netvibes…

Fast Food Nation, 2006

Richard Linklater’s film, <i>Fast Food Nation</i>, is not a documentary based on journalist Eric Schlosser’s book. Instead, the two got together and wrote an original screenplay telling the story of characters involved in the meatpacking industry from the illegal Mexican immigrants working the slaughterhouses to the teenager working the local fast food joint to the marketing executive of a fast food chain.

Who Killed the Electric Car?, 2006

As someone who lives in somewhat of a metropolitan area with a short 15 min. commute to work, the idea of an electric car is very appealing. That it looks like it won’t happen any time soon is a big disappointment. Sure, the film may not accurately portray some of the shortcomings of the electric vehicles but it’s evident that the cars were viable for a lot of commuters. The filmmakers point the finger at the likely suspects; the oil industry and the car industry, but it’s clear the man that killed the electric car was California Air Resources Board chairman, Alan Lloyd. The reason the electric cars were built by the big auto makers in the first place was to comply with a California law that required the automakers to sell a percentage of zero emission cars by 2003 (ramped up to 10% by 2003). So the automakers responded and made the cars. Unfortunately, Alan Lloyd who’s been involved with hydrogen cell research was able to undo this mandate and the cars were pulled off the road and scrapped. Just like that. It’s frustrating to think that such a potentially revolutionary step forward in automaking was dashed so quickly. My hope is that enough people will start thinking about working for positive progress and we can get back to being a country proud not only of it’s past achievements but proud of the fact that we’re working on making the world a better place through innovative science and creativity.

Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man, 2005

I’m wasn’t that familiar with Leonard Cohen before watching this film. I’d heard of him and heard some of his songs but never become a devotee. I feel somewhat different after seeing this film, learning about his life and hearing some of the songs performed by other artists. The soundtrack to this film is a must have for fans, in my opinion. Rufus Wainwright is excellent, but so is Nick Cave, Beth Orton, The Handsome Family, Teddy Thompson…there really aren’t any bad performances.

The film is part documentary part concert. It was interesting to learn that Cohen spent many years studying Zen Buddhism in a secluded California monastery. I guess I wasn’t really aware the Cohen was also a poet. In the interviews, Cohen gives insight into his personal life, which seems really lonely in some respects, but it seems as he likes it that way. He’s someone dedicated to his art, who puts everything into it and makes no apologies for doing so. That is something that I admire him for. Definitely pick it up if you get a chance.

Mafioso, 1962, Cleveland Cinematheque

With a title like this, how could I not go see this movie? Mafioso in some ways is a lighter take on what it means to be in the Mafia. I consider The Sopranos to be dark comedy. Mafioso is a bit slapstick in parts. It was fun…

Documentaries at the Cinematheque

I was intrigued by the little pictures in the Cleveland Cinematheque film schedule and so went to see a trio of documentaries last night. Yes, I sat through 3 movies at the Cinematheque. I’m surprised that one has to pay at all for the last film if you’ve managed to endure the first 2. For anyone who isn’t familiar with the Cinematheque, it’s not the most comfortable place to see a film. We’re talking wooden theater seating. Not a lot of chance to fall asleep there.

Meetings With Remarkable Men, 1978

The Gurdjieff Society of Ohio brought a print of this film from the NY group here to Cleveland Sunday. I have once before encountered Gurdjieff folks, and the impression they give off is rather somber and reserved. I have patience, I can sit and listen to someone speak, follow their logic, whatever, but imagine every word delivered with a kind of unnecessary slow gravitas…snore. At the first meeting I did engage in some mediation with the group which I enjoyed especially since I’d been practicing some meditation at the time.
I’ve struggled to read the books. I own Ospensky’s, In Search of the Miraculous and A Theory of Man’s Possible Evolution as well as a set of Gurdjieff’s books, Tales from Beelzebub’s Grandson and the book the movie here was based on, Meetings with Remarkable Men. It’s interesting stuff, but I doesn’t fit into my life right now.

Strangely enough, the film was actually kind of good. My first impression was that it sucked, but then I chewed on it for awhile and realized there were some pretty nice scenes after all. The opening sequence is one of the best. A group of musicians has gathered in the mountains of Afghanistan to participate in a contest thrown by what appears to be the local heads of state. The contest is to play a note that will shake the mountains. Several musicians make attempts playing exotic instruments or singing or both. Finally one musician does some Tuvan throat singing and the sound reverberates throughout the canyons. He wins.

Without going into too much detail here, the film chronicles Gurdjieff’s travels around Eurasia and the people he meets on the journey. Many drop off but Gurdjieff keeps on the path, eventually ending up in a mountain temple where he witnesses the mystical dances that become important to The Fourth Way later in his life. The dances are extraordinary and elevate the film in a way I didn’t think was possible. It’s worth it for the dances or movements alone to see this film.

There was some Q&A time with the Ohio Gurdjieff Society after the film in another room I would have liked to stay for but I’d already made plans. Too bad, it would have been interesting to engage someone in conversation on such topics….

David Lynch Weekend, May 25-27, Memorial Day Weekend

This looks pretty cool. “Exploring the Frontiers of Consciousness, Creativity and the Brain…”

Noted Quantum Physicist and past presidential hopeful, John Hagelin and hippy rocker Donovan will be there as well as Lynch. Sounds like they are exploring similar concepts to the movie, What the Bleep?, 2004. I liked What the Bleep? a lot, actually, even though the skeptic in me considers some of this stuff hokum. In some respects, I think it’s advisable to look at some of these concepts under the same light as the self help and consciousness expanding notions popular in the New Age movement. There are some pretty whack ideas out there, and most rational folks completely ignore anything that isn’t safely mainstream. And then there are the nihilists…

David Lynch Weekend
May 25-27, 2007
Memorial Day Weekend
Maharishi University of Management
Fairfield, Iowa

Miami Vice, 2006 and My Super Ex-Girlfriend, 2006

I wasted some precious viewing time over the past couple of days. My Super Ex-Girlfriend, was kind of cute and goofy, I laughed a bit at some of the jokes, so it wasn’t a total waste. But Michael Mann’s feature length, Miami Vice, was just plain unwatchable. My wife (who grew up overseas and missed the TV show) asked if the show was like the movie. I asked her what she meant and she said, “Cheesy.” Well, yes the TV show was cheesy but somehow I liked watching it. The cars were cool, and Miami seemed exciting, especially seen from Cincinnati, Ohio. I’m sure now the Crockett and Tubbs of the TV show would look like tools, but back then they seemed kind of cool. I’m also someone who likes Michael Mann films (HEAT and The Insider, come to mind). Especially the photography in The Insider. But any merit garnered for the filming is totally ruined by the horrible script performances by Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx. Totally avoid Miami Vice.

*UPDATE* Riley Martin at Tri-C! (Cuyahoga Community College) Beachland Ballroom, May 5th 4 p.m.

Glad I heard this little tidbit of news on the Howard Stern show. Riley is one of the “wack-packers” frequently featured on Howard’s show. Riley also has his own show on Sirius focusing on extraterrestrials and whatnot and Riley’s own abductions at the hands of aliens. Should be pretty cool, and I have Tri-C student ID so it will be $15.

At the Eastern Campus Auditorium Beachland Ballroom, May 5th 4 p.m.