Awesome!

Now they're 49

I like to think of blogs as a more awkward, perhaps less sophisticated, descendant of the documentary.  Each medium in its own way allows the voyeur to peek into the lives of strangers, to broaden his or her understanding of the outside world.  I mean, right?  Well, that's what I tell myself, anyway, when I waste hours a week checking in on the intimate details of bloggers I'm sure I'll never meet in real life.  It's, like, research or something!  Or whatever.

Anyway!  My point is, I like being all up in people's business and that's why I like blogs and that's why I like documentaries, and that's why I am so excited that the latest release from the grand-daddy of all docs, the Up Series, is hitting theaters nation-wide this month and next!

If you aren't familiar with the Up Series, which Roger Ebert has called " an inspired, almost noble use of the film medium, [it] penetrates to the central mystery of life," grab this DVD and catch up on the lives of a group of Brits over the course of 35 years.  Then go see 49 Up at a theater near you.  Seriously, you'll be so glad you did.

Kirsten's Favorite!

Here's another reader favorite from Kirsten:

"So I thought you should know about Stylus, which is like Pitchfork without the hipper-than-thou attitude. Very refreshing.

Also, Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical, is not just for Veronica Mars addicts like me, but is really entertaining on its own. It satirizes not only the fear machine and sensationalist newsmaking, but the conventions of musical theater themselves. Good stuff. "

Editor's Note: So, what's this Veronica Mars show all about?  This isn't the first time I've heard someone give it a glowing remark.  Should I be watching??

Editor's Favorite: Little Miss Sunshine

The first time I watched The Graduate when I was about 11 or 12 years old, I decided that at least one of two things would happen: I'd either grow up to be a filmmaker, or just totally a depressed and misunderstood loser.  After a brief stint studying filmmaking in college and sort of failing miserably, I decided it was easier to opt for the latter.  Looking back, I think it would have made more sense to have aspired to be a sexy seductress of young, impressionable men, but I was 11 and what did I know??

Anyway, yesterday I watched another movie that is destined to be a favorite among depressives and misfits alike (and perhaps even among those odd well-adjusted weirdos, too): Little Miss Sunshine.  This story about a dysfunctional family was funny, poignant, had mad heart, and in the end, it made me realize that in the great scheme of things, my life isn't so fucked up after all.  I mean, at least I'm not color-blind and my car horn still works...and that's something, right?

With tunes from Devotchka and Sufjan Stevens, the soundtrack is pretty awesome, too.

Grizzly Man

Lately, my friends and I have been having movie night a couple, three times a month, which is about as quaint as it sounds.  We eat chips and salsa and drink beer and Margaritas and shoot the shit before we start the films and then afterwards, we go on our way and make plans to meet up in a couple days for dinner or a bike ride or hanging out at the beach and oggling cute boys.  I love my life.

Anyway!  Last week, we watched a movie called Grizzly Man that sort of shook us from our regular post-movie commentary and left us sitting there sort of stunned.  Everyone must see this movie!  It's really effed up (There!  See,  I said "effed" instead of "fucked" for all those people who hate when I cuss!!).  It's about this crazy guy who hangs out with big ol' grizzly bears in the Alaskan wilderness for 13 summers until one of the meanest, baddest bears eats him up.  It's a true story and it uses footage that the crazy guy shot himself while he was fulfilling his death wish in the woods.  It's harrowing!  It's haunting!  It's fucked up.  I mean, effed up! 

Just, go watch it.

Alone Across Australia

Yesterday I was daydreaming with a friend about the possibility of walking across the entire United States.  We decided we'd have to start on the west coast in about February or March and then finish in the east sometime in the fall, with plenty of time to stop along the way to pose for pictures and get drunk with locals, naturally.

Anyway!  My point is, if you think walking across the states is an odd or intriguing idea, you have to see the amazing multi-award-winning documentary 'Alone Across Australia,' in which Jon Muir, one of the world's most accomplished and versatile rock climbers and adventurers, spends 128 days crossing the 2500 kilometers from the south coast of Australia to the northern tip on foot.

I watched it last year as part of the BANFF film festival, and it was by far the best movie shown.  Intense, dramatic, inspiring, and, at times, heartbreaking, it's a story of a man taxed to his limit physically and emotionally.  "Often close to despair, he drew on his immense mental discipline, instinct for survival, deep understanding of the land and his remarkable inner strength to continue." 

Kinda makes you think anything is possible...like maybe even washing all the dishes in my sink.

Step out of the shadows and into the light

This weekend I went to see Good Night and Good Luck and I was reminded how much I totally adore and am in awe of David Strathairn. Looking at his IMDB profile, he has been in a million movies and so many of them are, well, (how shall I say it?) awesome.

I personally love him as the sad sack Russell Terziak in Home for the Holidays, which my mom and I have a tradition of watching every year. His part is very small but he's so good at being a pathetic townie, it's just excellent. You might remember him as the husband in the River Wild or even the three episodes he did on the Sopranos.

The best movie I have seen him in (which you must add to your Netflix immediately if not sooner) is Blue Car. He plays the English teacher who the main charecter gets a crush on which is obviously a fairly familiar story but I LOVED this movie. It takes a totally surprising turn which I did not see coming but which felt totally real. Because, you know, sometimes life is unexpected.

So, come Oscar night I shall be rooting for David Strathairn. Not just for one movie, but for an  amazing body of work which shows that sometimes even the people you may not recognize should get a chance to shine.

Goldsworthy

Basically, the next film to add to your Netflix list has to be the 2001 documentary  'Andy Goldsworthy's Rivers and Tides.' 

Over pizza and beer last night, I fell in love with the inspiring work of famed Scottish artist, Goldsworthy, while watching this incredible documentary.

"Gorgeously shot and masterfully edited, the film follows the bohemian free spirit Goldsworthy all over the world as he demonstrates and opens up about his unique creative process. From his long-winding rock walls and icicle sculptures to his interlocking leaf chains and multicolored pools of flowers, Goldsworthy’s painstakingly intricate masterpieces are made entirely of materials found in Mother Nature — who threatens and often succeeds in destroying his art, sometimes before it is even finished."

Who knew a bunch of leaves and rocks could be so fucking cool?

The Office: Better than real life one.

Oh my darling Ricky Gervais, can you do no wrong? First you write, direct and star in the incomparable original run of The Office, and then you go and executive  produce the  equally hilarious American version for NBC. I'll admit, I was skeptical of the first season and thought it would be canceled immediately, but this second season has totally blown me away and made me beg for more. And luckily, now I can put the entire first and second seasons on my Christmas wishlist from iTunes! Gah! When will the greatness end!

My hope is NEVER! And did I mention I love the podcast? (Oh, how I do!)

March of the Penguins

March of the Penguins is out on DVD now.  A documentary about the mating cycle of the Emperor Penguin, this flick has all the stuff a great film should have --  suspense, aggression, betrayal, love, intimacy, and death.  It's hands-down one of the best movies of the year.  Rent it, buy it, see it again.  Then rejoice that you aren't a goddamn penguin.

The reason I go to the movies

I know it's already gotten a lot of attention, but The Squid and the Whale is such an incredible film, it warrants a mention here, as well.  I was pretty sure I'd love this movie even before I saw it today, but I didn't realize just how much.  Capturing the aching poignancy and layered comedy of adoloscence and heartbreak without banal, cliched sentimentality, it made me weep...big crocodile tears.  And I'm not even PMSing!