Frontline: Two American Families

Heart rendering documentary on two "middle class" families trying to survive the economy over 20 years.
In 1992 TV journalist Bill Moyer and his team chose two then-middle-class couples in Milwaukee - one white and the other black - and decided to follow their lives for ten years, much in the style of the British "UP" series (7UP, 14,UP, 21UP, etc.). Shortly after they began filming each of the couples lost their well-paying (well $15/hour, anyway) jobs and their families grew (children), just as the US economy started to sink. Moyers returned to film updates ever two to three years until 2000 and then returned in 2012 to complete the film.

Well-paced and edited (the 90 minutes for this film, shown on PBS' Frontline series this summer passes quickly), this film had me choking up in my throat a few times - especially when Jackie Stanley (the mother in the black family) tells of trying to stay afloat when their financial ship keeps taking on water. Her husband, Claude, was just as riveting to watch and hear, with a work ethic that very few have (one that he taught his...


Click to Editorial Reviews

March

The March (on Washington) PBS Documentary
I was 16 years old when the peaceful March on Washington occurred. This documentary was inspirational and it flowed smoothly. It reminded me of what a unique and rare event it was. For such an important point in history when so much had occurred before and after August 28, 1963, the film does justice to the subject of civil rights in a relatively small amount of time. The film highlights many people who were behind this event, in addition to Dr. Martin Luther King, including the 250,000 people of various races who came from all over the country to be seen, and to hear the speeches and music. For those who were too young to understand what was happening fifty years ago to people my age and older, this film is educational, thorough and effective in showing progress that has been made with civil rights in the U.S. It also makes clear how far we still have to go for racial equality, integration and equal rights for all minorities. This is an important documentary of a remarkable event...


Click to Editorial Reviews

Last Will & Testament

An Artistic and Documentary Triumph
Regarding 'Last Will. and Testament', my compliments to the directors/producers/cinematographers.

In addition to what others have said, I think it should get into print somewhere that this film has rare artistic power and integrity to go along with a compelling historical analysis on a critical cultural subject. The flow and tension of the viewing experience make it aesthetically enjoyable. The photography has an eerie quality of rich visual depth that invites the viewer back in time for a moment.

Would like to see the uncut version. There seems to be much more to tell, and I have the idea that the 'Shakespeare' mystery veils some dangerous historical events, relationships, and tragedies. Otherwise there would have been no reason for the Stratford bamboozle in the first place.
A cogent display of evidence on who wrote Shakespeare
This is a well researched and organized documentary regarding who really wrote the Shakespeare works. The producers interview English professors, theater professionals and historians about what is known about William Shaksper of Stratford on Avon - and why his case for authorship is so weak. They also present a powerful circumstantial case for the 17th Earl of Oxford as the true author, based upon detailed parallels between his biography and the plots of the plays; other parallels in language and thought between his private letters and the metaphors and ideas displayed in the dramas and sonnets; and more. All in all, a sober-minded analysis of the authorship issue - and a compelling solution.
Well what do you know?
If you know little to nothing of the controversy of the authorship of the Shakespeare works, you have come to the right documentary. Whether you accept or do not accept the Stratford fellow as the author, this is a very informative step by step approach as to WHY there is controversy in the first place. The documentary is very sound and balanced and discusses the topic WITHOUT the usual millstone of emotion that normally revolves around the debate. And there is a LOT of emotion around this debate. If you have an open, scientific mind, this is a thoughtful film that deconstructs the question so that all, regardless of the level of knowledge about the history and people of the time, will come away with a good understanding of the debate. There is much to know on this subject and this film only scratches the surface.
Click to Editorial Reviews