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Sugarcane 2024

7.3/10
This documentary about the horrors of an Indian residential school is beautifully shot and powerfully told

Everything about Sugarcane is arresting, whether it’s the epic shots of the sweeping reservation (“Canada is our land,” one native announces), the emotional moments shared by survivors of the abusive residential schools, or the damning discoveries they find in an investigation into the Catholic priests. Every second of it is sure to shock and infuriate. Not everything is tragic though. There are slivers of hope, especially from the independently assembled team leading the investigation. The police are apathetic and the suspects are evasive, but despite the deep trauma, pain, and violence the community of Sugarcane has gone through, they persist.

Synopsis

An investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school ignites a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve.

Storyline

The native community of the Sugarcane Reserve in Canada mount an investigation into the missing children and multiple abuses of a Catholic residential school.

TLDR

Be prepared to be infuriated.

What stands out

Sometimes it gets so intimate, I feel bad for watching. In some of the most private moments, I want the cameraman to stop filming, pull him away almost, to stop us from intruding.

Elton John: Never Too Late 2024

7/10
A standard documentary brought to life by the details of the singer’s life and the magic of his music

Elton John’s latest concert film follows the same structure as most current music documentaries: it splices present-day footage of the musician doing his latest (and final tour) with flashbacks of his past. In either rare archival footage or lovely animation, we see snippets of his troubled childhood, his serendipitous meet-up with writing partner Bernie Taupin, his rise to fame as an unlikely rock star, and his rocky relationships with different men. If you’re an avid fan of the singer, you likely won’t see anything new here, save for excerpts from his final tour. But whether you’re familiar with John’s music or not, this documentary is sure to be a pleaser, especially aurally.

Synopsis

Sir Elton John looks back on his life and the astonishing early days of his 50-year career in this emotionally charged, full-circle journey. As he prepares for his final concert in North America at Dodger Stadium, Elton takes us back in time and recounts his struggles with adversity, abuse, and addiction, and how he overcame them to become the icon he is today.

Storyline

The documentary follows Elton John as he finishes his final tour, all while flashing back to integral moments of his life and career.

TLDR

It’s worth it for the throwbacks, even though it tends to overuse Tiny Little Dancer (understandable).

What stands out

The musicality! I don’t think anyone today sounds remotely close to Elton John.

Beatles ’64 2024

7.1/10
This Martin Scorsese-produced documentary is a welcome throwback to when The Beatles won America, and the world, over

The Beatles ‘64 zeroes in on a precise moment in The Beatles timeline: their American debut, which propelled them from English boyband to Global sensation. Since their appearance in The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, they’ve been on a nonstop upward trajectory to success. The documentary, co-produced by Martin Scorsese, explores why that is by expanding their two-week trip in the US into food for thought: why did they blow up the way they did? Was it because the country was in shambles and needed an escape? Was it because developments in tech and media unwittingly jumpstarted the fandom/parasocial craze? The documentary considers all this by having historians, experts, music icons, and even fans weigh in. In that sense, it can be all over the place, but the music and the pristine, restored clips of interviews with the Beatles and their performances onstage make it a worthwhile watch.

Synopsis

Featuring never-before-seen footage of the band and the legions of young fans who helped fuel their ascendance, follow McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Starr as they land in New York City in February 1964 and solidify their status as the biggest band in the world.

Storyline

Director David Tedeschi combines restored clips from The Beatles’ first visit to the US with new interviews to give us fresh insight into the revolutionary trip that cemented the band’s status as global celebrities.

TLDR

It’s not the definitive documentary of the band, but it’s an enjoyable and entertaining way to spend some time, especially if you’re a Beatles fan.

What stands out

Would it have killed the producers to play songs other than She Loves You? I love it, but come on, we get it.

Out of My Mind 2024

7.3/10
A bright 6th grader with cerebral palsy comes of age in this sweet and smart movie

You’d think a Disney movie about a sweet kid overcoming the difficulties of cerebral palsy would be overly sweet or forcefully positive (Disney-fied, if you will), but Out of My Mind is surprisingly tempered. A smart and sensitive script and great performances across the board work to make the film a balanced and heart-warming portrait of a disabled girl coming of age. It doesn’t give you false hope that everything will be okay, but it’s not grim about the world either. Instead, it gives you a realistic and likable character in Melody (played by Phoebe-Rae Taylor and voiced, amusingly, by Jennifer Aniston), a bright 6th-grader determined to compete in a national trivia quiz with her classmates. Throughout the film, displays a toughness and an agency that not many disabled characters get to enjoy onscreen. There are cliched moments here and there, but Taylor and her co-stars make them feel true and lived in.

