The world needs documentary cinema. Filmmakers willing to shine a light on the human condition, in all of its forms, are essential to the world. Moreover, we need tastemakers who are willing to seek out these stories, support them as they struggle to get made, and then nurture them as they enter the world. Too often, a documentary will go unseen. Kudos to our last President and First Lady, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, respectively, for the work they’re doing with their Higher Ground shingle. Partnered with Netflix, they won the Oscar Best Documentary Feature last year with American Factory. Tomorrow, they return with another awards worthy doc in Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. The film, coming at the same time as the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, looks at the revolutionary Camp Jened. In the early 1970s, teenagers with disabilities had very little in the way of options.
- 3/24/2020
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Welcome back to the Weekend Warrior, your weekly look at the new movies hitting theaters this weekend, as well as other cool events and things to check out.
This Past Weekend:
Bomb, bomb bomb bomb, Boooooomb! Things just kept getting worse and worse at the box office as this past weekend saw more new releases not meeting up to their potential. The horribly-reviewed horror movie Rings (Paramount) ended up around where I predicted with $13 million, taking second place to M. Night Shyamalan’s Split. The sci-fi romance The Space Between Us (Stx Entertainment) didn’t make much of a mark, opening in ninth place with just $3.8 million with about $1,300 per theater. Robert De Niro’s The Comedian (Sony Classics) tanked worse than many recent movies, making less than a million in 848 theaters or about $1,000 per theater. By comparison, the doc I Am Not Your Negro made about 78% of that amount in 800 less theaters.
This Past Weekend:
Bomb, bomb bomb bomb, Boooooomb! Things just kept getting worse and worse at the box office as this past weekend saw more new releases not meeting up to their potential. The horribly-reviewed horror movie Rings (Paramount) ended up around where I predicted with $13 million, taking second place to M. Night Shyamalan’s Split. The sci-fi romance The Space Between Us (Stx Entertainment) didn’t make much of a mark, opening in ninth place with just $3.8 million with about $1,300 per theater. Robert De Niro’s The Comedian (Sony Classics) tanked worse than many recent movies, making less than a million in 848 theaters or about $1,000 per theater. By comparison, the doc I Am Not Your Negro made about 78% of that amount in 800 less theaters.
- 2/8/2017
- by Edward Douglas
- LRMonline.com
The fall festival rush is upon us. Locarno is currently ramping up. Venice has released their line-up and Thom Powers and the Toronto International Film Festival team have dropped a bomb with a previously unannounced new feature from powerhouse docu-provocateur Michael Moore. It is truly a miracle that the production of a film such as Moore’s upcoming Where To Invade Next (see still above) managed to go completely undetected by the filmmaking community until it was literally announced to world premiere at one of the largest film festivals in the world. Programmed as a one of the key films in the Special Presentations section at Tiff, the film sees Moore telling “the Pentagon to ‘stand down’ — he will do the invading for America from now on.” Also announced to premiere at Tiff was Avi Lewis’ This Changes Everything, which has slowly been rising up this list, as well as...
- 8/7/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
It’s been a surprisingly interesting month of moving and shaking in terms of doc development. Just a month after making his first public funding pitch at Toronto’s Hot Docs Forum, legendary doc filmmaker Frederick Wiseman took to Kickstarter to help cover the remaining expenses for his 40th feature film In Jackson Heights (see the film’s first trailer below). Unrelentingly rigorous in his determination to capture the American institutional landscape on film, his latest continues down this thematic rabbit hole, taking on the immensely diverse New York City neighborhood of Jackson Heights as his latest subject. According to the Kickstarter page, Wiseman is currently editing the 120 hours of rushes he shot with hopes of having the film ready for a fall festival premiere (my guess would be Tiff, where both National Gallery and At Berkeley made their North American debut), though he’s currently quite a ways away from his $75,000 goal.
- 7/6/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Well folks, after a rather long and brutal winter (at least for me here in Buffalo), we are finally heading into the wonderful warmth of summer, but with that blast of sunshine and steamy humidity comes the mid-year drought of major film fests. After the Sheffield Doc/Fest concludes on June 10th and AFI Docs wraps on June 21st, we likely won’t see any major influx in our charts until Locarno, Venice, Telluride and Tiff announce their line-ups in rapid succession. In the meantime, we can look forward to the intriguing onslaught of films making their debut in Sheffield, including Brian Hill’s intriguing examination of Sweden’s most notorious serial killer, The Confessions of Thomas Quick, and Sean McAllister’s film for which he himself was jailed in the process of making, A Syrian Love Story, the only two films world premiering in the festival’s main competition.
