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Joseph Campbell & The Power of Myth Joseph Campbell was one of the world's foremost authorities on mythology, devoting his life to the study of virtually every primary culture of the earth and the myths and beliefs that drove them. In this six-hour program, Campbell is interviewed by journalist Bill Moyer in what I believe is the most thorough encapsulation of Campbell's work. The interviews took place over two summers on George Lucas' ranch (yes, it was Campbell's work that inspired "Star Wars") and they feature some incredibly profound insights into human nature, the big picture of our existence and the ongoing theme of "the hero's journey." All of this dialogue is highlighted with some very compelling images and film clips. (My favorite is some black and white footage of a Burmese priestess calling a cobra from a cave and kissing it on the nose three times. Super cool!) Most profoundly, however, is Campbell's knack for illuminating universal themes among the incredibly eclectic collection of cultures that he talks about. This is excellent mind food. Buy the DVD. You'll watch it over and over. It even plays great in the background as you go about your day...
The Red Violin Every experienced, well-traveled musician can relate to the notion that his or her instrument has a past...has a sort of aura that is the sum total of all that it has been exposed to; every smoky club, every arena, every studio, every practice session. (I certainly feel this way about my bronze Sonor snare drum!) So from this perspective, every heavily-used instrument has a story to tell. This is the basic premise of this interesting film. As "The Red Violin" sits on a high-end auction block about to be sold to the highest bidder, we see its rich, colorful history through a series of flashbacks that span four centuries. Of course, there are a few other surprising twists and turns along the way, but I'll let you all find those out for yourself. Well done...
The Witness This is an excellent documentary that covers the journey of a scrappy New York City construction contractor as he becomes a devoted vegetarian/animal rights activist. The last thing this movie does is preach. Instead, it details the mind/body/spirit transformation of an unlikely character as he makes distinctions in his life and proactively expresses his new-found convictions in surprising and dramatic ways. And don't worry about being hit over the head with disturbing graphic images. Yes, there are some, but they are revealed throughout the video in a sensitive, gradual way. "The Witness" has won five different film festival awards for Best Documentary. Don't miss it.
Pulp Fiction This has always been one of my favorite movies. Back in '94, when it first came out, I believe I made five separate trips to the theater to see this thing before it ever hit the video stores. This is inventive filmmaking at its finest. The chemistry of the cast, the depth and originality of the script and storyline, the authenticity of the characters...it's all there. And Samuel Jackson delivers a career performance here. (I never got over his not winning an Oscar for this one.) Check it out if you haven't already....
The Cliburn - Playing on the Edge This is a documentary of a recent Van Cliburn piano competition. I've always been somewhat of a closet classical music fan and there are plenty of great performances to check out from some of the genre's young virtuosos. The documentary aspect of this film is equally engaging as we follow a rather diverse group of finalists through the entire process of the competition, to its dramatic (and surprising) conclusion. This film is all about stepping up to the plate, getting your mind right and playing your ass off...even in the most difficult of conditions. Bravo to all.
What the Bleep (Do We Know)? Here is an interesting hybrid film that addresses the whole issue of interrelation between science and spirituality. Using the mediums of documentary, drama and animation, What the Bleep weaves together a compelling argument for the fact that we create our own reality. This has, of course, been suggested in many ways in various spiritual and psychological philosophies. But here, it brings hardcore science - quantum physics, to be exact - into the conversation and explains through this multi-layered narrative how and why this is so. 14 different scientist/mystic types are interviewed throughout, each with their interesting perspectives which are ultimately conveyed through the interchanging animation and/or dramatic sequences. Personally, I found the dramatic parts of it a little tedious upon multiple viewings, but I appreciate its metaphorical relevance where driving the main points home are concerned. And I especially dig the fact that you can find a movie this heavy down at the local Blockbuster, right alongside the usual fare. Go watch this one twice.
Buddy Rich - WB Collection Although the late, great Buddy Rich was mainly a jazz/big band drummeris a documentary of a recent Van Cliburn piano competition. I've always been somewhat of a closet classical music fan and there are plenty of great performances to check out from some of the genre's young virtuosos. The documentary aspect of this film is equally engaging as we follow a rather diverse group of finalists through the entire process of the competition, to its dramatic (and surprising) conclusion. This film is all about stepping up to the plate, getting your mind right and playing your ass off...even in the most difficult of conditions. Bravo to all.
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