Synopsis

Melody Brooks, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, has a quick wit and a sharp mind, but because she is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair, she is not given the same opportunities as her classmates. When a young educator notices her student's untapped potential and Melody starts to participate in mainstream education, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.

Storyline

ired of being babied, twelve-year-old Melody insists on transferring from special ed to a regular school. Despite her excitement, her classmates have trouble adjusting to her cerebral palsy.

TLDR

It’s the kind of film that makes cliches feel fresh again.

What stands out

Apart from Taylor’s phenomenal physical performance, that rousing speech by the film’s end will live in my mind in the days to come.

The Very Best

Music by John Williams 2024

8/10
An infinitely feel-good tribute to the man behind the most iconic movie music, from Superman to Star Wars and beyond

Before this documentary, I didn’t have the faintest clue that the formative films of my childhood—Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, ET, and Harry Potter, to name a few—were scored by one man: John Williams. This film is a loving tribute to Williams, who at 92, is still as lively as ever as he shares how he stumbled into Hollywood and found his calling as the definitive movie composer. It features interviews with frequent collaborators like Steven Spielberg and Yoyo Ma and fans like Chris Martin and Seth MacFarlane, but it’s truly Williams’ music that makes watching this a special experience. As soon as you hear the chilling first notes of Jaws, the brash opening of Star Wars, and the melodic strings of Jurassic Park, you’re hooked. Then Williams, often along with the directors, go on and recount how those came to be, and you find yourself seated, eyes wide with wonder.

Synopsis

His unforgettable scores are an essential part of some of the most beloved movies of our time, over a career that spans decades. See and hear maestro John Williams' own story, with insights from filmmakers, musicians, and others he has inspired, complete with rare behind-the-scenes looks at the making of movie history.

Storyline

Tells the storied life of composer John Williams, featuring interviews with frequent collaborators like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, as well with fellow composers and musicians.

TLDR

Steven Spielberg and John Williams’ neverending collaboration is the true definition of real recognizes real.

What stands out

I just want to bask in the overflowing warmness that comes with Williams’ music. I hear the film scores and I’m instantly transported to the day I first saw these movies as a kid. What a powerful feeling!

Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva 2022

5.8/10
Bollywood launches their own response to the MCU, though it’s held back by the writing

When Disney and Marvel drove the industry with its multi-phase superhero film franchise surrounding the collection and use of magical alien MacGuffins, it’s no wonder that some Hindi filmmakers watched it, squinted, and thought that it was small fry compared to the vast collection of stories and reinterpretations of Hindu folklore and epics. But it’s not an easy thing to do. Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva has admirable ambition, but the plot is predictable, the characterization is scant, and the film just throws so much of the mythology at the audience rather than taking its time, letting the magic build up some mystery, and letting the audience get to know the characters before they launch themselves into a spectacular fight scene. It’s not a terrible watch, but Brahmastra is off to a very shaky start.

Synopsis

The story of Shiva – a young man on the brink of an epic love, with a girl named Isha. But their world is turned upside down when Shiva learns that he has a mysterious connection to the Brahmāstra... and a great power within him that he doesn’t understand just yet - the power of Fire.

Storyline

After falling in love with London resident Isha Chatterjee at the Durga Puja festival, young orphan Shiva gets his world turned upside down when he discovers he has the power to control fire, which comes from a mysterious connection to an ancient celestial weapon named Brahmāstra, protected by a secret society of sages.

TLDR

Hope Parts Two and Three get better, though!

What stands out

Some certain choices, like casting newlyweds Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt as the leads, starting the film with an epic fight scene with Shah Rukh Khan, and getting Amitabh Bachchan’s epic voice to give gravitas to the lore, seem like they would be appreciated by Bollywood fans who would love to see this franchise succeed globally. Had the story been done well, these choices would have been right, but now, it honestly seems that this was prioritized over the writing and worldbuilding.