- 6/1/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
The Last Exorcism (15)
(Daniel Stamm, 2010, Us) Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell. 87 mins
There's an epic, gothic Dennis Wheatley-style horror struggling to get out of this curiously lightweight mockumentary, in which a jaded Louisiana evangelical priest (Fabian) takes on a local case of possession to prove that demons only exist in the mind. Stamm orchestrates some good old-fashioned in-camera shocks, but the handheld format is limiting, and what ought to be a truly horrific climax ends in a tired Blair Witch fizzle rather than a bang.
Certified Copy (12A)
(Abbas Kiarostami, 2010, Fr/It/UK) Juliette Binoche, William Shimell, 107 mins
Slightly wooden but deceptively memorable meta romance, in which a woman (Binoche) meets a man (Shimell) who may or may not be her husband.
Dinner For Schmucks
(12A) (Jay Roach, 2010, Us) Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis. 114 mins
Rudd is an aspiring exec who takes Carell to his boss's who-can-bring-the-biggest-nerd dinner party.
(Daniel Stamm, 2010, Us) Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell. 87 mins
There's an epic, gothic Dennis Wheatley-style horror struggling to get out of this curiously lightweight mockumentary, in which a jaded Louisiana evangelical priest (Fabian) takes on a local case of possession to prove that demons only exist in the mind. Stamm orchestrates some good old-fashioned in-camera shocks, but the handheld format is limiting, and what ought to be a truly horrific climax ends in a tired Blair Witch fizzle rather than a bang.
Certified Copy (12A)
(Abbas Kiarostami, 2010, Fr/It/UK) Juliette Binoche, William Shimell, 107 mins
Slightly wooden but deceptively memorable meta romance, in which a woman (Binoche) meets a man (Shimell) who may or may not be her husband.
Dinner For Schmucks
(12A) (Jay Roach, 2010, Us) Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis. 114 mins
Rudd is an aspiring exec who takes Carell to his boss's who-can-bring-the-biggest-nerd dinner party.
- 9/3/2010
- by The guide
- The Guardian - Film News
Michelle Conlin is a Manhattan-based material girl of the highest order, a born shopper with expensive tastes (she’s just paid $975 for a pair of designer boots), and a senior writer at the magazine “Business Week”. Her husband is Colin Beaven, a “guilty liberal” who takes his social and environmental responsibilities way too seriously and lives by the adage “What Would Al Gore Do?”. In 2006, Beaven convinced his wife that they should live one year leaving the smallest “carbon footprint” possible so they gave up electricity, non-local foods, elevators, cleaning products, gas-powered transportation, toilet paper (!), and basically all worldly pleasures that make life enjoyable. Documentarians Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein followed the couple (and their 1-year old daughter) with their cameras throughout their year of sacrifice and the result is the uneven but interesting new documentary The No Impact Man.
Colin Beaven’s goal (in addition to making the world...
Colin Beaven’s goal (in addition to making the world...
- 10/2/2009
- by Tom
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
When New York author Colin Beaven launched the No Impact Man project in 2007, in which he and his family (wife Michelle and 2-year old daughter Isabella) would live in their Fifth Avenue co-op for a year without making any environmental impact, he did so with two motivations in mind. As a self-proclaimed activist, he wanted to live up to the values he preached by drawing public attention to the enormous amount of waste prevalent in an American culture rife with disposable goods. Secondly, he needed good material for his next book. The entwinement of those classic dueling concerns lies at the heart of the project and the eponymous documentary by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein that chronicles its unfolding. It’s also the root of a large degree of the distrust poured on Beaven once the national media got wind of his year without disposable items, non self-propelled transportation (i.e...
- 9/13/2009
- by Robert Levin
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
It's not easy to be an environmentalist in the simplest of cases, whether it's trying to get the grocery store cashier not to give you a plastic bag or talking your household into composting. But when you dub yourself No Impact Man, start a popular blog about your efforts to have zero net impact on the environment for one year, and put your wife and toddler through the project with you, it's the kind of challenge that's bound to get made into a movie someday. And thus we have No Impact Man, a documentary about New Yorker Colin Beavan's efforts to stop producing trash, stop eating non-local food, stop using carbon-producing transportation, and overall live as greenly as possible for an entire year. He documented the entire effort on his blog, as well as in the new book of the same name, but Justin Schein and Laura Gabbert's...
- 9/11/2009
- cinemablend.com
Intriguingly high concept yet visually and structurally artless in the way of so many modern documentaries, Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein’s “No Impact Man” chronicles Colin Beavan’s yearlong experiment to reduce his carbon footprint as much as possible while living in New York City. Necessarily participating in the project are Colin’s wife, Michelle Conlin, and toddler daughter, Isabella. Giving up trash-producing luxuries such as takeout meals, as well as non-locally sourced …...
