If a movie had a bad trailer would anyone even watch it? Film trailers are what inspire someone to press play, so obviously they’re important. Did you know that there’s even an awards show for the best trailers of the year? So before we plunged into making our very own trailer using the footage we gathered in Liberia earlier this year, we took a second to examine the very best documentary sneak peeks. What did we find? Take a peek for yourself at our ten favorite trailers, in no particular order, here:
Contributed by: Franny Mestrich
If a movie had a bad trailer would anyone even watch it? Film trailers are what inspire someone to press play, so obviously they’re important. Did you know that there’s even an awards show for the best trailers of the year? So before we plunged into making our very own trailer using the footage we gathered in Liberia earlier this year, we took a second to examine the very best documentary sneak peeks. What did we find? Take a peek for yourself at our ten favorite trailers, in no particular order, here:
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So I watched a documentary with a group of friends last night about the pharmaceutical industry and its quest to develop the first FDA-approved Viagra equivalent for women. Notice how I tell you the background before I tell you the title? Yeah, I learned to do that after I got some funny looks at work when I told my co-workers that friends were coming over to watch Orgasm, Inc. I talk about the movie and then a podcast for a bit here, so if you’re reading for the corporate connection, jump down to the bottom.
When you have the opportunity – and I encourage you to look for an opportunity – you must see Ian Cheney’s latest: The City Dark. (You know Ian from King Corn and, more recently, Truck Farm.) I guarantee that this film will open your eyes to what we are not seeing anymore in our big (and even not-so-big) cities: the stars. WAIT! Stick with me here even if you might be thinking (as I admit that I was initially), “Meh, what do I care about seeing the stars or not?” Friends, 90 minutes later, I was absolutely transformed.
The City Dark uncovers the myriad effects that human’s ability to light up the night has had on everything from migratory birds to urban and rural crime to sea turtles to humans (yes, us, too) – whether our breasts and prostates to our fundamental connection to the universe. After watching this film, I promise that you will think differently about our boastful consumption of energy to keep our cities bright 24/7 and will want to run from floor to floor of every office building in your town flipping off light switches. (Or perhaps propose a useful city ordinance like those mentioned in the film?) You’ll also appreciate the efforts of lighting designers like Herve Descottes (hint: the High Line in New York does more than just look hip). The City Dark allows you to look at the night sky from both directions – from earth, where some of us have never seen a REAL night sky, and down to earth, where you can see just how much we’re changing the small corner of the universe in which we live. Oh, and one more thing, if you work the night shift, you REALLY should see this film. I just saw the documentary Hot Coffee and, in two words: WATCH IT. This film takes a good hard look at “tort reform,” and I bet you your favorite tall cappalatte with a shot of dulce de cualquiera that upon seeing it, you’ll rethink what you think you know now. The 90-minute feature explores how arbitration clauses are taking cases out of the court system, the changing composition of “the bench” (meaning who is serving as a judge in our country’s courts), and, to some extent, how the media is covering (or not) these important (but often invisible) issues. Are we unknowingly signing away our right to go to court? And do we understand the incredible value of that right? Are we allowing what should be one of the strongest judicial systems in the world to be undermined by corporate interests? Are we getting the coverage we deserve of the facts? And who is really paying – both in underwriting upfront and later in bearing the cost burden – for tort reform?
I won’t drone on here, as I strongly encourage you to see and decide for yourself, so will make three quick comments: 1) We as citizens need to pay close attention to WHO is asking us to take a position on issues that impact us. I remember seeing a yard sign that read “Support Fair Education for Kids.” ”Well, heck,” I thought, “Who would oppose that?” The answer: no one. And that’s WHY whoever is behind that campaign named it that. But, in that example, what does “fair education” really mean? And who is telling me that I should support it? And should I go vote on that issue based on that sign? NO! We all have a duty to educate ourselves and not be fooled by campaigns with that claim to be by “grassroots citizens” when they are actually bankrolled by “astroturf special interests” – nor by the commercials that so convincingly portray people just like us who supposedly think just like us. Friends, don’t be fooled. Next time you see an ad from the “Citizens for a Better World Full of Fluffy Ducklings and Fuzzy Bunnies” – ask questions. When you vote on Proposition XYZ, what are you actually voting for? 2) “Frivolous Lawsuits” – in short, this concept is bogus. If you are allergic to civil procedure, skip to #3. For those of you still reading, here’s the deal: there’s this little legal device called a “motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim” that prevents “frivolous lawsuits” from wrecking havoc in our courts. This type of motion is designed to be a little hurdle to make sure that a plaintiff actually has a claim. (And the defendant doesn’t even have to take the time to write a brief – a court can dismiss all by itself if a case is really that silly.) A case only survives a motion to dismiss – or gets over the hurdle and on to the expensive and more time-consuming parts of a lawsuit (discovery, etc.) – *IF* the person bringing the case has made a valid claim and there’s enough information in the complaint to make the case worthwhile. For example, when I worked for a judge, I saw a few cases that were filed against Satan (no kidding). Now, putting the question of how you’d deliver your complaint to ol’ Beelzebub aside (I bet a process server would charge extra for that), there’s the fact that these cases did not state an actionable claim – in non-legalese, they don’t complain about a problem that the law can solve. Complaining that Satan caused a drought for 60 days in my hometown? That’s frivolous – no court can offer any solution. Suing my employer just because she doesn’t like what I eat for lunch? Again, frivolous – she’s not breaking any law. These lawsuits will not make it past the motion to dismiss stage and, while I do recognize there are very real funding and staffing problems in many courts today, if all goes well, such cases don’t take much of the court’s time and, if a filing fee was paid, that’s more $ toward the system. But what you don’t hear much about is how what is designed to be a small hurdle has gradually become more of a wall for plaintiffs trying to get into court. If pleading requirements and/or the names Twombly and Iqbal interest you, read more hereand here. 3) My last point is to note that in the 90 minutes the film had to cover several significant topics, the issue of non-economic damages did not get much time. My goal in starting this website and film projects is to inform, not to tell you how or what to think. So I’ll simply note that there is a distinction between economic damages (the salary you lose if you can’t work because you are injured and the cost of medical treatment for your recovery) and non-economic damages (think “pain and suffering”). As talk of capping this or that continues, just remember that there is a distinction. Now, go pop some healthy popcorn and enjoy! (And for those of you who watch and want to know what happened to Ms. Jones after her June 2011 trial, the Wall Street Journal and Slate were among those to report on it. A good reminder of the power of having claims heard in open court.) |
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