The Interrupters - Movie Poster

The Interrupters

3.5 Anne Murphy

The moving and surprising stories of three Violence Interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once participated in.

This fly-on-wall style documentary was filmed over the course of a year. The camera lens is firmly fixed on the problem of street shootings and the community building interventions of the dedicated outreach group CeaseFire and their Violence Interrupters who confront the problem by talking directly with the kids in the war zone. Speaking of talking, it's helpful that some of the dialogue is subtitled, and there's no doubt about the authenticity of the content. Interrupting an epidemic.


Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey - Movie Poster

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey

3.5 Anne Murphy

Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon but few people know his creator, Kevin Clash.

It's passion more than puppet that is central to the tale captured in "Being Elmo". The puppeteer's sense of purpose is extraordinarily powerful; from childhood he knew with certainty what it was that he wanted to be when he grew up. His purpose while pursuing his goal is nothing short of awe inspiring. As documentaries go this one is as warm as it is magical. It's affirming to see that good things happen to good, hardworking, people. Tickle me pink.


The Art of Flight - Movie Poster

The Art of Flight

5.0 Andrew O'Dea

Two years in the making, this documentary gives iconic snowboarder Travis Rice and friends the opportunity to redefine what is possible in the mountains.

Quite simply the perfect balance between narrative and action, "The Art of Flight" contains some of the most spectacular live-action production values imaginable. The film's unbelievable camerawork is matched only by the grandeur of its cinematography. It enables the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the terrifying beauty of the mountains and the technical brilliance of the snowboarders that traverse them. Adventure is what you make it, so enjoy the ride!


We Have a Pope - Movie Poster

We Have a Pope

3.0 Anne Murphy

A story centered on the relationship between the newly elected Pope and his therapist.

The basis of the plot is intriguing and shows the potential human fragility of a man confronted with being elected into a daunting role. The story is potentially fascinating but a little underdeveloped. We don't get to know the characters sufficiently to empathise with any of them. Add to that the episodic character of some scenes which start unexpectedly and stop too suddenly to link coherently to the central thread of the story and the movie never quite realises it's potential. Do we have a Pope?


Waste Land - Movie Poster

Waste Land

3.0 Anne Murphy

Contemporary artist Vik Muniz takes us on an emotional journey from the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro to an art auction in London.

Beauty is found by engaging with people who create livelihoods recycling garbage picked from a vast waste dump. In working with the artist, the director shows how truly awesome the human spirit is. They respect the subjects of the art project that is central to this documentary. The thoughtful approach and the time taken to encounter people through a lens of humanity, rather than stereotypes, is uplifting. A work of art.


The Tall Man - Movie Poster

The Tall Man

4.0 Anne Murphy

A documentary, set on Palm Island where on the day Cameron Doomadgee was arrested for swearing at a policeman and was found dead in a watch-house cell forty-five minutes later.

"The Tall Man" is a documentary that persuasively recreates a death in custody one statement at a time through interviews and first person accounts. As each witness account is carefully scrutinised, a grim and unsettling story emerges. Trials and inquests are revisited and accounts unravel. We may not be able to determine exactly what happened on that one night in 2004, but we can definitely draw our own conclusions. Short on truth.


Bill Cunningham New York - Movie Poster

Bill Cunningham New York

4.0 Anne Murphy

A cinematic profile of the noted veteran New York City fashion photographer.

"Seek beauty, and you'll find it", says the subject of this captivating film biography. The documentary spans the lifelong career of a delightfully eccentric and passionately obsessive follower of fashion. The film-maker almost becomes a private detective following his subject, a lively photographic journalist who is dedicated to the singular pursuit of capturing the style of people out on the street. As unassuming as the photographer is, he is undeniably one of the who’s who of the New York fashion scene; the challenge is keeping up with him. Run-a-way success.


George Harrison: Living in the Material World - Movie Poster

George Harrison: Living in the Material World

4.5 Anne Murphy

Inter-cut with archive material, friends, family and associates of the musician tell the story of his life and how spirituality became such a major part of it.

ou might guess that this renowned musician had a extraordinary life but it takes the spotlight shone by this exceptional documentary to reveal just how remarkable his life and times were. It helps that much of the history is told to camera by the subject in his own words, and those close to him lovingly colour in the detail. Ultimately this is an affecting and moving portrait of a man whose guitar gently wept.


