3/5
Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary is a new film that explores the life and music of famed jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. While the subject matter, footage, and interviews make for a fascinating look at Coltrane it is also fairly standard, by-the-book documentary that formally has nothing new or interesting to deliver. That said, the film itself is a compelling watch.
3/5
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The Devil's Horn is a Canadian documentary about the surprisingly fascinating history of the (possibly cursed) Saxophone, based on the book of the same title. The film details the history of the instrument from its invention in Adolphe Sax's workshop to present day, and looks at several different current contemporary saxophonists. Director Larry Weinstein delivers an in-depth and entertaining look at various different musicians who play the sax across a variety of musical genres including gospel, jazz, classical, rock, and traditional Roma music from the Balkans. 4.5/5 There is so much right with Birdman. First off, the triumphant return to leading role status, I couldn't have been more excited to see Michael Keaton in Birdman. The meta-textual connections to Keaton's real-life career and to his Batman legacy were completely delicious and satisfying. Secondly, I love films with long takes. Give me a Bela Tarr film any time. LOVE films with long slow moving camera shots so about 25 minutes into Birdman, when I realized what Innaritu was doing with the film's form, my brain melted in the best way possible. No visible cuts?! The film one long seamless take?! Yes please!! This film is completely enjoyable and wacky. 4/5 Amy is a new documentary about the late, great singer Amy Winehouse. This doc is comprised wholly of found footage, that is often set to off-screen interviews about Amy. There are no talking heads or experts in this film. These are the voices of Amy's friends, family including her father Mitch Winehouse, her ex-husband, and her a few colleagues including her former manager Nick Shymansky and producer Salaam Remi. The film focuses on Amy's rise to stardom, her short but impressive career, and her tumultuous personal life during those years. As such, it was a concise (at 2 hours and 8 minutes) portrait of the road to fame its subsequent path of destruction. It's about addiction, self-destruction, eating disorders, fame, talent, heart, and love. Along the way there are several impressive performances, though the documentary is not overly pre-occupied with performance footage. Amy is gut wrenching. I cried. 4/5 Oh man! This is a great film. Love with the Proper Stranger has both Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen. It's about an unexpected pregnancy, that is the result of a fling between a musician and a shopgirl. I am so excited that it's on Netflix. As far as I'm aware this was previously only on VHS. Check it out! 5/5 |
LindseyHere is where I post new reviews as I see films throughout the year. Archives
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