Bill Hader and Fred Armisen masterfully mock existing factual films on each episode of “Documentary Now,” which returns to IFC for its sophomore season this evening. While the comedic actors are equal-opportunity satirists, there are a few source movies that they won’t touch — docs that are “too grim,” in Armisen’s words, for starters. “‘The Cove’ is just too big a bummer,” Hader added during our summer sitdown interview. The 2009 movie is about Japanese dolphin hunting, and he’s correct. On the exact opposite side of that spectrum are those flicks that come from the Michael Moores and Morgan Spurlocks of the.
- 9/14/2016
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
The title of first time writer/director André Øvredal's first feature is a fair indication of what the film is going to be about. Within the first few minutes we're told 283 minutes of unedited filmed material has been discovered before being propelled into the documentary footage of three students from Volda College who are trailing a bear poacher. As questioner, Thomas leads the trio of would-be Michael Moores with Kalle as his cameraman and Johanna in charge of sound.
Initially their efforts to get close to the elusive Hans are unsuccessful. Through the documentary footage we're surveilling Hans alongside the trio, gradually piecing together this mysterious character before finally meeting him. Out all night and never back before sunrise, his Land Rover covered in spikes and slashes and hung with strange herbs and tufts of fur, Hans is fascinating to watch and no less so, once full contact is made.
Initially their efforts to get close to the elusive Hans are unsuccessful. Through the documentary footage we're surveilling Hans alongside the trio, gradually piecing together this mysterious character before finally meeting him. Out all night and never back before sunrise, his Land Rover covered in spikes and slashes and hung with strange herbs and tufts of fur, Hans is fascinating to watch and no less so, once full contact is made.
- 8/22/2011
- Shadowlocked
When I attend a film festival, I often gravitate towards the documentaries being screened rather than the narrative features. Of course, I see tons of narratives, but I do my best to keep a high ratio of docs on my schedule for the very reason that I already see tons of narrative stories during the year anyway. It's very rare for any documentary to see a wide release. There aren't a whole lot of Michael Moores or Al Gores out there. For some really spectacular docs, they never even get a limited release. At film festivals, though, there are always a good amount of docs to choose from. This is especially true for the Sundance Film Festival. Thus far, I've seen three feature-length documentaries and one short form doc. What's becoming evident -- especially when related to the documentaries -- is that this year's fest's theme is a clear force...
- 1/26/2010
- by Brandon Lee Tenney
- firstshowing.net
By Michael Janofsky
Documentary filmmakers are keeping a close watch on the Supreme Court.
Arguments in a new First Amendment case are scheduled for Tuesday, and the filmmakers fear that a ruling for the government could make it harder for the Michael Moores of the world to take on controversial subjects.
The case involves Robert Stevens of Pittsville, Va., a dog-fighting expert whose videography includes such titles as "Japan Pit Fights," "Pick a Winna" and what is now his best-known effort, the hour-long, "Catch Dogs and Country Living."
In 2004, he became...
Documentary filmmakers are keeping a close watch on the Supreme Court.
Arguments in a new First Amendment case are scheduled for Tuesday, and the filmmakers fear that a ruling for the government could make it harder for the Michael Moores of the world to take on controversial subjects.
The case involves Robert Stevens of Pittsville, Va., a dog-fighting expert whose videography includes such titles as "Japan Pit Fights," "Pick a Winna" and what is now his best-known effort, the hour-long, "Catch Dogs and Country Living."
In 2004, he became...
- 10/5/2009
- by Glenn Abel
- The Wrap
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