THE SHUFFLE (2025, doc)

November 25, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Which pro football team had a hit song that reached number 41 on the pop charts and was awarded a gold record? Well, if you were around in 1985, you probably know it was the Chicago Bears and their song, “The Super Bowl Shuffle”. Director Jeff Cameron (“Hard Knocks”) in partnership with NFL Films proceeds to tell us more than we ever cared to know about the team, the song, and the video.

The film opens with the 12-0 Bears headed to Miami to play on Monday Night Football. As Jim McMahon says, that “was not our night”. The perfect season was no longer possible after Dan Marino and the Dolphins won 38-24. The nugget of information that makes this interesting is that it was the day after this game when the Bears were scheduled to film their music video. You can imagine the mood of the team had changed. Willie Gault knew linebacker Mike Singletary was key to uniting the guys and keeping to the commitment.

Mix Engineer Fred Breitberg is interviewed and spills a bit of trivia when he lets us know that the song was adapted from “The Kingfish Shuffle”, part of “The Amos ‘n Andy Show” (from the 1950’s). It was Jovan CEO Dick Meyer who had the brainstorm for the music video, and his surviving spouse lets us know that was her in the referee uniform blowing the whistle in the video (another bit of trivia). Sportswriter Rick Telander provides some perspective on the times and the impact of the Bears and video … they were media stars.

We do get to go behind the scenes (on set) as the video is filmed, and it’s pretty funny to watch these sports giants struggle to get the dance steps down. Poor Leslie Frazier is crowned the team’s worst dancer and takes a bit of grief from his teammates, as you would expect. Then we see Walter Payton and Jim McMahon superimposed over the team portion, as they both skipped the initial filming. Was the team challenging karma by recording the video prior to qualifying for the Super Bowl? Or were they just confident? Either way, Singletary firmly believes the project led to a deep bonding with teammates that never would have happened without the video.

This was the MTV era and the video (VHS) and record (45 rpm) went viral – well what was considered viral in the pre-internet days. The team raised over $300,000 for Chicago Community Trust (a charity) and ultimately lost the Grammy to a fellow from Minneapolis that went by the name Prince. After the Bears trounced the Patriots in the Super Bowl, it left us wondering if the lyrics were misleading … it certainly seemed like this team really was there to start some trouble. A final piece of buried trivia that the film uncovers is that the Patriots actually responded with a video of their own. No one seemed to notice.

Debuts November 25, 2025 on HBO

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THE SESSION MAN (2025, doc)

November 20, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. This sounds less like a music trivia question and more like a trick question: Who played with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Jefferson Airplane, Harry Nilsson, Joe Cocker, Jeff Beck, Badfinger, Art Garfunkel, Graham Parker, and on solo albums by all four Beatles? Of course, if you are a fan of music from the 1960’s and 1970’s, you likely know it’s not a trick and the answer is the amazing and talented keyboardist, Nicky Hopkins.

First time director Michael Treen provides a platform for musicians and performers to pay tribute to “the legendary Nicky Hopkins.” And what they do is gush over Hopkins’ talent. Perhaps the best compliment given is that Hopkins was never the star – he just made the song better. And by ‘the song’, it refers to the fact that he played on more than 250 albums by various bands and musicians. Hopkins was the studio musician extraordinaire. He even periodically played live shows, and Treen includes some clips of Hopkins performing on stage.

As a child prodigy, Nicky studied classical music and later transitioned those remarkable skills into other genres. Treen includes various clips of a 1991 interview with Hopkins, so that viewers better understand the reserved personality of this keyboard genius. Beyond the input from the musicians who worshipped his ability, we hear from his widow who clearly adored him. It’s here where we learn of his drug abuse, alcoholism, and subsequent rehab. And by this time, we are quite aware of the lifelong health issues accentuated by Nicky’s early onset Crohn’s disease … the complications of which contributed to his too-soon death at age 50.

