May 9, 2013
The Film, Video
and Moving Image
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Blogger-at-LargeManhunt: The Inside Story of the Hunt for Osama Bin Laden
Produced and directed by Greg Baker, HBO’s “Manhunt” documents the long search for Bin Laden. D. Schwartz May 3, 2013
An Apology to Elephants: The Abuse and Rescue of Elephants
“An Apology to Elephants” is yet another demonstration of the visceral power of film. D. Schwartz April 22, 2013
Which Way to the Front: The Life of Tim Hetherington
Hetherington and Junger produced the well-lauded documentary, “Restrepo”. D. Schwartz April 10, 2013
50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus
Playing throughout April on HBO, “50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus” D. Schwartz April 8, 2013
Gottfried Helnwein and the Dreaming Child
Directed by Lisa Kirk Colburn, “Gottfried Helnwein and the Dreaming Child” follows Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein. D. Schwartz March 31, 2013
Fall to Grace: Jim McGreevey Transforms His Life
Eight and a-half years ago New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey went on national television and announced he is a ‘gay American.’ D. Schwartz March 17, 2013
American Winter: Families in Crisis
Directed by accomplished filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz, “American Winter” follows eight Oregon families. D. Schwartz March 15, 2013
Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives
“Birth Story” profiles the life and work of midwifery advocate Ina May Gaskin. D. Schwartz March 1, 2013
Greedy Lying Bastards: Our Ecosphere Destroyers
This is the environmental documentary film I’ve been waiting for. D. Schwartz February 24, 2013
Photographic Memory: Looking Back to Heal
Ross McElwee is a formally trained, highly accomplished documentary filmmaker. D. Schwartz February 23, 2013
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God
I didn’t know anger until one moment when I was twelve years old. D. Schwartz February 9, 2013
Three Stars: Life in the Gourmet Stratosphere
Produced for television in 2010 by First Run Features, “Three Stars” escorts us into the competition of renowned chefs. D. Schwartz January 6, 2013
YERT: License to Thrive
I watched all two hours of this youth-oriented, quirky, optimistic documentary film... D. Schwartz December 24, 2013
Beyond Pollution: A Deeper Look at the BP Gulf Oil Disaster
With "Beyond Pollution", director Barker White walks us through the Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010. D. Schwartz December 5, 2012
Chasing Ice: James Balog and His Extreme Ice Survey
"Chasing Ice" is the best-produced and most important environmental documentary since "An Inconvenient Truth". D. Schwartz December 2, 2012
Who Cares?: A Meta-Documentary
“Who Cares?” is a feature film shot in seven different countries. D. Schwartz November 29, 2012
Minds in the Water: Saving Cetaceans
“Minds in the Water” is a powerful, compelling documentary highlighting efforts to stop the slaughter whales and dolphins. D. Schwartz November 25, 2012
The Believers: The Search for Cheap Energy
Co-written and co-directed by Clayton Brown and Monica Long Ross, “The Believers” is thought-provoking. D. Schwartz November 21, 2012
Celebrating Life in Union: Survivors of Castro’s Cuba
It’s called The Union of Former Cuban Political Prisoners... D. Schwartz November 19, 2012
Pui Chan: Kung Fu Pioneer
“Pui Chan” is a loving cinematic biography of a father by a daughter. D. Schwartz November 14, 2012
Wish Me Away: Chely Wright Comes Out
Not being connected to the worlds of pop culture or country music, I’d never heard the name, Chely Wright. D. Schwartz October 24, 2012
Give Up Tomorrow: An Epic Search for Justice
“Give Up Tomorrow” is the documentary equivalent of a page-turner. D. Schwartz October 26, 2012
A Hybrid Film: Janeane From Des Moines
I first learned about “Janeane From Des Moines” while watching MSNBC. D. Schwartz October 20, 2012
Pink Ribbons, Inc.: The Commercialization of Breast Cancer
Shortly after the beginning of “Pink Ribbons, Inc.". D. Schwartz October 6, 2012
Doubletime: Skipping Rope at the Apollo
Leave ‘em wanting more. That’s the old showbiz adage. D. Schwartz October 2, 2012
Elemental: Three Environmental Activists
It was 1954, in Charleston, South Carolina. I was 6 years old. This is the first film I remember seeing at a movie theater. D. Schwartz September 17, 2012
Sweet Dreams: Reconciliation in Rwanda
Produced, directed, and edited by sister/brother team "Sweet Dreams"... D. Schwartz September 16, 2012