Tini: The New Life of Violetta 2016

5.7/10
Tini bids adieu to the beloved Disney teen telenovela in this decent, if a bit cliché, feature film finale

Not many teenagers experience the life of a celebrity singer, so it’s easy to fantasize over how that life would go. It’s precisely the appeal of Violetta, one of the few forays Disney Channel made outside of America, which somewhat plays out like Hannah Montana without the double life shenanigans. Tini: The New Life of Violetta is the final film to cap off the show, and like plenty of teenybopper series, it has the cheesy miscommunications and cliche conflicts hastily strung together with aesthetic music videos and randomly arranged dance numbers supposedly in the name of finding yourself and living your life, etc. etc. But, while it isn’t the most original or romantic summer teen movie, Tini: The New Life of Violetta still manages to be a sweet send-off for the Latino fans that grew up watching the show, and one that gently eases Tini’s move from cute teenybopper sitcom lead to Argentinian pop star.

Synopsis

A teen star ventures out to the Italian countryside for a summer and emerges a new artist.

Storyline

Returning from a worldwide tour, Violetta is surprised in the middle of an interview to hear media rumors about her boyfriend Leon cheating on her with a fellow celebrity. Because of this, she decides to venture out into the Italian countryside for the summer.

TLDR

I get that it’s meant to be a metaphor, but if you must bring a piano all the way to the top of a hill, please hire professional movers rather than let your friends accidentally break their backs for the aesthetic.

What stands out

Italy is so gosh darn beautiful…

Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation 2024

7/10
A road trip to space with barely any bumps

If you’ve never watched the series prior to this, it still has a lot going for it. For one, its exposition is straightforward like a children’s play, telling you who the main cast is, and quickly treating you to musical numbers that are a welcome surprise every time they pop up. The main predicament is hilarious when it first hits, but I’m willing to die on the hill that they could’ve kept the bit going a little longer. Some segments do drag and make the whole thing feel like a long TV episode, and some plot setups can feel a bit hollow, but it’s a pretty relatable and trippy children's story, regardless.

Synopsis

When thrill-seeker Cricket tricks his family into taking a "road trip" in space, chaos in the cosmos quickly ensues. Despite growing frustrations between Cricket and his dad, Bill, the two must learn to appreciate each other's unique perspectives in order to prevent Big City from being destroyed by an interstellar disaster.

Storyline

Craving an adventurous vacation, a boy tricks his family into taking a trip to outer space.

TLDR

The Simpsons meets Spongebob in space.

What stands out

The supporting characters have pretty cute quirks. Most of them are on Earth, though.

Queen of Katwe 2016

7.4/10
An outstanding underdog sports drama, whose heart and authenticity overcomes its familiar beats

If you wanted to watch a woman that rose to the top rankings of chess, playing piece-to-piece against some of the greatest chess players of the world, you would probably think about watching The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, but you might be disappointed to find out that Beth Harmon isn’t real. However, there was one film before the iconic miniseries that depicted the story of a real life female chess player, one that clawed her and her family out of poverty through the game, and that story is Queen of Katwe. As a Disney original film, it does go through plenty of the familiar beats we’ve seen in the company’s previous works, but Mira Nair’s direction and the excellent performances of Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo create an underdog story that feels so sincere, so heartfelt, that it reportedly inspired Ugandan teenagers to do better in their national exams.

Synopsis

A young girl overcomes her disadvantaged upbringing in the slums of Uganda to become a Chess master.

Storyline

After meeting chess teacher and missionary Robert Katende, Phiona Mutesi transforms from impoverished drop-out into a world-class chess master, carving an escape from a life of poverty.

TLDR

Disney, I wish this was marketed better.

What stands out

Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo are great, of course, but the newcomers in the cast are able to match them too, especially leading lady Madina Nalwanga.

Young Woman and the Sea 2024

7.7/10
An inspiring if treacly biopic about a swimming pioneer and feminist icon

Young Woman and the Sea is a neatly told, inspiring story about a woman who went against the tide to cement her legacy as one of the most fearless athletes to exist. The movie is polished and nicely detailed, anchored by winning performances and a triumphantly dramatic script—basically everything you’d expect from a Disney movie. And like many Disney movies, Young Woman and the Sea can sometimes be too on-the-nose about its advocacies, but it's hard to deny its charm. The movie is a treat to watch, and an especially nice segue into the upcoming Olympics.

Synopsis

This is the extraordinary true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the 21-mile trek from France to England.

Storyline

Based on the true story of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle (played here by Daisy Ridley), the film follows Trudy as she overcomes physical obstacles and societal expectations to be a champion swimmer.

TLDR

Make sure to include this in your list of pre-game movies to watch before the Olympics.

What stands out

That one scene with the jellyfish, ‘nuff said.