Category Archives: Documentaries

We Are Wizards (2008)

Posted on March 24, 2014 by tom

You might remember that a  few years ago, there was a series of books featuring Harry Potter and his friends, who were all witches and wizards, and even though Harry failed every class he was in pretty much, they kept … Continue reading →

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It’s a Girl (2012)

Posted on March 7, 2014 by tom

It’s a Girl (2012) According to generally accepted statistics, over six-million Jews were killed during World War Two. The thought of this mass murder—organized and carried-out mainly by Heinrich Himmler (though, of course, others knew and participated)—is mind boggling. The … Continue reading →

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Serving Life, 2011

Posted on December 23, 2013 by tom

This documentary’s title—Serving Life—is a pun, in essence. It’s about a group of men at Angola State Prison in Louisiana, one of the most legendarily horrible prisons in the USA. Most of them are in for life sentences without parole. … Continue reading →

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Done the Impossible: The Fans’ Tale of Firefly & Serenity–A Documentary (2006)

Posted on December 2, 2013 by tom

Every time I stumble upon one of those Comic-Com shows online, where everyone goes all nutso because Captain Kirk and Captain Picard and Captain Crunch will all be on the same stage, I roll my eyes, and say a silent … Continue reading →

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And Everything is Going Fine (2010)

Posted on November 10, 2013 by tom

I don’t think anyone who saw Spalding Gray ever forgets the first time. For me, it was watching “Swimming to Cambodia” on HBO, of all places. It was my last year of college. It was late. The apartment was quiet … Continue reading →

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Life 2.0 (2010)

Posted on October 21, 2013 by tom

“Life 2.o” is a documentary look at people whose lives have been taken over by Second Life. Second Life is a free website that offers you the ability to create your own avatars, build posh homes, engage in friendships and … Continue reading →

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(A MUST for fans of Kubrick’s “The Shining”) “Room 237” (2012)

Posted on October 19, 2013 by tom

I just reviewed Stephen King’s new sequel to “The Shining,” “Doctor Sleep.” It’s an excellent novel—five stars out of five. So this seemed like the perfect occasion to write a few words about “Room 237,” a documentary about various conspiracy … Continue reading →

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The World Without US (2008);

Posted on October 13, 2013 by tom

“The World Without US” is a documentary asking a simple question: what if we pulled our military out of other countries, and used it only to defend ourselves? The filmmakers talk to a number of people, and they gather a … Continue reading →

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Gimme Shelter (1970)

Posted on August 15, 2013 by tom

Gimme Shelter (1970) Some people have said that the Monterey Pop Festival was the beginning of the Hippie Movement, “Summer of Love,” “Era of Flower Power,” or whatever the hell you want to call it. Regardless of your chosen moniker, … Continue reading →

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Radio Bikini (1988)

Posted on February 19, 2013 by tom

“Radio Bikini” is aptly named. Much of the audio in this amazing 52-minute documentary  comes from the Mutual and NBC Radio Networks’ coverage of “Operation Crossroads,” where the U.S. Army and Navy conducted two atomic bomb tests. It’s galling to … Continue reading →

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