Paul Taylor Movies
- 2009
Filmmaker A.J. Schnack offers a behind-the-scenes look at the planning and hard work that goes into staging one of America's largest public political events in this documentary. Denver, Colorado hosted the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and Schnack invited a team of acclaimed documentary filmmakers -- including Steven Bognar, Daniel Junge, Laura Poitras, Julia Reichert and Paul Taylor -- to help him capture the story going on backstage, with each filmmaker and their crew focusing on a different aspect of the event. In Convention, we follow various officials of the City of Denver, working overtime to anticipate anything that could go wrong or demand their attention; join a team of protestors demonstrating the convention with more good intentions than practical skill; look in on the press corps covering the proceedings, including the staff of the Denver Post and a young journalist who has been on the political beat for a mere six weeks; and the crew organizing and staging Barack Obama's much-anticipated nomination acceptance speech. Convention was an official selection at the 2009 Silverdocs Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Comedy icon Jerry Lewis revisits one of his most famous film characters in this belated, animated sequel to the beloved 1963 classic of the same name. It's been decades since clumsy Professor Julius Kelp (voice of Jerry Lewis) created the magical elixir that transformed him into a smooth-talking ladies man, but when Julius' grandson Harold (voice of Drake and Josh star Drake Bell) gets his hands on the secret formula, the familiar tale gets an exciting new twist. An adolescent misfit who never really fit in with the crowd, Harold becomes infinitely more confident and suave after whipping up a batch of the elixir and taking it for a test run. Now, as Harold's emerging ego begins to turn destructive, the young schoolboy must learn how to contend with his fears and insecurities without the aid of any questionable concoctions from the lab. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Drake Bell, Jerry Lewis, (more)
- 2008
Sisters in Law director Kim Longinotto brings viewers an intimate portrait of change in Africa with this documentary following the efforts of five women in ensuring that the abused and forgotten children of Durban, South Africa still have a fighting chance despite getting a rough start in life. Thuli, Mildred, Sudula, Jackie, and Eureka are a multiracial cadre of women who have dedicated their lives to the common cause of helping the most vulnerable and disenfranchised components of their communities - the children. Together, these five women form a united force powerful enough to overcome social and racial divisions while doing battle against the destructive forces of corruption, greed, and apathy. In post-apartheid South Africa, it's the hope and energy of groups like the Rough Aunties that help to transform a nation while inspiring positive change. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2007
As the AIDS epidemic ravages Africa, the ones who succumb to the disease are not the only victims. When tens of thousands of parents die, their children are left to fend for themselves, and the Agape Orphanage in South Africa has become a home for a growing number of children who have lost their mothers and fathers. While the children of Agape have all been touched by tragedy, they've also adopted a unique means to cope -- music. As South African singing star Zwai Bala puts it, "We, South Africans, sing before we eat. We sing when we're happy, sing when we're sad. It's a healing thing." Music has become a balm for the Agape orphans, and they've formed a choral group whose music has attracted international acclaim. Documentary filmmaker Paul Taylor explores the tragic lives of the residents of the Agape Orphanage as well as the music that gives them strength in We Are Together (Thina Simunye), which profiles a handful of children who sing with the Agape group, and follows them as they use their growing reputation to help others like themselves. Featuring cameo appearances by Paul Simon and Alicia Keys, We Are Together (Thina Simunye) received its North American premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
