American Factory

American Factory ain’t just American.

It used to be, then it closed. Thousands lost their jobs. Now, a Chinese company is moving in, and looking to hire. Maybe things’ll be like how they were?

As we follow their new journeys, employees from each country recount their old ones. Their exchanges are about as unstaged as it gets, and reveal mutual respect and similar values.

But trouble brews. Management expects work done the Chinese way, which is faster, longer, and more difficult than the Americans are used to.

What we have here is a philosophical movie, in a setting anything but.

Echo in the Canyon

The Echo in the Canyon fades quicker than you’d like.

Jakob Dylan wonders what happened in Laurel Canyon, California in the 1960s. So he asks around. And music legends answer: folk mixed with rock and roll; bands mixed with bands; just about everything mixed with drugs. The time was one of optimism and experimentation.

It is special to hear such personal stories from such influential people. But take note, this movie is more homage than history. Song covers feature as heavily as the interviews with their original performers. The movie is informative and fun, but nothing as special as the time it contemplates.

Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé

Beyoncé never had a Homecoming. So, she created her own.

Few people have the power to do this. Even fewer would use that power to leave a message to the marginalized that they are in fact beautiful, powerful, and worthwhile.

Beyoncé’s “message” was actually the headline performance of a popular music festival. Half the movie is a recording of this performance, which is impressive and fun. But because the other half documents the making-of and reason-for the performance, the end product is something greater than its parts: something heartwarming, uplifting, and infectiously funky.

Leaving Neverland

Leaving Neverland will change you. Enter at your own risk.

Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, a megastar adored worldwide. To some painfully average families, though, he professed to be lonely. This movie is an interview with a few of those few.

We start from the beginning, when Michael made connections through affection. How could those chosen say no? Out of everyone on the planet, he found them to be special. As the story continues, we learn how Michael used this and other techniques to his advantage; two interviewees recount childhood tales of what can only be considered sexual and emotional abuse.

This is a patient movie. It does not judge, it simply listens. And while it runs over four hours, such length is necessary to do (at least some) justice to the depth of delusion found in these relationships.

Shirkers

Shirkers should go down in movie history. You needn’t be a movie buff to enjoy it.

Sandi was a mean teen. But she was curious and creative, and could bond with others about how to see the world. So when writing a feature-length movie, she knew she would have the crew to make it a reality.

That movie couldn’t have been made without the help of local teacher and movie nerd, George. And strangely enough, it couldn’t be made with him, either. So begins the drama of this story.

Shirkers is different, and it’s great. It’s a world-class mystery and gorgeous time capsule, by and about master storytellers.

Studio 54

The stars that burn brightest, burn fastest.

Studio 54 wasn’t just the nightclub of 1970s New York. For those lucky enough to be allowed in, it was a safe haven from the crime, sexism, and homo/transphobia of the outside world. At Studio, the famous mingled with the oddballs, and people were too happy to judge one another.

Its creators pushed the limits, which made for legendary parties. But this also drew scorn from those turned away at the door, and caught the eye of law enforcement…

In the end, this is a story of humanity. It’s about the yearnings, weaknesses, and strengths that make us who we are.

Transformer

This Transformer ain’t no robot.

Kroc is determined, and always has been. It’s helped him become the high school football player, the Marine, the powerlifter best in his class. But Kroc has also always been in pain—because he wants to be a woman. Now 42 and father to three teenage sons, we watch him grapple with how to live his best life.

Watching this movie is a workout. Kroc and his family are deeply affected, and unsure of the way forward. But Transformer makes clear that sometimes, disagreeing parties can want what’s best for each other. So maybe, the pain is worth the gain.

Meru

Meru is a story of adventure and resilience.

Three professional climbers decide to try their luck on an unconquered peak. This is a bad idea: Meru has never been summited because it’s both technically challenging and very dangerous. Suffice it to say, the climbers encounter several obstacles.

This movie captures well the life of a climber: the day-to-day; the internal dialogue; how some messages remain unspoken when life is on a razor’s edge.

Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski

Stanislaw Szukalski was something of a bad boy artist. If you disagreed with him, you paid the consequences.

He lived through tough times. This influenced his art heavily—and not always for the better. Though whether popular, hated, or simply forgotten, he never compromised his values.

This unique story was almost lost to history, but for a twist of fate. Lucky for us.

The American Meme

The American Meme is alive, but is it well?

Interviews with social media icons (Paris Hilton, The Fat Jewish, etc.) explore fame in the internet age. As expected, the interviewees put everything on the table. You may be surprised to hear what they think.

They'll Love Me When I'm Dead

This is a movie about a movie about a movie. It gets more confusing.

For years, Hollywood blacklisted Orson Welles. Never mind that many critics believed his Citizen Kane to be the greatest movie ever made. Deeply hurt by this mistreatment, the aging director tried one last time to be accepted by the mainstream.

With wonderfully edited footage, we learn about Welles’ last work—and really, about one complicated man.

Mountain

This movie is a meditation on mountains and their relationship with humankind.

Beautiful montages are the star here. The narration can be informative, too. But it can also be distracting, especially when the stilted poetry comes in.

Free Solo

Free Solo may be the most heart-pounding movie you’ll ever see.

Alex Honnold is a quiet, unassuming man; thoughtful and practical. But what he does for a living is rock-climb thousands of feet into the air without any safety gear. By following Honnold on his latest quest, and through interviews with family and friends, this movie responds to some of the burning questions that such behavior elicits.

Psychological study aside, this movie is a must-watch simply because seeing Honnold in his element is such a unique, exhilarating experience.

Amy

Amy tells the story of renowned singer Amy Winehouse.

Through a montage of home videos and photos, we learn about Amy’s yin-yang life of success and hardship.

It is a powerful, powerfully sad movie. Amy will make you smile throughout.

What We Do in the Shadows

What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary about vampires.

Vampires usually live in castles. Not these few, who have decided to room together in Wellington, New Zealand. A film crew has been promised immunity to document the unusual flat, providing insight into the never-before-seen life of modern vampires. 

Endless clever jokes and special effects almost make up for a storyline that lacks a compelling crescendo.

Hooligan Sparrow

Hooligan Sparrow is a sobering film about the labors of human rights activist Ye Hainan in China.

We follow Ye as she seeks justice for six allegedly sexually-abused schoolgirls. Her calls fall on government ears that range from unsympathetic to downright belligerent. Ye's life becomes a war of attrition, at times draining to watch. 

Hooligan Sparrow portrays a terrifying reality of governmental power over communities. It also serves as an excellent example of why documenting abuses is important.

The Rachel Divide

The Rachel Divide is positively saturated with information and opinions about Rachel Dolezal, a woman born to white parents who identifies as black.

The movie does three things. First, it's a soundboard for opinions on transracialism and Dolezal's self-identity. Second, it fleshes out Dolezal's eventful past. Third, it offers a glimpse at Dolezal's current mundane, yet strained life. 

The presentation of facts and opinions is largely unbiased. 

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

Legendary actress Hedy Lamarr lead an unbelievable life, though it was by no means a Hollywood fairy tale.

She was renowned for her striking beauty. But Bombshell reveals Lamarr to have been far more than a show pony. After grueling days working in the slave-driving, early-Hollywood studio system, by night Lamarr made time to do what she really loved: invent.  

Bombshell is at once heartbreaking and uplifting.

Icarus

Icarus tells a wild story about drug doping in competitive sports. It's a movie in two parts.

In the first part, the director quests to see how drug doping would affect his amateur cycling. The second part focuses on the doping mastermind, Grigory Rodchenkov. It's here the film kicks into high gear. Whilst helping the amateur, this head of Russia’s national anti-doping laboratory becomes embroiled in the investigation of Russia's state-sponsored doping program.

The timeline is sometimes difficult to follow. And the movie is a bit long. But these faults don't undercut an otherwise electrifying flick.