Tag Archives: documentaries

3 things about Laura Poitras’ CITIZENFOUR

Posted on September 5, 2015 by robchristopher

Citizenfour [2014] 1. Rubik’s cube. 2. “I go by Ed.” 3. He wistfully looks out the window of his hotel room. The outside world, inaccessible. Stunning. It’s been a long time since a movie has fundamentally disturbed me this much. … Continue reading →

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3 things about Liz Garbus’ WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE?

Posted on August 10, 2015 by robchristopher

What Happened, Miss Simone? [2014] 1. “So sometimes it sounds like gravel, and other times it’s coffee and cream.” 2. She twice commands the audience member to sit down. 3. Playing for $300 a night in a small cafe in … Continue reading →

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3 things about Rob Kuhns’ BIRTH OF THE LIVING DEAD

Posted on July 29, 2015 by robchristopher

Birth of the Living Dead [2013] 1. An early Romero short film: “Mister Rogers Has a Tonsillectomy.” 2. Some zombies were played by ad executives. 3. Night of the Living Dead was later re-released on a double bill with Slaves.

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3 things about Frederick Wiseman’s NEAR DEATH

Posted on June 22, 2015 by robchristopher

Near Death [1989] 1. From the film: 75% of all medical expenses are incurred in the last 21 days of life. 2. At 1’clock in the morning she gets a DNR. 3. “The question is: Are we managing her chance … Continue reading →

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Live From New York!

Posted on June 12, 2015 by robchristopher

Over at Chicagoist, I review the new documentary about Saturday Night Live. Bottom line? It’s rather shallow and cursory, and doesn’t do justice to its subject. Entertaining? Yes. But you’re better off staying home and rewatching the 40th anniversary special.

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3 things about Bao Nguyen’s LIVE FROM NEW YORK!

Posted on June 7, 2015 by robchristopher

Live from New York! [2015] 1. Andy Rooney offers his opinion on Andrew Dice Clay. 2. Ralph Nader: “Political satire is harder than poetry.” 3. A man applies strips of white tape to a cue card, blocking out certain lines … Continue reading →

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3 things about Mark Levinson’s PARTICLE FEVER

Posted on June 6, 2015 by robchristopher

Particle Fever [2013] 1. A statue of Shiva on the campus. 2. Circular cheese shaver. 3. “The things that are the least important for our survival are the very things that make us human.”

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3 things about Jerry Blumenthal, Peter Gilbert & Gordon Quinn’s VIETNAM LONG TIME COMING

Posted on May 26, 2015 by robchristopher

Vietnam Long Time Coming [1998] 1. He greets and plays with a little girl at the airport. Later he says, “Killed a girl like that. She came out of the village, holding grenades. I killed that girl. Fucked up things … Continue reading →

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3 things about Ben Steinbauer’s WINNEBAGO MAN

Posted on April 15, 2015 by robchristopher

Winnebago Man [2009] 1. “Will you do me a kindness?” 2. He goes for a walk using a guideline: a rope strung between stakes. 3. Trouble in front of Walmart.

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3 things about Martin Scorsese’s SHINE A LIGHT

Posted on March 28, 2015 by robchristopher

Shine a Light [2008] 1. Marty begs for a set list. 2. “We’re both pretty lousy, but together we’re better than ten other men.” 3. Buddy Guy shows up and shows how it’s done. As someone who’s indifferent to the … Continue reading →

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