TT3D: Closer to the Edge - Movie Poster

TT3D: Closer to the Edge

3.5 Anthony Macali

The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy is the greatest motorcycle road race in the world.

"TT3D" champions a truly unbelievable event, where riders risk their lives simply to win. The 3D may have been good in concept, but doesn't add a great deal to the buzz experienced when watching the terrifying speeds of the Tourist Trophy. At times it's almost sickening to watch, and the film thankfully shies away from some of the more confronting images in its long history of accidents. It allows us to explore the unrivalled passion of the participants and their remarkable attitude in the face of death. A race larger than life.


Project Nim - Movie Poster

Project Nim

4.0 Wendy Slevison

The story of Nim, a chimpanzee who was the subject of a 1970s experiment to see if an ape could learn to communicate with language if raised like a human child.

This is a brilliant telling of a harrowing and complex tale. Initially captivating due to the very cute subject, the mood soon shifts as we learn more about the arrogant and shameless exploitation of this remarkable animal, with no regard for any consequences. As Nim grows and becomes unmanageable due to his size and strength, he is cruelly discarded. You could hear a pin drop in the cinema as the audience absorbed his appalling plight. "F" for the Project; "A" for this film.


Cave of Forgotten Dreams - Movie Poster

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

4.0 Anthony Macali

Werner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France.

Enter the "The Cave of Forgotten Dreams" and your world will be shaken. The walls are lined with stirring visuals, from bison and leopards to horses as clear as the day they were born. The fact these paintings are over 30,000 years old simply defies belief, marking a passage of time that pales our existence. There are a number of questionable guests filling the running time, but it's a joy to share in their wonder and commentary of such a dazzling discovery. This historical documentary is haunting and undeniably breathtaking.


Life in a Day - Movie Poster

Life in a Day

3.5 Wendy Slevison

A documentary shot by filmmakers all over the world that serves as a time capsule.

The scope of the task was immense. Two award-winning filmmakers took 4,500 hours of footage, representing 80,000 lives from 192 countries, and crafted it into a fascinating 90-minute glimpse into parts of our world that we may otherwise have never experienced. Enthralling in its simplicity, while sharing powerful moments of raw humanity, this awe-inspiring achievement bears witness to the spirit that unites us all. The gamut of emotions is experienced as deeply personal stories are shared with the entire world, making this a day to remember.


Page One: Inside the New York Times - Movie Poster

Page One: Inside the New York Times

3.5 Anthony Macali

Unprecedented access to the New York Times newsroom.

"Page One" is a fascinating insight into the inner sanctum of 'The Times', which we discover is more than a paper factory, but a renowned American institution. The film traces the history of some of its more colourful characters, acknowledging their commentary and fears for the future in a business destined for destitution. Most importantly, this documentary expertly covers all the recent developments to shake the industry, from wiki-leaks and twitter, to the iPad and the news online, all with genuine apprehension and humour. If this paper interests you, then it's definitely a good read.


Senna - Movie Poster

Senna

4.0 Anthony Macali

A documentary on Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the F1 world championship three times.

If you have any spot of intrigue for racing, then you will adore "Senna". He was a purist and a gentleman, who faced his biggest battles off the track in his fast and short-lived career. Ayrton's relationship with Prost is unrivalled, fiercely competing with one another despite their team alliance, and world championships marred by controversy, politics and the French. The result is unflinching drama, given credence by vast and captivating footage of races and interviews. A man of genius.


The Greatest Movie Ever Sold - Movie Poster

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

3.0 Anthony Macali

A documentary about branding, advertising and product placement that is financed and made possible by brands, advertising and product placement.

The self-proclaimed "Greatest Movie Ever Sold" is far from it, though it does provide an interesting exposé into the unfamiliar advertising industry. The director/ documenter's lack of charisma is redeemed by his resourceful and determined displays, especially when forced to sell his idea to the advertising companies themselves with the aid of some amusing place cards. In the end, it's hard to tell if the financiers or film-makers come out on top, although as an audience, we're not 100% sold.