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Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts

Monday, August 22, 2016

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

The story of Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon official who in 1971 at person peril leaked thousands of top secret pages to the press on the Vietnam War, a conflict which he himself had personally helped architect. Judith Ehrlich and Richard Goldsmith's documentary is not dressed up or apparently made with a lot of money, but still manages to be an engrossing, comprehensive record on a self-important whistleblower.
*** 1/2 out of ****
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Saturday, September 12, 2015

Inglourious Basterds

A Jewish woman (Melanie Laurent) escapes slaughter at the hands of a ruthless SS colonel (Christoph Waltz) and both of their fates will intertwine with that of the Basterds, a ruthless band of Jewish American brothers led by a bloodthirsty lieutenant (Brad Pitt) who specializes in taking Nazi scalps. Inglourious Basterds is inspired, intelligent, intense, entertaining, and sometimes off-putting and self-indulgent revisionist World War II fare from Quentin Tarantino, with an over-the-top ending that thwarts at least some of the great work that preceded it. Waltz steals the show in his brilliant, multilingual star making performance, Pitt is entirely effective in an amusing comic turn, and Laurent is quite good in a challenging role.
*** 1/2 out of ****
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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Hachi: A Dog's Tale

A college professor (Richard Gere) provides a home for the abandoned Akita he encountered at the train station, against the wishes of his wife (Joan Allen). As a bond develops between dog and master and tragedy suddenly strikes the family, a true act of devotion is displayed by the pup. Based on a supposedly true story which played out in Japan in early 20th century, Lasse Hallstrom's Hachi finds beauty in its simplicity without being overly cloying and gets an empathetic, frankly really strong performance from Gere.
*** 1/2 out of ****
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Monday, May 18, 2015

Mad Men

SPOILERS abound. Again, its hard to write about a serial without discussing the plot.
Season 7, Parts 1 & 2 (2014, 2015)
As the 60s fade and the 70s are ushered in, Don stares down another failed marriage, termination from his partnership, and his continuing, wayward calling existential crisis as SC&P faces consolidation into advertising juggernaut McCann Erickson. The final season of Mad Men travels down its own path, moving at its own speed, unconcerned with sensationalism, histrionics and easy resolutions, and providing its characters with deserving, surprisingly uncynical, and even tender endings. While so many shows seem to lose steam, spinning their wheels long after ideas or interest has run out, Matthew Weiner’s unprecedented series remained continually assured, surprising, intelligent, and engaging, a glowing example of how good television can be.
**** out of ****

Season 6 (2013)
It is a tumultuous 1968 and Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce finds itself chasing several major accounts while being party to a major merger. Pete Campbell finds himself several outrageous entanglements, one involving his mother and a new mystery man at the agency. Peggy finds her stock rising, yet still subject to the whims of the male colleagues, and Don continues his tumble into the abyss, engaging in a tryst with a neighbor that results in what may be his ultimate low point. What can be said about Mad Men that hasn't already been said. This latest season is a continuation of excellence that hasn't wavered since its foundation. All the excellent elements (acting, story, production values, etc.) are still intact and the addition of James Wolk playing Bob Benson, another charming, alliteratively named abstruse ad man adds some more fun to the proceedings. Watching this season, I realized how nice it is to be able to watch a show without worrying about its quality, knowing it will be great, and sitting back to enjoy the fall.
**** out of ****

Season 5 (2012)
Its 1966 and Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce has, quite quickly, revealed the monster it has become and how its depravity knows no bounds in the efforts seal a Jaguar clientele. Don continues his surprisingly faithful and seemingly empty marriage to Megan, Roger trips on LSD, Pete pursues an acquaintance's fragile spouse, Peggy reaches the end of her rope, as does Lane in a more literal sense following financial straits. After a long wait, the most brilliant series on television returns with a dark and brutal season as the audience along with the characters seem to get kicked in the teeth on a weekly basis. From the larger happenings discussed above to smaller ones, such as Paul Kinsey's pathetic return to Betty's weight problems, the sense of melancholy and longing seems deeper than ever. The cast is excellent once again. I liked where they took Peggy and Joan's stories this year, and Jared Harris was remarkable in where he was able to take his character throughout his run. In Season 5, Matthew Weiner gets closer to the heart (or lack thereof) of his characters and involves us once more in a sad and sinuous journey.
**** out of ****

