I have two really good nonfiction films to recommend. First up is Apollo 11.Apollo 11 directed by Todd Douglas Miller. Rating ***** Back in 1994 while working on the interactive CD-ROM Apollo XIII: A Week to Remember, I had the chance to fly to Houston where I interviewed four Apollo 13 flight controllers. I conducted […]
Two documentary quick takes
July 29, 2018 By 1 Comment
I have two excellent documentaries worth your time. First up is Three Identical Strangers directed by Tim Wardle. Rating ***** I got to see this one in the theatre, which I might add was jam packed. This is the story of three identical twins who were separated at birth. Neither the twins nor their adoptive […]
Wild Wild Country Quick Take
April 7, 2018 By 1 Comment
Wild Wild Country directed by Chapman and Maclain Way Rating ***** Here is another documentary series to add to your watch list. This story takes place in the early-to-mid 1980s. I remember hearing about it in the media. My take at the time was that this was another one of those crazy cults with a […]
Everything nonfiction docudrama and docuseries guide
March 1, 2018 By 2 Comments
Over the last several months I have been able to watch a number of excellent docudramas and docuseries. I wanted to share with you a list of some of the very best multi-episode documentaries and docudramas that are available right now. The six part Waco series on the Paramount network is as good as anything […]
Two books, two films, four quicktakes
December 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I will close out 2017 with a couple of QuickTakes. First up is the book and film The Glass Castle. Book The Glass Castle written by Jeannette Walls (Previously reviewed here) Film The Glass Castle writers Destin Daniel Cretton and Andrew Lanham directed by Destin Daniel Cretton Rating ***** It’s been six years since I read […]
Documentary quicktakes
December 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I’ve seen a ton of great documentaries over the past few months. I don’t have time to review them all, but I would like to mention a few of the notable ones I’ve seen. Energy To start things off, I have two documentaries that deal with energy. The first is Al Gore’s sequel to an […]
American Made Quick Take
October 18, 2017 By 1 Comment
Review of American Made written by Gary Spinelli Rating **** A pilot for TWA gets involved in the Iran Contra scandal. He also decides to smuggle drugs for a Columbian drug cartel. What could go wrong? Tom Cruise does a good job portraying TWA pilot Barry Seal. The aviation scenes are authentic. Cruise is a […]
The Zookeeper’s Wife Quick Take
August 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The Zookeeper’s Wife written by Angela Workman based on the book by Diane Ackerman Directed by Niki Caro Rating **** 1/2 The Zookeeper’s Wife is an excellent film about a family owned zoo that is transformed into a hiding and holding area for Jews trying to escape German occupation in Poland during WWII. Jessica Chastain […]
Detroit Quick Take
August 16, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Detroit written by Mark Boal and directed by Kathryn Bigelow Rating ***** Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal continue with their impressive record of collaboration. Detroit starts out chaotic and frenzied as an incident involving police overreach sets everything in motion. For the first thirty minutes or so the story jumps around between riots, protestors, police, […]
Dunkirk quick take
August 9, 2017 By 1 Comment
Dunkirk – written and directed by Cristopher Nolan Rating ** 1/2 Best movie of the year. First Oscar contender. A critics darling. One of Christopher Nolan’s best. Here’s my one word review. Loud! And that’s a compliment. This movie is so overhyped it isn’t funny. Other than some great war scenes, there is nothing here. […]
Nobody Speak quick take
July 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press written by Brian Knappenberger Rating ***** Let me start with a brief introduction. This is a review site. Writing helpful reviews takes time. Sometimes my schedule doesn’t permit me the time I need to write a thorough review, even though I saw or read something that I would […]
