Since I don't watch "Lost", I really didn't make the connection between it and "Fermat's Room (2007)", but apparently numbers play a big part in the plot of "Lost", and the same goes for this movie. In fact 'the' magic numbers from "Lost" make an appearance in "Fermat's Room".
"Four mathematicians who do not know each other are invited by a mysterious host on the pretext of resolving a great enigma. The room in which they find themselves turns out to be a shrinking room that will crush them if they do not discover in time what connects them all and why someone might wish to murder them."
Although I didn't expect to, I really enjoyed this film. (It probably has to do with the fact that I love puzzles). In fact I might even be inspired to watch "Lost" now.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Funny Short Documentary About Brazilian Waxing
Seen on CurrentTv.
"From the short film Why We Wax by Kimberly Wetherell, this pod explores the history, fashion, function and not-strictly-feminine fascination with maintaining the hair... 'down there.'"
"From the short film Why We Wax by Kimberly Wetherell, this pod explores the history, fashion, function and not-strictly-feminine fascination with maintaining the hair... 'down there.'"
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Nine Lives of Marion Barry
Years ago, I bought a book at Dollar Tree (yes, Dollar Tree) about Marion Barry. Although I can't quite remember the details of the book, I do remember it being mostly focused on his scandals, so I didn't learn a lot about his early political career. Luckily I had a chance to watch "The Nine Lives of Marion Barry (2009)" on HBO. I must say, as a young politician, Marion Barry was dope. (no pun intended)
So who should play him in the (inevitable) movie? I say Kanye West for the early years, and John Witherspoon for the later years.
See Also: HBO Summer '09 Documentary Schedule
So who should play him in the (inevitable) movie? I say Kanye West for the early years, and John Witherspoon for the later years.
See Also: HBO Summer '09 Documentary Schedule
Southern Tradition, Secret Societies, and Football
When you mix all of these elements together you get a fascinating documentary called "'Bama Girl (2008)".
"'Bama Girl follows a charismatic black woman's quest to become the 2005 Homecoming Queen at the University of Alabama, one of the great Deep South institutions. Homecoming has a rich history there, tied into centuries of privilege, old money, and racial exclusivity. We follow Jessica Thomas' campaign for Queen, running against not only 15 other co-eds, but a strictly segregated Greek system, internal black politics, and, most ominously, a secret all-white association called 'The Machine' that has been controlling politics at the University for most of the past century. This is a film about the light and the dark sides of tradition - and a fascinating parable for the electoral politics that affect our country everyday."
"'Bama Girl follows a charismatic black woman's quest to become the 2005 Homecoming Queen at the University of Alabama, one of the great Deep South institutions. Homecoming has a rich history there, tied into centuries of privilege, old money, and racial exclusivity. We follow Jessica Thomas' campaign for Queen, running against not only 15 other co-eds, but a strictly segregated Greek system, internal black politics, and, most ominously, a secret all-white association called 'The Machine' that has been controlling politics at the University for most of the past century. This is a film about the light and the dark sides of tradition - and a fascinating parable for the electoral politics that affect our country everyday."
Thursday, August 13, 2009
New Season of Independent Lens is Coming
"Independent Lens" on PBS is one of my favorite shows on television. The new fall schedule has been announced, and once again they have some great films lined up:
You can watch previous episodes online here.
See Also: Documentary vs. Biopic: Petey Greene Edition
You can watch previous episodes online here.
See Also: Documentary vs. Biopic: Petey Greene Edition
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lords of the Revolution
VH1 has a new documentary series airing this week called "Lords of the Revolution", which will feature episodes about Cheech and Chong, The Black Panthers, Timothy Leary, Andy Warhol, and Muhammad Ali. The one episode I've seen so far was really interesting, so I'm recording all of the others.
"They questioned authority. They celebrated nonconformity. They dared to be different.
In Lords of the Revolution, a provocative new documentary series, VH1 will profile the nonconformist heroes -- and anti-heroes -- of the 60s and 70s, honoring those icons who challenged the social, political and cultural institutions of the time.
Edgy, colorful, and visually dynamic, each hour long episode will feature rare archival footage and photos; an unconventional graphic treatment; a hip rock soundtrack; and new first-hand interviews from the people who were there -- all combined to tell the compelling, dangerous and subversive stories of a revolution that continues to influence popular culture today.
Lords of the Revolution is here to celebrate the leaders of the most significant cultural transformation of the 20th century."
"They questioned authority. They celebrated nonconformity. They dared to be different.
In Lords of the Revolution, a provocative new documentary series, VH1 will profile the nonconformist heroes -- and anti-heroes -- of the 60s and 70s, honoring those icons who challenged the social, political and cultural institutions of the time.
Edgy, colorful, and visually dynamic, each hour long episode will feature rare archival footage and photos; an unconventional graphic treatment; a hip rock soundtrack; and new first-hand interviews from the people who were there -- all combined to tell the compelling, dangerous and subversive stories of a revolution that continues to influence popular culture today.
Lords of the Revolution is here to celebrate the leaders of the most significant cultural transformation of the 20th century."
Princess Aurora
The South Korean movie "Princess Aurora (2005)" seems very similar to "Lady Vengeance" in many ways, but other than certain plot points it is actually very different. The folks over at DVDtalk.com do a great job of comparing the two films:
"This film has been getting a lot of comparisons to Chan Wook-Park's excellent Sympathy For Lady Vengeance and while both movies definitely play around with some of the same themes and ideas (and in that regard, the comparisons are definitely warranted), the execution of both films is quite different. Sympathy For Lady Vengeance is highly stylized and at times borders on surrealist and it also keeps you guessing as to who was responsible for the crimes whereas Princess Aurora isn't nearly as flashy and it lays out its story in a much more matter-of-fact manner. As such, it's easier to follow and while it is more simplistic it is still very much a unique movie that stands on its own very well."
(I can't yet find a trailer with English subtitles. This movie is unfortunately hard to find...)
See Also: Lady Vengeance
"This film has been getting a lot of comparisons to Chan Wook-Park's excellent Sympathy For Lady Vengeance and while both movies definitely play around with some of the same themes and ideas (and in that regard, the comparisons are definitely warranted), the execution of both films is quite different. Sympathy For Lady Vengeance is highly stylized and at times borders on surrealist and it also keeps you guessing as to who was responsible for the crimes whereas Princess Aurora isn't nearly as flashy and it lays out its story in a much more matter-of-fact manner. As such, it's easier to follow and while it is more simplistic it is still very much a unique movie that stands on its own very well."
(I can't yet find a trailer with English subtitles. This movie is unfortunately hard to find...)
See Also: Lady Vengeance
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