Ed's Review Dot Com

China Central Television (CCTV)

Kwok-Kwan Chan, Michelle Lang, Ted E. Duran, Hazen MacIntyre

This was a TV series in China.  I think it was about 50 episodes.  The show was trimmed and made into a 3 hour 3 minute movie and an English sountrack (dubbed) and English subtitles are available if you want to listen to the original Chinese soundtrack.

This is the life story of legendary martial arts – Movie/TV star Bruce Lee.  Bruce was born in San Francisco, spent his youth in Hong Kong, and returned to the US.  He dedicated his life to the study of martial arts, and it is well known that he annoyed the Kung Fu enthusiasts in China who did not like the fact that Bruce was sharing their secrets with foreigners by teaching Kung Fu to students in the US.  But Bruce actually realized that no style of fighting was the perfect discipline.  Each had strengths and weaknesses, so he spent his time studying all types of fighting and bring the meld of all the styles into his own form that made him easily able to defeat people far bigger than him. 

He also made a series of movies that made him world famous.  Of course, Bruce died very young and there were many theories and rumors about how he died and whether it was murder. 

This film is not perfect.  It’s long, a few minutes over 3 hours, but considering the vast amount of footage they had to edit, it had to be hard to limit it to 3 hours.   It also has some facts that may not be exactly right.  Bruce’s celebrity led to many stories and it must be difficult to sort the truth from the legend.  But I belive they tried to do their best in this film, and if you are a fan of Bruce’s work, it a must see.    All in all, I really enjoyed it.  “Way of the Dragon” was one of the best films I’ve ever seen (includes Bruce’s whipping of Chuck Norris in the Colleseum in Rome).

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Studio Canal, Canal+, Chez Wam

Bayarjargal, Mari, Hattie, Ponijao

“Babies” is not for everyone.  It stars 4 babies, one boy and 3 girls, and 4 Moms, and a collection of older siblings.  With this documentary, what you get is simply this, the lives of 4 babies in their first year from vastly different cultures.  I’m sure the purpose is to make you think of how their births and lives are different, and how they are the same.  But I’m sure my most prevalent thought was “Who has the time to waste doing this thing?”   It’s like a guy who gets obsessed by building the worlds largest rubber band ball, or something.  Going all over the world to film 4 babies at one year each seems a bit obscessed.  Still, some things are fascinating.  It’s interesting how this filmmaker seems obsessed with cats.  Cats figure prominently throughout.

The film is a true documentary.  It has no narration or dialog other than the natural sounds that occurred.  There is no translation of the foreign languages.  But the music added is very good, and very understated.  Mostly it’s just about the babies.

This is definitely not for everybody.  Of course there are people who sit all day and watch “The Puppy Bowl” on Animal Planet, so I’m sure there’s a market for this for a lot of people.  It’s beautiful, touching, and very human.  But on the other side, if watching babies play is not your cup of tea, you’re going to get bored out of your mind, so be warned.

For those interested, the DVD has a special feature which shows the children as four years old.  Each of the children gets to see the finished film of their birth and first year.  It’s not very long, but it’s quite nice to see the followup to the film.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Woodshed Films, Inc

Yvon Chouinard, Jeff Johnson, Makohe

180 degrees South is a documentary, tree hugger sermon, outdoor showcase, and extreme sports film.   It is available on NetFlix “Watch Instantly”.  There are some problems with this film, but basically it’s beautiful.   Put aside the preaching of the environmentalist.  We understand that American’s are the most evil people on the planet, and man has destroyed almost all of nature with his greed and on and on and on.  But aside from that, this film is beautiful.  It documents a group who have dedicated their lives to doing what they want!   Hop on a boat and set off to Patagonia!  (This was in 1968).   The footage was found a few years ago by Jeff Johnson and he set off on a journey to recreate the trip.  The film is a compilation of the two trips.  On the way they visit the Galápagos Islands and Easter Islands, and some great surfing.  Then on to South America and a mountain climb of epic proportions.

