1
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Herself (2020)
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Diane Carson
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As Sandra, Clare Dune, who co-wrote the script, is exceptional, registering the spectrum of emotions.
EDIT
Posted Jan 19, 2021
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2
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The White Tiger (2021)
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Diane Carson
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As talented director Bahrani demonstrates in his earlier films set in America ("99 Homes," "Man Push Cart," and "Goodbye Solo") this contrast of privilege and struggle is not just an Indian story.
EDIT
Posted Jan 19, 2021
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3
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Film About a Father Who (2020)
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Diane Carson
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It may raise the question, "Can we ever really understand another person?" Whatever the answer, Lynne Sachs shows her effort results in a powerful, haunting film.
EDIT
Posted Jan 15, 2021
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4
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One Night in Miami (2020)
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Diane Carson
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These actors astonished me in almost every scene, their vulnerability and believability flawless.
EDIT
Posted Jan 11, 2021
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5
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Wolfwalkers (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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The film might be a tad long and it might be a skosh scary for really wee ones, but it fights for wolves and for girls with admirable animation.
EDIT
Posted Jan 6, 2021
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6
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Soul (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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"Soul" has a lesson, one children can afford to learn, about our purpose in life, about our spark, about our music.
EDIT
Posted Jan 5, 2021
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7
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Pieces of a Woman (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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It requires a strong heart and close attention to its layers and nuances, for it presents a woman's story as intense as any man's story of war.
EDIT
Posted Jan 5, 2021
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8
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The Professor and the Madman (2019)
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Martha K. Baker
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Winchester's well-written book evolved into a mess of a movie.
EDIT
Posted Jan 5, 2021
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9
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Happiest Season (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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Well directed by Clea Duvall.
EDIT
Posted Jan 5, 2021
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10
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Superintelligence (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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It's a massive moral wrapped in founts of fun.
EDIT
Posted Jan 5, 2021
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11
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Fatale (2020)
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Diane Carson
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I was attracted, to my dismay now, by two actors I admire immensely-Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy... Nevertheless, they soldier on, delivering good performances in ludicrous roles.
EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2021
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12
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Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
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Diane Carson
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The supporting actors perform well, and the technical crew create an appealing, fanciful world. So, if superheroes appeal, though there are mere nods to non-sexist presentations, "Wonder Woman 84" beckons.
EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2021
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13
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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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Every single minute matters.
EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2021
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14
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The Prom (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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For the film adaptation of "The Prom," director Ryan Murphy ("Glee") saps energy from the live stage production, but he could not erase all the fun.
EDIT
Posted Jan 4, 2021
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15
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Bright Future (2003)
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Diane Carson
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[Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa] embeds astute social commentary in narrative details, as he does exceptionally well in "Bright Future".
EDIT
Posted Dec 30, 2020
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16
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Let Them All Talk (2020)
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Diane Carson
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As often with Soderbergh, what comes across as lightweight entertainment harbors a deeply insightful awareness of human behavior.
EDIT
Posted Dec 28, 2020
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17
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News of the World (2020)
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Diane Carson
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Revisiting familiar terrain, as accomplished as this filmmaking is, "News of the World" has an uphill battle to surprise and please.
EDIT
Posted Dec 28, 2020
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18
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The Dissident (2020)
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Diane Carson
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[Director Bryan] Fogel courageously pulls back the curtain to reveal the ugly truth of Khashoggi's death.
EDIT
Posted Dec 28, 2020
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19
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Another Round (2020)
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Diane Carson
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As Martin, Mads Mikkelsen delivers another complex, compelling performance, his face a landscape registering his kaleidoscopic fears, hesitation, and elation.
EDIT
Posted Dec 16, 2020
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20
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On the Rocks (2020)
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Diane Carson
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The script is both clever and deceptively astute... On the Rocks" is quiet, restrained, and wonderful.
EDIT
Posted Dec 16, 2020
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21
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To the Ends of the Earth (2019)
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Diane Carson
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To the Ends of the Earth" raises consciousness of outsiders and appreciation of what truly makes life worthwhile.
EDIT
Posted Dec 16, 2020
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22
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Mank (2020)
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Diane Carson
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"Mank" is entertaining but also glib, cavalier, and trite-the alcoholic, genius writer.
EDIT
Posted Dec 11, 2020
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23
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Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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A tolerable film.
EDIT
Posted Dec 7, 2020
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24
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Belly of the Beast (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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No one should watch this without becoming exercised over racist exploitation of eugenics.
EDIT
Posted Dec 7, 2020
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25
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The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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Radha Blank is a tour de force.
EDIT
Posted Dec 7, 2020
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26
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Collective (2019)
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Diane Carson
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A credit to great journalism.
