I've seen several extremely enlightening documentaries about the perils of immigrating from Central America to the the U.S. (namely "Wetback: The Undocumented Documentary (2005)" and "Crossing Arizona (2006)"). More recently I watched the "Short Life of Jose Antonio Gutierrez (2006)", who was pretty young when he traveled to the United States. But never has the idea of children making this journey hit home as it did with the HBO Documentary "Which Way Home (2009)".
""Which Way Home" is a feature documentary film that follows unaccompanied child migrants, on their journey through Mexico, as they try to reach the United States. We follow children like Olga and Freddy, nine-year old Hondurans, who are desperately trying to reach their parents in the US.; children like Jose, a ten-year old El Salvadoran, who has been abandoned by smugglers and ends up alone in a Mexican detention center; and Kevin, a canny, streetwise fourteen-year old Honduran, whose mother hopes that he will reach the U.S. and send money back to her. These are stories of hope and courage, disappointment and sorrow. They are the children you never hear about; the invisible ones."
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Remembering Katrina
This weekend is the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. There are several great documentaries about it out there, and I recommend all of them. But by far the most powerful and insightful has to be the must see, Academy Award nominated "Trouble the Water (2008)". Unlike the other documentaries which show New Orleans before and after the hurricane, this film shows what actually happened during the storm, from the stranded resident's perspective.
"TROUBLE THE WATER takes you inside Hurricane Katrina in a way never before seen on screen. It's a redemptive tale of two self-described street hustlers who become heroes-two unforgettable people who survive the storm and then seize a chance for a new beginning.
The film opens the day before the storm makes landfall-twenty-four year old aspiring rap artist Kimberly Rivers Roberts is turning her new video camera on herself and her 9th Ward neighbors trapped in the city. "It's going to be a day to remember," Kim declares. With no means to leave the city and equipped with just a few supplies and her hi 8 camera, she and her husband Scott tape their harrowing ordeal as the storm rages, the nearby levee breaches, and floodwaters fill their home and their community.
Seamlessly weaving 15 minutes of this home movie footage shot the day before and the day of the storm, with archival news segments and verite footage shot over two years, directors Tia Lessin and Carl Deal document a journey of remarkable people surviving not only failed levees, bungling bureaucrats and armed soldiers, but also their own past.
Directed and produced by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal and Executive Produced by Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover of Louverture Films, edited and co-produced by T. Woody Richman, with addiitonal editing by Mary Lampson, Trouble the Water features an original musical score by Neil Davidge and Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, and the music of Dr. John, Mary Mary, Citizen Cope, TK Soul, John Lee Hooker, and the Free Agents Brass Band and introduces the music of Black Kold Madina. "
During the movie, Kim gives an incredible performance of her song "Amazing", which unfortunately I can't find (there are other versions out there, but the clip from the film is far superior to the rest). That song alone makes this movie worth watching.
"TROUBLE THE WATER takes you inside Hurricane Katrina in a way never before seen on screen. It's a redemptive tale of two self-described street hustlers who become heroes-two unforgettable people who survive the storm and then seize a chance for a new beginning.
The film opens the day before the storm makes landfall-twenty-four year old aspiring rap artist Kimberly Rivers Roberts is turning her new video camera on herself and her 9th Ward neighbors trapped in the city. "It's going to be a day to remember," Kim declares. With no means to leave the city and equipped with just a few supplies and her hi 8 camera, she and her husband Scott tape their harrowing ordeal as the storm rages, the nearby levee breaches, and floodwaters fill their home and their community.
Seamlessly weaving 15 minutes of this home movie footage shot the day before and the day of the storm, with archival news segments and verite footage shot over two years, directors Tia Lessin and Carl Deal document a journey of remarkable people surviving not only failed levees, bungling bureaucrats and armed soldiers, but also their own past.
Directed and produced by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal and Executive Produced by Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover of Louverture Films, edited and co-produced by T. Woody Richman, with addiitonal editing by Mary Lampson, Trouble the Water features an original musical score by Neil Davidge and Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, and the music of Dr. John, Mary Mary, Citizen Cope, TK Soul, John Lee Hooker, and the Free Agents Brass Band and introduces the music of Black Kold Madina. "
During the movie, Kim gives an incredible performance of her song "Amazing", which unfortunately I can't find (there are other versions out there, but the clip from the film is far superior to the rest). That song alone makes this movie worth watching.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Underrated 80s Flick: Blow Out
Today's selection of "Blow Out (1981)" is inspired by Ted Kennedy, who passed away yesterday (you may have to watch the movie to get the connection). Directed by Brian DePalma and starring John Travolta, Nancy Allen, and a very young John Lithgow, I guess this could be considered one of my favorite movies, since I still watch it regularly. There aren't too many movies that I can think of that combine political intrigue with a serial killer storyline, but somehow it works wonderfully here. "Blow Out" is actually a remake of the Italian film "Blowup (1966)", which I haven't seen yet, but I'd like to.
"This stylish Brian DePalma thriller plays off the theme of the unsuspecting witness who discovers a crime and is thereby put in grave danger, but with a novel twist. Jack is a sound-man who works on "Grade-B" horror movies. Late one evening, he is "sampling" sounds for use on his movies, when he hears something unexpected through his sound equipment and records it. Curiosity gets the better of him when the media become involved, and he begins to unravel the pieces of a nefarious conspiracy. As he struggles to survive against his shadowy enemies and expose the truth, he doesn't know who he can trust."
"This stylish Brian DePalma thriller plays off the theme of the unsuspecting witness who discovers a crime and is thereby put in grave danger, but with a novel twist. Jack is a sound-man who works on "Grade-B" horror movies. Late one evening, he is "sampling" sounds for use on his movies, when he hears something unexpected through his sound equipment and records it. Curiosity gets the better of him when the media become involved, and he begins to unravel the pieces of a nefarious conspiracy. As he struggles to survive against his shadowy enemies and expose the truth, he doesn't know who he can trust."
