Hi Movie Fans,

Movie Monday won't be opening again, but here are a few more good things to watch (your feedback and suggestions back welcome).

Suggestions 41 - latest Suggestions 21 - 40 Suggestions 1 - 20

Fifty-fourth Suggestions

Featuring a number of good things from Knowledge Network, BC's free and ad-free streaming service. Cheers, Bruce 25 Nov 2024



Grizzly Man, 104 min, 2005

"A compelling documentary look at the life and death of wildlife preservationist Timothy Treadwell, who lived unarmed among grizzly bears in Alaska." Narrated in director Werner Herzog's dogged, German accented voice, it explores Treadwell's obsession with these magnificent animals and his own reputation. Much of the footage was shot by "Grizzly Man" from his intimate and ultimately deadly contact with the animals.

Apparently coming to K Network but currently available on Tubi, interrupted by commercials. more

Harold And Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story, 100 min, 2015

Here's an incredibly entertaining story for anyone - but for Hollywood film fans it is a delicious smorgasbord of behind-the-scenes brilliance of the unknown creators of some of our favourite movies.

"A fascinating and moving account of the romantic and creative partnership of storyboard artist Harold Michelson and film researcher Lillian Michelson - two unsung heroes of Hollywood's Golden Age."

It's a sweet tale told through charming 86year old Lillian's recollections.

trailer more

The Old Oak, 113 min, 2024

"The Old Oak is the last pub standing in a once thriving mining village in northern England, a gathering space for a community that has fallen on hard times. There is growing anger, resentment, and a lack of hope among the residents, but the pub and its proprietor TJ are a fond presence to their customers. When a group of Syrian refugees move into the floundering village, a decisive rift fueled by prejudices develops between the community and its newest inhabitants. The formation of an unexpected friendship between TJ and a young Syrian woman named Yara opens up new possibilities for the divided village in this deeply moving drama about loss, fear, and the difficulty of finding hope." One to note when fear of immigrants is top of mind for some. more

Dear Audrey, 89 min, 2021

An incredibly touching story. "Acclaimed activist-filmmaker Martin Duckworth has devoted his life to peace and justice. But now he's put down his camera to fight for the most important cause he's ever faced. While caring for his wife through the final stages of Alzheimer's disease, Martin's love deepens as he looks back on an epic life and career." more

Dolphin Man, 78 min, 2017

"The extraordinary story and legacy of free-diver Jacques Mayol, whose life became the inspiration for Luc Besson's cult movie The Big Blue." The one man's obsession and zen of going as deep in the silent depths as is possible.

Warning: this story contains reference to suicide toward the end. more

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, 100 min, 2024

"Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution is the first feature length documentary to explore the history of queer stand up comedy. The documentary considers the importance of LGBTQ+ stand up as a driver of social change over the past five decades, actively reflecting and challenging cultural norms and values. Ultimately, the film reveals that queer comedians -- whether they intended to or not -- helped change the world, one joke at a time." With a host of comedians including Lily Tomlin, Judy Gold, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Eddie Izzard, Rosie O'Donnell, Fortune Feimster, Margaret Cho, Bob The Drag Queen and a host of others, all together to celebrate with interviews and in performance at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

Some raunchy moments.

Check out the: trailer. more

Ibelin, 104 min, 2024

"Mats, a young Norwegian man with a degenerative disease, creates a whole life and community through his avatar "Ibelin" in the online game, World of Warcraft. [After his death his family realizes that there] he lived out experiences he couldn't have in real life" A revelation about the what the community of gaming can be. I found this documentary very moving. Some brilliant animation of the game's characters brings his story alive. more

Precious Leader Woman, 47 min, 2021

Olympian Spencer O'Brien was on her way to becoming the best female snowboarder in the world when rheumatoid arthritis set in. Forced to return home to BC, she reconnects with her Indigenous culture, helping her regain her strength to re-enter the sport and defy all odds. This doc won the Banff Mountain Film Festival – People's Choice Award, Whistler Film Festival Best Director.

And while you're there check out the incredible new underwater series on Knowledge. more

Under The Sea, 2021

A new Knowledge series that inspires wonder of the topic, the weird and wonderful, brilliantly captured in absolutely stunning cinematography. "From the microscopic to the massive, the reclusive to the ravenous, discover the extraordinary diversity of life under the sea."

