robertmurray-70637

A total stinker of a movie, but the "Mystery Science Theater" version is hilarious. Did people back in 1957 actually believe that one could communicate with the dead using what looks like a ball of aluminum foil? I should note that the (few) street scenes of 1950s Los Angels are fascinating. That was the era of "Dragnet" and countless private detective or police novels, movies, and TV shows. LA must have been a very cool place back then. Men wore hats, the cars were all 25 feet long and had 200 pounds of chrome, and everybody smoked, everywhere. If the dead did talk back they would probably say. "Don't blame us for this movie."

This film which presents a discussion by experts in a number of fields about whether the human species can survive climate change, and if so, what is our pathway towards doing so? While that may sound like a boring intellectual discussion, the film's use of nature photography to illustrate its points brings both beauty and a sense of imminent tragedy. However, it does end on a hopeful note. The film argues that It may very well be possible for our species to survive, but it will require us to make significant changes in the way we think and live. An essential film for people who have concerns about the future, and are not living in denial about climate change.

When I first streamed this movie I stopped after the second appearance of the bear which I initially found confusing and annoying. However, after a few days I realized that I still thinking about that bear, so I had go back and watch the entire movie. The director wants you to think and to feel deeply, and this is accomplished by a subtle transition from simple entertainment into what I would describe as mysticism or animistic religion. If you love film, you should see this one. You may love it or hate it but you probably won't forget it. Shot in the polar region of Canada, it provides profound insight into the character and behavior of the people who live in such an isolated and hostile environment. Some are born there but others choose to live there, and that difference is at the heart of the story.