 Season 4 (2010)
1964 is coming to a close and Sterling, Cooper, Draper, and Pryce is struggling to take off. After bungling an interview with the New York Times, recently divorced Don Draper begins a decline where he sees the death of his friend in California, struggles with his drinking, and faces more problems with his secret identity. Peggy, Pete, and Joan face discontent at work while Roger's attitude towards a major client may just bring down the entire agency. Season 4 of Mad Men is a continuance of excellence for a show that started off wonderful and somehow seems to constantly get better. The regulars shine as bright as ever and there are some humorous new additions to the cast including a couple of buffoons in creative and an ambitious executive at a rival agency. Season 4 helps prove that television can be literate and entertaining at the same time and that most other shows aren't even trying.
**** out of ****

Season 3 (2009)
It's 1963 and the Brits have invaded Sterling Cooper. Shaking up management and making changes throughout the company, Pete Campbell and Ken Cosgrove are thrown into competition for the Account Manager Position. Don has acquired the desirable Hilton account but it may be more trouble than its worth. On the home front, his father-in-law comes to live with his family, a new baby has arrived, and an older gentlemen causes Betty to rethink their continually troubled union. Then, that sad fateful day in late November arrives when the world stops and reflects on the great tragedy that has befallen them. Season 3 of Mad Men continues the elegant melancholic brilliance that was established in the first two seasons. With pacing that is both leisurely and thoroughly exciting, Mad Men keeps raising the bar for television excellence. Matthew Weiner and his staff keep writing wonderful dialogue and situations and all the great actors, lead by the enigmatic John Hamm continue to wow as well.
**** out of ****

Season 2 (2008)

The second season of Mad Men picks up in the smoky and booze filled corridors of Sterling Cooper in the spring of 1962 with historical moon orbits, devastating plane crashes, high profile celebrity suicides, and the threat of nuclear war on the loom. As for the members of Sterling Cooper, a new executive will offer lofty promises, cost a tenured and liked exec his job, and possibly jeopardize the entire company for the sake of self promotion. Peggy Olson's career has skyrocketed while in her free time she reflects on the repercussions of her surprise pregnancy and has made the acquaintance of a young visiting priest. Ms. Halloway has become happily engaged but is somewhat discontented with her role at the office. Harry Crane has been made the head of the newly formed television department, Paul Kinsey has become involved in social activism with his new girlfriend, and Pete Campbell has found a way to capitalize on a family tragedy while struggling to conceive a child with his wife. Don Draper's affair with an older woman will lead to a separation from his wife, serve as an inspiration for boss Roger Sterling to leave his, and cause Don to head to California to do some soul searching which may lead to some answers regarding his mysterious past. Mad Men continues its excellency with wonderfully realized storylines and dialogue, while getting to the core of the discontent of its characters who seemingly have everything but who are still somehow empty.
**** out of ****

Season 1 (2007)

"How could anyone be unhappy with all of this"
So says Don Draper, the debonair advertising executive for Sterling Cooper, one of the most successful firms on Madison Avenue. Yet under the surface of the characters on Mad Men, the brilliant series by Matthew Weiner, lies a melancholy and a desire for something other than the items they superficially promote. With the smell of change in the air, Sterling Cooper's executives are something of a dying breed as they drink, smoke, engage in infidelities, and occasionally put in some work hours and draw in clients while the women wish to succeed on their own but seem hopelessly dependent on men in a male dominated world. At the top sits Draper (Jon Hamm), a natural at his job and a good family man as well. Regardless, his beautiful wife (January Jones) seems unhappy, has childish tendencies, and has recently been placed in psychotherapy. He doesn't seem contented, and sees his way into the arms of a Greenwich village woman (Rosemarie DeWitt) who hangs around beatniks. Also, developments occur that suggest that he may not be who he says he is. Then there is Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) the perky and intelligent secretary with greater ambitions but seems to fall prey to the advances of Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), the snaky junior executive who will stop at nothing for self-advancement. Overseeing are the partners Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse), the former more concerned with boozing and womanizing and the latter a pragmatist and seemingly straight and narrow kind of guy. Mad Men is a show that is intimately familiar with its time and setting, and it shows in the resulting period detail. The actors are wonderfully cast and believable in their roles. It is brilliantly conceived and intelligently written and sets the bar for what primetime television should be.
**** out of ****
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Sunday, September 14, 2014

