Hot Docs

Hot Docs: Mistaken For Strangers [2013, Tom Berninger]

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Ricky in Hot Docs | Leave a comment

mistaken for strangers

A rock documentary that’s not really quite one, Mistaken for Strangers is really a film about sibling dynamic/rivalries, the film making process and overcoming your very worst own enemies. We all know The National, the indie rock band from Cincinnati (now Brooklyn) that has taken the long road to success. Finally showing some mainstream success with 2010’s High Violet, the band seems to finally made its way to stadium sized crowds echelon of success. The leader of the band is Matt Berninger, the moody baritone singer of the group. He has a brother, ten years his junior and has this kinda Garden State what the hell am I doing with my life vibe to him. Through either love or pity, Matt invites him out to be a roadie for the band and in turn, Tom decides to make a documentary from it. Mistaken For Strangers is that documentary.

In the 90 minutes that follow, we will see a lot of things that would make a checklist of most rock docs, including

tour footage
backstage footage
band members goofing off
lots of shots in random cities
shots of band members sleeping

The thing that separates Mistaken For Strangers from the rest is the fact that it’s really not about the National, it’s actually about Tom Berninger. His relationship with his brother is clearly not strong (“I didn’t know you had never been to Europe” muses Matt in one scene) and as the tour progresses their relationship is pushed to the limits. Tom struggles to cope with his brother’s success and his own lack of direction/self control. There are blow ups and arguments and the documentary takes a surprising turn. In the end, what we get is an honest heartfelt film that deals with issues that most of us can identify with, only as an additional bonus, we get the benefit to peer into the lives of a beloved band as well.

Tue, Apr 30 9:15 PM @ The Royal Cinema
Thu, May 2 11:59 PM @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Sun, May 5 4:00 PM @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema

Hot Docs: Shooting Bigfoot [2013, Morgan Matthews]

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Ricky in Hot Docs | 2 Comments

shooting_bigfoot

A documentary where you seem to have a perma smile on your face as you are watching, Shooting Bigfoot is an fun look at the chase for the elusive big foot.

Through the eyes of director Morgan Matthews, we meet three groups of people who have made it their life mission to capture Bigfoot (and profit from it). The people we meet are all blessed with colorful personalities which adds to the entertainment level of the film. Each of them have claimed to encounter the mythical creature and each of them are dedicated to being the first to find and capture bigfoot.

Part of the fun of this documentary is trying to figure out if any of the people we encounter are legit in terms of wanting to find Bigfoot or just trying to make a buck off this phenomenon (and this documentary). It is definitely a film where you have to question every word or action that the bigfoot hunters say and it is thoroughly entertaining to see the director provoke the hunters with questions.

Each of the hunts lead the director Morgan Matthews into the woods, and the latter part of the film somehow take on an almost Blair Witch feel, complete with the director’s own obvious discomfort in the woods. Having made his subject’s uncomfortable in the earlier part of the film with probing questions about each subjects legitimacy, it’s interesting to see the tables turn as the hunters take him into the woods in almost complete darkness and watch what unfolds.

The documentary also highlights some extreme cases of urban poverty as well as how easily it is to get high powered ammunition.

Overall, a lighthearted and enjoyable film that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Tue, Apr 30 8:29 PM @ TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
Wed, May 1 11:58 PM @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Fri, May 3 9:30 PM @ The Royal Cinema

Ricky’s Hot Docs Preview Extravaganza

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Ricky in Hot Docs | Leave a comment

mistaken_for_strangers

It’s the end of April.

You know what that means.

It’s Hot Docs time!

Easily my favorite film festival of the year, Hot Docs once again brings an unmatched selection of documentaries from near and far, featuring some of the best that documentaries have to offer. I get so inspired by documentaries that I actually took a documentary directing class last year. That’s no lie. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as following someone around someone with the camera, so I kind of backed off for that…for now. My failures aside, there are a lot of talented filmmakers out there seeking to tell stories. Real stories. For real people. Like you.

Take some time these next two weeks and check out some films. Here are some of our suggestions!

Mistaken For Strangers
Tue, Apr 30 9:15 PM @ The Royal Cinema
Thu, May 2 11:59 PM @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Sun, May 5 4:00 PM @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema

This documentary from Tom Berninger is known as “The National” documentary, but really, it’s about sibling rivalries, the film making process and fighting your inner demons. The fact that it features a lot of tour footage of the National, and a lot of personal interactions with Matt Berninger is an additional bonus. It’s a fascinating documentary and one that deserves your time.