E1 "There are many different shapes, sizes and styles of ocean families from parents who desert their offspring to babies that are fed 200 litres of milk a day."

E2 On the Attack - astonishing! &

E3 Survival

coming soon: E4 From the microscopic to the massive, the reclusive to the ravenous, discover the extraordinary diversity of life under the sea. more

Morris The Moose

Morris The Moose earns $170m for Child's Play Charity Well, Morris helped.... Here's a classic moment from the Desert Bus for Hope's epic 18th internet outing.

About DB.

The midnight to 6am shift, 3rd day in, the crew had decided to entertain their watchers with a costume camp-out. My son Paul is singing as he plays Desert Bus, keeping the bus on the road in the most boring game ever, invented decades ago by magicians Penn and Teller as a send up to the worries about video gaming causing violence. Here's more like real life, driving back and forth between Tucson and Vegas for longer than you can stand…. ( song video 4 min ) - Lorne Elliot's Morris The Moose, a truly Canadian tale!

It's 3:15 am just 60 hours into a 7 day marathon that this year, after of a round the clock raised, $1,251,631 US (that's over $1,770,000 CAD!) for the Seattle based charity Child's Play.

Fifty-third Suggestions

More pickings from the great out there. Hoping you are having a good Thanksgiving weekend. Cheers, Bruce 14 Oct 2024



The Genius of Marian, 86 min, 2013

"The Genius of Marian is an intimate family portrait that explores the heartbreak of Alzheimer's disease, the power of art and the meaning of family. The film follows Pam White in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease as her son, the filmmaker, documents her struggle to hang on to a sense of self." Pam struggles to tell the story of her mother's wonderful talent as a painter, often of their family as the subject. A touching treatment, a passion project, of a topic that affects so many these days. One film I showed at Movie Monday in 2016 to great effect.

Now available free on the film's website.

Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World, 79 min, 2024

Explore the remarkable, behind-the-scenes story of how an all-star music festival came together against all odds in 1969. Called "the second most important event in rock n' roll history," the concert united legends Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Gene Vincent with The Doors, and John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band.

Worth a donation to PBS or to AppleTV to catch this one. trailer or On PBS.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: Handcarved Cinema, 36 min, 2022

Check this out first. It's got to give you a great appreciation of the care and intention of this epic stop motion animated film. more

Unfortunately I can't recommend the feature these clever people put together, but it is there on Netflix as well.

A Masterpiece Guitar Is Born, 60 min, 2024

A [young] Japanese craftsman who has dedicated his life to making acoustic guitars. "This channel introduces the various charms of Japan, such as traditional culture and artisans, with the theme of "A Japan that we want to pass on to future generations.

Video creators from all over Japan participate in the production.

Please enjoy the documentaries each of them has produced." I love all the jigs, clamps and fine tools he uses.

A meditative hour long. view

Lars And The Real Girl, 106 min, 2007

One of my favourites and one I recommended a while back, but now it is on Hoopla, free to stream through our library.

"In this sweet and slightly off-centre comedy, the timid and introverted Lars [Ryan Gosling] treats his life-sized doll Bianca as a real human being. A film about family ties and loneliness laced with humour."

Sounds weird but a surprisingly sweet story. When showing it at MM an audience member, who deals with some mental health challenges, came out of the theatre in tears, "Why can't our community accept us as well as these townspeople accept Lars?" 2007 14A more

We Are The Best!, 102 min, 2013

In Stockholm two misfit 13 year old girls, Bobo and Klara, who admire the punk style decide to start their own band despite no musical skill. They attempt to bring another outsider girl with some real talent into their scheme. A gentle visit into young teen angst, rebellion and friendship. Original and touching in a young punk kind of way. more

The Girls In The Band, 86 min, 2013

This exceptional and timeless documentary opened the Salt Spring Film Fest back in the day. Great to see it available for free on Kanopy!

"The award-winning documentary film THE GIRLS IN THE BAND tells the poignant, untold stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists and their fascinating, history-making journeys from the late 30s to the present day. The many first-hand accounts of the challenges faced by these talented women provide a glimpse into decades of racism and sexism that have existed in America." trailer

On Kanopy now, free with your library card.