EDIT
Posted Dec 4, 2020
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27
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America's Last Little Italy: The Hill (2020)
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Diane Carson
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Rich with informative interviews with long-time residents, fascinating archival footage and photographs, this masterfully edited documentary highlights uplifting community spirit.
EDIT
Posted Dec 1, 2020
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28
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The Grizzlies (2018)
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Diane Carson
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As Russ, Ben Schnetzer expresses the perfect balance of dismay and determination, listening and learning, connecting to these beleaguered teenagers, most appearing for the first time in a film, handling humor and serious events with equal skill.
EDIT
Posted Nov 30, 2020
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29
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Mayor (2020)
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Diane Carson
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"Mayor" remedies the derelict absence of complex depictions of Ramallah, expanding our understanding in gratifying ways.
EDIT
Posted Nov 30, 2020
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30
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The Life Ahead (2020)
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Diane Carson
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I hope Sophia Loren and her son work together again, soon, given the accomplished filmmaking in "The Life Ahead."
EDIT
Posted Nov 23, 2020
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31
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The Last Vermeer (2019)
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Diane Carson
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Perhaps a bit too cerebral, nevertheless, "The Last Vermeer" probes important historical and moral issues.
EDIT
Posted Nov 16, 2020
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32
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Fire Will Come (2019)
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Diane Carson
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In their debut films, Amador and Benedicta suggest volumes with few words.
EDIT
Posted Nov 16, 2020
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33
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Us Kids (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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No matter what the director does, it's impossible to watch these stalwart young people without weeping - for their losses as much as for their gains.
EDIT
Posted Nov 13, 2020
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34
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The Dilemma of Desire (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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"The Dilemma of Desire" breaks no new ground with the form of the documentary film, but it piles on plenty of needed sex ed. for home and school.
EDIT
Posted Nov 13, 2020
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35
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Ammonite (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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"Ammonite" may not be totally true, but at least it brings these women's names before the public.
EDIT
Posted Nov 13, 2020
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36
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The Social Dilemma (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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Truly, this outstanding documentary is scarier than a horror film because it investigates truth in social media, and truth terrifies.
EDIT
Posted Nov 5, 2020
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37
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I Am Greta (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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"I Am Greta" does not electrify in and of itself, but it does record a few years in the life of a dedicated young woman who makes a difference.
EDIT
Posted Nov 5, 2020
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38
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Radium Girls (2018)
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Martha K. Baker
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These stories must be told even today because a Geiger counter, waved over the grave of a radium girl, clicks for 1,000 years.
EDIT
Posted Nov 5, 2020
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39
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Rebecca (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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The mystery worked for Du Maurier and Hitchcock. Not here.
EDIT
Posted Nov 4, 2020
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40
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Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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His satire stands on the shoulders of Jonathan Swift, the 17th-century Irishman, who knew a modest proposal when he wrote one. Baron Cohen has written another. And it bites immodestly.
EDIT
Posted Nov 4, 2020
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41
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The Swerve (2018)
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Diane Carson
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As Holly, Azura Skye commands the screen with a psychological intensity as rare as it is compelling.
EDIT
Posted Nov 2, 2020
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42
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Martin Eden (2019)
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Diane Carson
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Beautifully shot and superbly acted throughout.
EDIT
Posted Oct 27, 2020
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43
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My Octopus Teacher (2020)
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Diane Carson
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As astonishing as it is heartwarming.
EDIT
Posted Oct 27, 2020
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44
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On the Record (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, who co-directed the searing documentary, "The Hunting Ground," about serial rapes on college campuses, have directed another outstanding wedge film.
EDIT
Posted Oct 20, 2020
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45
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Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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[Director Mary Wharton] skillfully enfolds the political with the musical.
EDIT
Posted Oct 20, 2020
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46
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Totally Under Control (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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[A] powerful, persuasive documentary.
EDIT
Posted Oct 20, 2020
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47
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Flannery (2019)
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Martha K. Baker
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[A] fantastic documentary.
EDIT
Posted Oct 20, 2020
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48
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In Case of Emergency (2020)
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Martha K. Baker
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A moving force of a film... The film - beautiful and painful - enforces gratitude for nurses and encourages change.
EDIT
Posted Oct 20, 2020
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49
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Nationtime (1972)
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Diane Carson
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The rich, and sometime contested, diversity of ideas is on full display. Given 2020's events, it is not surprising, though it is unfortunate, that the National Black Agenda, published in May 1972, is still so relevant.
EDIT
Posted Oct 19, 2020
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50
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This Is Not a Movie (2019)
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Diane Carson
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A terrific movie.
EDIT
Posted Oct 19, 2020
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