Haiti, after gaining independence from France in 1804 after a slave revolt–turned–revolution, became known as the first black republic. What has followed in two centuries since are the violent ups and downs characteristic of many post-colonial states. But Haiti, especially after the disastrous 2010 earthquake, has often seemed specially marked for suffering. So when any […]
Ping-pong, or table tennis, has been a part of the Olympics since 1988, and the three teen players profiled in Top Spin make it clear why. Their athleticism is undeniable; they move so quickly the footage of their competitions looks undercranked. The level of technique is further mystifying, as they make the ball move in […]
(The writer of this review in no way intends to injure relations between the Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.)
In recent years, natural disasters, violent atrocities, and political turmoil have been wrestling for headlines and the public’s attention. Any one instance of bad news becomes painfully easy to forget in a world of trending stories scrolled through […]
Saeed Torres is no James Bond. A middle-aged man working as a school chef, he fits no stereotype of a spy. But in the fall of 2011, he revealed to David Sutcliffe and Lyric Cabral that he was a “civilian operative” working for the F.B.I. The filmmakers initially present him in a way that makes […]
“This is not about polar bears,” so says Naomi Klein in this gripping documentary overview, based on her 2014 best seller. It’s to her credit that she faces head-on the notion that viewers may suffer from climate fatigue and that the film refreshingly eschews alarmism. Neither does the film scold; Klein is uninterested in debating […]
Directed by Michael Beach Nichols and Christopher K. Walker
Produced by Nichols, Walker, Jenner Furst, Joey Carey and Woltermann
Released by First Run Features
USA. 86 min. Not rated
The “you are there” Direct Cinema genre aims to make the viewer feel like an unobtrusive observer. The documentary Welcome to Leith falls partially in that category, with its iPhone […]
Directed by Kim Farrant
Produced by Naomi Wenck and Macdara Kelleher
Written by Michael Kinirons and Fiona Seres
Released by Alchemy
Australia. 112 min. Rated R
With Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes, Hugo Weaving, Maddison Brown, Nicholas Hamilton, and Meyne Wyatt
Having a child go missing is a torment. Catherine and Matthew Parker (Nicole Kidman and Joseph Fiennes) endure double the agony […]
Written and Directed by Jim Strouse
Produced by Michael B. Clark and Alex Turtletaub
Released by the Film Arcade
USA. 86 min. Rated R
With Jemaine Clement, Regina Hall, Jessica Williams, Stephanie Allynne, Gia Gadsby, Aundrea Gadsby and Michael Chernus
“It takes a lot of courage to try and change your life,” so says Charlie (Stephanie Allynne) to her partner, […]
Directed by Brent Hodge and Derik Murray
Produced by Derik Murray
Written by Steve Burgess
Released by Virgil Films
USA. 95 min. Not rated
With Lorne Michaels, Bob Odenkirk, David Spade, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Christina Applegate, Dan Aykroyd, Tom Arnold, Bo Derek, Brian Stack, Bob Saget, and Jay Mohr
Chris Farley was a bright star on Saturday Night Live when […]
