By Justin Waldman

A.rtificial I.mmortality is incredibly interesting Documentary asking us the difficult questions of what if we could place our mind and moreover conscious in an AI program. While this has been explored throughout countless fictitious films, the Documentary scratches the surface of the science, moral questions, and real possibilities of artificial immortality. The Documentary features several interviews with Nick Bostrom, Douglas Rushkoff, Ben Goertzel, Deepak Chopra and Hiroshi Ishiguro. Deepak Chopra wants to become a new AI himself, similar to an Alexa or Siri , but provide his insight and therapeutic methods by AI.

While A.rtificial I.mmortality focuses on the science and real possibilities of AI, it just scratches the surface. It does not bog down in specifics or other realms of artificial immortality, which works as it asks the audience to explore further on their own volition. It gives a taste of what there is to discover, while providing enough context to satisfy those just wanting to have a bare bones understanding of the world of AI.

By Justin Waldman

The Face of Anonymous explores the powers of “Hacktivist” group Anonymous while focuses on Commander X specifically. Anonymous is the group behind cyber-attacks and supporter of Wikileaks while getting justice for the voiceless. However, The Face of Anonymous focuses solely on one member, Commander X – real name Christopher Mark Doyon – who is currently wanted by the FBI. One of the many things that Commander X is responsible for is hacking VISA, Paypal and Mastercard for no longer allowing people to support Wikileaks. This is initially what lead the FBI to investigate him as his abilities were now known to the highest law force in the world.

The Face of Anonymous gives us candid interviews with Mark himself, who has not made himself shy to the Hot Docs festival, as well as journalists who talk about the impact Commander X has had on the virtual and real world. There is some interesting thoughts and ideas that Commander X finishes with, specifically pertaining to the 2016 US election.

By Justin Waldman

Have you heard of Sparks? Have you not heard of Sparks? Quite frankly it doesn’t matter if you know the British/non British band, The Sparks Brothers is an excellent Documentary. Ron and Russell Mael have been making and performing music for over 50 years, going through reinventions of sound and style throughout their career. They managed to create sounds before they became popular, accused of plagiarizing themselves as their sound has inspired countless acts.

With wonderful direction from Edgar Wright, The Sparks Brothers encapsulates all of their music, style, and influence throughout fifty years of music and life. They left the United States to go to the UK where they were incredibly more popular, to creating an entire Synth album in the late ’70s, everything the Sparks have done has been criticized and revolutionary. Wright’s direction is flawless throughout the Documentary, providing every ounce of insight for the audience that is possible for Sparks.

The only issue that lays within this otherwise incredible and fun Documentary is the amount of information we are given. It gives a thorough and extensive look at Sparks throughout their entire career, and what could have changed if one thing or another changed. However, having never known of Sparks (by name) prior The Sparks Brothers, this Film was eye-opening and engaging.

By Justin Waldman

The best part of being able to watch Documentaries at home this year, is being able to enjoy proper meals while indulging in wonderful stories. Before you watch Come Back Anytime assure that you have a hearty bowl of delicious incredible ramen in your hands as you will be salivating throughout the entire Documentary. It focuses on Masamoto and Kazuko Ueda and their ramen shop in Tokyo. The Film shifts back and forth between the ramen shop that evolved from just serving standard ramen, to a variety of different ramens and then alcohol and becoming a true community staple. While the other part of the Documentary focuses on Masamoto and his life outside of the ramen shop.

There are a lot of touching moments throughout Come Back Anytime, but one in particular truly encapsulates what food means to people. Masamoto and Kazuko closed up their previous shop and moved to Tokyo and one of their former customers found them again, after searching for them after he discovered they no longer were at their former location and the immense joy that was expressed truly shows what the power of food and community means to everyone. Come Back Anytime will make you appreciate community and food more than before, so order from your favourite local Ramen shop and enjoy this delicious Doc!

A new Trailer has arrived for LUCA which is coming this June to Disney+!

