Gary Garrison, Author at The Playlist

Breaking Down 3 Essential Editing Techniques In ‘Star Wars’

April 6, 2019 1:33 pm

2019 is a weird year for "Star Wars," perhaps even a transition year. The still-untitled "Star Wars: Episode IX" hits theaters in December, but unlike Marvel and DC or most studios with a major franchise, there...

‘Tigerland’ Is A Harrowing Doc & A Deeply Personal Tribute To One Of Nature’s Last Predators [Review]

Gary Garrison

March 23, 2019 11:21 am

News, Reviews

Ross Kauffman’s (“Born Into Brothels” and “E-Team”) haunted and harrowing new documentary about one of nature’s most majestic and deadly creatures, “Tigerland,” gets off on rocky footing. The film starts with a...

War Doc ‘Combat Obscura’ Is An Unflinching Microcosm Of War In Afghanistan

Gary Garrison

March 16, 2019 11:44 am

News, Reviews

War is "boredom punctuated by moments of terror," as the old adage goes. Boredom, however, has never made for a good film, which has led to a cinematic century of war presented as an exciting, if horrifying end...

‘Wrestle’: A Striking Examination Of Race, Poverty & High School Sports In Alabama [Review]

Gary Garrison

February 22, 2019 3:34 pm

News, Reviews

There aren’t many ways out of poverty. The socioeconomic constraints that pin families in place don’t often let up from one generation to the next. This, though, is the antithesis to the American Dream of upwar...

‘Honeyland’ Is A Haunting Portrait Of A Dying Way Of Life [Sundance Review]

Gary Garrison

February 9, 2019 7:43 am

Festivals, News, Reviews

There is an unassuming languidness to Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska’s anthropologic documentary about a rural Macedonian beekeeper, "Honeyland." It’s a quiet and passive film that’s content to luxuriate...

Grand Jury Prize Winner ‘One Child Nation’ Uncovers A Traumatic History [Sundance Review]

Gary Garrison

February 6, 2019 2:12 pm

Festivals, News, Reviews

From 1979 until 2015 China controlled its population through its notorious one-child policy. The name, in more than one way, is a misnomer. In theory, a one-child policy simply limits the number of children a f...

‘Midnight Traveler’: Refugees Reclaim Their Story In Harrowing Documentary [Sundance Review]

Gary Garrison

January 28, 2019 11:52 am

Festivals, News, Reviews

The democratizing power of technology gives everyone the tools and platform to be heard. It has, at times, worked miracles — many claim Twitter and Facebook were integral in coordinating the Arab Spring, while ...

Netflix’s ‘Fyre’ Doc Is A Fascinating Study Of The Man Behind The Infamous Music Festival Disaster [Review]

Gary Garrison

January 15, 2019 11:40 am

News, Reviews

Behind every great disaster is a fascinating story. And, as our society continues to amass more ways to document our every interaction with Instagram and other social media tools, these great stories become eas...

‘Making A Murderer Part 2’ Is Full Of Riveting Family Drama But Light On Answers [Review]

Gary Garrison

October 19, 2018 1:27 pm

News, Reviews, Television

If you watch "Making a Murderer" looking for answers, you should know by now that you’ve come to the wrong place. The first season of Netflix’s cultural phenomenon was, on the surface, all about answers. Or the...

Charles Ferguson’s Timely ‘Watergate’ Doc Is Routine But Vital [NYFF Review]

Gary Garrison

October 7, 2018 10:00 am

Festivals, News, Reviews

It’s been a hell of a week. A divided, partisan country ripped at the seams and what was once a split has become an unnavigable chasm. The protracted and ugly Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Brett Kavana...

Author Gary Garrison