Rebels with a Cause: The Triumph of Environmental Activism
I have had the distinct pleasure and honor of seeing "Rebels with a Cause" D. Schwartz September 16, 2012
The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia
Premiering this fall on HBO, James Redford's "The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia" conveys to a wider audience... D. Schwartz September 14, 2012
Surviving Progress: Our Self Destruction
"Surviving Progress" is another look at humanity's geometrically accelerating destruction of itself D. Schwartz September 12, 2012
Wetlands Preserved: Manhattan’s Legendary Rock Club
"It was just a simmering caldron of jam-band activity," said Bob Weir. D. Schwartz August 27, 2012
Lula: Son of Brazil
Have you heard of Lula? I certainly hadn't – until now [president of Brazil].. D. Schwartz August 16, 2012
The Knowledge of Healing: Tibetan Medicine
"The Knowledge of Healing" brings us viewers and listeners into the world of Tibetan medicine. D. Schwartz August 22, 2012
A Quartet of Classic Music Docs
"Classic" in both senses of the term. The four documentaries in this First Run Features box-set... D. Schwartz August 4, 2012
Let’s Get Frank: The Trials and Triumphs of Barney Frank
Produced and directed by Bart Everly (2003), "Let's Get Frank" covers a crucial chapter in the distinguished political career of Barney Frank D. Schwartz August 1, 2012
Vito: The Life and Times of Vito Russo
My list of to-be-produced films is long. I've just added to that list a biopic of Vito Russo. D. Schwartz July 29, 2012
Never Stand Still: Dancing at Jacob’s Pillow
Produced by Moving Pictures and directed by Ron Honsa... D. Schwartz July 19, 2012
Eames: The Architect and the Painter
First of all, I thought the name, 'Eames,' referred to a really talented architect and a painter. D. Schwartz July 12, 2012
Birders: The Central Park Effect
I learned a new word today, watching first-time filmmaker Jeffrey Kimball's "Birders: The Central Park Effect": 'biophilia' D. Schwartz July 10, 2012
Hard Times: Lost on Long Island
Hard Times: Lost on Long Island" tells the story of four families. D. Schwartz July 10, 2012
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom: Horror and Hope in Japan
Founder and director of From the Heart Productions, is Carole Dean. D. Schwartz July 9, 2012
Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present
The website, like most film websites, tells you everything about "Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present". D. Schwartz June 26, 2012
Soul Resonance: Marimba Bands in America
Warning! If you watch this movie you'll be in trouble – where will you keep your marimba? D. Schwartz June 18, 2012
Beyond The Call: A Must-See
In an Indiana Jones meets Mother Teresa adventure, three middle-aged men – former soldiers and modern-day knights – travel the world... D. Schwartz June 14, 2012
One Nation Under Dog: Stories of Fear, Loss, and Betrayal
It's time for another visit to heartbreak land – this time, our mistreatment of dogs. D. Schwartz June 10, 2012
How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?
A documentary that covers the life and work of a legendary, globally-based architect must be produced with quality commensurate with the architect's work. D. Schwartz June 3, 2012
Killing in the Name: Ending Terrorism
Jed Rothstein's "Killing in the Name" follows Ashraf al-Khaled's mission to address violence in the Muslim world. D. Schwartz May 28, 2012
Man on a Mission: Richard in Space
"Man on a Mission" does what it's supposed to do: Providing high quality video of men in space as well as a professional profile of Garriott. D. Schwartz May 23, 2012
A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet
San Francisco Bay Area filmmaker Mark Kitchell ("Berkeley in the Sixties") begins "A Fierce Green Fire" with this narrative introduction: "The environmental movement is about nature versus humanity." D. Schwartz May 17, 2012
Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen
"Shining Night" is a multi-level treat. D. Schwartz May 12, 2012
The Weight of the Nation: To Win We Have to Lose
Debuting on HBO May 14 and 15, "The Weight of the Nation" is an epic four-part documentary on the obesity... D. Schwartz May 2, 2012
The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father CIA Spymaster William Colby
Produced and directed by son Carl Colby, "The Man Nobody Knew" tells the story of William Colby's life-long career in the United States military and intelligence agencies. D. Schwartz April 21, 2012
Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?
