Anvil: The Story of Anvil (2008)
Bottomline: Absolutely fantastic documentary. If you like rock and roll, you need to see this. If you like docs, you must see this.
Pros: The documentary filmmaker turns the camera on and gets out of the way. It captures the aching reality of two men who have a dream and have not given up on the dream.
Cons: The trailer makes this doc seem like it's funny -- almost a real life Spinal Tap. The reality is the doc is much stronger and much more poignant.
Where Can I See This? It is now available on DVD. It's been winning film festival awards left and right.
Notes: Be sure to check out the DVD extras -- especially the interviews with the former band members.
QMR Opinion: In the '80s, just about every heavy metal hair band that could stand up straight, made millions of dollars. Except Anvil. Focused on the two Canadian founders -- Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner -- this extremely well made doc follows them as they try their hardest to make it happen for a band whose heyday was 25 years ago. The best part of the doc? The director, Sacha Gervasi, turns the camera on and gets out of the way. He lets the story tell itself through the words and lives of its two principals. The Anvil "tour" of Europe is an absolute must see -- it is at the same time hilarious and heart-breaking. The allusions to Spinal Tap are throughout the film -- amps that go to 11, reference to Cleveland and they visit Stonehenge for goodness sakes!
Hear and Now (2007)
Bottomline: Solid documentary that is worth your time.
Pros: You will fall in love with Paul and Sally Taylor -- the married couple who is the focus of the film. Shows the trials and triumphs of cochlear implants.
Cons: I honestly can't think of any cons that are significant. One caveat: there is some graphic surgery footage.
Where Can I See This? The DVD is available for rent.
QMR Opinion: My daughter received her cochlear implant when she was seven years old. And it changed her life -- for the better, forever. Irene Taylor Brodsky's parents decided at the ages of 65 to get cochlear implants, thus allowing them the possibility of hearing anything for the first time. Brodsky decides to capture the transformation from decision to surgery to afterward. Along the way, you get to know her parents, who are people you would want to know. And you get to see in sometimes heartbreaking detail how they react to being able to hear for the first time in more than six decades. A surprising detail? Find out what a strong marriage looks and feels like -- watch the Taylors.
Heavy Metal in Baghdad (2007)
Bottomline: Pretty good documentary that could have been better.
Pros: Gives you a personal look at how Iraqis lived and survived during the insurgency and subsequent occupation.
Cons: The filmmakers spend way too much time on camera. The heavy metal band tried hard but they really are not that good.
Where Can I See This? It is available for rent on DVD.
QMR Bottomline: Had the filmmakers decided to spend less time on camera and talking about themselves, this documentary would have been much stronger (see Anvil review). The premise is interesting -- get an inside look at Iraq during the insurgency, invasion and occupation through the eyes of the members of Iraq's only heavy metal band. You have to admire their passion, but the band members just aren't that good. Sorry. The doc drags at various points and I found myself checking the clock. Quick caveat: These guys love -- LOVE -- the "F" word. I haven't heard it used in so many different ways since Raging Bull (1980).
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