Creative Nonfiction

This morning I delved into the world of true zero-budget film, for a "comedy/drama" of brief proportions. I can blame no one but myself for this transgression, as I failed to watch the trailer, and gave myself very different expectations based on the promo blurb.

Despite how good this film may or may not be, I am not partial to uncomfortable situational drama. The very cringe-worthy bits are broken up slightly by solid comedic insights into life and relationships. I wish them all the best, but it's just not for me.

Creative Nonfiction
2009, 60 minutes, directed by Lena Dunham

Zift

This wasn't what I expected. For a midnight feature set in gritty Eastern Europe, I want to see dirt, grime, and a healthy application of violence. I got those things, but they were intertwined with a tale of desperation and loss and betrayal. There was much more narrative, and much less action, than I prefer. I forgot how depressing films from this region can be. The Soviet era still hangs over the satellite countries' cultures like a plague. Maybe they can't yet move on. But I'm ready to.

Zift
2008, 92 minutes, directed by Javor Gardev

Know Your Mushrooms

This being the latest documentary by the director of 2006's Tales of the Rat Fink, I should have realized what I would get: a topic barely stretched to feature length, with intermixed cheesy graphics reused a bit too much.

But past the documentary style, I found tidbits of story interesting. Larry Evans, the "Indiana Jones of mushroom hunters", does well in the film and seems equally genuine in person. The Maitake mushroom, grown in Japan and found to significantly repress tumor growth, sounds like a reasonable addition my diet, given my family history with cancer.

Set the DVR to record this when it shows up on the Documentary channel, and watch it while ironing clothes or doing your taxes. It will be suitably enjoyable given the context.

Know Your Mushrooms
2008, 74 minutes, directed by Ron Mann

The 2 Bobs

SXSW has come again, and with it a week of movies that I've never heard of but will see and, maybe, enjoy. The vacation situation at work leaves me with none, so I'm juggling evening/weekend films with a full-time job this year.

The opening night film, Love You Man, is one-too-many Paul Rudd / Jason Segal comedies for me, so instead I went for locally made, no-budget comedy The 2 Bobs. Filled with language and nudity and local Austin product placement, the film does tremendously well for its resources. Note "Samurai Sam" in Vertical Bob's office; his usual locale is the reception area of my wife's former employer.

The film is a bit disjointed, and filled just a little too much with stupid people doing nonsensical things in a panicked fashion, with gratuitous nudity and language . Horizontal Bob, Devin Ratray, said in the Q&A, "It's the only time I've been on a set, where the writer is embarrased to hear his own dialog." It's funy, but very local, very independent - not suitable for wide consumption.

The 2 Bobs
2009, 86 minutes (SXSW cut), directed by Tim McCanlies

Taken

I liked this film for several reasons. The action is very well paced; they hit the scenes again and again with vigor, and the audience loves it. It never seems senseless, without cause. There is always one, key, ultimate point: to get his daughter back.

This is a fine action film. Go see it while you can still enjoy the big screen and have an audience to share the impact.

Taken
2008, 93 minutes, directed by Pierre Morel

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

"Funnel Chinese goods directly to the American public."

Why? Why would people rather have one big store funneling foreign goods - no matter how cheap they are or their quality - as the entire life supply for their town? And when there's nothing left, the Wal-Mart employees have to take their paycheck and walk right back into the store. Cheap foreign goods from Wal-Mart are the only thing they can afford.

And it's not like Wal-Mart is helping out those foreign workers, either.

It's an over-the-top documentary styl that I don't appreciate, but looking past the method of delivery, the truth behind it is compelling.

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
2005, 95 minutes, directed by Robert Greenwald

Gran Torino

This wasn't what I expected, but what did I expect? He's not 40 any more, but he does play a convincing angry, racist old man.

It's a poignant swan song for a life of violence. And it's done.

Gran Torino
2008, 116 minutes, directed by Clint Eastwood