I don't remember the year. Hell, I don't remember the decade. The seventies? The eighties? She was on TV, being interviewed, Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro. D. Schwartz April 18, 2012
In the Garden of Sounds: A Portrait of Sound Therapist Wolfgang Fasser
Directed, edited, and shot by Nicola Bellucci, "In the Garden of Sounds" tells the story... D. Schwartz April 6, 2012
Sun Come Up: Leaving Eden
We, us Homo sapiens, we're all subjects in our global experiment to see what happens when we take as much oxygen as possible out of our ecosphere... D. Schwartz December 11, 2011
Marwencol: Self-Generated Art Therapy
There's no question why Jeff Malmberg's "Marwencol" won so many awards and received so many accolades. D. Schwartz December 3, 2011
Magic Trip: Ken Kesey’s Search for a Kool Place
Written and directed by Alison Ellwood and Alex Gibney, "Magic Trip" tells the story of Ken Kesey's legendary 1964 odyssey across the United States... D. Schwartz December 1, 2011
Big River Man: A Swim Down the Amazon
I simply couldn't say it better, so in fairness to you here is the film's synopsis directly from the website... D. Schwartz December 10, 2011
Woody Allen: A Documentary
"Woody Allen: A Documentary" is the Woody Allen film us fans have been waiting for. D. Schwartz November 29, 2010
The Art of Filmmaking: A Six-DVD Box Set
First Run Features continues to impress me with the breadth and depth of their coverage and support of independent filmmakers. Case-in-point: "The Art of Filmmaking". D. Schwartz November 29, 2010
Tales from the Script
Tales from the Script" features 61 screenwriters talking about their chosen profession. D. Schwartz November 19, 2011
Strangers No More: A Microcosm of Peace
Cablecast on HBO "Strangers No More" is an all-too-short Academy Award winning documentary about Bialik-Rogozin, a public school in Tel Aviv. D. Schwartz November 24, 2010
Rango: A Love Letter to the Movies
Once-in-blue-moon is too often. Once-in-a-paisley-moon is more like it. How frequently, that is, I review a narrative film for my CineSource review space... D. Schwartz November 15, 2011
Sing Your Song: The Life and Times of Harry Belafonte
Written, directed, and edited by veteran documentary editor Suzanne Rostock, "Sing Your Song" answers the question... D. Schwartz November 15, 2011
Finding Joe: Celebrating Joseph Campbell
Written and directed by Patrick Takaya Solomon, "Finding Joe" celebrates the impact of Joseph Campbell... D. Schwartz November 14, 2011
Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary
With "Capturing Reality" director Pepita Ferrari captures 38 documentarians... D. Schwartz September 15, 2011
Dolphin Boy: The Healing Power of Love
From the worst to the best and everything inbetween in our world. That's the grace, virtue, and challenge of documentary films. "Dolphin Boy"... D. Schwartz October 7, 2011
Superheroes: Real-Life Ones, That Is
I thoroughly enjoyed M. Night Shyamalan's "Unbreakable" and Matthew Vaughn's "Kick-Ass" as refreshingly different takes on the comic book movie... D. Schwartz October 9, 2011
Live Nude Girls Unite: Unionizing a Strip Club
Released in 2000, "Live Nude Girls Unite" tells the story of the 1996/97 battle... D. Schwartz October 14, 2011
Breasts: A Documentary
Produced and cablecast on Cinemax in 1996, "Breasts" features 22 women speaking of their breasts... D. Schwartz Setpember 24, 2011
Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird
Published more than 50 years ago, Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" remains a bestseller. Nearly one million copies sold each year... D. Schwartz September 27, 2011
Bravo!: Common Men, Uncommon Valor
Ken and Betty Rodgers' riveting documentary, "Bravo!", begins with three lines of text... D. Schwartz October 4, 2011
Farmageddon: The War on Raw
There's a civil war going on in the United States of America. It is quiet; it is hidden; it is censored as only our governments can censor... D. Schwartz September 12, 2011
Proteus: In Praise of Ernest Haeckel
The DVD cover text of David Lebrun's instant-classic documentary, "Proteus", describes the many layers of this many-layered film... D. Schwartz September 10, 2011
The Life and Death of Cells: Two Films about Cells
This First Run Features DVD contains two documentaries about aging: "Death by Design" and "The Life and Times of Life and Times". D. Schwartz August 24, 2011
Jane’s Journey: The Life and Work of Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall opens this documentary about herself and her work with this story: D. Schwartz August 28, 2011