American Fiction , 116 min, 2023

"Fed up with the establishment profiting from "Black" entertainment that relies on offensive tropes, a frustrated novelist decides to write an outlandish "Black" book of his own, one that propels him to the heart of the hypocrisy he disdains."

A solid entertainment. more

Shane Koyczan, 82 min, 2017

A spoken word performer who's from BC delivers "To This Day" a TED Talk for the bullied and beautiful. more

His life story and reference to his Olympic Canada shoutout, SHUT UP AND SAY SOMETHING, was a past MM suggestion: view at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics more.

A.I. Revolution, 53 min, 2024

"A.I. tools like ChatGPT seem to think, speak, and create like humans. But what are they really doing? From cancer cures to Terminator-style takeovers, leading experts explore what A.I. can – and can't – do today, and what lies ahead." Some astonishing tech that is already in place and also some warnings about how it can, and has, gone terribly wrong. It's here now and full ramifications are yet to be experienced. With a subscription to PBS view.

Fifty-second Suggestions

A bunch of good stuff, I think (but do let me know if you want to unsubscribe for the mailing list).

Many, if not most, "action" movies (these on Kanopy) are advertised with a guy with a gun. Some are good watches but usually, if a film is promoted with a someone wielding a gun I avoid it. Maybe that makes me a sucker when a good one gets to me. Check out 15 Minutes, one heck of a ride! And also The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three and The Train, both classics, below - if you are in the mood.

Kanopy is hot these days - lots of good watches available free to stream on your library card. Bruce 8 Sep 2024



The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three, 104 min, 1974

"A gang of armed professionals hijack a New York subway train somewhere outside the Pelham station threatening to kill one hostage per minute unless their demands are met. Forced to stall these unknown assailants until a ransom is delivered or a rescue is made, Lt. Garber (Walter Matthau) must shrewdly outmaneuver one of the craftiest and cruelest villains (Robert Shaw) in a battle of wits that will either end heroically or tragically." A terrific action film.

On Kanopy, free from the GVPLibrary.

The Train, 133 min, 1965

"Paris, August 1944 - with the Allied army closing in on German commander and art fanatic Colonel Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield), he decides to steal a vast collection of rare French paintings and loads them onto a train bound for Berlin. But when a beloved French patriot is murdered while trying to sabotage Von Waldheim's scheme, Labiche (Burt Lancaster), a stalwart member of the Resistance, vows to stop the train at any cost. Screen icon Jeanne Moreau also stars!" This special Lancaster project was very loosely-based on a real situation. An incredible piece of story-telling! Amazing B&W cinematography and logistics of rolling stock, pre-CGI. The Wikipedia writeup about the film makes good reading. View.

15 Minutes, 120 min, 2001

"... a celebrity homicide detective and a brash, young fire marshal race against time to stop a pair of publicity seeking murderers… Now, just how far will society's most desperate people go in order to get their 15 Minutes of fame?" And how far will our voracious media people go for ‘the story'? Starring Robert De Niro, Edward Burns, and Kelsey Grammer. R for violence, nudity, language. View.

Ain't In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm, 96 min, 2013

"Rock and roll legend Levon Helm is at home in Woodstock, NY, in the midst of creating his first studio album in 25 years. Shot during the course of two-plus years, this highly anticipated film focuses in on the four-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member after his 2007 comeback album, Dirt Farmer, brought him back to the spotlight." After reading the biography "Levon" I'm taking a look at this doc again. You might too. View.

Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story, 75 min, 2018

"Ashley Bell and a team of elephant rescuers, led by world renowned Asian elephant conservationist Sangdeaun Lek Chailert, embark on a daring 48-hour mission 500 miles across Thailand to rescue a 70-year old captive blind Asian elephant and bring her to freedom. Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story is a heartwarming and hopeful film that exposes the plight of Asian elephants and the people who work tirelessly to save them." View.

White Men Can't Jump, 115 min, 1992

Basketball is the crux of this film but don't be put off if you're not a fan of the game. Besides court action, which is really well portrayed, there's some great relationship, crime/suspense, comedy, growing up and love story included to make it a great watch. The film has terrific energy and it's a showcase three-hander by Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes and Rosie Perez. R (make sure you get this version, it couldn't be done better, but they tried in 2023)

Stream free if you have Disney+, or rent on Prime or Apple TV

Trailer.