Hopkins may be best remembered for his contributions to fourteen albums by The Rolling Stones, and I always think of him when I hear “Revolution” by The Beatles. Only this year was Nicky Hopkins finally inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. He can now forever be remembered as the musician who just made the song better. In fact, it’s mentioned that Hopkins believed he was Frederic Chopin reincarnated … who are we to argue?

In UK cinemas beginning November 21, 2025

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Posted by David Ferguson

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS (2025, doc)

November 16, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Why do 95% of schools have lockdown drills? Why are active shooter defense products a $3 billion industry? Why do thirty states allow teachers to carry firearms? Well, the answer is pretty simple and is clearly stated by one of the students interviewed: because more of us care more about our gun rights than the safety of children. That’s one of the heartbreaking points that comes from this documentary by co-directors Zackary Canepari and Jessica Dimmock.

We see shelter shutters designed to block visibility on classroom windows. There are robotic dogs meant to sound the alert and keep students safe. A demonstration shows how a table turns into a bullet proof body shield – meant for those without access to the mobile type. Gun violence has become so normalized and expected that we now run drills for students as early as kindergarten … leaving teachers and parents to explain to kids that can’t yet read why they need to be quiet and take cover.

How to survive an active shooter in America means teachers go through gun training and run drills on how to protect themselves and students. And you thought Algebra was stressful. Some of this is incredibly realistic and all of it is quite serious and focused – we can tell by the facial expressions, both young and old. The stated goal is to create muscle memory in case action is ever needed. One of the students mentions that the drills for shooting are similar to what one might do for tornadoes or hurricanes (and we note how those are natural disasters as contrasted with human-induced).

Archival footage of previous school shootings is shown, and we never adjust to the looks of panic during these clips. We even get a glimpse of the Edge video game, produced by the Department of Homeland Security … yet another way to reach kids and instill the importance of preparation. It’s unlikely any drill of video game can replace the shock and terror of a real shooter event. At least we hope not. While all of this is painful and heartbreaking to watch, the real world is such that these products, tools, and drills play an important role. “Thoughts and Prayers” may be one of the most overused phrases these days, but this documentary is a sobering reminder of what our society has become, and what our teachers and students must endure.

Premieres on HBO this Tuesday, November 18, 2025

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE MERCHANTS OF JOY (2025, doc)

November 15, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. The thing I love about documentaries is that so many tell stories that might otherwise not be told. Quite often, we don’t even realize there is a story to be told, which is the case with this latest from Celia Aniskovich about selling Christmas trees. If you’ve ever strolled the streets of Manhattan in December, then you know there’s no place like NYC at Christmas. Maneuvering through the mass of people becomes more challenging thanks to the street vendors lining the sidewalks selling Christmas trees. And there’s the story.

It turns out there are groups that own the tree stands. They are referred to as “the Five Families”, and each has found their own path to the sidewalk. The film introduces us to the five groups … well technically to four of them, as one (the largest), only appears via phone recordings instead of an on-camera interview. Each of these ‘frenemies’ recounts their own story: NYC Trees, Uptown Christmas Trees, the NY Tree Lady, and Greg’s Trees.

Aniskovich allows these stories to unfold in a naturalistic way (leading us to believe that quite a bit was edited out of the final version). Big Greg started his business at age 21, and now his son, Little Greg, has joined him. They also operate stands for roses and pumpkins in order to have business year-round. George (NYC Trees) was previously employed by Big Greg, and is quite a hustler in his own right – adding a carnival to his bag of tricks. Jane and George are from Vermont and have run Uptown Christmas Trees for 49 years. They are transitioning the business to their daughter Ciree, and have quite a colorful business motto! Heather is known as the NY Tree Lady, and despite a periodic show of nerves, she seems successful and quite charitable in her treatment of others.