The Garden: Avatar in South Central
"The Garden" documents the ongoing struggle of a group of people in South Central Los... D.Schwartz September 9, 2011
The Tiger Next Door: Big Cats in Small Cages
Released in 2009, "The Tiger Next Door" begins with the following text: "There are more... D. Schwartz September 4, 2011
The Gospel According to Philip K. Dick: A Profile…
Although the format of this documentary is simple, standard—talking heads interwoven with bits of animation... D. Schwartz August 26, 2011
pianomania: The Title Says It All
When Louis Malle's "My Dinner with Andre" was released in 1981, the film asked and answered the question... D. Schwartz August 24, 2011
Female Misbehavior: Five Films from Monika Treut
The 'mis,' of course, refers to sex. After viewing the four shorts and one feature on this single DVD—documentaries which ... D. Schwartz August 14, 2011
Emperor of Hemp: Through the Rabbit Hole
Produced in 1999, and narrated by Peter Coyote, "Emperor of Hemp" is a tightly focused portrait and biography of marijuana ... D. Schwartz August 1, 2011
The Garden: Avatar in South Central
"The Garden," documents the ongoing struggle of a group of people in South Central Los Angeles to save a 14 acre ‘garden’ D. Schwartz July 30, 2011
Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans
"Faubourg Tremé," a documentary by Dawn Logsdon and Lolis Eric Elie, covers the history and culture of the United States’ oldest... D. Schwartz July 28, 2011
Love Crimes of Kabul: Inside an Afghanistan Women’s Prison
"America. Love it or leave it," was the cry of those who distained 1960s protesters of injustice and inequity in the... D. Schwartz July 14, 2011
Dive!: Living Off America’s Waste
"Dive!" is a classic bait-and-switch documentary. The film's exclamation-pointed title... D. Schwartz July 16, 2011
A Matter of Taste: Serving Up Paul Liebrandt
Chocolate covered scallops; espuma of calf brains and foie gras; and beer and truffle soup are just three of hundreds— D. Schwartz July 18, 2011
Burma: A Human Tragedy
In 1995, I enjoyed "Beyond Rangoon", an 'action-drama' released by SONY, directed by John Boorman, and staring... D. Schwartz July 10, 2011
Paper Clips: A Holocaust Memorial in the American South
"Paper Clips" documents the conception and emergence of a Holocaust memorial in Christian-White-Rural-Conservative... D. Schwartz July 11, 2011
How to Live Forever: Exploring Aging
Mark Wexler's mother passed away a few years ago. Around that same time he received his AARP card. The time... D. Schwartz July 5, 2011
How to Die in Oregon: Death with Dignity
It never ceases to amaze that those who repeatedly and passionately cry "Freedom!" fight with equal passion against it... D. Schwartz July 4, 2011
Surfwise: The Life and Times of Dorian Paskowitz
Take Alan Arkin’s black comedy "Little Murders." Mix it with Peter Weir’s dark drama "The Mosquito Coast." Add a large shovel-full of reality. And you’ve got Doug Pray’s documentary, "Surfwise,"... D. Schwartz July 3, 2011
Precious Life: Sabotaging War
"Precious Life" was written and directed by Israeli war correspondent Shlomi Eldar... D. Schwartz June 30, 2011
I’m Dangerous with Love: The Story of Dimitri Mugianis
"I'm Dangerous with Love" accomplishes all that a standard-bearing documentary D. Schwartz June 28, 2011
Daddy I Do: Sex, Education, Pregnancy, and Teenagers
Cassie Jaye's "Daddy I Do" opens with a close-up of a beautiful... D. Schwartz June 26, 2011
The Age of Stupid
“It’s amazing,” the Archivist asks, “what state of mind were we in, to face extinction, and simply shrug it off?” He sits in a vast room... Don Schwartz June 24, 2011
I’ll Sing for You: The Ballad of Boubacar Traoré
Jacques Sarasin is not a prolific filmmaker, but when he makes ‘em, he makes ‘em good—with excellent cinematography and sound recording... D. Schwartz June 22, 2011
Sex Crimes Unit: Justice for Sex Crime Victims
Produced and directed by veteran filmmaker Lisa F. Jackson, HBO's "Sex Crimes Unit" is as advertised... D. Schwartz June 20, 2011
Food Beware: The French (Organic) Revolution
John Peterson Myers, Ph.D., presenting at an environmental health conference at UNESCO (http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/) headquarters... D. Schwartz June 18, 2011
American Meth: Following Virgil
Documentary filmmakers are Virgils escorting their viewers on countless journeys to Hell’s many worlds. Unlike Dante’s “Inferno,” however... D. Schwartz June 19, 2011
