Tag Archives: Documentary

John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A courteous tribute to John Lewis

Posted on October 9, 2020 by

Documentary film “John Lewis: Good Trouble” is a courteous tribute to US congressman John Lewis, who sadly died shortly after the documentary was released in US three months ago. Although he faced lots of obstacles even during his later years, … Continue reading →

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LA 92 (2017) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A raw, vivid, and riveting presentation of the 1992 LA riots

Posted on October 9, 2020 by

Documentary film “LA 92” is a raw, vivid, and riveting presentation of the 1992 LA riots. While entirely consisting of a series of various archival footage clips, the documentary delves deep into the social and historical background of this shocking … Continue reading →

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Dick Johnson Is Dead (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): As he lives dying

Posted on October 6, 2020 by

Netflix documentary “Dick Johnson Is Dead”, which won the US Documentary Special Jury Award when it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival early in this year, is a funny, sad, and touching personal tribute to remember. While clearly recognizing … Continue reading →

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Cameraperson (2016) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): What her camera observed

Posted on October 4, 2020 by

Kirsten Johnson’s “Cameraperson” was one of several notable documentary films I unfortunately missed in 2016. Although I bought its Criterion blu-ray edition which was released shortly after its modest theatrical release in US, I somehow kept postponing watching it during … Continue reading →

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American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Direct but superficial

Posted on October 3, 2020 by

I could not help but feel uncomfortable as watching Netflix documentary film “American Murder: The Family Next Door”, which was released on this Wednesday. The people behind the documentary want to present to us a close and direct glimpse into … Continue reading →

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Feels Good Man (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A cartoon character gone out of control

Posted on September 21, 2020 by

Documentary film “Feels Good Man”, which won the US Documentary Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker, presents the cautionary tale of a sincere artistic creation gone out of control. When its creator introduced it to the world outside, it was … Continue reading →

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AKA Jane Roe (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): The last words from Jane Roe

Posted on September 20, 2020 by

Documentary film “AKA Jane Roe” listens to a woman who was at the center of a women’s issue which is still very sensitive in the American society even at present. Through her and several people associated with in one way … Continue reading →

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The Social Dilemma (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): We’re already in a Brave New World now

Posted on September 17, 2020 by

You may think twice about using the digital applications in your smartphone after watching Netflix documentary film “The Social Dilemma”, which was released in last week. Although I was not particularly surprised by what is presented in the documentary, I … Continue reading →

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Rising Phoenix (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): They are indeed superheroes

Posted on August 30, 2020 by

Netflix documentary film “Rising Phoenix” is an uplifting examination of the Paralympic Games and a number of various participants. Rather than merely living with their disabilities, these and many other disabled athletes push themselves really hard at the Paralympic Games … Continue reading →

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Boys State (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Meet future American politicians

Posted on August 29, 2020 by

Documentary “Boys State”, which won the US Documentary Competition Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival early in this year, gives us a close and intimate glimpse into a bunch of boys who may be the future of American … Continue reading →

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