- 9/8/2009
- Indiewire
Cinematical has just received this exclusive new poster for No Impact Man, a documentary directed by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein. The film follows Manhattan-based author Colin Beavan as he makes a life-changing decision that affects not only himself, but his wife and infant daughter as well.
Researching his next book, he founded the No Impact Program in November 2006, and pondered what he could do personally to help end the environmental crisis. What would have the greatest impact -- or, rather, what would allow him to have the least impact? From the official synopsis: "A newly self-proclaimed environmentalist who could no long avoid pointing the finger at himself, Colin leaves behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. No more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption...no problem. That is, until his espresso-guzzling,...
Researching his next book, he founded the No Impact Program in November 2006, and pondered what he could do personally to help end the environmental crisis. What would have the greatest impact -- or, rather, what would allow him to have the least impact? From the official synopsis: "A newly self-proclaimed environmentalist who could no long avoid pointing the finger at himself, Colin leaves behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. No more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption...no problem. That is, until his espresso-guzzling,...
- 7/23/2009
- by Peter Martin
- Cinematical
- We wish Adam Yauch of Oscilloscope Laboratories (or better known as McA from the Beastie Boys) a speedy recovery. One third of the hip hop trio will be sidelined from performing with the group this summer due to a treatable, cancerous tumor in his salivary glands. With film being his second passion, perhaps there is a positive to be found in a negative: more down time, might mean more movie watching? Less than three years old, his independent film distribution label has become a testament during a full blown crisis in the film industry, that a small scale model can still thrive and deliver quality films to a public. He'll be busy with Oscilloscope's upcoming releases of Laura Gabbert, Justin Schein's No Impact Man this September, Oren Moverman's The Messenger in November and he has the eventual releases of a Jules Dassin title The Law, Lance Daly's Kisses,
- 7/20/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
Before we look back at the past week, let's peak at what's opening this weekend: Francis Ford Coppola's family drama Tetro; Duncan Jones' sci-fi trip Moon; Daryl Wein's AIDS activist doc Sex Positive; Tommy Wirkola's Nazi zombie flick Dead Snow; Robert Kenner's appetizing (maybe) doc Food, Inc.; and Chai Vasarhelyi's music / tolerance plea Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love (poster and more info after the jump).
Box Office. Opening in four theaters, Sam Mendes' Away We Go scored a smashing $32,603 per-screen average last weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. The road trip comedy / drama, starring John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph as anxious, expectant parents searching for a place to raise their family, far outpaced other debuting indies, which had, on their own terms, decent returns: Seraphine ($6,640 per-screen at four theaters), Unmistaken Child ($6,293, one screen), and 24 City ($6,082, one screen). Our critic William Goss feels...
Box Office. Opening in four theaters, Sam Mendes' Away We Go scored a smashing $32,603 per-screen average last weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. The road trip comedy / drama, starring John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph as anxious, expectant parents searching for a place to raise their family, far outpaced other debuting indies, which had, on their own terms, decent returns: Seraphine ($6,640 per-screen at four theaters), Unmistaken Child ($6,293, one screen), and 24 City ($6,082, one screen). Our critic William Goss feels...
- 6/11/2009
- by Peter Martin
- Cinematical
Oscilloscope Laboratories announced today that it has acquired domestic distribution rights to Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein’s documentary, No Impact Man, a look at the personal fallout resulting from one man’s decision to eliminate his family’s impact on the environment in downtown Manhattan. No Impact Man had its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and will screen at the Silverdocs film festival and the Los Angeles Film Festival this month. Oscilloscope will open the film in theaters on September 4th, 2009, with a DVD and digital release to follow. Colin Beavan, author, and newly self-proclaimed environmentalist, decides [...]...
- 6/9/2009
- by The Critic
- SmartCine.com
- Oscilloscope have been making huge strides at becoming the home for socially relevant and socially responsible documentary films: just in the last three months they've released The Garden, Burma VJ and Unmistaken Child. Now the New York based distributer have added one more Sundance Film Festival doc title to their slate with plans to open Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein's No Impact Man: The Documentary on September 4th. A feature film version may be in the works, Columbia House picked up the screen rights to a feature based on the book by Colin Beavan. The synopsis mentions that "Beavan cut out all forms of consumption that leave a footprint, including electricity and automated transportation", but the choice of becoming a vegetarian and not becoming a vegan ultimately No Impact Man becomes a person who makes a little imapct. The doc examines the effects on him and his family.