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Civilization of Maxwell Bright
I've always enjoyed Patrick Warburton as a comedic actor, so I was pretty surprised to see him starring in "The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)" since it deals with some pretty heavy topics. The film does have a lot of funny moments as well, and a full frontal male nude scene in the first few minutes, so clearly it is a must see. There is also a pretty great cast (Jennifer Tilly, Eric Roberts, Carol Kane, Nora Dunn).
"Patrick Warburton (TV's Less Than Perfect and Seinfeld) is Max Bright, a male chauvinist who's tired of relationships with strong-willed, independent women. Max's solution: shell out big bucks for an Asian mail order bride who will do what she's told, only speak when spoken to and never say "no." But what Max gets is an unexpected lesson in life in this moving film about the search for meaning and the power of love." (Amazon)
(Rumor has it that this movie is available to stream on Netflix.)
"Patrick Warburton (TV's Less Than Perfect and Seinfeld) is Max Bright, a male chauvinist who's tired of relationships with strong-willed, independent women. Max's solution: shell out big bucks for an Asian mail order bride who will do what she's told, only speak when spoken to and never say "no." But what Max gets is an unexpected lesson in life in this moving film about the search for meaning and the power of love." (Amazon)
(Rumor has it that this movie is available to stream on Netflix.)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
One of the Most Intense and Disturbing Horror Films Ever
When I saw "Martyrs (2008)" at Blockbuster, I assumed that it was another "Saw"/"Hostel" type torture movie, but since it was foreign I figured I would check it out anyway. Boy was I wrong! It is really almost impossible to describe this movie. At first it appears to be an extremely violent revenge flick, mixed with a scary creature haunting. What is surprising is how quickly these aspects appear, it really has you wondering what could possibly happen in the rest of the movie. By around the middle of the film, it takes a completely unexpected turn. The last part of the movie is extremely difficult to watch, not only because of the disturbing visuals, but also because of the pacing. While it is uncomfortable, I think it manages to convey the intended tone.
"A young woman's quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child leads her and a friend, who is also a victim of child abuse, on a terrifying journey into a living hell of depravity."
I've seen lots of disturbing, gory movies over the years, but I really don't know if I could watch it again, although I feel I need to just to try to comprehend it better.
"A young woman's quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child leads her and a friend, who is also a victim of child abuse, on a terrifying journey into a living hell of depravity."
I've seen lots of disturbing, gory movies over the years, but I really don't know if I could watch it again, although I feel I need to just to try to comprehend it better.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Ben Stiller + Heroin + Alf
Throw in some Elizabeth Hurley and Owen Wilson, and you get "Permanent Midnight (1998)". It is the true story of ALF writer (among other things) Jerry Stahl's battle with drug addiction, and it is both sad and hilarious.
"Comedy writer Jerry Stahl (Ben Stiller), whose $6000-a-week heroin habit had him taking his infant daughter along on his drug runs and doing smack during TV script conferences. Departing detox, Stahl explores memories with survivor Kitty, who listens patiently to Stahl's flashback. Other women in Stahl's life are his British wife Sandra (Elizabeth Hurley) and his agent Vola. For the TV series "Mr. Chompers" (inspired by ALF), Stahl meets with sitcom exec Craig Ziffer and puppeteer Allen. For freaky freebasing, Stahl hangs with mumbler Nicky and druggie Gus."
"Comedy writer Jerry Stahl (Ben Stiller), whose $6000-a-week heroin habit had him taking his infant daughter along on his drug runs and doing smack during TV script conferences. Departing detox, Stahl explores memories with survivor Kitty, who listens patiently to Stahl's flashback. Other women in Stahl's life are his British wife Sandra (Elizabeth Hurley) and his agent Vola. For the TV series "Mr. Chompers" (inspired by ALF), Stahl meets with sitcom exec Craig Ziffer and puppeteer Allen. For freaky freebasing, Stahl hangs with mumbler Nicky and druggie Gus."
Friday, August 21, 2009
Towelhead
"Towelhead (2007)" is both disturbing and oddly funny. I saw this around the same time that I watched "The Dark Knight", so it was strange to see Aaron Eckhart as a sleazy neighbor (to put it mildly). The film explores sexuality, racism, and cultural differences in a pretty unique way, which makes it a must see (it's playing on Cinemax throughout August and September).
"Against the backdrop of the first Gulf War, Jasira Maroun is 13, physically well developed but naïve and unable to say no. As puberty arrives, her mother sends her from Syracuse to Houston to her curt, up-tight, Lebanese-born father. Over the next few months, Jasira must navigate her father's strict indifference, her discovery of sexual pleasure, the casual racism of a neighbor boy and her classmates, the sexual advances of the boy's father, the proffered friendship of a pregnant neighbor, and her attraction to Thomas, an African-American classmate whom her father forbids her to see. Things happen to her, but can she take responsibility and control, or is tragedy inevitable?"
"Against the backdrop of the first Gulf War, Jasira Maroun is 13, physically well developed but naïve and unable to say no. As puberty arrives, her mother sends her from Syracuse to Houston to her curt, up-tight, Lebanese-born father. Over the next few months, Jasira must navigate her father's strict indifference, her discovery of sexual pleasure, the casual racism of a neighbor boy and her classmates, the sexual advances of the boy's father, the proffered friendship of a pregnant neighbor, and her attraction to Thomas, an African-American classmate whom her father forbids her to see. Things happen to her, but can she take responsibility and control, or is tragedy inevitable?"
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