16 Monday Dec 2013
Posted in Escapes and Pleasures
Tags
"Dallas Buyers Club", "Enough Said", "Let the Fire Burn", Best Documentary, James Gandolfini, Jared Leto, Jason Osder, Julie Louis-Dreyfus, Matthew McConaughey, MOVE
I’m not sure if there was a dry spell on good films earlier in the year, or perhaps I was just otherwise engaged. But suddenly it seems as if there are a bunch of good ones out. Here are mini-reviews of three I’ve seen in the last two weeks, each one suggested to me by a MillersTime reader.
Keep those suggestions coming.
29 Monday Oct 2012
Posted in Escapes and Pleasures
Often when I see a film that is either called a ‘documentary’ or based on ‘a true story,’ I find myself wanting to know how true the film really is. The question that repeatedly comes to my mind is “am I being manipulated/mislead by the film?” I want to know the ‘truth.’
And then the next question arises, “Does it really matter if the film departs from the reality, from the facts?
In a film I recently saw and recommend, The Sessions, I again experienced those questions.
If you have seen the film, then here is an article written by Mike O’Brien and an interview with him you may find of interest. Together, they add to The Sessions and raise questions about the film.
On Seeing a Sex Surrogate, Mike O’Brien, The Sun Magazine, May, 1990. This article served as the basis for The Sessions and goes a bit beyond the film
Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O’Brien, by Jessica Yu, a 35-minute documentary that is largely an interview with Mike O’Brien in 1994. It won an Oscar in 1966 for Best Documentary Short Subject. (There are three 15-second ads that interrupt the video, but stick with it. It’s worth it.)
Your thoughts?
14 Tuesday Aug 2012
Posted in Escapes and Pleasures
Searching for Sugar Man *****
The less you know about this film, the more you’ll like it.
Ever so briefly, it’s a documentary about a singer (Sixto Rodriquez) in Detroit who seemed on the verge of stardom and then seemed to disappear. Except not totally. His two records became huge hits in South Africa (as big or better than the Beatles and Elvis) and played a role in the opposition to Apartheid.
If you like music (think Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, James Taylor, Donovan), if you like fine film making, if you like a bit of mystery, and if you are curious about the ‘human condition,’ go immediately* to see Searching for Sugar Man.
Don’t seek out further info on this film.
Trust me on this one.
If I’m wrong, I’ll split the cost of your movie ticket with you.
Note: If you’ve seen this film, or when you see it, please email me: Samesty84@gmail.com or call me at 202-320-9501.
(*In DC, the only place where Search for Sugar Man is currently showing is at Landmark’s Bethesda Row Cinema. It’s definitely here until Thursday but may be, hopefully, extended another few weeks.)
Update: Tues., 9:30 PM: Just back from seeing it again, this time with my wife Ellen, who is upstairs now trying to download the music. Her reaction to the film? “Go. See. This. Film.” I checked the listings for Thurs., Aug. 16 and beyond. Bad news: it’s not going to be at Bethesda Row Cinema after tomorrow, Wed., Aug. 15. Good news: it’s going to be at the West End Cinema starting Fri., Aug.17 at least until Tues., Aug. 21.