These folks and their stories are so interesting that we don’t even feel a void with the refusal of big time Kevin Hammer (100 lots) to join in the documentary festivities. We hear about trade secrets and turf wars and mafia involvement, but mostly we hear from real people doing real work. It’s a bit surprising to learn of the emotional stress, but they each seem aware that they are selling moments in time and Christmas spirit … one tree at a time. Aniskovich was inspired by Owen Long’s article “Secrets of the Christmas Tree Trade” (The Epic Magazine & New York Magazine), and leaves us with Jane’s motto, ‘Sell the %^&&*(# tree!

Premieres at DOC NYC on November 14, 2025 and will stream on Prime Video beginning December 1, 2025

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Posted by David Ferguson

STEVE SCHAPIRO: BEING EVERYWHERE (2025, doc)

November 14, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Historians record events for future generations. We tend to think of history as what we read on the page in books, yet it’s the photographers who often bring those words to life – delivering visuals that hit home and make the past so memorable. Few photographers have done it better or for a longer period of time or across a more diverse cross-section than photojournalist Steve Schapiro.

Maura Smith, Schapiro’s wife of 40 years (until his death in 2022 at age 87) has crafted a loving documentary and tribute to him, while also conveying what an incredibly interesting life he led. She put her charming husband on camera and let him tell the stories associated with his photographs. This is a man entrenched in movie stills, movie posters, celebrity and VIP portraits, and the Civil Rights Movement … including the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery march. His photographs were published in all the major magazines (often on the cover) of the times, and his movie work included such films as MIDNIGHT COWBOY, THE GODFATHER, CHINATOWN, and TAXI DRIVER (to name a few). Schapiro even sits on the white sofa that was used for sessions during RISKY BUSINESS and FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF.

Many of the faces from his work are easily recognizable: James Baldwin, Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Barbara Streisand, Muhammad Ali – plus musicians such as Frank Zappa, The Velvet Underground, Ike and Tina Turner, Ray Charles, and Frank Sinatra. It’s fascinating to listen as Schapiro recounts some of his freelance assignments, and his time with Bobby Kennedy is especially detailed and interesting … in fact his memories about the Civil Rights Movement are what elevate his work. His after-the-tragedy recollections of going through the Lorraine Hotel after Martin Luther King’s assassination are gut-wrenching. Schapiro states that the perfect photograph is a blend of emotion, design, and information … much like his life.

Opens in NYC on November 14, 2025 and then rolls out nationwide

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THE SIEGE OF APE CANYON (2025, doc)

November 12, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. According to one of those interviewed, this isn’t just a Bigfoot story … it’s THE Bigfoot story! The film is directed by Eli Watson (not his first Bigfoot project) and produced by Seth Breedlove, the founder of Small Town Monsters – a production company with projects in the vein of the old “In Search of …” series.

It was 1924, in the shadows of Mount Saint Helens in Washington state, when a group of gold prospectors led by a man named Fred Beck claimed to be attacked by a bunch of large, hairy, ape-like creatures. The men were under siege in a cabin near the mine as they fired their guns at the rock-throwing creatures … creatures henceforth referred to as Mountain Devils. This encounter, or stories of this encounter, created one of the most infamous Bigfoot stories of all time. Director Watson includes a black & white reenactment of this ‘siege in Ape Canyon.

We meet Marc Myrsell, an avid researcher who, 50 years after the attack, began looking into the story to determine if any evidence might exist to shift the legend into local history. The search initially focused on proving the existence of the cabin, and then of the gold mine. Mr. Myrsell admits, ‘no good research project is ever done”, and after 100 years have passed, he remains diligent in his quest to discover any shreds of evidence.

Some relatives of the mining team from 1924 are located, and discussions and revelations occur. Of course, for anyone seeking proof of Bigfoot, Sasquatch, or Mountain Devils, the search continues. At a minimum, we meet some interesting and dedicated folks and see some breathtaking views.

