Gerald Peary
In this promising filmmaking debut of Cord Jefferson, we’re given a too-rare peek in cinema into upper middle-class African-American life.
Frederick Wiseman’s latest documentary — an immersive visit behind the scenes of a three-star Michelin restaurant — is a savory, irresistible treat.
Biographer John Szwed proves masterly at decoding even Harry Smith’s zaniest works and he’s excellent at offering us the narrative of Smith’s raggedy and colorful life. “The Life and Times” is a very good read.
James Lapine’s charming documentary explores the life of Rose Styron, who at the age of 96 still reigns as the undisputed queen of “The Vineyard,” as she calls it.
I could sense a bit of the downfall of indie narrative cinema at last week’s 25th Provincetown Film Festival, but luckily the spirited programmers dug deeper and worked harder to locate worthwhile cinema.
What makes Scout Tafoya’s book a radical departure from earlier studies is his in-your-face challenges to John Ford’s character and his racial politics.
Indie films of worth made by people with talent are falling into the cracks, and that’s sadly the fate of Out and About, a smart, beautifully shot and acted movie by Peter Callahan.
Most of this documentary is so beautiful the temptation is to switch off the preachy, didactic soundtrack and just watch and watch.
There could have been more serious attention to the music, more of his immortal rock songs played start to finish. Otherwise, Lisa Cortés’ Little Richard: I Am Everything is the documentary about the Black and Queer rock’n’roll icon we’ve been waiting for.
Arts Remembrance: Visiting the Birthplace of the King
Our last Mississippi destination was a major reason for my trip South. I told Bob I wanted to see the boyhood home of Elvis Presley in the small town of Tupelo, the singer’s Bethlehem.
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