The well established documentarian, Frederick Wiseman, has produced a clear, untarnished look at a small town in America, in Monrovia, Indiana. To quote my friend, Brooks Roddan, a writer and publisher, blogging about this film, which I saw with him:
"There's a real beauty to flat landscapes: trees stand out, for instance. The horizon lines are so clearly delineated that it seems you can see forever. The sky is often lovely, filled with white puffy clouds...
It is still possible to convey some basic human truths by holding a camera on a Christian preacher as he delivers the eulogy for a beloved mother and wife, whether one happens to be Christian or not."
Barack Obama, my favorite president, once referred, in essence, to some small town people as clinging to religion and guns. That didn't go over so well. After seeing this film, I have more insight into why Trump became a choice for many.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Free Solo
O.M.G.!!! A documentary about Alex Honnold, a famous mountain climber, taking on the face of El Capitan in Yosemite, straight up 3000 feet, without ropes, just him. See it to believe it; some of the most astounding photography that I've ever seen.
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
BlacKkKlansman
Whoa! Wait a minute! With BlacKkKlansman, the preminent director, Spike Lee, has brought us the best movie of the year. Even though it's only August, I don't expect anything to top this. It is an historical drama based upon Ron Stallworth's book, Black Klansman, about his life story.
It centers around a black man (Stallworth) who joins the Colorado Springs Police Department in the 70s. He infiltrates the local KKK, who call it "the organization". He becomes an undercover phone voice, and a fellow policeman, white and jewish, uses the same name when in person with the KKK members. They uncover serious plans against the black citizens of Colorado Springs.
It is an extremely intense drama dealing with racial issues that are blatant, subtle and complex. It is realism, black and white, good and bad, moral and immoral.
Although set in an earlier time, it is relevant to the current day, and in fact, is specifically brought current at the end of the movie with racial clashes, particularly in Charlottesville, and even shows President Trump commenting on his version of the Charlottesville clash, that there were bad elements on both sides.
It centers around a black man (Stallworth) who joins the Colorado Springs Police Department in the 70s. He infiltrates the local KKK, who call it "the organization". He becomes an undercover phone voice, and a fellow policeman, white and jewish, uses the same name when in person with the KKK members. They uncover serious plans against the black citizens of Colorado Springs.
It is an extremely intense drama dealing with racial issues that are blatant, subtle and complex. It is realism, black and white, good and bad, moral and immoral.
Although set in an earlier time, it is relevant to the current day, and in fact, is specifically brought current at the end of the movie with racial clashes, particularly in Charlottesville, and even shows President Trump commenting on his version of the Charlottesville clash, that there were bad elements on both sides.
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Leave No Trace, The Rider and Elvis Presley: The Searcher
Leave No Trace
A father and daughter live in a forest near Portland, Oregon. They are discovered and go on the run. He's a war veteran with a syndrome and she's a budding teenager. She's helpful and mostly under his thumb but is managing steps toward independence. Great performances by both, especially the daughter, Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie; plus there's a perfectly suited soundtrack.
The Rider
The story of a rodeo rider who has had a devastating accident while riding but can't resist what he knows so well, the rodeo. The role is played by Brady Jandreau, who actually had such an accident in real life. His real father and sister are also in this engaging film, which portays the country and horses in a most beautiful and alluring way. My mother would have loved it.
Elvis Pressley: The Searcher
A compelling 2 part HBO documentary series on Elvis from his early life right through to the end. A lot of great music that you've probably never heard before. A thoroughly engrossing saga that no one should miss.
A father and daughter live in a forest near Portland, Oregon. They are discovered and go on the run. He's a war veteran with a syndrome and she's a budding teenager. She's helpful and mostly under his thumb but is managing steps toward independence. Great performances by both, especially the daughter, Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie; plus there's a perfectly suited soundtrack.
The Rider
The story of a rodeo rider who has had a devastating accident while riding but can't resist what he knows so well, the rodeo. The role is played by Brady Jandreau, who actually had such an accident in real life. His real father and sister are also in this engaging film, which portays the country and horses in a most beautiful and alluring way. My mother would have loved it.
Elvis Pressley: The Searcher
A compelling 2 part HBO documentary series on Elvis from his early life right through to the end. A lot of great music that you've probably never heard before. A thoroughly engrossing saga that no one should miss.
Monday, April 16, 2018
RBG
RBG, for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is an outstanding documentary about this very special Justice of the Supreme Court. I saw it at the SF Film Festival and hope that it will get distributed in general release in theaters so that more people can appreciate it and her. At a time when a moral code is so lacking in our current administration, it is a much needed infusion of fresh air.
Monday, March 19, 2018
The Party and Leaning into the Wind
The Party is a very funny, adult film. With a snappy script, the cast is headed by Kristin Scott Thomas, Patricia Clarkson and Bruno Ganz. A clear Do Not Miss. Leaning into the Wind, is a documentary about about the extraordinary British artist, Andy Goldsworthy. This is the second collaboration made between him and the director and photographer, Thomas Rieddelsheimer, and it is up to their first, the compelling Rivers and Tides (2001).
Monday, February 12, 2018
Oscar Nominations
No big problems with Oscar noms except Best Director. What! Martin McDonagh gets no nod for Three Billboards....? And how about Novitiate for Best Movie? Glad to see Faces Places got nominated for Best Documentary, but what about Human Flow?
Now for a rare nod for Best Freckles to Julianne Nicholson in I, Tonya and Noviate.
And a first time nod for the steadily increasing degrees of creepy to Get Out.
Now for a rare nod for Best Freckles to Julianne Nicholson in I, Tonya and Noviate.
And a first time nod for the steadily increasing degrees of creepy to Get Out.
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