Documentaries (Film Related)
As with all great film-related documentaries, it invokes the sensation of wanting to watch more — seek out what you haven't seen, revisit those works you love.
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- DirectorRichard SchickelStarsAlfred HitchcockCliff RobertsonA look at Alfred Hitchcock's films. The Master of Suspense himself, who is interviewed extensively here, shares stories including his deep-seated fear of policemen, elaborates on the difference between shock and suspense, defines the meaning of "MacGuffin," and discusses his use of storyboarding in designing a film. Clips from many of his greatest films (including "North by Northwest", "Shadow of a Doubt", "The Birds", and the legendary shower scene from "Psycho") illustrate his points, often to Hitchcock's own voice-over observations, with narrator Cliff Robertson offering other critical insights.
- DirectorRichard SchickelStarsSydney PollackHoward HawksMarilyn MonroeA documentary filmography of Howard Hawks, including lengthy footage of Hawks himself discussing his films and many clips from his best-known pictures.
- DirectorRichard SchickelStarsGeorge CukorIn the series of documentaries directed by Richard Schickel following classic film directors, this episode interviews the creative mind behind "My Fair Lady", "The Philadelphia Story", "Born Yesterday" among other classics. The great George Cukor reveals details about the production of several of his movies, the actors he directed and also shares his personal views about films.
- DirectorRichard SchickelStarsCliff RobertsonVincente Minnelli
- DirectorRichard SchickelStarsFrank Capra
- StarsMark CousinsJuan Diego BottoAleksandr SokurovA comprehensive history of the medium and art of motion pictures.
- DirectorGilles PensoStarsRay HarryhausenPeter JacksonTerry GilliamThe life and work of the renowned film visual effects artist and producer.
- DirectorWendy AppleStarsKathy BatesZach StaenbergJodie FosterDocumentary about the art of film editing. Clips are shown from many groundbreaking films with innovative editing styles.
- DirectorKirby DickStarsKirby DickKimberly PeirceDarren AronofskyKirby Dick's exposé about the American movie ratings board.
- DirectorChristopher KenneallyStarsDerek AmbrosiMichael BallhausAndrzej BartkowiakThe documentary investigates the history, process and workflow of both digital and photochemical film creation.
- DirectorLeslie IwerksStarsStacy KeachJohn LasseterBrad BirdThe Pixar Story takes audiences behind the scenes of the groundbreaking company that pioneered a new generation of animation and forever changed the face of filmmaking.
- DirectorFax BahrGeorge HickenlooperEleanor CoppolaStarsDennis HopperMartin SheenMarlon BrandoDocumentary that chronicles how Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now (1979) was plagued by extraordinary script, shooting, budget, and casting problems--nearly destroying the life and career of the celebrated director.
- DirectorAlex StapletonStarsRoger CormanMartin ScorseseQuentin TarantinoA documentary on DIY producer/director Roger Corman and his alternative approach to making movies in Hollywood.
- DirectorJon RonsonStarsJon RonsonAnthony FrewinJan HarlanJon Ronson is asked by the widow of Stanley Kubrick to investigate the contents of about a thousand boxes left by Kubrick, shown to contain materials reflecting the work Kubrick did after the release of Barry Lyndon (1975) in 1975.
- DirectorShizuo SatôStarsAkira KurosawaNagisa ÔshimaIn a long dialogue, Nagisa Oshima interviews Akira Kurosawa, leading him to share his thoughts about filmmaking, his life and works, and numerous anecdotes relating to his films and his various film activities.
- DirectorLaurent BouzereauStarsAlfred HitchcockPeggy RobertsonClive BarkerDocumentary about the making of Hitchcock's classic thriller Psycho (1960), featuring interviews with surviving cast and crew members.
- DirectorDavid PriorStarsDavid FincherJodie FosterAlec GillisWatch David Fincher's journey of the filming process for Panic Room (2002) in this interesting documentary. We see the entire cast and crew throughout production until the final filming day. Many interviews and on-set footage inform us on how the shoot was.
- StarsChristopher PlummerDaniel SelznickGregory OrrThe history of Hollywood film from the medium's invention to the birth of the New Hollywood in 1970.
- DirectorCharles de LauzirikaStarsBolaji BadejoMartin BowerGordon CarrollThis made-for-DVD documentary treats horror and science fiction film fans to a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Alien, the terrifying classic about a spaceship crew trapped with a hideous monster that's hunting them one by one. Features interviews with director Ridley Scott and master designer H.R. Giger, as well as with star Sigourney Weaver and other members of the cast and crew, who share their experiences from working on the project and discuss the special efforts that went into bringing it all together.
- DirectorJeff WernerStarsFrancis Ford CoppolaMario PuzoMarlon BrandoA documentary chronicling the making of all three films in the Godfather trilogy.
- DirectorYves MontmayeurStarsMichael HanekeJean-Louis TrintignantYves MontmayeurMichael Haneke, theorists of the image that knows better than any other the dregs of our society with their existential fears and emotional derail ment to bring to light - a portrait.
