Tag Archives: documentaries

3 things about Dana Ranga’s EAST SIDE STORY

Posted on March 20, 2015 by robchristopher

East Side Story [1997] 1. A musical from 1964 called The Loveable White Mouse. 2. Eisensteinian dance band in The Jolly Fellows. 3. Dance routines couldn’t be shown, so the activities of work were refashioned into choreography. I’d love to … Continue reading →

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3 things about Sarah Polley’s STORIES WE TELL

Posted on December 8, 2014 by robchristopher

Stories We Tell [2012] 1. Talking on the phone, making a stop sign with her hand. 2. He explains why taking out the garbage makes him feel like he’s not in control. It means you’re on someone else’s schedule. 3. … Continue reading →

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3 things about Ron Mann’s ALTMAN

Posted on November 16, 2014 by robchristopher

Altman [2014] 1. Jack Warner: “That fool has all the actors talking at the same time!” 2. Altman’s grandson played Swee’pea in Popeye. 3. Lily Tomlin’s definition of Altmanesque: “Making a family.” Attempting to capture the essence of Robert Altman … Continue reading →

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3 things about Sophie Fiennes’ THE PERVERT’S GUIDE TO IDEOLOGY

Posted on November 8, 2014 by robchristopher

The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology [2012] 1. The Coke has grown warm; the distance between the sublime and the excremental is a short one. 2. Cynical ideology: I know very well what I’m doing and I am nevertheless doing it. … Continue reading →

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3 things about Frederick Wiseman’s NATIONAL GALLERY

Posted on October 20, 2014 by robchristopher

National Gallery [2014] 1. Varnish. Shiny, buffed floors. 2. A hunting horn, a lobster, a peeled lemon. 3. He collects the tiniest possible sample and places it on a glass slide. Phenomenal.

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3 things about Michael Caplan’s ALGREN

Posted on October 15, 2014 by robchristopher

Algren [2014] 1. “The true voice of the people belongs to the inarticulate.” 2. “Walking into his apartment was like walking into a scrapbook.” 3. Playing at the beach. An enormous belly, spindly legs. Featuring nearly 200 amazing photographs by … Continue reading →

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3 things about Les Blank’s BURDEN OF DREAMS

Posted on October 4, 2014 by robchristopher

Burden of Dreams [1982] 1. Three boats, two of which are stuck on sandbars during the longest dry spell in recorded history. 2. “The trees here are in misery. The birds are in misery. I don’t think they sing. They … Continue reading →

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3 things about Steve James’ LIFE ITSELF

Posted on September 11, 2014 by robchristopher

Life Itself [2014] 1. Seeing the same theater, onscreen, that I’m sitting in as I watch the movie. 2. “They were a pair of Siamese twins joined at the rear end.” 3. A reprieve, courtesy Leonard Cohen.

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3 things about Hubert Sauper’s DARWIN’S NIGHTMARE

Posted on August 1, 2014 by robchristopher

Darwin’s Nightmare [2004] 1. The only artist in his village, he signs most of his artwork with a copyright symbol next to his name. 2. It’s better to wait, he explains, until the intruder is on the inside of the … Continue reading →

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3 things about Steve James’ HOOP DREAMS

Posted on July 4, 2014 by robchristopher

Hoop Dreams [1994] 1. “Arthur and Shannon spend their summer at Pizza Hut, earning $3.35 an hour.” 2. As they hug, she smears her lipstick on her dress. 3. “Well. Another one walks out the door, and another one comes … Continue reading →

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