My only problem with “Misbehaviour” is that it should have been titled “Miss-behaviour”. That’s the one quibble I have with this surprising, based on a true story gem. The setting is 1970 London. Small but passionate groups of women are beginning to voice their displease with how women are (and always have been) treated in […]
Chances are you don’t recognize the name Jay Sebring. But I guarantee you know who he was. The title subject of this fascinating documentary — “Jay Sebring… Cutting to the Truth” — was director Anthony DiMaria’s uncle. He was also a pioneer, back in the 1960’s, for men’s hair styling. Sebring was the personal stylist […]
“Mr. SOUL!” chronicles the life of Ellis Haizlip — producer and host of the groundbreaking public broadcasting show “SOUL!”, which ran from 1968-’73. Based in NYC, the program showcased African American singers, dancers, poets and political figures — breaking both barriers and rules along the way. As director, Ellis’s niece, Melissa Haizlip, beautifully presents all […]
Legendary lyricist and playwright Howard Ashman left this world far too soon, dying from AIDS in 1991 at the age of 41. His life, filled with triumphs and tragedy, is celebrated in “Howard”, available now on Disney+. The documentary is directed by Ashman’s friend, colleague and “Beauty and the Beast” producer Don Hahn (“Waking Sleeping […]
One of my top memories from attending the 2016 Critics Choice Awards was a conversation with comic actress Gillian Jacobs. She was there representing her movie, “Don’t Think Twice”, which was nominated for Best Comedy. We chatted for awhile, and then Jacobs asked how long I was staying in Los Angeles. I told her I […]
For some, capturing the meat and heart & soul of a novel in film form can be a challenge. Writer Jack Thorne pulled it off (with Stephen Chbosky and Steve Conrad) for 2017’s “Wonder”. They took the best, most meaningful and effective parts of that 300-page book and incorporated them into a 113-minute movie. However, […]
The biggest challenge for any documentary filmmaker is not only to tell a compelling, unique story but to present it in a fresh, moving way. And that’s exactly what director Matt Riddlehoover does with “My Darling Vivian”. The name Vivian Liberto likely means nothing to you. When you learn she was Johnny Cash’s first wife, […]
“Marona’s Fantastic Tale” was actually one of the 32 eligible contenders for a 2019 Best Animated Feature Academy Award nomination. But last year was very competitive and “Marona” was overlooked. The GKIDS release comes out digitally/online on June 12. That’s when this creatively elaborate, innovative and deeply moving film will finally get its day. Romanian […]
Just when you thought “Rocky” was out of the cinematic ring for good… he’s back. And he proves he has one more great round in him. “40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic” is a documentary short, narrated by — who else? — Sylvester Stallone. Writer, director, producer and editor Derek Wayne Johnson […]
Outside of cheering on my Philadelphia Eagles, I’m not what you would call an avid sports fan. But I clearly understand and feel the effects of the lack of live sports over the past several months. Thankfully, there’s a documentary debuting on Hulu this week that gets both casual and diehard sports junkies back on […]