Tag Archive for 'Documentary'

…Bomb It explores graffiti?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on May 29, 2008
in Movies
. Closed

Bomb It

Bomb It “is the explosive new documentary from award-winning director Jon Reiss investigating the most subversive and controversial art form currently shaping international youth culture: graffiti”.

    Through interviews and guerilla footage of graffiti writers in action on 5 continents, Bomb It tells the story of graffiti from its origins in prehistoric cave paintings thru its notorious explosion in New York City during the 70’s and 80’s, then follows the flames as they paint the globe. Featuring old school legends and current favorites such as Taki 183, Cornbread, Stay High 149, T-Kid, Cope 2, Zephyr, Revs, Os Gemeos, KET, Chino, Shepard Fairey, Revok, and Mear One. This cutting edge documentary tracks down today’s most innovative and pervasive street artists as they battle for control over the urban visual landscape. You’ll never look at public space the same way again.

Locations include Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tijuana, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, Berlin, Cape Town, São Paulo, and Tokyo, so all the hot spots are covers as well.

Conclusion: If you have even a passing interest in graffiti, its history, its effect, and its current status, then Bomb It looks like a can’t miss film.

[Bomb It]

[Via: Juxtapoz]

…It’s Movie Monday: Google Me?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on April 28, 2008
in Movies
. 2 Comments

Google Me The Movie

What do a cop, a swinger, an Irish priest, an engineer, a father of eight, an Aussie and a gambler have in common?

They all share one name: Jim Killeen.

Google Me is a film about one Jim Killeen’s search to find other Jim Killeens, and find out what their stories are.

[Google Me]

[Via: NOTCOT]

…Rampenfest is going to be impressive?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on March 25, 2008
in Advertising
. Closed

The Ramp

Someone owes the BMW ad guys a congratulations, because “Rampenfest” looks fantastic.

The premise is that a Bavarian town called Oberpfaffelbachen is going “to celebrate the launch of the new BMW 1-Series in America” by constructing “a gigantisch Ramp to launch a BMW 1-Series into America.” The ramp “stands and impressive 454 meters – tall enough to launch a 300-horsepower 1-Series over the Atlantic and into America!”

For more details, check out the Oberpfaffelbachen site, as well as the Rampenfest documentary site, and get ready to witness history being made.

[Oberpfaffelbachen]

[Rampenfest]

…The Bridge and The King of Kong are fantastic documentaries?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on March 17, 2008
in Movies
. Closed

I watched two fantastic (and fantastically different) documentaries this weekend, so I’ve decided to make this post a hybrid review of both.

The BridgeFirst, there was The Bridge, a morbid (and controversial) yet fascinating look at those that decide to end their lives by jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge.

For a year, director Eric Steel aimed his cameras at the majestic and iconic bridge, capturing nearly two-dozen suicides and an equally high number of prevented or failed attempts. Switching between long, beautiful shots of the bridge and close, almost biographical shots of those teetering on the edge of life, it juxtaposes the two sides of the bridge perfectly, and you find yourself engulfed by a landmark with a personality all its own.

The Bridge also features interviews with the friends, family, and loved ones of each jumper, and attempts to explain the story and the history of those featured. You slowly begin to understand a little bit of what each person was going through, and you can see their affect on those around them.

And then they jump.

If the thought of watching someone end his or her life in front of an unknown eye disturbs you, then this film is definitely not for you; but if you’re interested in trying to understand what someone goes through at the lowest of lows, then I can’t think of a better way to do it.

King Of Kong: A Fistful Of QuartersSecond, there was King of King: A Fistful of Quarters, a humorous and touching look at those that have decided to dedicate a part of their lives to becoming the best in the world at their classic video game of choice.

The two “stars” are the perfect poster children for a hobby that only a select few find excitement in. Steve Wiebe, the family man who sits in his garage and games away while his family stands by and supports his quest, goes against Billy Mitchell, the long haired hot sauce salesman who has held the title for over twenty years, yet struggles to live up to the crown that he has placed upon his own head.

Though a film about video game records doesn’t exactly sound like an attention grabber, this film manages to capture the heart and soul of each gamer through interviews and over the shoulders in a way that draws you in and makes you a part of the action. You feel for the two men and their quest (along with the handful of supporting characters), and you begin to understand how these games can become a symbol of something more than just the record.

[The Bridge]

[King Of Kong: A Fistful Of Quarters]

[Rotten Tomatoes - The Bridge]

[Rotten Tomatoes - King Of Kong: A Fistful Of Quarters]

…It’s Movie Monday: 10 MPH?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on February 11, 2008
in Movies
. Closed

10 MPH

10 MPH is “a comical documentary that follows a pair of aspiring filmmakers as they quit their jobs and turn a friend’s ludicrous idea into a movie. The impulsive purchase of a two-wheeled Segway scooter sets this story in motion when the two friends decide to travel from Seattle to Boston at 10 mph in an attempt to change their lives forever… What ensues is a road trip like none other with a haphazard cast of characters you could only find on a zany 100-day trek through America’s back roads. Each poignant story the two friends discover along the way inspires a craving inside to go out and do that thing you’re supposed to do.”