The National Parks: America's Best Idea

Glacier National Park, Montana
Beginning with John Muir's dream of seeing his beloved Yosemite protected, continuing with Theodore Roosevelt's follow through using presidential action to preserve pristine natural monuments around the country, and concluding with controversial decisions to protect vast amounts of Alaskan wilderness in the 1970s, while covering a multitudinous number of stories from many of our 59 federally protected parks in the years in between, The National Parks is another ambitious, informative, and patriotic work from documentarian Ken Burns. As most of Burns' films on extensive topics have a habit of doing, The National Parks produces a "star" here in the form of Shelton Johnson, an eloquent Yosemite Park Ranger from humble beginnings on the urban landscape of Detroit. Aside from Shelton, however, the talking heads are surprisingly lackluster, perhaps because there's only so much to be said about the majesty of these wonders that already speak for themselves, especially when you've had the privilege to have seen some of them in person.  Nonetheless the historical aspects and footage are excellent, which is par for the course in a Burns' film, and despite a few plodding middle episodes, the opening and concluding segments are astounding.
*** out of ****
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Monday, September 30, 2013

Breaking Bad

Season 5, Part 2 (2013)
Hank’s revelation about the dark truth concerning his brother-in-law causes him to go rogue and spurs a collision course leading to a catastrophic showdown between Walt, Jesse, and everyone else that comes in their path. The ultimate show for the instant gratification generation comes to its conclusion in a leave nothing to the imagination fashion that is sure to please its attention deficient minions (thank God they didn’t leave things open and make you think like The Sopranos!). For the high dramatics required for this concluding half season, Aaron Paul and especially Dean Norris are not up to the task while Bryan Cranston, an actor I’ve criticized for his one-note portrayal, pulls off something wondrous in generating sympathy for his despicable character. Vince Gilligan and company continue to misuse their female actresses while presenting flashy photography and plotlines that get way more credit than they deserve. All said and done, I must admit that it has been fun these last several weeks to have a TV event that seemingly everyone has been discussing, but now that the dust is settling it will be a relief to see the conversation draw to a close.
** 1/2

Season 5, Part 1 (2012)
With the eradication of Gus Fringe, very little (some questions of supply, and about a baker's dozen of Fringe's constituents) stands in way of Walter's ascension to the methamphetamine throne of the southwest. Now his real contenders are his disaffected wife, persistent brother-in-law, increasingly conscious driven partner and, of course, himself. The first half of the final series (why they're splitting a show that covers such a short time span is beyond me - Walter Jr. looks like he's 30 for god's sake) is essentially just fallout and wheel spinning from the spectacular finale of the altogether lackluster previous season. Walter continues to evolve into an increasingly dubious and unrealistic creature and I still stand by my statements that Bryan Cranston is a one trick pony not up to the task (same still holds for Aaron Paul too). Anna Gunn's melancholic turn has also brought her likewise insufferable character to a whole new level of unbearableness. Creator Vince Gilligan continues to shoot himself in the foot (e.g. a well constructed train heist followed by a ludicrously abominable act) and mask his lack of artistry and vision with a series of kitschy time-lapse montages which have typified the series. Great moments of frenzy and disorder, where the show should rest its focus, are few and far between and Gilligan opts for sheer improbability and implausibility in both plotting and characterization.
**

Season 4 (2011)
The fallout from season 3 places Walt and Jesse in a contentious spot, not only with their employer Gus, but also amongst themselves. As Walt continues his approach into utter amorality and Jesse into a spiral of addiction and despair, the crippled Hank begins to pick up the scent, and a major confrontation looms for all involved in the Albuquerque crystal meth trade. For "Breaking Bad", the motto has become "shock at all cost, character development and believability be damned". Although containing few great moments, the series is beginning to resemble a Saturday morning cartoon more so than a great piece of art, which many would have you believe. Although we remain invested in the characters of Walt and Jesse, Bryan Cranton and Aaron Paul's performances have grown redundant and tiresome and their characters have grown so erratic, I have a hard time buying any of their choices. I don't find Giancarlo Esposito's Gus to be as passively menacing as commonly held and Jonatahan Banks' more fleshed out role is not as refined as I had earlier supposed. Anna Gunn continues her turnaround and delivers good work this season, Dean Norris is viable as Hank, Bob Odenkirk continues to amuse as Saul the attorney. I thought creator Vince Gilligan wrapped things up well (perhaps a bit too neatly) but overall this past season functioned in fits and starts. With 16 episodes to go, hopefully Gilligan can deliver something that is not only hard hitting and riveting, but also in the limits of believability. 
** 1/2

Season 3 (2010)