Synopsis:

Disney and Pixar’s original feature film “Luca” is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface. The voice cast features Jacob Tremblay as Luca Paguro, Jack Dylan Grazer as Alberto Scorfano, Emma Berman as Giulia Marcovaldo, Saverio Raimondo as town bully Ercole Visconti, Maya Rudolph as Luca’s mom Daniela, Marco Barricelli as Giulia’s dad Massimo, Jim Gaffigan as Luca’s dad Lorenzo,  Sandy Martin as Luca’s grandma, and Giacomo Gianniotti as a local fisherman. Pixar Animation Studios’ 24^th feature film is directed by Academy Award® nominee Enrico Casarosa (“La Luna”) and produced by Andrea Warren (“Lava,” “Cars 3”).  Award-winning composer Dan Romer (“Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “Maniac”) created the score.

LUCA arrives on Disney+ June 18, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Disney/Pixar)

By George Kozera

Lukas Graham achieved fame and critical success in a relatively short amount of time. With having access to the group years before they made it big worldwide, 7 YEARS OF LUKAS GRAHAM is a fascinating account of a group starting small then gaining momentum, overcoming barricades and hitting milestone after milestone. A number one hit. Numerous Grammy nominations. Dealing with the death of a parent, then finally become a parent themselves. What is most admirable about what this Documentary presents is its complete honesty in the portrayal. Rather than going the standard rags-to-riches route, whitewashing anything that can be perceived as negative, this Movie is brutally honest. To be perfectly frank, lead singer, Lukas Forchhammer, does not come across as someone you’d really want to hang out and a have a beer with. He can be petty and petulant and obstinate. He is also supremely talented and must be very secure with himself to allow to be seen warts and all and not use his power as a celebrity to censor the “seamier” scenes.

This is an accomplished Documentary. I enjoyed all the music and concert scenes. I enjoyed the interactions between the band members and their managers and producers. “7 Years” is a genuinely catchy pop song and 7 YEARS OF LUKAS GRAHAM is authentically unique and entertaining.

By George Kozera

When the voices begin to crack on the members of the Stockholm Boys’ Choir as they approach puberty and decide they wish to continue to sing in a choir as they inch their way to adulthood, they enter what can only be best described as a musical limbo. With the help of an assistant, these young boys tackle songs that best suit their “developing” voices until they are old enough to sing in traditional choirs. THE VOICE BREAK CHOIR is an utterly charming 29 minute long Documentary that focuses on a number of 13 and 14 year old boys who talk openly about their aspirations and dreams for the future. It should be required viewing for mothers who wonder whatever happened to their young baby boys when they reach that age!

By Justin Waldman

Childhood can be defined by a lot of things, and different things for every person, but it is safe to say that most of us in our youth were impacted greatly by the legacy of Sesame Street. Street Gang: How we got to Sesame Street explores the creation, impact, and continued success of one of the greatest children shows of all time. If you previously saw the Carol Spinney Documentary a few years ago, do not fret as there is much more to discover, love, and learn from this new Documentary on all of Sesame Street.

The Film focuses on how Sesame Street came to be while interviewing Joan Ganz Cooney who is a Co-founder of Sesame Street and a Producer, and was able to help get the show off the ground. Street Gang: How we got to Sesame Street is a beautiful portrait of a show that has a place in many hearts.

Sesame Street taught us about love, equality, death and so much more. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ever endearing Documentary on this small New York community with everyone from a grouch to the worlds friendliest bird.

The 2021 HOT DOCS FESTIVAL runs April 29 to May 9, 2021. Taking-on a virtual format this year, bringing the Festival home to Festival Goers. Make no mistake though, just because the Festival can be enjoyed at home doesn’t meant the quality of this year’s events and Films are compromised. If anything, this perhaps is one of the strongest years in recent memory with several high-profile Documentaries set to premiere including STREET GANG: HOW TO GET TO SESAME STREET, Edgar Wright‘s THE SPARKS BROTHERS and Sundance Award-winning SUMMER OF SOUL and several more. All Films go live starting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2021 on the online platform.

Our Justin Waldman and George Kozera share their most-anticipated Films of the Festival with us.

GEORGE KOZERA (@PartyG)

There is a wealth of great Documentaries available for screening this year at HOT DOCS. When asked what were my Top Five movies I was most excited to see, I was in a conundrum. There are just too many to choose from. So, to make it easier on myself and, let’s face it, these times are stressful enough without more added pressure, I am submitting my list of Documentaries that are solely focused on the arts and the entertainment community.

1. SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED) – Questlove’s directorial debut about the six-week- long Harlem Cultural Festival held in 1969, a stone’s throw away from Woodstock, has every fiber in my being, every cell in my body twitching with excitement. Part-music concert, part-historical record on Black History, this winner of two awards at Sundance is so up my alley. Musical performances from Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and Gladys Knight and the Pips are but a few of the names who sang on stage. All I can say is that I am thrilled to watch this at home as I’m sure my standing up to dance to the music and sing along would scare those seated around me. This Special Presentation will be streamed May 5^th.

2. FANNY: THE RIGHT TO ROCK – This all-girl Rock Band was definitely ahead of its time and inspired many female musicians to pick up guitars and drums and play like and with the big boys. I was a fan obsessed with their music and talent and relished the thought of knowing more about their music, struggles and what they are currently doing.

3. THE ROSSELLINIS – Cinema has many family dynasties: The Hustons, the Barrymores, the Fondas, and the Coppolas to name but a few. But my knowledge about the Rossellinis is sketchy at best. I have seen some of acclaimed Director Robert Rossellini’s work, know of his marriage to Ingrid Bergman and, of course, there’s the hauntingly beautiful Isabella. But this Documentary, from Roberto’s grandson Alessandro, sounds to fascinating to pass-up.

4. THE SPARKS BROTHERS – Truthfully, I don’t think I’ve ever consciously heard any music from these two brothers or seen them ever perform on TV. But I follow Director Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Baby Driver) on Instagram and his enthusiasm for his directorial Documentary debut is downright infectious. And isn’t that why we watch documentaries…to learn new things?

5. 7 YEARS OF LUKAS GRAHAM – I’m not sure where or how I first heard the song “7 Years”, but I was impressed enough to check it out on YouTube and became a fan of Lukas Graham. This is an admirable, no holds barred, warts and all Documentary on the rise of this talented group from Denmark. Its honesty must be applauded.

JUSTIN WALDMAN (@DubsReviews)

1. STREET GANG: HOW WE GOT TO SESAME STREET – Let’s be real, who doesn’t love Sesame Street? The Carol Spinney Documentary from a few years ago brought me to tears, and being able to have a further in-depth look into Sesame Street is a definite must see!

2. THE SPARKS BROTHERS – Edgar Wright, yes that him (!) directed a Music Documentary. If you’ve ever seen an Edgar Wright movie, lets be real who hasn’t, then you know how much care and effort he puts into his soundtracks. If you love good music, great storytelling, and a pair of wacky brothers, then The Sparks Brothers is for you.

3. SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED) – If you’re not excited for this incredible-looking Documentary directed by Questlove that won the hearts of everyone at Sundance, then I don’t know what to tell you. This is one of my most anticipated Documentaries of the entire Festival, and I CANNOT wait to get to see this beautiful work of art.

4. HYSTERICAL – Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, Nikki Glaser, Iliza Shelsinger – is there anything else that needs to be said to get you hyped to watch a Documentary on some of the FUNNIEST women on the planet? Sit back, laugh whole-heartedly, and learn the inside of the business with this wonderful Documentary.

5. WEWORK: OR MAKING AND BREAKING OF A $47 BILLION UNICORN -People were buzzing about this one in particular coming out of SXSW and since then it has skyrocketed to the top of my list. One of the more interesting looks into the capitalism bubbles we have seen lately, and Adam Neumann, specifically.

More here on tickets and titles.

Check back here for our Reviews.

Rose Byrne is back in PHYSICAL, which arrives soon on Apple TV+. See this new Teaser!

Synopsis:

Set in the idyllic but fragile beach paradise of sunny 1980s San Diego, “Physical” is a half-hour dark comedy following Sheila Rubin (Byrne), a quietly tortured, seemingly dutiful housewife supporting her smart but controversial husband’s bid for state assembly. But behind closed doors, Sheila has her own darkly funny take on life she rarely lets the world see. She’s also battling a complex set of personal demons relating to her self-image…. that is, until she finds release through the unlikeliest source: the world of aerobics.

PHYSICAL arrives Friday, June 18, 2021 on Apple TV+ with new episodes arriving weekly.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)