Tag Archives: the-documentary

La Toya Jackson Demands MSNBC Yank Dr. Conrad Murray Documentary

La Toya Jackson is irate over the documentary featuring Dr. Conrad Murray to air on MSNBC. She’s demanding it be pulled out of respect for her brother Michael. The late pop singer’s sister says the controversial documentary, which will air tomorrow, essentially gives “a murderer and convicted felon … celebrity status.” Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, not murder, but MJ’s estate and fans are still understandably upset about the Conrad Murray documentary . La Toya fired off a letter to MSNBC, claiming it’s outrageous that Michael cannot defend himself against Murray’s claims, of which there are apparently many. Some of Murray’s comments about MJ in the film, taken during the run-up to his trial, which ended in a guilty verdict earlier this week, are extremely critical. La Toya says Murray will profit from “homicidal acts that left my family without a brother, my niece and nephews without a father, my parents without a son …” La Toya wants the network to shelve it, but MSNBC has no plans to, and insists that Dr. Conrad Murray’s legal team didn’t get any money, directly or indirectly. There are reports out today that MSNBC funded Murray’s legal defense in return for the rights to air the documentary, but TMZ sources say that is simply untrue. In fact, Murray’s lead attorney Ed Chernoff is about to leave the case – possibly even before an appeal is filed – because the Murray case almost put him under. Murray reportedly got $1 for his participation in the documentary, but there could be loopholes, such as a side deal to give him share in profits from the show. La Toya can be heard cheering the verdict below. Classy. Dr. Conrad Murray Verdict Reading

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La Toya Jackson Demands MSNBC Yank Dr. Conrad Murray Documentary

Ai Weiwei Update: 04.13.11

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=22255563

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• Video: Alison Klaymon , creator of the documentary Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry , introduces us to 38-year old Global Times journalist Wen Tao (pictured), a friend of Ai Weiwei’s who was taken by plainclothes police hours after Ai was detained on Apr. 3; his whereabouts remain unknown, and no charges have been announced against him. • Shortly before his arrest, Ai was reportedly invited, twice, to be… Broadcasting platform : Vimeo Source : Eyeteeth: A journal of incisive ide Discovery Date : 13/04/2011 19:45 Number of articles : 2

Ai Weiwei Update: 04.13.11

Drake Opens Up About Family, Fears In ‘Better Than Good Enough’ Documentary

MTV special follows rapper/singer through the release of his debut, Thank Me Later. By Jayson Rodriguez Drake in “Better Than Good Enough” Photo: MTV News & Docs Drake is an open book. After the release of his breakthrough mixtape, So Far Gone ; his debut album, Thank Me Later ; and now the premiere of the documentary “Drake: Better Than Good Enough” on Wednesday night (June 23), the 23-year-old rapper and crooner has truly opened up his life for all to see — from the lows of keeping his life balanced to the joys of completing songs featuring Jay-Z. The MTV special was another chapter in his evolving career. “I have always been hesitant to share the details of my life with the world, but for the first time, I am comfortable and confident that you will love this story,” Drake said of “Better Than Good Enough.” In the film, cameras follow Drake on his Away From Home Tour and on his bus, where he recorded large portions of Thank Me Later. Drake and his producer, Noah “40” Shebib, frantically work late into the night after each tour stop, trying to complete the rapper’s album in time to make its June 15 release date. During the mastering session, 40 was shown still making tweaks to material while the engineer awaited the producer’s late arrival. In the same scene, Drake laments his close friend’s health, revealing 40’s battle with multiple sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 22. “I really don’t know if I could keep making music without 40,” Drake confessed. “I really don’t know. That’s one of the biggest fears I have, is losing 40.” Throughout the documentary, Drake often attempts to balance a tightrope between his greater ambitions and the responsibilities he has to his loved ones. His mother, who raised the actor-turned-musician, is the subject of one particularly touching scene, during which Drake addresses her illness. “My mom is sick,” he said. “So that scares me a lot. She’s been the most supportive person I’ve ever had in my life — the only person that loves me unconditionally, really. I know a lot of people love me and I love a lot of people. But to love somebody unconditionally is different.” The up-to-the-minute project also followed Drake on the day of his album release . There was his album signing at Best Buy in Manhattan and his canceled South Street Seaport gig . Interviewed immediately after the chaotic scene, Drake reveals he had scheduled Birdman and J. Cole as guests to appear during his set. “I had great things planned,” he lamented. The documentary ends with Drake visiting his father in Memphis then his mother in Toronto, before jetting overseas to open a Manchester, England, show headlined by Jay-Z. He calmly told the cameras that it’s just another show for him, opening for the legendary MC. The night before, Drake performed for more than 50,000 fans at New York radio station Hot 97’s annual Summer Jam concert . Later, the two rappers exchange pleasantries, as the Brooklyn rapper greets Drake’s mother and the two walk down a long hallway before parting ways. “They’re sharing the torch with him right now,” Sway said in the documentary, referring to Jay-Z and the array of superstars who have co-signed the upstart act. “They’re not passing it; Kanye is by no means passing it, Jay is by no means passing it, Wayne is by no means passing it. They’re sharing the torch with him. What are you gonna do with it?” What did you think about “Drake: Better Than Good Enough”? Let us know in the comments below! Related Videos ‘Drake: Better Than Good Enough’