Available on VOD (including Prime Video) beginning November 11, 2025

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Posted by David Ferguson

MATTER OF TIME (2025, doc)

November 6, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) has been labeled as “the worst disease you’ve never heard of.” After watching this documentary from Matt Finlin, it’s safe to say EB is now one of the worst diseases I have heard of. Watching anyone suffer is torturous, and when those suffering are young and simply drew a short straw in genetics, the difficulty is even greater. The excruciating disease causes the blistering of skin and is typically visually apparent to all, requiring delicate and frequent bandaging to minimize further damage.

Rock star Eddie Vedder and his wife Jill founded EB Research Partnership, and the film covers a couple of 2023 mostly acoustic concerts Eddie gave at Seatle’s Benaroya Hall to raise money and awareness of the disease. Vedder is well-known for his work (since 1990) with Pearl Jam (originally Mookie Blaylock), a band synonymous with Seattle’s grunge rock. His musical numbers here act as a framing device around the education we receive on the disease and the interviews with the families and individuals touched by EB. This also includes the doctors and researchers dedicated to finding not just a treatment, but a cure.

The families and this community are very strong and diligent despite the enormous challenges – both emotionally and physically. We spend time with 31-year-old Deanna, a remarkable lady with an incredible life attitude she describes as “quality over quantity”. Her artistic ability is as exceptional as her approach to each day. EB robbed her of her ability to walk, and it took the limbs she once used to paint. However, she has not allowed the blisters and fragility of life to stop her from painting. Deanna is but one of the courageous folks we meet here, and the film ends with an unfortunate update on her.

Eddie Vedder comes across as very humble and committed to helping in the cause. The proceeds for the concerts and the film go to the EB Research Partnership. Periodically joined on stage by a string quartet, his music is welcomed between segments with the community. We learn the significance of “Come and Say Hi” … an invitation from those who might be a little different, and Vedder ends the show with a touching and fitting version of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”.

For more information on EB: https://www.ebresearch.org/

Prior to a theatrical release, the film will have a one week run in Seattle beginning November 7, 2025

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ALEX VS AROD (2025)

November 5, 2025

HBO Documentary 3-episode mini-series

Greetings again from the darkness. Over 3000 hits. Almost 700 Home Runs (696). 3 MVP awards. A 14 time All-Star. A World Series champion. There is no debate that Alex Rodriguez was one of the greatest baseball players of all time. It’s just that every other aspect of ARod’s life is up for animated debate, and that’s what this 3-part series from co-directors Gotham Chopra (numerous sports documentaries) and Erik LeDrew attempts to explore.

The three episodes are not clearly defined by time or segments of ARod’s life or career, yet by the end, it feels like most every aspect has been covered – although, outside of his marriage to Cynthia Scurtis, his infamous love life is skimmed over (Cameron Diaz, Torre Wilson, Anne Wojcicki, Jennifer Lopez). The focus here is on baseball and, as the title infers, the two personalities of Alex “ARod” Rodriguez. One of the first clips shown is Rodriguez being questioned about his PED (Performance Enhancement Drugs) suspension. He immediately responds by telling the interviewer he will give two answers and to use the one he thinks is best. So, from the opening pitch, we see the two sides of the man.

The first episode relays the good … the youngest player to 500 home runs … and the bad … the record 211 game suspension for PED. His former manager, Lou Pinella (now 82) delivers a brief scouting report recalling the prodigal talent of the number one overall draft pick of the Mariners in 1993. ARod made his major league debut in 1994 at the age of eighteen. We hear from his brother who says Alex was a baseball junkie at an early age and spent a great deal of time talking baseball with their dad. The childhood was unusual in that the family moved from New York to the Dominican Republic when Alex was four and then to Miami a few years later. Dad left the family when Alex was ten, and only ever saw him play four MLB games in person. Instead, it was Mom’s ‘tough love’ that helped raise Alex. In this episode, we also hear from Alex’s first wife, Cynthia, and the segment ends with ARod becoming a Free Agent in 2000 and signing a massive $252 million deal thanks to is agent, Scott Boras, and the owner of the Texas Rangers, Tom Hicks.