The scenery is beautiful, and the cinematography is breathtaking.  If you love nature in it purest and untouched, this is a perfect way to see it.  If you love extreme sports like big wave surfing or mountain climbing, this is a way to enjoy it.

I enjoyed watching the views, and discounted a lot of the preaching, and all in all found it enjoyable.  I know some people loved it, and some hated it because they couldn’t get over the “message”, but I found it somewhere in the middle.   As a documentary, it was very well done, and worth the time I took to sit back and enjoy the scenery.

IFC Films,  Sundance Selects

Albert Barnes

This is a documentary and is available on NetFlix “Watch Instantly”.  This is an interesting documentary into the treasure of Post-imporessionist paintings collect by Albert Barnes who passed away in 1951.  It included amazing Renoirs, Gaugins, El Grecos, Goyas, Monets, Van Goghs, Picassos and many others.   Dr. Barnes was an inventor and made a fortune from a medicinal solution called Argyrol.  Dr. Barnes died in 1951.  After his death, a group was formed called the “Barnes Foundation”.    Dr. Barnes had a part in his will that stated that the paintings must NEVER be removed from the walls where they are currently hung, and that they should stay there forever.  His other requirement was that they be used for educational purposes.

The house in Lower Marion, Pennsylvania where the art is housed was opened to the public, initally 2 days a week.  Over time it became more accessible, but it still required advanced appointments, and is located in a residential area seriously restricting public access.  There were also some issues with the condition of the property and of course some financial considerations.  A plan was developed to sell some of the works to raise money for the repairs and upkeep, and a plan was developed to send some of the paintings on a world tour.

Finally a plan was developed to move the paintings to a new location in Philadelphia in 2012.  This triggered a backlash of opposition to breaking the will and moving the paintings.

This documentary has it’s bias, but tries to show both sides of the discussion and the problems with leaving the paintings where they are, and moving them to a new location.  No matter which way it goes,  some people will be upset.

This is not a fast past or extremely suspenseful film, but it is a good study of the legal challenges and the backlash against both sides.   It’s available in HD, which makes it a great watch on your PC should you go the Watch Instantly route, as I did, but I’m sure this is occasionally show on the Sundance channel, and through other venues.  It’s not a mainstream film by any means, but if you enjoy fine art, or like documentaries, this is a prety interesting film.  Not as earth shattering as some, but an interesting story just the same.

Abramorama, PBS, Rhino Entertainment Company

The Doors, Jim Morrison, Robbie Krieger, Johnny Depp (Narrator)

When You’re Strange is a documentary shown originally on PBS about the rock legends “The Doors“.  Starting with the news from Jim Ladd on KLOS, Los Angeles that Jim Morrison is gone…and through the early days of the forming of the group, through the fantastic, but far too short, career these guys had.  At 1 hour 25 minutes, this is thorough look at the history of  “The Doors“.   There is a lot of music here, and if you’re a Doors fan, you’ll love to hear some really classic early live recordings.   Especially creepy is “The End” a song Morrison wrote about a breakup with a high school sweetheart.   It’s got to be one of the creepiest songs ever written!

It’s all here.  The controversy that got them banned from the Ed Sullivan show, the early and constant drug use, the inability of people to believe the death was not a hoax and that people had seen sightings of Jim, to the refusal of the French to admit there was anything drug related to his death.

Johnny Depp as a narator?  That could give folks pause, but it turns out he did a really good job.  Plus the footage is authentic footage from 1966 – 1971.  It’s not recreations or actors playing parts.  These are the real Doors.

Jim almost immediately lost it.  The band did the best to keep it together.  Finally, an intervention….that lasted about a week.

This documentary puts the story of the Doors in the background of the troubled world of the late 60’s, and it does an excellent job.   I really enjoyed watching this, and listening to the great music of the time.   I highly recommend for anyone interested in the subject.