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…