Building The Eiffel Tower, 53 min, 2024

"Explore the revolutionary engineering behind Paris's iconic landmark. Completed in 1889, the iron tower smashed the record for the tallest structure on Earth, ushering in a new age of global construction that reached for the skies." Clever use of CGI and tie-ins with other building marvels that preceded it, like the Statue Of Liberty and projects by Eiffel, make this a terrific doc about arguably the most iconic structure in the worlds keeper keeper. View.

Ladies And Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen, 44 min, 1965

"This informal black-and-white portrait of Leonard Cohen shows him at age 30 on a visit to his hometown of Montreal, where the poet, novelist and songwriter comes to renew his neurotic affiliations. He reads his poetry to an enthusiastic crowd, strolls the streets of the city, relaxes in this three-dollar-a-night hotel room and even takes a bath." For a guy who knew the value of film attention to promote his budding career, this project was perfect.

Free on NFB.

Sound Of Metal, 120 min, 2020

"A heavy metal drummer's life is turned upside down when he begins to lose his hearing and he must confront a future filled with silence. Starring Riz Ahmed in an Academy Award-nominated role." Oscar award winning editing and sound get you inside the experience of on-coming deafness. View.

Flawless, 110 min, 1999

A tough, conservative security guard (Robert De Niro) suffers a stroke during a bank robbery. His recovery requires voice lessons from his drag queen neighbour. The unlikely pair learn to look beyond their differences and find a common ground in friendship.

An amazing performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman as drag queen.

On Hoopla.

Fifty-first Suggestions

I, we, found a bunch of good ones this month or so. Try some of these. Cheers, Bruce 19 Jul 2024



The Last Bus, 86 min, 2021

"John O'Groats, Scotland: The heart-warming tale of an old man whose wife has just passed away, and with his free local bus pass travels to the other end of the UK, from where they had originally moved." A low key adventure, meeting diverse Britons along the way, with a touching turn by Timothy Spall. more

Dogsville, 82 min, 2021

Canada completes for World Agility honours.

"A tale of love and triumph in dog sports. Crocodile Crunch, a rescue mutt, excels in agility along with Radical Rabbit and Posh Piranha. They challenge purebreds at the Agility World Championship, proving talent conquers privilege." more

Ripley, 8 x 50 min, 2024

If you are not a subscriber to Netflix already/still, it's well worth signing on for a month (as we did) to catch up on some good stuff you're missing, like: "In late 1950s New York, Tom Ripley, a down-at-the-heels con-man, is hired by a wealthy man to convince his prodigal son to return home from Italy. But Tom's introduction to Dickie Greenleaf's comfortable and leisurely life abroad turns out to be the first step into a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder" more

"Ripley [previously made as The Talented Mr. Ripley 1999] returns in black and white — and is so much better for it... Ripley is brilliantly shot in black and white. It's a meticulously built piece of filmmaking and looking at it shot by shot is a profound pleasure" an NPR review.

Remember, 94 min, 2015

With the aid of a fellow Auschwitz survivor and a hand-written letter, an elderly man with dementia goes on a search to kill the person he believes to be responsible for the death of his family in the death camp.

This film didn't do well at the box office, a lot of us didn't go out for it because of the topic. I know that's what killed my curiosity. But film deserves an audience, it's a first-class suspense, with Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau, beautifully directed by Atom Egoyan.

On Prime

The Greatest Night In Pop, 97 min, 2024

Another Netflix film:

The Greatest Night in Pop captures a marathon all-night/early morning session in 1985 that created the song, "We Are the World" to aid famine in Africa. It's fascinating to see how all the big egos got left at the door and how they approached the task. Anchored by Lionel Richie, it "… goes deep into the essence of musical genius and the magic it creates. Directed with brilliance and finesse, surprisingly you get to see together 47 legendary figures from the world of music, showcasing not just who they are but also the unparalleled energy that arises when such brilliance converges." Kumar Kumaran A treat! view ~ trailer

Leo, 102 min, 2023

"A 74-year-old lizard named Leo and his turtle friend decide to escape from the terrarium of a Florida school classroom where they have been living for decades." On home visits with kids on the holidays he imparts some of his wisdom and has some breakout excitement. Clever animation and characterizations. more

Remembering Gene Wilder, 92 min, 2023

And another gem on Netflix:

"This loving tribute to Gene Wilder celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an extraordinary string of film roles, from the enigmatic title role in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and his inspired partnership with Mel Brooks in legendary comedies like Young Frankenstein.