- DirectorGisela GrischowVolker SchlöndorffStarsJean ArthurHumphrey BogartJames CagneyBilly Wilder discusses his life and films in interviews filmed by Volker Schlondorff over two weeks in 1988.
- DirectorBill KrohnMyron MeiselOrson WellesStarsManuel 'Jacare' Olimpio MeiraJeronimo André De SouzaRaimundo 'Tata' Correia Lima"It's All True: Based on an Unfinished Film by Orson Welles" is a 1993 documentary feature about Orson Welles's ill-fated Pan-American anthology film "It's All True," shot in 1941-42 but never completed.
- DirectorAllan KingStarsBernard BradenOrson WellesA vintage interview captures the artist reflecting on Citizen Kane and expounding on directing, acting and writing and his desire to bestow a valuable legacy upon his profession. The scene is a hotel room in Paris. The year 1960. The star, Orson Welles. This is a pearl of cinematic memorabilia.
- DirectorLeslie MegaheyStarsPeter BogdanovichCharlton HestonMicheál MacLiammóirA two-and-a-half hour documentary retrospective on the career of Orson Welles.
- DirectorJon FauerStarsRemi AdefarasinRuss T. AlsobrookHoward A. Anderson III110 of the world's top cinematographers discuss the art of how and why films look the way they do.
- StarsJonathan RossRic MeyersDavid F. FriedmanThis show is a series of documentaries focusing on the world of psychotronic movies. Episodes focus on the lives of such diverse filmakers as Hershell Gordon Lewis, Saim Raimi, Doris Wishman, Ed Wood Jr, and Tsui Hark. Weird movie genres, like Mexican wrestling movies and Hong Kong horror films, are also examined.
- DirectorRichard SchickelStarsElia KazanEli WallachElia Kazan was one of the greatest Hollywood and Broadway directors. A three-time Academy Award winner, five-time Tony Award winner and winner of Best Dramatic Film at Cannes, he was also one of the most controversial, respected and reviled men ever to work in film.
- DirectorKevin BurnsStarsLinda EllerbeeNewt GingrichJoan B. ConnellyFilmmakers, critics and even politicians discuss the social impact of the "Star Wars" films and the franchise's reliance in mythology and history.
- DirectorEdith BeckerKevin BurnsStarsRobert ClotworthyWalter CronkiteGeorge LucasAn in-depth making of documentary about the original Star Wars trilogy, covering the productions of the three films and their impact on popular culture.
- DirectorDavid StewartStarsKathy BatesFrank DarabontMick Garris
- DirectorRodney AscherStarsBill BlakemoreGeoffrey CocksJuli KearnsAn exploration of various interpretations of Stanley Kubrick's horror film, The Shining (1980).
- DirectorSarah AspinallStarsNeil PearsonEthan CoenJoel CoenA documentary showing the lives of the famous directors Ethan Coen and Joel Coen. Including many guests featuring in their films.
- DirectorGary LevaStarsJohn AltonDrew CasperRoger DeakinsThe genre of Film Noir gets an in-depth examination. Through a multitude of interviews with industry enthusiasts and film clips, every aspect of what makes a Noir is touched upon.
- StarsPeter GravesEddie AcuffAnne BaxterShare the magical memories - and see clips from her Oscar winning performances - in this profile of the "First Lady of the American screen."
- DirectorSophie FiennesStarsSlavoj ZizekSlavoj Zizek examines famous films in a philosophical and a psychoanalytic context.
- DirectorAlexandre O. PhilippeStarsJoe NussbaumDaryl FrazettiDoug JonesAn examination of the widespread fan disenchantment with George Lucas.
- DirectorRob EpsteinJeffrey FriedmanStarsLily TomlinTony CurtisSusie BrightA documentary surveying the various Hollywood screen depictions of homosexuals and the attitudes behind them throughout the history of North American film.
- DirectorElijah DrennerStarsRobert ForsterEric SchaeferEddie MullerA documentary about the history of exploitation movies, from the silent-film era to the 1970s.
- DirectorJeff McQueenStarsEd GreenWes CravenJohn CarpenterA documentary on the history of the slasher film.
- DirectorKevin BurnsSteven C. SmithStarsBrandy SnowShannon TweedRichard RoeperPlayboy unveils the hottest moments in the history of film. This feature-length documentary traces the evolution of sex in Hollywood cinema and uncovers the formula for successfully arousing audience interest around the world.
- DirectorTed DemmeRichard LaGraveneseStarsFrancis Ford CoppolaWilliam FriedkinRobert AltmanA documentary examining the decade of the 1970s as a turning point in American cinema. Some of today's best filmmakers interview the influential directors of that time.
- DirectorJake WestStarsJulian PetleyMarc MorrisAndy NymanA documentary analyzing the furore which so-called "video nasties" caused in Britain during the 1980s.
