Summer 2011 Was Hot

Especially for documentaries. Maybe because I'm partial to the genre but I've noticed lots of reviews and previews this season. The Interrupters, Buck, Page One, Last Mountain, and Tabloid each different - each interesting.

The Interrupters is getting a lot of press as it being screened at the Gene Siskel Center this month. Homegrown in Chicago, this film by Steve James, the director of Hoop Dreams, and author Alex Kotlowitz, follows individuals and the group Ceasefire in their inspirational attempts to quell neighborhood and youth violence.

Buck is the story of a modern day horse-whisperer. Beautifully filmed and a magnet for horse lovers it is the story of the man who overcomes his abusive past and finds his calling.

Page One provides an insider view into the frenetic New York Times newsroom as it tries to evolve and stay solvent in this time of electronic and 24 hour news.

The coal industry and mountain top stripping are the subjects of The Last Mountain. In the same vein as An Inconvenient Truth and Food, Inc. , its goal to alert viewers of a problem before irreparable damage is done.

Tabloid breaks out of the pack with no overt message except that truth is stranger than fiction. Renown filmmaker Errol Morris brings us a fantastical story involving people on the fringe and the media tale of love and obsession.

Unfortunately, most of these are no longer in the theaters and the dvds are not yet available. Look for them in the library's collection by the end of the year.

In the meantime, consider these unique documentaries currently in our catalog.
Floored
5000 Miles From Home
Emergency Mine Rescue

LOUDER than a Bomb

I can't wait to buy the film Louder Than a Bomb for the library.

I just saw this documentary on the big screen. In the same genre as Spellbound,Wordplay, and Triviatown, this film focuses on a competition. In this case, a Chicago based high school poetry slam. I feel self-conscious even trying to craft a description of the movie after hearing the words of these young people who created works of art with their minds and their voices.

No review can prepare you for the feeling of awe inspired by these young people. They are so talented and they work so hard. Strings of words and feelings, sometimes performed at breakneck speeds, sometimes performed with comic timing, sometimes solo, sometimes in unison, stories of family, stories of experience, stories in metaphor.

I'd like to say the film itself is nothing compared to the teens' work but that may be a simplistic view. The filmmakers let us get to know the individual stories of a few of the most talented individuals and their teams. Clearly their stories are edited with finesse based on the empathy they elicit from the viewer( especially this viewer).

The Young Chicago Authors group organizes the competition, "a safe and judgment free outlet where kids from all over the city can share stories and break stereotypes, challenging themselves and their audience,” as decribed by author and LTAB co-founder and artistic director Kevin Coval. “For three minutes at a time the students speak about their lives, but for the other eighty-seven minutes, they are listening to the lives and stories and dreams of others.”

The good thing is you don't have to wait to see the film. The competition is coming up and it is open to the public. Click here for the full schedule.

Unfortunately, no date yet for the release on DVD. In the meantime, try these other docs showcasing competitions and contests.


Mad Hot Ballroom
Spellbound
Triviatown
Wordplay
Pucker Up The Fine Art of Whistling

Reality DVD

Who would have thought a trailer advertising HBO Documentaries before the feature film Crazy Heart would be a smart move? But some ad exec must have done some research on academy award winning films and documentary film viewers, and bingo, hit the target with me in the audience. I knew nothing about the ten week HBO Documentary summer series until then. Catching the shows on Monday nights will be a challenge, but I like knowing they are there.

Conveniently checked out from our library though, I recently watched three documentaries on DVD. As it happens, none were produced by HBO.

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed with Ben Stein questions freedom of speech in the intelligent design debate. Academics and scientists from around the world argue passionately in this controversial satirical film.

Cover Girl Culture, a film produced by Women Make Movies, interviews the staff of Teen Vogue, therapists and teenage girls to understand our society's obsession with beauty.

Lastly Afghan Star. This is a film about an American Idol type competition in Afghanistan. The imitation of our show is delightful but then the implications of men and women singing in public for a nation in conflict with the Taliban become apparent.

