Showing posts with label Documentary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Documentary. Show all posts

Monday 17 March 2014

How to Survive a Plague Movie Review

Movie review of How to Survive a Plague directed by David France

Director: David France

UK Release Date: 8th November 2013

Running Time: 110 minutes 

Starring: Peter Staley, Larry Kramer, Iris Long, Mark Harrington, Jim Eigo


"How to Survive a Plague" is not initially what you expect from the title but as this documentary by David France advances you soon see why the chosen title is appropriate.  Prior to watching you could easily expect an apocalyptic film filled with zombies or something similar, however, what you find is the real life battle two AIDS activists groups faced from the onset of the disease and go on to challenge the FDA to get other AIDS drugs approved for use - AIDS is the plague. 

The documentary uses a collaboration of archival footage that has not yet been seen before to show the actions taken by Act Up and TAG (Treatment Action Group).  "How to Survive a Plague" gives the audience unparallelled access to heated meetings, actions, failures, mistakes and not forgetting the fundamental breakthroughs these two activist groups made during the 1980's and 1990's.

"How to Survive a Plague" is an excellent example of documentary making at its finest.  It is interesting and uses real archival footage, some of which has been captured by the activists themselves, and puts it together in an manner that explains, informs and impassions the audience. Emotional clips are authentic and offer the opportunity for the audience to connect to the story and documentary on another level. 

Documentary film review of How to Survive a Plague

Other aspects away from the actual story of "How to Survive a Plague" also make it an enjoyable experience while watching.  It feels simple.  It has not been over complicated in anyway.  The accompanying soundtrack is perfect - it fits in and does not feel obtrusive to the story being told and is a great match, helping to shape the feel of the documentary.  Praise has to go to director, David France, for being able to bring together each detail which each have their own specific asset of being included in the film. 

This documentary is an excellent watch. It can be likened to "Fire in the Blood" (2013) a documentary also on the AIDS virus.  "How to Survive a Plague" is a powerful documentary that is good to watch.  The inspiring story is not let down at all from the way it is portrayed and all involved should be credited and praised for their efforts in getting this story onto the big screen.  

M+F Rating: 8/10


Reviewed by M+F Reviews.

Monday 10 March 2014

Fire in the Blood Movie Review

Review of Dylan Mohan Gray's documentary Fire in the Blood
 
Director: Dylan Mohan Gray

UK Release Date: 22nd February 2013

Running Time: 87 minutes

Starring: William Hurt, Bill Clinton, Desmond Tutu, James Love, Peter Mugyenyi, Yusuf Hamied

We recently posted a preview of "Fire in the Blood" and now we have had the honour of watching the documentary ourselves. The documentary is directed by Dylan Mohan Gray and is powerful, emotional and honest.  These three aspects of the documentary make it an excellent film and is perfect in telling the true yet disgustingly unbelievable true story.

"Fire in the Blood" details how Western Governments and large pharmaceutical companies have used patents to over price poorer countries and people out of purchasing life saving AIDS medicines calls ARVs. They have also blocked the production of generic drugs (drugs that are very similar but are much cheaper) which is literally causing the deaths of millions of people in third world countries.  The documentary features interviews with Bill Clinton and Desmond Tutu while more importantly giving the chance for the activists fighting for cheaper drugs to speak.

Documentary review of Fire in the Blood

Throughout the film the common feeling is of disbelief.  The audience is is disbelief that companies would force people to die rather than reduce the costs of drugs - essentially putting money and profits over the value of someone's life.  The good thing about the way the documentary is filmed is that it does not play on the emotion of the audience, the topic and story is powerful enough that no gimmicks are needed or used.  This really gives "Fire in the Blood" the authenticity it needs to give this story the stage it needs to gain more support.

It features individual stories of those fighting against the pharmaceutical companies as well as stories of those who have been affected directly.  Some have AIDS themselves and have access to the drug now, but may not be able to in the future due to new laws being imposed that pharmaceutical companies have forced into play.  These true stories fit side by side with those explaining the story of what is happening in a way that the audience can understand and relate to. This is fundamentally important in portraying the message that is conveyed throughout the documentary as with the involvement of many different countries, people and world-wide organisations it could have got very confusing.  Credit has to go to Gray who arranges the documentary into an interesting and inspiring story that also has a message of caution flowing throughout. 

Shot from Fire in the Blood documentary by Dylan Mohan Gray

"Fire in the Blood" is a documentary that will change your mind set.  These films are difficult to come by often and sometimes can go unnoticed. They do not receive the attention the documentary or the story it is telling deserves.  The documentary ends with one sentence appearing on screen that is as powerful if not more than the whole film, which is another testament to Gray's directing.  The sentence reads, 'Help prevent a sequel'. This sums up the film, the story and the motives behind making the documentary. It is not for monetary or profiting reasons, but instead to spread the message and to gather support to fight against terrible actions that are being committed by those who already have everything and want more in spite of the costs it is causing to less fortunate people.  "Fire in the Blood" is a must watch documentary that is cleverly and respectfully crafted that provides an emotional and authentic outcome. 

M+F Rating: 8/10



Reviewed by M+F Reviews.

Sunday 16 February 2014

The Armstrong Lie Movie Review: Is This Really the End of Lance Armstrong?

