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"His way of doing it was not going to school, it was just going to the movies." Deutsche Grammophon has released the full video tribute made in memory of beloved Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, who passed away in early 2018. This lovely short documentary was made to be included in the upcoming release of a collection called "Retrospective I", a CD box set and hardcover book featuring Jóhannsson's early work. Producer Áine Devaney and filmmaker Blair Alexander head to Iceland to discover Jóhann's roots in Reykjavík, Iceland, interviewing his parents and friends / collaborators - including a record shop owner who talks about his unique sound. Jóhannsson is best known for his work composing scores for films including Prisoners, The 11th Hour, Sicario, Arrival, Mandy, and Mary Magdalene. Take a few minutes to watch this. Thanks to Indiewire for the tip on this video. Original description from YouTube: "To celebrate the release of 'Retrospective I',...

MSNBC has promoted two of its veteran producers Colleen King and Tina Urbanski to executive producer. MSNBC president Phil Griffin announced the move in an internal note to staff. King is moving from senior producer of The 11th Hour to executive producer with former 11th Hour Ep Pat Burkey focusing on Deadline: White House and working with Brian Williams on breaking news coverage. Urbanski takes on the role of co-executive producer at Hardball following the retirement of…...

NEW YORK -- The 11th Hour is an impassioned ecology-themed documentary that ultimately is more rewarding for informational than cinematic reasons. Produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, the film has the unfortunate effect of making the multiple-Oscar-nominated star seem somehow less charismatic than Al Gore. But while many might accuse it of preaching to the converted -- at least in terms of the audiences most likely to see it -- this is yet another important wake-up call that deserves respect.

Unfortunately, the vitally important message of first-time filmmakers Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners is diluted by their rather unimaginative approach. It essentially consists of having dozens of talking heads delivering thoughtful and often apocalyptic commentary, interrupted by footage of ecological disasters (Katrina, etc.) presented Koyaanisqatsi-style. There also are portentous direct addresses to the camera by DiCaprio, but the frequent shots of the actor staring mournfully off into the distance at significant locations are less evocative than silly.

Despite its static presentation, the film is nonetheless engrossing thanks to the articulate and often fascinating commentary provided by such figures as university professors, scientists, environmentalists, journalists, such familiar faces as Stephen Hawking, former CIA director James Woolsey and even Mikhail Gorbachev (truly a renaissance man among Russian politicos).

While the film is necessarily downbeat in its accumulation of significant warning signs that the planet is indeed on the verge of environmental disaster, it thankfully also devotes a good portion of its running time to explicating numerous technological solutions to the dilemma. In the end, though, its main point is that what's truly needed in the way of change will only come through political means.

Jean-Pascal Beintus' score, augmented by songs from such bands as Sigur Ros, Cocteau Twins and Coldplay, provides suitably dire musical accompaniment.

THE 11TH HOUR

Warner Independent Pictures

Applian Way/GreenHour/Tree Media Group

Credits:

Director-screenwriters: Leila Conners Petersen, Nadia Conners

Producers: Leonardo DiCaprio, Chuck Castleberry, Brian Gerber, Pierre Andre Senizergues

Executive producers: Adam Lewis, Irmelin DiCaprio, Doyle Brunson

Director of photography: Andrew Rolands

Production designer: Nadia Conners

Music: Jean-Pascal Beintus

Co-producer: Leila Conners Petersen

Editors: Pietro Scalia, Luis Alvarez y Alvarez

Narrator: Leonardo DiCaprio

Running time -- 91 minutes

MPAA rating: PG...