What’s interesting is that they’ve taken this film to the indie extreme, making money through a partnership with OurStage, and going open source by showing you how to make your own movie with the 10 MPH DIY Manual.

The entire film is shown below, but be sure to check out the 10 MPH site to help support the cause.

[10 MPH]

…The MacHeads are coming?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on January 23, 2008
in Movies
. Closed

Apple

MacHeads The Movie is a documentary about Apple fanboys.

Though little else is known, the trailer definitely gives a good idea of what the film is all about, so stay tuned for more.

[MacHeads The Movie]

[Via: Gizmodo]

…It’s Movie Monday: FreeDocumentaries.org?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on November 5, 2007
in Movies
. 1 Comment

FreeDocumentaries.org

Though it’s heavily political, FreeDocumentaries.org is a great place to go for “interesting and provocative documentary films” including Bowling for Columbine, Super Size Me, and Fahrenheit 9/11.

[FreeDocumentaries.org]

[Via: Random Good Stuff]

…It’s Things Thursday: Air Guitar Nation?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on September 13, 2007
in Movies
. Closed

US Air Guitar

Unfortunately, the air guitar is a dying art.

Thankfully, there are musicians out doing their best to revive it, and the prognosis is positive.

First, there’s the 2007 Air Guitar World Championships, which reigning champ Ochi Dainoji Yosuke of Japan continued to dominate, repeating his success from last year with another champion level performance:

Then, there’s Air Guitar Nation, a documentary about the birth of the National Air Guitar Championships, and the unique musicians that dare to master the air, such as David “C. Diddy” Jung and Dan “Bjorn Turoque”:

Will the air guitar get you the chicks?

No

Will the air guitar make you famous?

No

Will the air guitar take your life to 11?

Hell Yeah!

[US Air Guitar Championships]

[Via: Book Of Joe]

[Via: Uncrate]

…Top Gear built a space shuttle?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on February 22, 2007
in Cars
. Closed

Top Gear Rocket

Top Gear, the very popular British automentary (television documentary about autos), stands by the motto “Go big or go home”.Recently Richard Hammond, one of the show’s presenters, was seriously injured after crashing a rocket-powered car at over 300 MPH.

Now, their latest debacle was an attempt at building and launching a space shuttle out of a Reliant Robin (a car not found in the US). The goal was to launch the car, and then glide it back down to the ground via remote control, though that’s not exactly what happened. (Skip to about 2:29 left in the video if you just want to see the good stuff).

[Via: Autoblog]

…It’s Movie Monday: Dust To Glory?

Published
by
Cory O'Brien
on January 22, 2007
in Movies
. Closed

Dust To Glory

Dust To Glory is an epic action-adventure documentary of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, an off road race from Ensenada to La Paz Mexico (the Baja Peninsula) that tests the hearts, minds and machines of hundreds of individuals and teams each year. The movie isn’t just about the race though, focusing instead on the people that participate, and the passion and the persistence that goes into completing the Baja. Not sure what I mean? How about a few quotes from the movie:

  • If you win, four grand, maybe.
  • The buggy wasn’t prepared to stop in the middle of the road, and the Volkswagen wasn’t prepared for such little room. (Crash) Neither were prepared that the buggy would start from the bumpers touching, and that the Volkswagen wouldn’t start. Then a good Samaritan came along, waved along the truck, which got its fender ripped off, thus starting the Volkswagen. A pattern had begun to develop.
  • Don’t let off the gas. Whatever you do, do not let off the gas.
  • A concern for safety would start a 20,000 horsepower free for all.
  • I’ve bounced off of front ends of cars. I’ve bounced off of fences. I’ve bounced off of cattle. You know, it’s a little bit like Russian Roulette.
  • The Weatherman knows death is neither fair, nor just, and there’s nothing to do, but to go back to work.
  • To finish first, you have to first finish.
  • He took a center line, held it wide open, and prayed.
  • Outside is utter chaos, but that chaos is around ‘em, and they’re sitting in the middle of the tornado, the eye of the storm.
  • They challenge it not for money or fame, but for simple bragging rights.
  • Racers don’t race because they want to die. They want to go fast.

Though the people are the movie, it’s the cinematography that makes the movie. Brought to you by the same people behind Step Into Liquid, Dust To Glory is filled with enough action and enough adventure to get your own heart pumping and your own adrenaline flowing. There are the long range helicopter shots, the first person helmet mounted camera shots, the camera in the road shots, the camera in the car shots, and the occasional home movie shot just to keep it really real. You’ll feel the dust, and you’ll feel the glory, and in the end, you’ll wish you were there. It’s like they say, “It’s a hell of a race”.

[Dust To Glory]

[IMDb - Dust To Glory]

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