A history of Black representation in US cinema, with a focus on the 1970s. An excellent and detailed chronological overview. Lots to think about here, and fresh light on relative obscurities offered. Clips and interviews galore. Recommended.
Here’s the trailer.
A documentary about live stand-up comedy circuit stalwart Ian Cognito. Basically a series of mini-interviews with peers paying qualified homage interspersed with some live material, this is a charming look at a vivid but at times self-destructive performer.
Here’s the trailer.
An overview of James Bond-related film music to tie in with the franchise’s 60th anniversary. A straightforward, upbeat, and largely chronological overview, tending to focus on theme songs over scores. Fine for both casual and committed fans, though no deep dive (Serra, Kamen, and A-ha are among those who get swept past).
Here’s the trailer.
A documentary focusing on Gerry Anderson-produced puppet television series of the 1950s and 1960s. And a straightforward, affectionate portrait this is too, offering a chronological view of Anderson’s work until the switch to live-action.
Here’s the trailer.
Mathematicians and physicists discuss the concept of infinity. And that’s about it: a largely talking heads-based approach, but chirpy and accessible. Offers a series of explorations of the implications of the infinite, both on science and on being human. It’s alright, and it doesn’t hang about.
Here’s the trailer.
A compilation of additional stunts and extra footage not used in the release cut of Jackass Forever. More of the same, with no discernable drop in quality from the material used in its movie progenitor. For some, that’ll be all the recommendation that’s needed.
No trailer online that I could find, but here’s a representative clip.
Two podcasting comedians – a skeptic and a believer – investigate the existence or otherwise of ghosts. This fine documentary spin-off from the Parapod podcast balances comedy, exploration of the value of evidence and the power of belief while probing tensions in male relationships, largely through testing the limits of the wind-up. Recommended.
Here’s the trailer.
A history – and a geography – of this mode of storytelling in film and television. More folk than horror, this overlong documentary is somewhat unfocused (depth is sacrificed for breadth), but nevertheless interesting. Feels like a TV series re-edited without titles: something to dip into rather than watch in one go. Worth your time though.
Here’s the trailer.
A continuation of the documentary exploration of 1980s-made (mostly) US horror. Much more (4.5 hours) of the same, though with some deeper cuts this time around. Depth is sacrificed for breadth, and the pattern of trailer clip plus talking head per movie gets repetitive, but there’s affection on display for the genre throughout.
Here’s the trailer.
A documentary about now-veteran stuntmen from the UK. Straightforward but fascinating tribune to the likes of Ray Austin, Vic Armstrong, Jim Dowdall, Rocky Taylor, Nosher Powell and Paul Weston: familiar names – if not faces – from TV and movies. A niche and worthwhile, backed with plenty of clips and a a geezerish Ray Winstone narration.
Here’s the trailer.
![Jackass 4.5 [AKA Jackass FourPointFive] (2022, dir. Jeff Tremaine)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/jackass-4.5-poster.jpg?w=297)
![The Parapod: A Very British Ghost Hunt [AKA The Parapod Movie] (2020, dir. Ian Boldsworth)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/parapod.jpg?w=848)
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