- 6/9/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
New York -- Oscilloscope will make an impact.
Adam Yauch's startup distribution label has acquired North American rights to "No Impact Man," Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein's environmental documentary about a Manhattan man who attempts to leave no carbon footprint for a year.
Colin Beavan cut out all forms of consumption that leave a footprint, including electricity and automated transportation. The doc examines the effects on him and his family.
"Impact," which played at this year's Sundance Film Festival, will screen at the upcoming Silverdocs and Los Angeles film festivals.
Oscilloscope will release the doc theatrically Sept. 4, with digital and DVD releases to follow.
Yauch noted that the movie, which has comedic elements, marks "the first time I've seen an environmentally concerned film with a strong comedic element. I still think about it every time I go to the supermarket."
Beavan has also written a book about the experience,...
Adam Yauch's startup distribution label has acquired North American rights to "No Impact Man," Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein's environmental documentary about a Manhattan man who attempts to leave no carbon footprint for a year.
Colin Beavan cut out all forms of consumption that leave a footprint, including electricity and automated transportation. The doc examines the effects on him and his family.
"Impact," which played at this year's Sundance Film Festival, will screen at the upcoming Silverdocs and Los Angeles film festivals.
Oscilloscope will release the doc theatrically Sept. 4, with digital and DVD releases to follow.
Yauch noted that the movie, which has comedic elements, marks "the first time I've seen an environmentally concerned film with a strong comedic element. I still think about it every time I go to the supermarket."
Beavan has also written a book about the experience,...
- 6/8/2009
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
First off, the best news, as I predicted (in private) Duncan Jones' Moon will be premiering, yay! The comedy Adventureland starring the talented Bill Hader is playing. The sweet kid soldier film Johnny Mad Dog is playing in the spectrum section, and the Jesco White story White Lightnin' which we reported on earlier is in the Park City at Midnight section.
But where the hell is Stingray Sam?
Full list after the break.
Premieres
* "Adventureland," directed and written by Greg Mottola, stars Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds and Bill Hader in the story of a college grad who gets a job at an amusement park. A Miramax release.
* "Brooklyn’s Finest," directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Michael C. Martin, a drama about three Brooklyn cops who come together at the same deadly location. With Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle and Ellen Barkin.
* "Earth Days," directed by Robert Stone,...
But where the hell is Stingray Sam?
Full list after the break.
Premieres
* "Adventureland," directed and written by Greg Mottola, stars Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds and Bill Hader in the story of a college grad who gets a job at an amusement park. A Miramax release.
* "Brooklyn’s Finest," directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Michael C. Martin, a drama about three Brooklyn cops who come together at the same deadly location. With Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle and Ellen Barkin.
* "Earth Days," directed by Robert Stone,...
- 12/4/2008
- QuietEarth.us
Premieres
To showcase the diversity of contemporary independent cinema, this section offers the latest work from American and international directors and world premieres of highly anticipated films.
Adventureland / U.S. (Director-screenwriter: Greg Mottola)
In 1987, a recent college graduate takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park and discovers the job is perfect preparation for the real world. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader. World premiere
Brooklyn's Finest / U.S. (Director: Antoine Fuqua; screenwriter: Michael C. Martin)
After enduring vastly different career paths, three unconnected Brooklyn cops wind up at the same deadly location. Cast: Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle, Ellen Barkin. World premiere
Earth Days / U.S. (Director: Robert Stone)
The history of our environmental undoing through the eyes of nine Americans whose work and actions launched the modern environmental movement. World premiere, closing-night film
Endgame / U.K. (Director: Pete Travis; screenwriter: Paula Milne)
A...
To showcase the diversity of contemporary independent cinema, this section offers the latest work from American and international directors and world premieres of highly anticipated films.
Adventureland / U.S. (Director-screenwriter: Greg Mottola)
In 1987, a recent college graduate takes a nowhere job at his local amusement park and discovers the job is perfect preparation for the real world. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader. World premiere
Brooklyn's Finest / U.S. (Director: Antoine Fuqua; screenwriter: Michael C. Martin)
After enduring vastly different career paths, three unconnected Brooklyn cops wind up at the same deadly location. Cast: Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle, Ellen Barkin. World premiere
Earth Days / U.S. (Director: Robert Stone)
The history of our environmental undoing through the eyes of nine Americans whose work and actions launched the modern environmental movement. World premiere, closing-night film
Endgame / U.K. (Director: Pete Travis; screenwriter: Paula Milne)
A...
- 12/4/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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