Albuquerque is in mourning following the plane crash. Walt is now separated from Skyler and Jesse is struggling with his loss as well as sobriety.  Not wishing to cook anymore, Walt finds it hard to turn down a lucrative offer from Gus, and events from the past invite two strangers from south of the border who may not only jeopardize Walt's life, but may also threaten his family as well. Season three of Breaking Bad sees the show getting full of itself and getting out of hand. I did not believe one of the turns of the show and found myself shaking my head in disbelief more often than not, not being able to buy any of the character's choices. Bryan Cranston's much praised work I find to be one note (although he hits it well) and his character's transformation is so ridiculous that his antics in these scenes almost mirror his character in Malcolm in the Middle. Also, the scenes involving the two Mexican brother assassins is just too close to "No Country for Old Men" not to say anything. There were some elements I liked, including some intense sequences handled extremely well. The cast is very good as well. Aaron Paul continues his fine work. I was surprised to appreciate Anna Gunn and Betsy Brandt, whose work I had disapproved of in the prior two seasons. Dean Norris continues his stellar work as well and Bob Odenkirk continues to be a hoot as the slickster attorney. Finally, Giancarlo Esposito does nice work as an atypical drug lord and Jonathan Banks is effective as a "cleaner." As far a television goes, Breakinng Bad is still a good show. The problem is that the people behind the show know it's good and let it show.
** 1/2

Season 2 (2009)
The second season of Breaking Bad picks up with Walt and Jesse's premium batch of crystal meth being a booming success and everything else going wrong. They both have to contend with their psychopathic distributor who has big plans for his employees. Problems accrue with all members of their distribution crew, leading to their retainer of a high priced shyster attorney. Women problems occur for both men, one even turning tragic. Walt is still battling his severe lung cancer while Jesse battles drug addiction. Then there are those mysterious teasers that play before the credits, building up to an unpredictable occurrence. Vince Gilligan's series steps its game up for its second time at the plate. Bryan Cranston is still great in the lead, always wearing that sense of dread. Aaron Paul makes strides as Jesse, as his character sinks into addiction and a toxic relationship. Dean Norris is great as well as his DEA character gets a promotion that may not be all its cracked up to be and the series benefits greatly from the additions of Bob Odenkirk as the scumbag lawyer and John de Lancie as the father of Jesse's new girlfriend. I still have a problem with some of the contrivances of the show and it should be mentioned that the credited females on the show, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt, and Krysten Ritter, are terrible. Still, Breaking Bad is among the upper echelon of television programming and is a tense and entertaining way to spend 47 minutes.
***

Season 1 (2008)
Walter White's life is not going as he would like it too. Once a chemistry prodigy with a successful future ahead of him with limitless possibilities, he is now reduced to teaching the Periodic Table to bored high school students in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He even has an after school job at the car wash to help make ends meet. The passion has gone out of his marriage and his disabled son mouths off to him so when his doctor informs him he has stage 4 lung cancer, he seems curiously impassive and more concerned with the mustard shirt on the doctor's smock. Not wanting to leave his family in dire straits, and with a little inspiration when hearing about a drug bust from his DEA agent brother-in-law, Walter decides to seek out one of his old students and current drug dealer and cook crystal meth. Breaking Bad is a strange show that doesn't (really) moralize the situation its lead character has thrust himself into. Bryan Cranston, a TV veteran whom most remember as the dad in Malcolm in the Middle, hits all the right notes as the internalized and Aaron Paul is just as fine as he reveals an intelligent person in his seemingly idiotic drug dealing character. I wouldn't call the writing great and situations are often contrived, but this is highly original, entertaining, and engaging programming.
sidenote: This inaugural season was a victim of the writer's strike and was unfortunately cut short to 7 episodes. It does feel somewhat condensed and does not have the feel of a full season.
***
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Friday, May 10, 2013

Bruno

After his personally designed Velcro suit proves disastrous at an international show and making him the laughing stock of the fashion world, a flamboyant Austrian reporter journeys to America to seek his fame and fortune, no matter how debased his methods may be. Following the great success of Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen drew on another Ali G persona in this shameless, often disarming mockumentary which in its greatest parts is funnier than its predecessor, but much too often sinks to nasty, contemptible lows.
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Saturday, February 16, 2013

Dorian Gray

In this most recent update of Oscar Wilde's often film only published novel, a young Londoner (Ben Barnes),  corrupted by an aristocrat (Colin Firth),  maintains his good looks while his appaling and vapid inner essence is revealed in his grotesque, ever changing self-portrait. "Dorian Gray" is a fine looking film, and one that for awhile seems like it will be a great adaptation. Soon however, it turns exceedingly nasty and takes too many liberties with Wilde's story, most notably with Dorian's once secret but here revealed exploits which are neither intriguing nor sexy by the way they are depicted. As was the case with the superior 1945 film, the imagery involved with the picture itself is excellent.
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Friday, February 15, 2013

