Known for his mournful “Adagio for Strings,” Samuel Barber was never quite fashionable. “Samuel Barber: Absolute Beauty” is a probing exploration of the American composer’s music and melancholia.
Known for his mournful “Adagio for Strings,” Samuel Barber was never quite fashionable. “Samuel Barber: Absolute Beauty” is a probing exploration of the American composer’s music and melancholia.
An expansive look at the exceptional life and legacy of Clarence Avant, one of the most influential dealmakers in music, entertainment, and politics over the last 60 years.
The ideas that dominate the tech industry and our day to day lives were born at General Magic, a secretive Silicon Valley start-up that shipped the first handheld personal communicator (or “smartphone”) in 1994. While the device and company ultimately failed, the team behind General Magic has gone on to change the lives of billions. Featuring legendary members of the original Macintosh team, along with the creators of the iPod, iPhone, Android, and eBay, the film combines rare archival footage with contemporary stories of the “Magicians” today. This is the story of what happens when those who have a dream to change the world fail, fail again, fail better, and ultimately succeed.
This intimate portrait examines one of the world’s most beloved and inventive comedians. Told largely through Robin’s own voice and using a wealth of never-before-seen archive, the film takes us through his extraordinary life and career and reveals the spark of madness that drove him.
Academy Award nominee Mickey Rourke narrates the illuminating (New York Daily News) and gorgeous (Village Voice) documentary about seven rivals Phil Heath, Kai Greene, Branch Warren, Dennis Wolf, Victor Martinez, Ben Pakulski, Hidetada Yamagishi and Roelly Winklaar as they battle for the title of Mr. Olympia. But beyond the gym, the stage, and the misconceptions about the sport, how far will each of them go to achieve the ultimate in extreme physical perfection? Experience this fascinating (Washington Post) true story of discipline, defeat, redemption and triumph, featuring special appearances by Michael Jai White, Lou Ferrigno and many others!
A documentary examining the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke and the cover-up that ensued. After the police initially declared the shooting as justified, journalists and activists fought for footage of the event to be released, sending the Chicago Police Department and local Chicago government officials into upheaval as the community demanded justice.
A documentary that captures a live tribute concert for Leonard Cohen featuring Sting, Courtney Love, Elvis Costello, Adam Cohen, The Lumineers, Seth Rogan and other artists. This film provides unprecedented access to performing artists, including rehearsal footage and a glimpse behind the scenes.
Narrated by Public Enemy’s Chuck D, the documentary traverses Haywood’s life from his humble beginnings in Mississippi raised by a single mother to his induction into the NBA Hall of Fame. Basketball provided him a way out and in foregoing college to play hoops, he irrevocably changed the rules of how the game was played from the very top echelons of the NBA. As a 20-year old former Olympian, Haywood sue the NBA for the right to turn pro without finishing college. The case went to the Supreme Court and in 1971, the Court’s decided in favor of Haywood. Subsequently, the decision abolished the NBA’s mandatory draft eligibility requirement of four years of college. The ruling paved the way for today’s NBA’s superstars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett to bypass college and play in NBA teams right out of high school.
A documentary on the unrest in Ukraine during 2013 and 2014, as student demonstrations supporting European integration grew into a violent revolution calling for the resignation of President Viktor F. Yanukovich
The unprecedented success story of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi began high up in the Himalayas. In the late 50s the guru arrived in Hollywood to propagate his school of meditation and “achieve world peace”. He attracted numerous prominent followers, including the Beatles, Mia Farrow and Clint Eastwood. Today almost six million people worldwide practice transcendental meditation (TM). David, a young filmmaker seeking inspiration, is also prepared to give TM a try. Not least because his great professional idol, legendary director David Lynch, has personally assured him that this form of meditation is a great source of creativity and the key to success. David determines to take his hero’s word for it: he submits himself to the expensive TM training, receives his personal mantra and has a go at “yogic flying”. But incongruities soon begin to pile up. Among other things, the organization of the humble Indian guru has, in the meantime, grown into an empire worth billions. When the Maharishi …
Canvassing six decades of Ella Fitzgerald’s astonishing trajectory from a teenager living on the streets of Harlem to her life changing appearance at the Apollo Theatre, JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS illustrates her sublime transformation, reconstructing the stale stock narrative into a well-rounded examination of her mixed fortunes.
A documentary about legendary climber Jerzy Kukuczka. Second person in the world to climb all Eight-thousanders.