Rent a Family

Sun, Apr 28 9:00 PM @ Scotiabank 4
Tue, Apr 30 1:00 PM @ The ROM Theatre
Sun, May 5 1:00 PM @ Scotiabank 3

Japan’s weird, man. I had first hand experience there last year on my month long journey in Asia. Japan is also fascinating. I’m surprised there’s not a bazillion documentaries about it. There is, however, Rent a Family, a documentary about a man whose business is to pretend to be your husband, brother, grandfather, coworker or whatever it is you need at the time. His goal is to make other people happy, meanwhile, his family is falling apart at the seams. An intriguing look at an intriguing man.

Big Men
Thu, May 2 9:00 PM @ TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
Fri, May 3 8:00 PM @ Hart House Theatre
Sun, May 5 11:00 AM @ Isabel Bader Theatre

Oil! Africa! Together! It’s two hot topics converged into one extremely well balanced film. Following the lives of several groups upon the discovery of oil in Ghana, Big Men gives us a taste of what’s at stake and who are the “big men” that are after this valuable resource. We will meet slick Texas business men, Nigerian militants, back room New York money lenders and honest men just looking out for their country. An intriguing look at one of the most controversial industries out there.

Tales From the Organ Trade
Sun, Apr 28 7:00 PM @ Isabel Bader Theatre
Mon, Apr 29 1:00 PM @ TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
Thu, May 2 4:00 PM @ Scotiabank 4

Speaking of hot topics. Organ Trade! Who’s selling? Who’s buying? Who’s operating? This film lays it all out for us. Narrated by David Cronenberg, this high budget documentary introduces us to all players of this nefarious black market trade and almost makes a case that it benefits everyone. Watch it and decide.

Shooting Bigfoot
Tue, Apr 30 8:29 PM @ TIFF Bell Lightbox 2
Wed, May 1 11:58 PM @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Fri, May 3 9:30 PM @ The Royal Cinema

Sometimes you need to take a step back from all the documentaries about poverty, abuse, famine and all things depressing. Shooting Bigfoot is that documentary. The film follows three different groups of bigfoot trackers as they try to track down and capture this elusive beast. Hilarity ensues. Also, you will have your mind blown at how easily these people are able to acquire high power rifles.

In reality, any documentary you watch at Hot Doc will be good. So go out and check it out.

Documentary Review: West of Memphis (2012, Amy Berg)

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Ricky in Hot Docs | Leave a comment

West Of Memphis is one of the most infuriating documentaries I have seen.

It’s also one of the best.

West of Memphis takes a complete and exhaustive look at the story of the West Memphis 3. For the uninitiated, the West Memphis 3 are three teenagers who were wrongfully imprisoned after the gruesome murder of three children in the town of West Memphis. The documentary is about the murders and the fight to get the three out of the correctional system. Witch hunts, shoddy police work, incompetent doctors and many other things led to the incarceration of the three. West Of Memphis spends a good portion of it’s time laying out the investigative issues out in great detail. The story and characters of this investigation and trial are so ludicrous that it seems more like a Coen Brothers’ movie then actual history.

The second part of the documentary focuses on the efforts to get the three out of prison, or in the least, to face a fair trial. Herein lies the frustration where most viewers will encounter as the people trying to free the WM3 encounter the stifling bureaucracy and politics that is known as the Arkansas judicial system. Let’s just say the documentary is not going to do a whole lot for Arkansas’s reputation. The story catches on with several notable celebrities including Eddie Vedder, Peter Jackson and Henry Rollins in particular, all of whom take it upon them personally to help the cause. Johnny Depp is in there too, but only for a second, making it the second documentary in which Johnny Depp appears and you are like, what’s the point of that? (The first being Strummerville). With the star power rolling in, the case takes on national and international acclaim and more and more information comes to light. Eventually, after two and a half hours of viewing, the West Memphis 3 are freed under the Alford Plea, which frankly, sounds like a cop out. Either way, one of the guys is out of death row, so I guess that’s good. The documentary also takes the time to solve the mystery (unofficially) by laying out all the evidence it has against one Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of one of the sons. Good luck walking around anywhere after this film, man!

The story of the West Memphis 3 is a phenomenal one, as is the documentary. With the production power of Peter Jackson, the filmmakers were able to pull in some highly regarded talking heads to fully educate the viewers on some of the reasons why the investigation of the murders was not done correctly and combined with archival footage of the trials and the sort, gives the view a pretty satisfying look at the whole story. You will leave with many questions, my biggest one being – why didn’t the people who came forward as the case got notoriety speak up before? It’s all pretty messed up, which I guess is one of the reasons why this story and documentary are so memorable. I would say this film is inspirational, but when you look at the fact that it took some major money, Hollywood power, three separate documentaries and eighteen years for the system to buckle, it just paints a picture of how daunting the system can be.

The documentary is also scored by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, which is pretty awesome.

Here’s a GQ article about the West Memphis Three

« Previous   1 2 ... 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 ... 42 43   Next »