Vincere

"Vincere" tells the story of Ida Dalser (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), a woman who fell in love, married, and bore a child to a young, fiery and idealistic Benito Mussolini (Filippo Timi) before the tumult of the First Great War. When the two came back in contact, and Benito was remarried and well on his way to becoming Il Duce,  he spent the rest of his life covering up his first marriage in the most horrid manner. Marco Bellocchio's film is an odd piece of historical representation that turns its little known story into heightened soapy melodrama and isn't quite as involving as it should be. It is also tarnished by the distracting soundtrack, which borrows heavily from Bernard Herrmann's famous "North by Northwest" scoring.
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Friday, January 4, 2013

Get Yer Ya Ya's Out

Recorded in late 1969 as part of the Let It Bleed tour, The Rolling Stones' Get Yer Ya Ya's Out has gone on to be heralded as one of the great live albums. Filmed by the Maysles brothers along with material that would become the pivotal documentary "Gimme Shelter", this short film was assembled by Albert Maysles (David died in 1987), Brad Kaplan, and Ian Markiewicz for the 40th year re-release. Though not even thirty minutes long, it features rare and brilliant footage of the Stones performing at Madison Square Garden, some post concert album editing, the cover shoot with a mule on a blocked off NYC highway bridge, and some offstage appearances from Jerry Garcia and Jimi Hendrix.
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Saturday, October 20, 2012

Mary and Max

A lonely 8 year old girl in Melbourne, Australia addresses a random letter to Max, an middle-aged, overweight, and highly dysfunctional New York Jew. Over the course of several decades, the two keep up their often odd correspondence and cultivate their friendship over many hard times. "Mary and Max" is a highly impressive claymation film from Adam Elliot which pushes the envelope with vulgarity and abnormality, providing somewhat of a disservice to itself, but ultimately triumphs due to the warmth invested in its characters and story. 
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Studs Terkel: Listening to America

For over 60 years, whether it was on his radio or television programs, in book interviews, or just a casual encounter on the street, Studs Terkel listened to and documented people from all walks of life, both in his native Chicago and throughout the country, resulting in an amalgam of social histories depicting a national identity. Following in 2008, this documentary featuring much of his old footage plus recent interviews recorded only months before his death at the age of 96. "Studs Terkel: Listening to America" is a fair introduction to the man's work, and never less than compelling when you hear the folksy historian speak, but it is still a slight and somewhat amateurish record, leaving the viewer wanting to hear more of Studs and his insightful tails.
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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Queen to Play

While tidying up a room in a Corsican hotel, a French maid notices a couple on the balcony engaged in a chess match and become immediately interested in the game. While working at her second job, serving as a maid to a cranky American expatriate doctor, she discovers a chess board among his belongings and, after much beckoning, convinces him to teach her the game. "Queen to Play" is a quaint little film from director Caroline Bottaro, and is the kind of simple and observant human drama that the French do so well. In the lead role, Sandrine Bonnaire gives a winning performance as a repressed middle aged woman finally seeking out her dreams, and the real treat of the movie is watching Kevin Kline act in an entirely French speaking role! "Queen to Play" doesn't break new ground, but simply achieves its simple goal: to tell a perceptive and affecting story of a late bloomer and her new found talent.
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Monday, May 7, 2012

Grey Gardens

In 1975 two cousins, mother and daughter, of Jackie Kennedy were facing eviction from their East Hampton mansion when they were found living among filth, raccoons, and God knows what else until their famous former first lady relation saved them from removal. Already having been "discovered" by the Maysles brothers and documented in their film of the same name, "Grey Gardens" charts their course from New York social debutantes of the 1930s to their current state of squalor. "Grey Gardens" is an excellent, so strange it has to be true story, centering on the strong, eccentric performances of its leading lady. As the controlling and confused matron, Jessica Lange is her usual amazing self and the greatest surprise, it gives me pleasure to say, is Drew Barrymore, turning in an alternately goofy and touching portrayal as the daughter. I had long ago written off Mrs. Barrymore as untalented and irritating, but after watching her incredible turn in this film, I'm starting to believe that she has just been misused. Also providing excellent though brief work here is Jeanne Tripplehorn as a sullen Jackie Kennedy. "Grey Gardens" finds moments of comedy, tragedy, and humanity amidst a bizarre true-to-life story.
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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind 'Little Women'