New documentaries are added to the collection every month and some will probably be from this summer's hbo series. If you need help finding a good one, just ask.

Intentional Meanderings

A frequent patron of the library and the Readers' Services department raved about the movie Snow Falling on Cedars. He spoke about it being beautiful to watch. He said he enjoyed the book by David Guterson, but loved the movie.

The patron is a prolific reader with varied interests but he is not a big film watcher. I suggested he consider other movies by the director of Snow Falling on Cedars. I'm not sure the patron followed my advice, but I did. Its been an interesting and delightful endeavor. One that has hit all the entertainment buttons - words, music and film.

Scott Hicks, the director of Snow Falling on Cedars, was nominated for best director in 1996 for Shine. It was a huge success of a film with Geoffrey Rush winning best actor. Though Hicks didn't win the Oscar, his work on this film propelled his career. Other films of Hicks' include No Reservations, Hearts in Atlantis, and a documentary of composer Philip Glass, Glass: A Portrait of Philip in 12 Parts.

Hearts of Atlantis, a story based on a Stephen King work with Anthony Hopkins was a completely new title for me. The movie is presented as a flashback by a 50 year man to his 11th year. It's captivating with a poignant story and good acting.

Regarding the Philip Glass documentary, had it not been for these intentional meanderings, I probably wouldn't have checked it out. Glass is a unique, intellectual artist with a colorful personality but I'll give Scott Hicks the credit for keeping my attention for two hours. The bonus dvd is aptly named, with performances from Glass' operas.

I still have more meandering to do - the short stories of Stephen King, the music of Philip Glass, films with Geoffrey Rush, novels of David Guterson......

Reel DVDs

She walked by me as I peeled potatoes in the kitchen in front of the TV and said, "I don't know how you watch those films."

Later the cook walked by the college student in the lazy-boy recliner and said, "You are watching that? Again."

The savvy college student with excellent grades and a strong resume loves Reality TV. Looking back to the year 2000, the student's parents may be to blame. Survivor was the show of the hour, and it was a perfect show for a family of mixed ages and genders to watch together. COPS, Survivor, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Real World, Amazing Race were the pioneers. Now, Reality TV seems like the majority of programming. (anecdotal -- for facts access the library's database General One File)

So, the savvy college student likes to watch real things, happening to real people. What's so terrible? So does the cook peeling potatoes. It's just that the cook calls them documentaries.

What a plain word compared to "Reality TV". The description that really draws people in is the "300's". As in the Dewey Decimal system classification of the social sciences. In reality, though, you can find some interesting and entertaining viewing in the library's nonficton dvds section. The 300's are just the beginning.

The Beales of Grey Gardens. The Beales were reclusive cousins of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. The film goes into the home of mother and daughter socialites who strayed from high society's norm. In the dvd, their true personalities are captured complete with song, quirky dress and revelations about men and neighbors in affluent East Hampton, NY. This documentary was actually filmed in 1975 and released on DVD a few years ago after the story gained a resurgence due to a Broadway production and a Hollywood rendition.

The Cats of Mirikitani. This is a heartwarming and thoughtful film. The filmmaker walks by homeless eighty-year Jimmy Mirikitani in lower Manhattan day after day admiring his art. She takes an interest in him and and builds a friendship as he tells her his story of surviving the US WWII internment camps and Hiroshima. He's a hearty, proud, talented man who's wisdom is captured as he recounts his experiences. The story is told soon after 9/11 and Jimmy's point of view is moving.

Pure delight is It's Happiness: A Polka Documentary. A peak into the lives of people who love to dance the polka, go to polka festivals and play the concertina. The film highlights Jimmy Sturr, the Elvis of polka music, embracing his fans. Watch these folks, and smile AND dance as they express their admiration and concern about this pastime's future.

Discover this section of DVDs. The social sciences category covers a wide range of topics often by very creative artists and film companies.