In the midst of its very own Shark Week, Netflix renewed its content deal with cable favorite Discovery Communications. The content deal brings "a wide range of additional episodes and series" from the Discovery networks," Netflix said Sept. 21. The companies' joint press release cited "highlights" such "Man vs. Wild" (pictured), "Say Yes to … [Read more...]
Spurlock sets Hulu series
Offbeat documentary maker Morgan Spurlock goes exclusive with Hulu for a six-part series titled "A Day in the Life." It debuts Aug. 17. The Spurlock show is Hulu's first long-form original program. It will stream on Hulu and Hulu Plus, meaning free for all viewers. New half-hour episodes roll out on Wednesdays. Each episode focuses on the day … [Read more...]
‘If God Is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise’
Spike Lee began filming his second New Orleans documentary on the day of the 2010 Super Bowl, with cameras rolling in Miami and New Orleans. They were shooting "because we knew the Saints were gonna win," Lee recalls. After capturing the wild celebration following the city's first Super Bowl win, "We thought we had the (documentary's) ending … [Read more...]
‘The Last Waltz’: Playing with the Band
Martin Scorsese's "The Last Waltz" -- the "Raging Bull" of concert movies -- opens with a knockout punch: Members of the Band, exhausted after six hours of nonstop performing, power into their final song, "Don't Do It." Although the performance was recorded live nearly 30 years ago, the Blu-ray audio startles with its punch and immediacy. Bass … [Read more...]
‘Monterey Pop’ on Criterion Blu-ray
Monterey the rock festival still stands in the shadows of the unruly and iconic Woodstock, but "Monterey Pop" the film has no rival as a time capsule of late-'60s rock. D.A. Pennebaker's documentary was smarter, hipper and more musical than other rock films of the era. Yes, that includes the endlessly celebrated "Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & … [Read more...]
