paul-allaer

As "Murder In Monaco" (2025 release; 90 min.) opens, it is "Monaco 1999" and Edmond Safra, a multi-billionaire banker, and his nurse, perish in a fire in Safra's penthouse. We then go back in time as we learn of Safra's background and how security in Monaco is a prime goal. How could have this happened? Who might've done this? At this point we are 1 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: let me admit upfront that I was not familiar at all with this story, even though it clearly made the headlines (ABC's Peter Jennings, NBC's Tom Brokaw and CBS' Dan Rather all appear in clips). This tale has so many twists and turns that it will spin your head. Was it the Russian mafia? Or Safra's wife? Or a Safra staffer? Or the slow response of the Monaco firefighters? And what was the motive? All is examined in due course, but nothing will prepare you for how it all shakes out.

"Murder In Monaco" is now streaming on Netflix where I caught it just the other night. If you are in the mood for a true crime documentary, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

As "Cover-Up" (2025 release; 118 min.) opens, we are introduced to investigative reporter Seymour "Sy" Hersh. Turns out that Oscar-winning director Laura Poitras had asked Hersh about making a documentary of his work as an investigative journalist in 2004, but he had refused. Now 20 years later the agrees, and he has turned over all of his files to the film makers. First up is Hersh's work at exposing the 1968 My Lai massacre in Vietnam and the subsequent cover-up by the US government. At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary by Laura Poitras ("Citizenfour") and Mark Obenhaus. Here they get access to not just Sy Hersch the man but also all of his files including his notes. They let Hersh do the talking, and all we have to do is to sit back and watch, with mouth wide open. Hersh is at the same level as the Washington Post's Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward (the latter appears in the documentary). Hersh is now 88 years young, and he continues doing his work to this very day.

"Cover-Up" premiered at this year's Venice film festival, to immediate and widespread acclaim. The documentary started streaming on Netflix this weekend, and I couldn't wait to watch it. "Cover-Up" is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason. If you are in the mood to find out more about Sy Hersh and what makes him tick, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

As "American Sweatshop" (2025 release from Germany; 100 min.) opens, we are introduced to Daisy, a 25 yo woman. Daisy reviews social media content whether to delete flagged content. It makes for tedious work. Then one day she reviews a particularly disturbing video, reporting it to her boss and later to the local police. At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is directed by Uta Briesewitz, a German TV director making her feature length directing debut. Here she brings the story of a 25 yo woman who feels compelled to track down a guy she saw in a disturbing video. It is an intriguing premise, but alas, the movie misses its landing. I thought this might've been a variant on the premise of Charles Bronson's Death Wish movies from way back when. Instead we get something much tamer. It makes for frustrating viewing and the movie is a missed opportunity.

"American Sweatshop" premiered at this year's SXSW film festival. It is now streaming on Hulu where I caught it the other night. "American Sweatshop" is currently rated 81% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. How that is possible, I don't know or understand. If you are in the mood for a thriller that doesn't thrill all that much, I'd suggest you check this out with lowered expectations, and draw your own conclusion.