It’s commonplace for celebrities to have a public persona that’s a bit different than their private persona, yet in the second episode, Alex’s brother claims there are two distinct personalities present … even Alex admits that ‘ARod’ took over when the pressure of ‘$252’ got to him. Of course, that pressure jumped quickly when the Rangers traded him to the New York Yankees. Ego comes up frequently when discussing ARod, but he did agree to move from SS to 3B in order to fit in with the Yankees, allowing their captain, Derek Jeter, to remain at his position. The trade took place in 2004, which is also the year Alex’s daughter Natasha was born. The personal joy contrasted with the professional challenge of meeting Jeter’s relentless playoff mentality and the rivalry against the Red Sox. One of the film’s most fascinating segments occurs when Katie Couric recounts her meeting with ARod. She uses the term “Gatsbyesque” when describing him. This second episode also includes the relief ARod felt when the Yanks won the 2009 world series … justifying his recent $275 million contract extension. His hip surgery is mentioned, and we get the lead into the third episode – an into to the PED report.

Stressed in episode three is ARod’s lifelong love of the game. He hit home run number 600 in 2010, two years after his divorce from Cynthia. It’s in this episode where his relationship with therapist Dr David Snarch in Colorado and the BioGenesis PED scandal with Tony Bosch becomes clear. Although ARod was an aging player who had been hit with a few injuries, the rules in baseball were clear … PEDs were not allowed. It’s around this time when the nicknames began: A-Droid, A-Fraud, A-Hole, etc. After missing the entire 2014 season, he returned to the field in 2015 … this time as a full-time DH, and retired after the 2016 season.

Throughout the series, we hear insight from a number of folks, including ARod’s brother, former manager Lou Pinella, former teammates Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr., his ex-wife Cynthia, Yankees announcer Michael Kay, and sportswriter Mike Francesa. And Alex Rodriguez sits for multiple interviews as well, bits and pieces of which are included. It should be noted that after all the talk regarding ARod’s love of the game, when his playing days ended, he transitioned into a key piece of an Emmy winning sports broadcasting team. There is probably less actual baseball in this series than you’d expect, as it’s more of a character study … of quite a character. As one of the sport’s greatest ever players, he remains one of its most polarizing figures .. yet he’s also one of the most knowledgeable and experienced. He’s described as a Shakespearean figure -one responsible for his own fall from grace.

The Three episodes will air on HBO and then be available for streaming on HBO Max

Episode 1: November 6, 2025 9:00pm ET

Episode 2: November 13, 2025 9:00pm ET

Episode 3: November 20, 2025 9:00pm ET

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Posted by David Ferguson

COUNTRY DOCTOR (2025, doc short)

October 27, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. With healthcare in the headlines most every day, this 37 minute documentary short film from co-directors Shari Cookson and Nick Doob couldn’t be more timely, nor more important. Rather than present a general overview of the crisis in rural America, the filmmakers present one specific real world case study from tiny Fairfax, Oklahoma, with a focus on the local doctor and the foundering hospital.

Dr. James Graham (not ‘Moonlight’ for you FIELD OF DREAMS fans) has practiced in the area for 41 years and has treated multiple generations of residents. Despite growing up poor and having had two kidney transplants himself, Dr. Graham is one of two doctors at the Fairfax hospital. He’s also the only doctor providing service to the local nursing home and three clinics … and he makes house calls and gives out hugs and philosophy (hope) to patients in need. It’s not unusual for his patients to pay him with fresh produce from their own gardens … sometimes secretly delivering these to the back end of his truck. This community knows how fortunate they are to have Dr. Graham, and it’s obvious he cares deeply about providing care to these neighbors – many he’s known since they were born.

