Jodorowsky's Dune

2013

83 minutes

English & Subtitles

Documentary

5 Stars

If you read Dune and were left wanting after seeing the movie, watch this documentary. It is a fascinating story of the man who wanted to make the movie, but couldn't quite it all together, more's the pity. It's too bad we didn't have Crowd Funding available at the time! If you didn't read Dune, but are curious about how movies are made, this is equally fascinating. The big surprise, for me, is that when he started, he hadn't read Dune. I truly hope someone takes his screenplay and makes the movie. And I hope it's done soon enough that he can direct it. I think it would be infinitely better than what was sold to the public years ago. Of course, the chosen actors would have to be changed, but....

Trailer: 

The Woodmans

2010

82 minutes

English

Documentary

5 Stars

This is a frank, and tender, look at a family of artists. The parents, George (artist and professor) and Betty (famed ceramicist) were artists, and made a living at it. They were also parents to Francesca (photographer) and Charlie (videographer), and did the best they could with what they had to raise their children, who not only grew up with an appreciation of art, but became artists in their own right. Francesca's light burned bright, hot, fast, and she took her own life. The family, as much as possible come to grips with the tragedy, but the pain is still there. A deeply moving movie about art, suicide, and keeping a memory alive. My only complaint is I would have liked to have heard the questions asked, as well as the answers given.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu9LSFFnn54

A Man Named Pearl

2006

78 minutes

English

Documentary

5 Stars

I give this movie 5 stars. Not because it's the best documentary I've seen, but because of the message Pearl Fryer gives to people—you can overcome your obstacles. A poorly educated black man who worked his way up the ranks at his job buys a house with a huge yard. The neighbors complain about the property values going down. Yeah. Right. Pearl attended a demonstration on topiary at the local nursery, and began to go to the nursery to 'harvest' the unwanted and tossed plants from the compost heap out back. He brought them to his yard, planted them, nurtured them, and then got his pruning shears and saws out. Singlehandedly, Pearl put Bishopville, SC on the map with his world class topiary garden, open to the public seven days a week.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcYaZCOCMBg

Strangely in Love

2014

90 minutes +/-

English

Romantic Comedy

5 Stars

I rented this movie via Amazon.com, and I'm not positive how long it is, but it's about 90 minutes. It's an independent movie based on Dostoevsky's novella White Nights. Wait. What? A comedy based on dark and heavy Russian lit? Yes. Amin Matalqa found humor, a lot of it, in the novella, and put together one of the truly funniest movies I've seen in years. The cast was marvelous – none of whom I was familiar with, and all of whom were fantastic! Blind Nastenka is in love with Steve, a missionary in Africa. Fyo is in love with Nastenka. Steve is in love with Steve. I seldom watch comedy, and even less seldom watch romance, so for me to recommend a romantic comedy, well, pay attention!

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3471290905

Herb & Dorothy

2008

87 minutes

English

Documentary

5 Stars

Minimalist art is not my favorite genre, but I find it interesting, and the enthusiasm of Herb & Dorothy Vogel for it rather contagious. Their apartment in NYC was tiny, and filled with over 4000 pieces of art—paintings, sculptures, installation pieces. They started collecting shortly after they were married, and by the time they donated their collection to one of the largest museums in the country, the museum couldn't take it all. Theirs was a passion of love, not one of making money. Their passion for 'new' artists was so great, they didn't even have a sofa in their apartment. They not only donated to a single museum, they donated 50 pieces to each State. I'm still not a huge fan of minimalist art, but after watching this movie, I have a better appreciation of it.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ9iPGcY8DM