Lantern docs take a closer look at real life

Above : The documentary feature “Bitterbrush” is scheduled to open Friday at the Magic Lantern. (Photo/Magnolia Pictures)

One of the events that my daughter and her family love to attend is the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

They always brag about the great music that they get to hear, which this year included everyone from Stevie Nicks to Erykah Badu, Jimmy Buffett to Norah Jones.

If you’ve never attended Jazz Fest, you might want to hit the Magic Lantern Theatre beginning on Friday because that’s when it will start screening the documentary “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.”

The film, which was co-directed by Frank Marshall and Ryan Suffern, was supposed to open two weeks ago. But, hey, stuff happens … apparently.

Anyway, two other movies are supposed to open on Friday at the Lantern as well.

“Bitterbrush” : Directed by Emelie Mahdavian, “Bitterbrush” is a documentary about two women, Holly Patterson and Colie Moline, who work herding cattle on a remote Idaho ranch.

Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, “It poses piercing existential questions about purpose and independence, particularly for women choosing work that has long been deemed the exclusive province of men.”

“Stay Prayed Up” : Co-directed by D.L. Anderson and Matt Durning, “Stay Prayed Up” is yet another documentary, this one centering on 83-year-old Mae Perry and the North Carolina gospel group The Branchettes.

Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, “The power of gospel music comes alive here, and the doc’s subjects, the practitioners of this fervent form, keep it engaging.”

That’s it for the moment. I’ll update as the week progresses.