Hot Docs! 'Red Army' Is A Beautiful, Brutal Peek Into Soviet-Era Hockey And 'She's Beautiful When She's Angry' Resurrects Forgotten Courage
You can hear KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl's movie reviews on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM Fridays at 8:53am & 4:53pm.
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews two documentaries this week, including "Red Army," which shows the cultural and social changes in Russia seen through the eyes of the Soviet Union's national hockey team. Also reviewed is "She's Beautiful When She's Angry," about the courage of those who put the modern women's movement in the late 1960s and early '70s.
LISTEN:
RED ARMY (unrated) 76 min
From "When We Were Kings" (1996) to "Hoop Dreams" (1994), there have been compelling documentaries about sports. With "Red Army," director Gabe Polsky takes us through the political, cultural and social changes through the lives and hearts of the Soviet Union hockey team from the 1970s and 80s.
Despite being upset by the U.S. Olympic team in Lake Placid, N.Y., in 1980, the Soviets, known as the Red Army, rarely lost.
It's a roller coaster ride for the players who experienced the agony of the strict Soviet system, the ecstasy of the Olympics and the unusual ways they are taught to play—including ballet lessons.
Viewers get to know the players as they look back on both betrayal and success. You don't have to be a hockey fan for this one--it's a rare and exciting look inside a secret world.
SHE'S BEAUTIFUL WHEN SHE'S ANGRY (unrated) 92 min
"She's Beautiful When She's Angry" directed by Mary Dore resurrects the buried history—or "herstory"—of the outrageous and courageous women who put the modern women's movement on the map from 1966 to 1971.
The documentary highlights the founding of the National Organization of Women to the more radical factions—from intellectuals to street theatrics. The film does not shy away from the most controversial subjects, capturing the exciting, wild spirit of the times.
Nowadays many younger women have forgotten this crucial part of our culture and the fight for equality that is still with us today.
SEE NOW: THE IMITATION GAME, SELMA, AMERICAN SNIPER, BIRDMAN
DVD/DOWNLOAD: NIGHTCRAWLER, DOWNTOWN ABBEY SEASON FIVE, PRIDE, THE JUDGE, MEN WOMEN & CHILDREN
