You’re not IN A DREAM, three great docs are headed your way

It’s not yet Oscar® season and yet there is reason for movie-lovers to rejoice: three solid films a headed your way, one on dvd, one on HBO, one in a theater near you. Working backwards, they are: BURMA VJ, IN A DREAM and TYSON.

TYSON is James Toback‘s stunning filmed interview that essentially serves as the former boxer/current grieving father’s self-portrait. You may not leave loving Iron Mike, but no doubt you’ll understand and empathize with him in a manner you never thought plausible. (For my full review and my interview with the director, click here.) TYSON is available on dvd as of Tuesday, August 18th.

IN A DREAM is the year’s most lovingly shot documentary, an artful effort by filmmaker Jeremiah Zagar to better understand his father, Isaiah, a self-proclaimed outsider artist intent on (re-)tiling his Philly neighborhood. His brilliant mosaics reflect beautiful light and an unwell mind. Isaiah is either a mad genius or a blessed bastard, and in the process of making the movie, his son respectfully and objectively reveals both aspects of his elder. The score and cinematography are top-notch. IN A DREAM debuts on HBO2 on Wednesday, August 19th. (For scheduled airdates, click here.)

BURMA VJ is a chilling reminder that freedom of the press is a privilege, not a right; a freedom that must be fought for or lost forever. And while it may be tempting to disregard the story cause, you know, it happened over there somewhere, don’t presume its guaranteed to remain here. BURMA VJ is a cautionary tale wrapped in the scary riddle of Myanmar’s oppressive politics. (For my full review, click here.) BURMA VJ opens this Friday, August 28th, at the Northwest Film Forum.