Although she grew up in an educated household in 19th Century New England, studying transcendentalism under Ralph Waldo Emerson and making acquaintanceships with Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott grew up poor, and also independent, intelligent, and tough-minded. Through the course of her lifetime, she became a highly celebrated and successful author, writing nonstop and cementing her legacy in Little Women, one of the most popular of all American books, and one that reflected her own cherished family."Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind 'Little Women'" takes a different approach than the other profiles in the American Masters series and features actors portraying Alcott and the other figures in her life, while directing the camera directly, an approach I was at first opposed to, but which then grew on me. The rest of Alcott's surprising and highly accomplished is nicely presented in this loving portrait of a highly admired author.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

We Shall Remain

"We Shall Remain" takes over 450 years of Native American history, from the notion that Indians were complacent peace lovers or vicious savages, and turns it on its head. In a five part series, the main focal points include the arrival of the Puritans and the uneasy pact between them and the natives, King Philip's War, Indian relocation and Tecumseh's resistance, the Trail of Tears, Geronimo's campaign of terror, and the occupation of Wounded Knee. "We Shall Remain" is an excellent historical retrospective. Made by Native American filmmakers and featuring interviews with many current tribe members, the series has an authentic feel and tells its often harrowing story excellently, for once successfully using historical recreations to enhance the feature. "We Shall Remain" uncovers a shameful often watered down and sometimes even glorified part of our history and handles it with dignity and a quite superior craft.

Here's a synopsis of each of the five parts in the series:
Read more »
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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound

Joan Baez was the voice of her generation, a brilliant and stunning beauty who sang like an angel yet breathed fire when it came to her socially conscious views. "How Sweet the Sound" is a portrait of her career as a singer and social activist, from the early years with her glowing success and relationship with Bob Dylan (who is in the film), to her staunch support of Civil Rights and antiwar movements, to later support of the people of Sarajevo, and continued prolific work as a singer/songwriter. This retrospective of Baez's career is a loving portrait of the artist, with her beatific songs providing a contrast to the more contentious parts of her life and personality. Baez herself appears in the film and is as radiant and outspoken as any time during the course of her life. "Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound" is a excellent examination of a beautiful, talented, and determined personality.

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Looking for Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is the secular patron saint of America and perhaps and the most legendary and mystic of anyone in our history. Because of his stature, his legend has taken on all sorts of meanings and in all his grandeur, it is possible to lose sight of who he really is. In the documentary special "Looking for Lincoln", historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr. spans the country exploring many different facets of Lincoln's life and legacy. Exploring Lincoln in the present, Gates attends an auction of his memorabilia, visits the foremost Abe collector, and visits a descendants of Confederate veterans gathering to gain a perspective of those who do not have a lofty opinion of the man. He also visits historical sites such as Gettysburg, the Lincoln Bedroom in White House, his summer cottage in D.C., Ford's Theater and across the street to his deathbed at Peterson's Boarding House. Joining him on his journey and offering insight are George W. Bush, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust, and Bill Clinton. Gates' trek is a fascinating look into the life and legacy of our 16th President although it does very little to shed any new light on who he was.
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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction

Filmed at Constitution Hall in early 2009, Robin Williams takes us through his usual manic performance with takes on current issues of the time including the Beijing Olympics, the bailouts, texting, the recently elected president, GPS navigation, porn, rehab, hands off driving, and the creation of the human anatomy. Like his other riotous television stand-up specials including "Live at the Met" and "Live on Broadway", Williams is a hyperactive ball of invention replete of wild body contortions, impersonations, and humorous musings. Some of the material is recycled from previous outings, but it is still some kind of wonder to see him get on a roll and command the typical uproarious reaction.

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Friday, October 28, 2011

Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About

Jerome Robbins was the foremost American choreographer. A classically trained dancer, he fused prototypical ballet with modern dance and created some of the most memorable Broadway routines including "West Side Story", "Gypsy", and "Fiddler on the Roof". He also found success in the ballet, including a partnership with the world reknowned Russian choreographer George Balanchine at the New York City Opera. Born into an immigrant Jewish family with an eccentric mother and closed off father, he was much beloved by friends, but masked his insecurities, and was known as being extremely demanding in his work, often at the cost of friendships and collaborators. With interviews from friends, colleagues, and critics including Rita Moreno, Arthur Laurents, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Stephen Sondheim, "Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance" provides a loving portrait of a difficult and unyielding man, while displaying some of his ingenious and innovative work.

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