Filming of this story dates back to pre-pandemic, and Dr. Graham mentions how many patients were lost due to COVID and the limitations brought on by the struggling hospital. It was a hosptial run by a group/individual who committed fraud and apparently put little effort toward medical care, the efficient running of the hospital, or the proper management of staff. Dr. Graham went as far as to speak directly with state politicians to explain the situation. He was met with, “Let us know if we can help …”, the infamous empty words politicians have become known for. The hospital was put up for auction, and the film covers the fascinating process. When a group run by Newport Beach (California) physician Dr. Elizabeth Pusey won the bid, skepticism was noted by Dr. Graham, the community, and the local newspaper. Capital improvements and infrastructure expansion began, yet communication from Dr. Pusey’s group was minimal.

What makes this documentary so powerful is that it’s a real-world example of what’s occurring around the country. So many citizens are at risk. More than 140 rural hospitals have closed since 2010, and more than 600 others remain at risk. It’s a travesty that the elected officials don’t share the humanity displayed on a daily basis by Dr. James Graham.

This documentary short premieres on HBO beginning October 28, 2025

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LUV YA’, BUM! (2025, doc)

October 23, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. It’s unusual for a documentary to credit three directors, but these three have been involved with some of the best Texas-based documentaries. Sam Wainwright Douglas, David Hartstein, and Andrew Alden Miller have each worked on at least one of these: HONKY TONK HEAVEN: THE LEGEND OF THE BROKEN SPOKE (2016), TOWER (2016), FADERS UP: THE JOHN AIELLI EXPERIENCE (2024), and ALONG CAME KINKY … TEXAS JEWBOY FOR GOVERNOR (2009). This time, their collaboration gives us a history lesson on legendary football coach O.A. “Bum” Phillips.

The film opens with a stream of acclamations for Bum from a lineup of folks who would know: former opponents, former players, league coaches, and even an owner. The raving compliments in the opening and throughout the runtime are delivered by such football luminaries as Terry Bradshaw, Dan Pastorini, Earl Campbell, Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips, Wes Phillips, JJ Watt, Archie and Peyton Manning, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Elvin Bethea, Mike Barber, Mike Renfro, Gary Kubiak, and Von Miller. Dennis Quaid serves as the narrator.

The title would lead us to believe that this is a documentary on Bum Phillips, and while he and his career are profiled, this is every bit as much about the Houston Oilers, the rabid fan base, and Bum’s influence on players and coaches, and his son and grandson. It’s clear that Nederland High School football coach Bum Phillips learned a great deal from then A&M coach Bear Bryant, and the impressive thing about Bum’s career is how he took the knowledge from Bryant and Bum’s other coaching gigs and turned it into his own style … and a successful professional coaching career.

Archival footage captures the excitement of the ‘Luv ya Blue’ period in Houston, as Bum guided the Oilers into prominence. During Bum’s tenure (1975-1980), the Oilers fans were the envy of the league as they waved their banners from a sea of blue in the Astrodome. They even had a Houston Oilers anthem (surely annoying for fans of any other team). The Oilers rivalry with the dominant Steelers is discussed, and numerous players offer insight into what it was like to play for Bum. There is even a full segment on former Longhorn and all-time Oiler great, Earl Campbell. We hear from Earl and see footage of some of his amazing runs. Bum’s famous quote about Earl, “I don’t know if he’s in a class by himself, but I do know that when the class gets together, it sure don’t take long to call the roll.” And of course, the Mike Renfro catch/non-catch is shown.

With his familiar Stetson and Texas drawl, Bum Phillips was a popular icon. Clips of interviews with his son Wade and grandson Wes, both successful NFL coaches (and each with a Super Bowl ring) demonstrate just what an influence Bum was for them … even after he retired to his ranch. While we leave this viewing understanding that Bum was an excellent coach and well-respected, we also are confident he was a class act. For a man who had nearly as many memorable quotes as Yogi Berra (although Bum’s made a bit more sense), the film leaves us with this one: “Winning is only half of it … having fun is the other half.”

Winner of the 2025 SXSW Documentary Spotlight Audience Award, the film is set to premiere in select theaters across the country on October 24, 2025, followed by a digital release on November 25 

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