R’s Top 3 | gardner k. grout

[18] The House I Live in

Film, Sundance, US Documentary Comments Off

Jan 042012

Title	THE HOUSE I LIVE IN
Synopsis	Eugene Jarecki’s seminal film Why We Fight dissected the underbelly of the American war machine. Now, with scalpel-like precision, Jarecki turns his lens on a less visible war—one that is costing more lives, destroying more families, and quickly becoming a scourge on the soul of American society. In the past 40 years, the War on Drugs has accounted for 45 million arrests, made America the world’s largest jailer, and destroyed impoverished communities at home and abroad. Yet drugs are cheaper, purer, and more available today than ever. Where did we go wrong, and what can be done?
Programmer Quotes	Portrays the war on drugs as a “blemish on the soul of America, heart wrenching”[R'S TOP 3]
Gardner says:	From the director of last year’s acclaimed “Reagan” this looks to be an important and well-made film.
Director	Eugene Jarecki
Screenwriter	Eugene Jarecki
Producer	EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Joslyn Barnes, Nick Fraser, Danny Glover PRODUCERS Melinda Shopsin, Sam Cullman, Christopher St. John ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS Shirel Kozak, Daniel DiMauro, Kara Elverson
Cast
Country	() Cast: Director: Genre: by CinemaRx

[23] Searching for Sugar Man

Sundance, US Documentary Comments Off

Dec 312011

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Cast:

Director:

Genre:

Title	SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN
Synopsis	Rodriguez was the greatest ’70s U.S. rock icon who never was. His albums were critically well-received, but sales bombed, and he faded away into obscurity among rumors of a gruesome death. However, as fate would have it, a bootleg copy of his record made its way to South Africa, where his music became a phenomenal success. In a country suppressed by apartheid, his antiestablishment message connected with the people.When his second album finally gets released on CD in South Africa, two fans take it as a sign, deciding to look into the mystery of how Rodriguez died and what happened to all of the profits from his album sales. Since very little information about the singer exists, they meet many obstacles until they uncover a shocking revelation that sets off a wild chain of events that has to be seen to be believed. SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN is a story of hope, inspiration, and the resonating power of music. - T.G.
Programmer Quotes	Predicted to win the audience award. One of R’s top 3
Gardner says:	More than one programmer praised this one.
Director	Malik Bendjelloul
Screenwriter	Malik Bendjelloul
Producers	Simon Chinn, Nicole Stott, George Chignell
Cast
Country	SWEDEN

[24] Queen of Versailles

Sundance, US Documentary Comments Off

Dec 312011

Title	QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
Synopsis	With the epic dimensions of a Shakespearean tragedy, The Queen of Versailles follows billionaires Jackie and David’s rags-to-riches story to uncover the innate virtues and flaws of the American dream. We open on the triumphant construction of the biggest house in America, a sprawling, 90,000-square-foot mansion inspired by Versailles. Since a booming time-share business built on the real-estate bubble is financing it, the economic crisis brings progress to a halt and seals the fate of its owners. We witness the impact of this turn of fortune over the next two years in a riveting film fraught with delusion, denial, and self-effacing humor.
Programmer Quotes	Cultural critique of USA. Delicious
Gardner says:	Modern royalty can’t build something as big as these time-share magnates. Love to see this one. A little drama: The filmmakers are being sued by their subject.
Director	Lauren Greenfield
Screenwriters
Producers	Frank Evers, Dan Cogan
Cast
IMBD	() Cast: Director: Genre: by CinemaRx

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