- DirectorKevin BurnsBrent ZackyStarsRobert CulpRoddy McDowallDarryl F. ZanuckA trip through the idiosyncrasies and difficulties of making one of the most tormented movies ever filmed.
- DirectorJohn KinhartStarsDon DohlerJ.J. AbramsRobert Long IIBlood, Boobs and Beast tells the compelling story of Don Dohler, whose movies have been called everything from oddly brilliant to some of the worst films of all time. Despite his critics, Dohler has gotten all 9 of his sci-fi and horror films distributed internationally, as well as TV syndication for his first film, The Alien Factor . Dohler has also inspired artists and filmmakers such as Robert Crumb (Fritz the Cat), J.J. Abrams (Creator of TV show Lost ) and Art Speigelman ( Maus ) with his underground comix character ProJunior, and his DIY filmmaking magazine, Cinemagic. Mild-mannered and unassuming, Dohler started making wholesome sci-fi films in the Baltimore area in 1976, but recently began including nudity and gore in his movies to please distributors. At age 59 he's just finished his most gratuitous movie to date and it's selling well, yet Dohler feels "sick of the exploitative stuff" and is considering giving up the Blood, Boobs and Beast formula. However, Dohler's recent partner Joe Ripple disagrees and views these components as essential to gaining distribution. Since the pair's filmmaking philosophies have begun to differ, it's possible that their current film could be their last. Shot and edited over two and a half years, Blood, Boobs and Beast provides a fresh and humorous look at low-budget filmmaking through the unassuming eyes of Don Dohler. With revealing interviews and beautiful cinematography, Blood, Boobs and Beast is a touching portrait of Dohler's career, his family, and his struggle to just make a good movie.
- DirectorAdam SimonStarsGeorge A. RomeroJohn CarpenterTom SaviniAn examination into the nature of 1960s-'70s horror films, the artists involved, and how they reflected contemporary society.
- CreatorGary R. BenzStephen RochaLise RomanoffStarsJames CameronRichard EdlundRick BakerDocumentary series dealing with every aspect of special effects in movies, from low-budget make-up to multi-million-dollar computer-generated graphics. The clear presentation includes descriptions of the creation and technical problems of the effects, and interviews with effects technicians, directors, stars and other crew. Each episode deals with one topic, effect or technician (eg theme park rides, CGI, Stan Winston), concentrating on one or more current or recent films.
- DirectorDavid StrohmaierStarsLowell ThomasFred WallerJim MorrisonA nostalgic and compelling look into the legendary three camera, three projector process that revolutionized motion pictures and led the industry into the widescreen era. Through actual Cinerama clips, rare behind the scenes footage and new interviews, CINERAMA ADVENTURE takes the viewer back to a lost era of movie showmanship, placing this American cinema phenomenon into historical perspective.
- DirectorDavid GregoryStarsMatthew BellRobert A. BurnsTobe HooperA documentary primarily focusing on the filming and release of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
- DirectorMimi FreedmanLeslie GreifStarsMarlon BrandoEdward R. MurrowJanet AemiseggerThe life and legacy of Marlon Brando and how he changed acting.
- DirectorDaniel FarrandsStarsDavid ArquetteLisa BeachMarco BeltramiIn 1996, the horror master Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street) unleashed Scream, a slasher movie aimed at a whole new generation of teenage movie-goers. Though premiering at a time when horror movies were in decline and plagued with an array of start up problems, Scream went on to shatter box-office records for horror films, earning well over $100 million in domestic box office receipts, revived Craven's career and turned first-time screenwriter Kevin Williamson and a group of hot young television actors (among them Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich and Rose McGowan) into overnight stars. The film became a huge success, spawned three sequels and single-handedly revived the horror genre. "Scream: The Inside Story" features all-new interviews with Wes Craven, Neve Campell, David Arquette, Jamie Kennedy, Rose McGowan and Matthew Lillard along with the many other cast and crew.
- DirectorGary SmithDann NetterStarsCherSally FieldJodie FosterThe American Film Institute commemorates the first century of American films with this awesome made-for-TV special highlighting the greatest 100 American movies as determined by leaders in the moviemaking business right here in the good old U.S.A.
- StarsLindsay AndersonCharles LamontWilliam R. CoxA series about the life, career and works of the movie comedy genius.
- DirectorRob GoldbergStarsRichard DreyfussSteven SpielbergDavid FearA fascinating program that goes behind the scenes of Steven Spielberg's landmark 1975 film JAWS.
- DirectorDaniel FarrandsAndrew KaschStarsHeather LangenkampStacey AldenErika AndersonExplore the origins of "dream demon" Freddy Krueger in this award-winning documentary that takes you behind the scenes of the most frightening and imaginative horror franchise in motion picture history!
- 1992– 28m7.8 (60)TV EpisodeDirectorEd W. MarshStarsLeonardo DiCaprioBill PaxtonJames Cameron