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Drake Opens Up About Family, Fears In ‘Better Than Good Enough’ Documentary

Drake Says ‘Better Than Good Enough’ Documentary Captures ‘The Most Important Time Of My Life’

Documentary airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. on MTV. By Mawuse Ziegbe Drake in “Better Than Good Enough” Photo: MTV He’s won over critics with his introspective style, he caused a riot when he tried to play a free show and fans camped out overnight last week for his hotly-anticipated debut, Thank Me Later . There’s no question that Drake is one of the most high-profile artists in the game right now, but he’s opening up to his fans even more in the upcoming documentary Drake: Better Than Good Enough which airs on MTV Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. “I shot a documentary — it was the two months leading up to my album. It was like the most important time of my life — ever,” Drake told MTV’s “Sucker Free” about the doc, which goes behind the scenes as he finishes and prepares to drop his highly-anticipated debut. Drizzy said he wanted to give his audience deeper insight about himself in the documentary. “I documented [the months before Thank Me Later dropped] for you to see, so we can get to know each other a little better,” Drake said. The documentary gives fans little-known tidbits about Drizzy and takes viewers along as he straps in for on his meteoric rise. The cameras follow Drake from the kick-off of his “Away From Home” tour and captures the moments as he and his crew wrap up Thank Me Later . Along the way, he opens up about everything from his mother’s failing health to his training sessions with his vocal coach. “I just want people to walk away … just feeling a little bit more confident about Drake,” Drizzy says in the documentary . “In no way do I want people to be like, ‘He’s the best. He’s the man.’ ‘Cause I really do have a desire to grow and get better. I do want people to walk away and be like, ‘OK. OK.’ ” Don’t miss the “Drake: Better Than Good Enough” documentary , airing Wednesday, June 23, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV! Related Videos Preview: Drake’s MTV Special ‘Better Than Good Enough’ Related Photos Drake Takes Manhattan! Drake’s Style: From A To Drizzy

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Drake Says ‘Better Than Good Enough’ Documentary Captures ‘The Most Important Time Of My Life’

The Cove Screenings Canceled in Japan as Protests Mount (Video)

After working diligently to raise money to translate The Cove into Japanese, and advocating like crazy to get it allowed into theaters in the country, the team behind the ground-breaking documentary is finding it is being met with little enthusiasm. Screenings across Japan are being canceled as pressure from protesters grow, saying that the documentary is a “betrayal of Japanese pride.” Unplugged, the distributor of the documentary in Japan, said that the two cancellations that occurred last week came about from concern over the safety of moviegoers and businesses nearby. Angry phone calls and picketers with bullhorns are proving effective at keeping t… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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The Cove Screenings Canceled in Japan as Protests Mount (Video)

Joan Rivers at Tribeca: ‘I Was Never the Pretty One’

Maybe it was the rain. On a night when the Tribeca Film Festival’s packed hometown premiere of the documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work glowed with the promise of its post-screening conversation between Rivers and her catty confidante Rex Reed, the atmosphere was overtaken by a more subdued, contemplative mood between the pair. At least until the point when Rivers called out that 88-year-old “bitch” Betty White.

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Joan Rivers at Tribeca: ‘I Was Never the Pretty One’

Magnolia Acquires, Explains All-Star Freakonomics Doc

With Tribeca’s closing-night slot already locked up , the documentary adaptation of the best-selling book Freakonomics has officially found a U.S. distributor in Magnolia Pictures. It’s not especially surprising considering the relationship Magnolia has with half the filmmakers involved, having helped boost the likes of Alex Gibney ( Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room ) and Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady ( Jesus Camp ) to Oscar nominations over the last few years. Meanwhile non-fiction stars Morgan Spurlock ( Super Size Me ), Eugene Jarecki ( Why We Fight ) and Seth Gordon ( The King of Kong , not to mention his Hollywood narrative debut Four Christmases ) are also involved; click through for a breakthrough of which directors are doing what.

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Magnolia Acquires, Explains All-Star Freakonomics Doc

Producer Denies Charges in Farrah Suit, Rips Ryan O’Neal

Farrah’s Story just got a little more sad.

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Producer Denies Charges in Farrah Suit, Rips Ryan O’Neal

DJ AM Show Goes On

MTV has decided they they will air “Gone Too Far” , the documentary series that DJ AM filmed about young drug addicts.

MTV Will Air DJ AM’s Addiction Documentary

Filed under: DJ AM MTV has decided they will air “Gone Too Far” — the documentary series on young drug addicts that DJ AM finished just three days before he died from an accidental overdose.The network says they got the “consent and support” of DJ AM’s family before … Permalink

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MTV Will Air DJ AM’s Addiction Documentary