In 1990 in a small New England town Pamela Smart, an attractive blond sexpot teacher who was having an affair with one of her students, was accused of plotting her husband’s murder. This rather scandalous cause celebre was the first ever trial to be televised and this new HBO documentary from filmmaker Jeremiah Zagar focuses … Continue reading
This enchanting new profile of the great Broadway star that has just turned 91 years and is still performing, is an affectionate and admiring look at her long career. It’s heavy on the sentiment but apart from her last brief and happy marriage to her childhood sweetheart (who sadly died shortly after filming) is scantily passes over her … Continue reading
A fascinating documentary that tracked the rise and fall of the powerful lobbyist Jack Abramoff who at one time was funneling huge funds to help bank roll most of the Republican Party’s key players and a few minor Democrats too. It was ill-gained money that he wrangled out of Indian Tribes and the Government of … Continue reading
For any cinephile this wonderful new documentary about the workings of casting directors is an absolute must. It is however not a detailed study on how they do their jobs, but more of a paean to Marion Dougherty, one of the first ever casting experts and a legendary icon in the industry. Prior to … Continue reading
It’s just a sheer co-incidence that I sat and watched this documentary about the uncovering of the Bernie Madoff’s audacious Ponzi fraud scheme the day before that Peter his son is sentenced to 10 years in jail for his part in the conspiracy. A reminder nevertheless that even though Mr Madoff Snr. is already behind … Continue reading