughing with the featured comedians, chuckling at their on and off stage antics. It’s funny, it’s goofy, and it’s a great time… and then…
The Internet of Everything is a rundown of the productivity in our current digital age. The documentary won’t bowl you over, but you’ll be happy that filmmaker Brett Gaylor has brought you up to speed.
