Along with its rich cultural history and scenic beauty, Provence, France is known for its copious sunny days—a fitting attribute … More
Category: Documentary Reviews
Mind Forward Examines the Pioneering Field of Brain-Computer Interface
For those suffering from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or ALS, the technology behind brain-computer interface (BCI) can be nothing less than life-changing. … More
Up and Away — Can eVTOLs Really Change the Future of Transportation?
A documentary by Bloomberg explores the high-flying potential of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOLs), but also some of its … More
A Rebel in Venice Dives Deep Into One of the 16th Century’s Greatest Painters
With its polished visual style and cast of insightful experts, this 2019 documentary offers viewers an engrossing, in-depth portrait of … More
The Alpinist Shows Audiences a Free Soloist Who Found Bliss in Climbing
In a film about a free solo rock climber—one of the very best in the world, no less—you can expect … More
Changing Demographics on an Island Nation
An increasing elderly population combined with a decreasing birth rate poses urgent problems for the future of Japan. To what … More
On Stage and Off: Pianoforte Takes Us Behind the Curtain of the International Chopin Competition
With infectious charm and energy, Pianoforte invites viewers into one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. The … More
General Magic: A Tale of Innovation and Failure
The tech company General Magic typified what it means to pour your heart and soul into a dream. An engrossing … More
Power, Profit, and a “Celestial Land Grab” in Wild Wild Space
The future of space, particularly our relationship with low Earth orbit, is explored in a thoughtful documentary by tech journalist … More
Can Astronauts Reach Mars Without Going Stir-Crazy? Red Heaven Highlights a NASA Simulation
If NASA succeeds at getting human beings safely to Mars and back—a mission they hope to accomplish by the 2030s—it … More
Relevant and Thoughtful, Objectified Explores the Impact of Industrial Design on Our Everyday Lives
One summer day, when I was seven or eight years old, I got the urge to make something. I wasn’t … More
Art Was Her Country — A Documentary on the Outcast Life of Leonora Carrington
Always going against the grain, the surrealist painter Leonora Carrington experienced considerable isolation during her lifetime. Family strife and a … More
Painting America Delves into the Life of the Celebrated Illustrator, Norman Rockwell
By the end of his career, Norman Rockwell had illustrated over three hundred covers for the Saturday Evening Post and … More
Towering Hubris and a Company in Shambles—the Fall of WeWork
In a documentary that revolves around the arrogant and buzzword-slinging ex-CEO that is Adam Neumann, there are a lot of … More
Botero Glorifies the Columbian Artist but Never Goes in Depth on the Merit of His Work
Botero starts out pleasantly enough, but over the course of its 90 minutes it becomes saccharine and oversaturated with praise. … More
The Last Flight Chronicles the Descent of Powerful ex-CEO, Carlos Ghosn
With the gigafactory-sized exception of Elon Musk, heads of auto manufacturers aren’t normally the subject of international news cycles. Yet … More
Drip, Splatter, Drink: A Documentary Dives into the Chaotic Life of Jackson Pollock
When he drank, Jackson Pollock could be mean, combative, and downright nasty. He engaged in everything from malicious insults to … More
Eye Spy With My Little Eye Takes Us into the World of Kandinsky
An erudite man with many diverse talents, Kandinsky ultimately devoted his life to the multisensory and spiritual realms of art. … More
An Abstract Theft — A Stolen de Kooning Comes Home
Nearly forty years ago, Willem de Kooning’s Woman-Ochre was snatched from a museum. A few years ago it resurfaced. An … More
A Documentary on Thomas Hart Benton Shows the Multifaceted Life of the Regionalist painter
Though standing just 5’3” tall, Thomas Hart Benton, like the large and vibrant murals for which he’s known, was a … More
Designing America Showcases the Life and Works of Frederick Law Olmsted, Mastermind of Central Park
Central Park has brought smiles and fresh air to countless people from all over the world. With its 800-plus acres … More
Flowstate Flies Us Into the Passionate Culture of FPV Drones
Drones are quickly becoming a part of our everyday lives. Whether we experience these versatile flying machines directly or indirectly, … More
Lions and Tigers and Bears! — A Documentary on Henri Rousseau, Painter of the Jungle
These days, if you want to get your artistic creations out into the world, there are plenty of avenues in … More
Capturing the Whole of French Society — an Educational Film on Honoré de Balzac
Balzac’s caffeine habit was accompanied by a far more important one: long, concentrated stretches spent writing.
The Dissident — A Gripping Documentary That One Wishes Were Fiction
The man that many see as being responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi—including the CIA—lacks for almost nothing. With … More
Good Night Oppy — Twin Rovers, Human Parents, and a Relationship Forged Forever
As far as I know, there are no squeaky toys inside the Jet Propulsion Laboratory located in Pasadena, California. I … More
Exhibition on Screen: The Artist’s Garden Delves into Fascinating Territory
Gorgeous to look at and filled with history, culture, and art, The Artist’s Garden: American Impressionism shows how painting and … More
In Search of Haydn Offers an In-depth Portrait of the Brilliant Composer
As a composer, one can’t do much better than to be graced with the magnificent titles of “Father of the … More
A Documentary Explores the Obscure Danish Painter Vilhelm Hammershøi
Though much of the world is now slowly and cautiously returning to a semblance of normal life, it was only … More
Bauhaus 100: A Documentary on the influential movement in the year of its centenary
History is replete with examples of fervent creativity arising out of chaos. The inception of the Bauhaus movement, shortly after … More
The Cardboard Bernini — An Intriguing Film of Missed Opportunities
Art, from its very beginning, has been connected with the mysterious, the uncontrollable, and the ephemerality of our earthly lives. … More
Rodin, A Documentary on the Sculptor, Shows His Rise To Fame, Immortality
The narrative arc of Auguste Rodin’s artistic life is stupendous. Whether you admire his work or not, it’s a trajectory … More
Two Great Artists in the Midst of the Reformation — The Cranachs and Medieval Modern Art
Lucas Cranach’s workshop must have been a perpetually busy place. One can imagine it full of a prodigious energy and … More
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