Bill Guttentag Movies
- 2012
- R
- Add Knife Fight to Queue
A hotshot political strategist fights to protect his clients while experiencing an unexpected crisis of conscience in this sharp-edged political comedy starring Rob Lowe. Paul Turner (Lowe) has a gift for spin. When the media catches wind of a Kentucky governor's extramarital affairs, Turner has a plan to save the day. Likewise, when a California senator is targeted for blackmail, Turner works overtime to sweep the scandal under the rug. Meanwhile, an ambitious doctor (Carrie-Anne Moss) reveals her intention to run for governor, prompting the seasoned strategist to warn her of the difficult road ahead. Later, just when it seems that Turner can't stoop any lower for the sake of his troublesome clients, he learns that sometimes fighting fair is the only way to come out on top. Eric McCormack, Julie Bowen, and David Harbour co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- 2009
- R
- Add When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors to Queue Add When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors to top of Queue
The Doors were very much a band of their time, a group whose music reflected the social and political upheaval of the late '60s and early '70s, and yet their appeal has endured thanks to the hypnotic music of guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore as well as the magisterial power of lead vocalist and lyricist Jim Morrison. The group's moment in the spotlight was short -- their debut album was released in early 1967, and Morrison would die in Paris in the summer of 1971 -- but their music and image continues to fascinate music fans, and filmmaker Tom DiCillo explores the Doors and their times in the documentary When You're Strange. Featuring rare footage from the archives of Paul Ferrara, a filmmaker who struck up a friendship with Morrison when they were both attending UCLA, When You're Strange also includes excerpts from HWY: An American Pastoral, a short film Morrison directed in 1969. When You're Strange was an official selection at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Johnny Depp
Soundtrack for a Revolution takes a look at the American civil rights movement, focusing on the role that music -- spirituals and protest songs -- played, as the backdrop and the inspiration for the pickets, sit-ins, and demonstrations of the turbulent era. Directors Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman, whose previous documentary looked at the Japanese Army's atrocities against the Chinese people in Nanking, here blend images from the time and interviews with participants with new footage of contemporary artists performing the inspirational songs. Interviewees include Harry Belafonte, John Lewis, Andrew Young, and Julian Bond, and the documentary includes performances by John Legend, Joss Stone, and Angie Stone. The film examines such pivotal moments as the Montgomery bus boycott, the March on Washington, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Through old footage and interviews, spirituals like "Wade in the Water" and "We Shall Not Be Moved," and folk songs like Phil Ochs' "Here's to the State of Mississippi" are each connected to specific aspects or moments of the movement. Danny Glover was the executive producer of the film. Soundtrack for a Revolution had its world premiere at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
Filmmaker Bill Guttentag takes a closer look at the atrocities committed by the Japanese after Nanking fell to the Imperial Japanese Army in 1937 with this documentary that was inspired by Iris Chang's novel The Rape of Nanking. Compiled from over 700 hours of footage including news-reel footage, interviews with survivors and soldiers, and staged readings, Nanking was financed in large by millionaire Ted Leonsis, who had read Chang's obituary and subsequently been prompted to read the author's best-selling account of the massacre. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Hugo Armstrong, Rosalind Chao, (more)
Eva Mendes, Jay Hernandez, and Eric Lively star in a scathing mockumentary/media satire concerning a network executive (Mendes) who pitches a controversial show in which willing contestants participate in a real-life game of Russian Roulette. As the show goes into production, a documentary crew turns their cameras on the production to capture the firestorm of controversy that erupts as the premier date draws ever closer. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Eva Mendes, David Krumholtz, (more)
The 2002 Academy Award-winner for Best Documentary Short Subject, Twin Towers looks at the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, through the eyes of several Harlem police officers who answered the call to duty on that fateful day. Filmmakers Bill Guttentag and Robert David Port followed the officers on the morning of the attacks as they arrived at The World Trade Center to find it had been struck by two hijacked airliners. The harrowing footage is presented along with retrospective interviews. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 2002
Dick Wolf, the TV producer responsible for the seemingly endless Law & Order and its numerous spin-offs, entered the realm of "reality" television with his weekly 60-minute NBC series Crime & Punishment. Co-created by Wolf and David Kanter, the series followed a number of criminal cases, from arrest to final verdict, brought to trial by the D.A.'s office of San Diego, CA. Though the cases, lawyers, police, perpetrators, and witnesses were real, and the episodes were unscripted and unrehearsed, the series was edited in the manner of a "fictional" crime show, replete with mini-climaxes just before each and every commercial break. The opening episode of Crime & Punishment, originally aired June 16, 2002, dealt with the first-degree murder trial of James Dailey, a security guard accused of murdering his wife. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2000
This HBO program examines how hate groups are disseminating their violent messages and reaching new converts around the world via the Internet. Morris Dees, founder and director of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama, narrates this penetrating video as it also looks at why the Internet is the perfect medium for those who thrive when operating within dark and shadowy places like cyberspace. As a lawyer and popular speaker on the subject of hate crimes, Dees is personally familiar with the far-reaching damage these groups are inflicting with their incendiary websites. Viewers should be aware that some segments contain offensive language and images. ~ Elizabeth Smith, Rovi
- 1998
Oliver Stone is the executive producer of this political documentary recalling the idealism, struggles, and turmoil of 1968 when two visionary American leaders promised hope but were slain within months of each other. After opening with Robert Kennedy on April 4, 1968 telling people in Indianapolis about Martin Luther King's murder in Memphis, the film looks back on the lives of both during the '60s, through interviews with friends, associates, and family members. When King was killed, a dream for the future was passed to RFK. During a 1967 Mississippi trip, RFK had an emotional reaction to the conditions in which poor black children lived. News footage and photos sketch in the backdrop of the '60s. By the end of 1968, with both men gone, the dream turned to despair. This two-hour film premiered April 5, 1998 on TBS. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Andrew Young, Rev. Benjamin Hooks, (more)
- 1997
Four 20-somethings try to unravel the tangled mess of their love lives in this modern romantic drama. Larry (Leon) runs a nightclub, but he would rather be onstage singing than booking the talent. Larry used to be involved with his friend Renee (P. Pauley), an aspiring poet, but lately he's become infatuated with Annette (Nicole Eggert), who also works at the club. Meanwhile, Billy (Jon Seda) has fallen in love with Renee, unaware that she still carries a torch for Larry (or even that they were ever involved). With so much romantic confusion, nearly everyone can use all the advice they can get, and neighborhood spiritualist Jackee (Loretta Devine) and street singer Ben (Lou Rawls) try to pass along what wisdom they have to spare. The Price of Kissing was the first dramatic feature film for writer and director Vince Di Persio, whose previous background was in documentaries and television films. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- 1986
- PG
Jimmy (Jim Youngs) is from a wealthy family and longs to be a professional soccer player in this plodding sports drama. His mother Georgia (Rutanya Alda) and father Nick (Peter Henry Schroeder) are opposed, believing Jimmy should focus on other endeavors. After he fails in his tryout with the New York Rockers, Jimmy travels to Brazil to learn from the soccer superstar Santos (Pele). Jimmy wins a spot on the team with a chance to play in the proverbial "big game." ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jim Youngs, Pelé, (more)
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