Documentary — Movie Reviews

'Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish' Review: A Family Portrait So Personal It Forgets About the Viewer [OIAF 2022]

Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish is a personal portrayal of a family’s memories through stories and photographs, and it is undeniably beautiful, but a little too slow and quiet at times. The experimental nature of this film sometimes enhances its emotional connection to the viewer, while at other times, it hinders it.

'Sidney' Review: A Touching Farewell to a Hero of Hollywood [TIFF 2022]

Sidney, produced by Oprah Winfrey, is clearly meant as a loving tribute to Poitier. Some might accuse this project of wearing rose-coloured glasses, but Winfrey probably didn’t make this film for people who might think that way as her love and admiration for Poitier is impossible to doubt.

Biopic, Documentary, Festival Review, TIFFKyle ClimansSeptember 11, 2022Sidney Movie, Movie Review, TIFF 2022, Sidney Poitier, Oprah, Review of SidneyComment

'Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song' Review: It Will Mean Exactly as Much as it Means to You

The impact which the late Leonard Cohen left upon the arts is impossible to doubt. Yet even in Cohen’s impressive catalog, there is no song which left such an impression as the song “Hallelujah.” Its journey is explored and covered in the documentary Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song.

‘Oscar Peterson: Black + White’ Review: An Ode to Canada’s Most Beloved Musician [TIFF 2021]

‘Oscar Peterson: Black + White’ is one of the great music documentaries, and an essential release out of TIFF 2021. Guided lovingly by Barry Avrich, this tribute to the extraordinary life and career of Oscar Peterson must be seen by anyone who loves music, and especially if they love Oscar Peterson.

'Becoming Cousteau' Review: An Informative and Exciting Look Into the Legendary Oceanographer [TIFF 21]

Director Liz Garbus delves into the life of the legendary oceanographer through unique uses of voiceover, stock footage and visuals to bring an urgency to our current climate crisis.

Festival Review, DocumentaryJohn ShuttSeptember 12, 2021Becoming Cousteau, Liz Garbus, Documentary, TIFF 2021Comment

'Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil' Review: Addiction, Editorialized [SXSW 2021]

Though Demi Lovato appears to be a willing subject, “Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil” falters in telling her story due to its narrative-chasing and sterilized delivery from Michael D. Ratner.