The Armstrong Lie Movie Logo

Director: Alex Gibney

UK Release Date: 31st January 2014

Running Time: 124 minutes

Starring: Lance Amrstrong, Betsy Andreu, Frankie Andreu, George Hincapie, Michele Ferrari, Danny Coyle

Before the release of "The Armstrong Lie" we posted a preview which you can read here

"The Armstrong Lie" is a documentary film directed by Alex Gibney, telling the story of Lance Armstrong, the now disgraced American cyclist.  Armstrong became the first cyclist ever to win 7 consecutive Tour de France titles between 1998-2005 (one of which we witnessed ourselves). After his 7th win he retired but made a comeback in 2009 which is where Gibney's documentary begins.  Initially Gibney's documentary was going to be about Armstrong's comeback but then doping allegations resurfaced and Armstrong eventually admitted using performance enhancing drugs.  Having lied directly to his face Gibney demanded a final interview with Armstrong and the documentary then changed to "The Armstrong Lie".

Most people will know who Armstrong is having become a global sports superstar and the most known cancer survivor around the world after setting up the Livestrong Foundation.  They will also know of his association with performance enhancing drugs after publicly denying the use of them year after year.  It is this lie that most people can not forgive Armstrong for and this is at the center of the documentary. 

The documentary itself gives a great detailed insight into Armstrong now.  Yes, it has lots of the past; what was said, what he said, who he attacked, who he bullied but the importance for us was what is going on now and what has happened more recently.  We were interested to see if Amrstrong has changed at all, whether he feels remorse for what he has done. This documentary was perfect for this, and gives us the insight we desire but not just from Armstrong - from others involved and who have followed the story since his career began. 

The Armstrong Lie Movie Poster

Gibney has directed "The Amrstrong Lie" so it is like the usual documentary and this is not a problem.  It lets the audience get the information they ultimately want rather than trying to tell the story in a more unique way.  It comes to the conclusion that Amrstrong was the major trickster/deciver and would do anything at any cost not to lose. However, it is evident that Armstrog's fans would willingly believe anything he said.

Whether this is the last of Lance Armstrong and cycling is yet to be decided. He still remains very confident and at times smug which we found difficult to watch considering the negative affect he has had on cycling as a sport. It is difficult to say whether there is more to this story that is yet to come out yet but with how things have gone in the past, we would not be surprised if there was more to come.

The documentary is a really interesting one to watch and we recommend it for any sports fan or anyone who knows the story of Lance Armstrong.  It will give you the chance to see him in a different light but beware, it may not be what you want to see. He still comes across as cocky and very arrogant and with the final clip of the film, we are certainly not convinvced this whole ordeal has changed him at all. This was disapointing from our point of view but obviously this does not change how good the documentary is or how it is put together. 

M+F Rating: 7/10


Reviewed by M+F Reviews.

Saturday 25 January 2014

The Class of '92 Review: Fame Doesn't Have to Change Us

 
Directors: Gabe Turner, Ben Turner 
 
UK Release Date: 29th November 2013
 
Running Time: 99 minutes 
 
Starring: David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Phil  Neville, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs 
 
 
The Class of '92 is a documentary based on six talented football (soccer) players who rose from the youth ranks at Manchester United Football Club - one of the most well known teams in the world and who enjoyed success after success.  Directed by brothers Ben and Gabe Turner the documentary was able to film a get together of the selected six players to discuss their careers.  It also features interviews with footballing legends, Eric Cantona and Zinidine Zidane; film maker Danny Boyle and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.  You do not have to be a football lover to enjoy this documentary film as it links in the change in society and culture that was taking place through the nineties in the United Kingdom.
 
Six players, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Phil Neville, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, are the players this film champions as those who 'inspired a generation.'  All from humble beginnings they rose to fame playing for Manchester United from winning the FA Youth Cup in 1992 to winning the Treble in the 1998-1999 season. 

"In our eyes, we were just playing a game of football with our mates." - Paul Scholes


This documentary film is more about friendship for us here at M+F Reviews than it is about football. The films cuts from real interviews from throughout their careers to a recent meet up of the players and you can see nothing has changed.  They are laughing and joking about growing up together and you can see that deep down they are still the young boys they were when they first joined United.  The bond between them is ever present and it is really nice to watch. It is refreshing to see that fame does not have to change you and these six players show there modesty because to them they were just playing a game of football with their best friends. 
 
The Turner's have created a documentary film that is near on perfect with great balance between scenes. Clips of football matches cut to shots of Manchester and the UK during the same period showing how the two complimented each other. The people who feature as interviewees on the film give great insights into many different aspects, with the selection of those who discuss the relevant issues being spot on. It is not too football orientated and those who are interviewed are from different fields of expertise but they are able to still relate to the direction of the film. Tony Blair contributes by adding how politics were changing during the period and how Manchester United affected this.  Gary 'Mani' Mounfield (the bassist of The Stone Roses) provides great cultural insight while also demonstrating his passion for the club he supports. 
 
 
 
So what are they doing now? The idea for The Class of  '92 came from Gary Neville, now a top TV pundit/presenter for Sky Sports.  Ryan Giggs is the only player who still currently plays for the club even at the age of 40 while Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes are all associated with the club in coaching roles. David Beckham is in talks to buy a football franchise in the United States of America while also maintaining his reputation as a global superstar.
 
It certainly is a great documentary film that will inspire a generation - but not just footballers - film directors as well.  It is a fine example of how to make an excellent documentary and thanks goes to Gabe and Ben Turner for allowing The Class of '92 to be a superb watch for anyone. Do not be put off viewing the film because you do not like Manchester United - if you do this you will miss out on one of the best football/cultural/social film documentaries of recent times.
 
M+F Rating: 8/10
 

 

Reviewed by M+F Reviews.