The Redemption of Sexual Reality
“‘A Sexplanation’ is both timely and hilarious, a big brain event.”
Soundtracks of Cinema: ‘Halftime’
‘Halftime’ Soundtrack: A Vague Visages guide for every featured song in Amanda Micheli’s 2022 Netflix documentary.
Alexandre O. Philippe Follows the Yellow Brick Road in Fascinating ‘Lynch/Oz’
“Come for Lynch and stay for the feverish celluloid love lessons that reach far beyond DKL’s oeuvre. ‘Lynch/Oz’ weaves together dozens of movies in an intertextual kaleidoscope.”
‘Stealing Rodin’ and Systems of Vulnerability
“‘Stealing Rodin’ is one of the most complex and narratively rich documentaries of its time.”
Review: Emily Branham’s ‘Being BeBe’
“‘Being BeBe’ is full of heart, soul and wit — much like the subject herself — and provides a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain for fans and curious newcomers alike; a joy-filled, life-affirming must-watch.”
Gloves-On Storytelling in ’64 Day Hero’
“Despite its storytelling flaws and omissions, ’64 Day Hero’ is a must-watch for the boxing documentary completist.”
Soundtracks of Cinema: ‘Our Father’
‘Our Father’ Soundtrack: A Vague Visages guide for every featured song in Lucie Jourdan’s 2022 Netflix documentary.
The Spirit of Su
“‘Big Crow’ doesn’t dwell on the past, but rather educates viewers about SuAnne’s spirit and worldview through home videos and archival footage from South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.”
Amy Poehler’s ‘Lucy and Desi’ Looks at the Love and Work of Hollywood Icons
“Poehler makes certain to strike a steady and careful balance between Ball and Arnaz in ‘Lucy and Desi,’ allowing them to share the spotlight in a meaningful way far more satisfying than any loose-with-the-facts biopic fictionalization.”
Good Faith and Simple Favors in ‘A Peloton of One’
“‘A Peloton of One’ celebrates the good faith of people who support/believe sexual assault survivors and give them space to find peace on their own terms.”
Rory Kennedy’s Lacerating ‘Downfall: The Case Against Boeing’ Speaks Truth to Power and Profit
“‘Downfall’ accomplishes Kennedy’s principal goal: it shines a bright light into a dark place.”
Soundtracks of Cinema: ‘The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes’
‘The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe’ Soundtrack: A Vague Visages guide for every featured song in Emma Cooper’s 2022 Netflix documentary.
Soundtracks of Television: ‘They Call Me Magic’
‘They Call Me Magic’ Soundtrack: A Vague Visages guide for every featured song in Rick Famuyiwa’s Apple TV+ docuseries.
An Interview with ‘Ladies Only’ Filmmaker Rebana Liz John
‘Ladies Only’ Interview: Dipankar Sarkar discusses the 2021 documentary with filmmaker Rebana Liz John.
The Eternal Substance of ‘Into the Night: Portraits of Life and Death’
“‘Into the Night’ is a valuable resource for the ‘connoisseur of fear.'”
The Milk of Kindness: Andrea Arnold’s ‘Cow’
“‘Cow’ strikes just the right balance between the filmmaker’s self-awareness, which punctuates the movie’s soundtrack selections, and Arnold’s long-game feminist commentary.”
Review: Ryan Marley’s ‘Candidato 34’
“‘Candidato 34,’ a documentary short by filmmaker Ryan Marley, raises important questions about disability ethics and sociopolitical norms.”
Review: Pedro González Bermúdez’s ‘A Forbidden Orange’
“The side trips in ‘A Forbidden Orange’ are more tantalizing than the sights on the main highway.”
Soundtracks of Cinema: ‘Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u’
‘Driving Home 2 U’ Soundtrack: A Vague Visages guide for every featured song in Stacey Lee’s Olivia Rodrigo film on Disney+.
Review: ‘Taylor Tomlinson: Look at You’
“Tomlinson doesn’t hit the trendy talking points of so many comedians her age. Instead, she figuratively peels a rotten orange in ‘Look at You’ and asks the audience what they see. The damage is evident, and yet there’s still beauty in the bright color that remains.”