The film is illustrated by a bevy of touching and hilarious clips and outtakes, never-before-seen home movies, narration from Wilder's audiobook memoir, and interviews with a roster of brilliant friends and collaborators like Mel Brooks, Alan Alda and Carol Kane. Remembering Gene Wilder shines a light on an essential performer, writer, director and all-around mensch." (hotdocs) more

Check out the next film if you'd like to follow up with a Wilder hit.

The Producers, 89 min, 1967

An oldie but a goody and available free through the GVPLibrary's Kanopy. "Once 'King of Broadway', Max Bialystock's (Zero Mostel) talent has dried up. One day when Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), his accountant, is auditing his latest flop, Max learns that it's possible to make more money from producing flops than hits." They undertake to put up the most audaciously awful musical of all time with surprising results. It's broad but good fun. more

The Catcher Was A Spy, 94 min, 2018

and another Netflix:

This stranger-than-fiction espionage thriller from director Ben Lewin (The Sessions) brings to life the incredible true story of Moe Berg (Rudd), the professional baseball player who became a World War II spy. A Jewish, Princeton-educated, multilingual catcher for the Boston Red Sox, the enigmatic Berg was enlisted by the US government to go behind enemy lines and assassinate the Nazi's chief nuclear scientist before the Germans could develop an atomic bomb. R more

Sign Painters, 80 min, 2013

"At a time when most American cityscapes are dominated by computer created mass-produced signage, Sign Painters takes a close look at the past, present, and hopeful future of the hand paint sign industry in the USA." Here are many of these artists talking lovingly about their craft. more

Scrapper , 84 min, 2023

Here's a first time indie feature that was a real surprise. A concerning start and positive ending. And best to know nothing much before going into it. It's new, available on several streaming services for $6 (but remember, we used to pay near that at a video store for a new release, and we'll take a chance at a theatre screening for $16 now).

In this Q&A with the director, writer and lead actors. I was so impressed by all of them, especially the director's modesty, conviction and physical manner. It seemed like she'd be telling an authentic story. It's about a half hour. There are unedited cc's which help... Check out after watching this refreshing feature.

Uncle Frank, 95 min, 2020

"In 1973, teenage Beth (Sophia Lillis) leaves her rural hometown to study at New York University where her estranged uncle Frank (Paul Bettany) is a revered literature professor. She soon discovers that Frank is gay and living with his longtime partner, Wally (Peter Macdissi) - an arrangement he has kept secret for years. https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0HOOCF19ND60DFXZHNI6EB872Kmore

The Mad Adventures of 'Rabbi' Jacob, 95 min, 1973

"In this riot of frantic disguises and mistaken identities, Victor Pivert, a blustering, bigoted French factory owner, finds himself taken hostage by Slimane, an Arab rebel leader. The two dress up as rabbis as they try to elude not only assassins from Slimane's country, but also the police, who think Pivert is a murderer." The silliness ensues. I saw this broad comedy all those years ago in a theatre and then searched and eventually found the film for MM. more

Fiftieth Suggestions

Wow! Half a hundred of these lists of worthy watches. Let me know if you are finding them helpful in searching for the good stuff in this plentitude of options on the www. Cheers, Bruce 6 May 2024



Nolly, 3 episodes at 49min each, 2023

"Noele Gordon has been the star of ITV's flagship soap Crossroads as motel owner Meg Mortimer... but in 1981, at the height of her fame, she is axed. With her exit from Crossroads looming, Nolly is desperate to know how she is going to be written out, and fears that her character Meg might die." Not a really big story but a delight in its screenplay and Helena Bonham Carter's wonderful portrayal of Nolly. view

1959 - The Year That Changed Jazz, 59 min, 2009

Here's an appreciation of a turning point in jazz featuring 4 key players and albums that emerged round that year: Miles Davis with "Kind of Blue", Dave Brubeck's "Time Out", Charles Mingus' "Ah Um", and Ornette Coleman's "The Shape of Jazz to Come". This doc sets the music in the life and times that were affected by the sound. I love the classic hazy, jazz-voiced narrator who talks you through this hour. Thanks Chris for this recommendation.

The video link is at the bottom of the article

Also on Vimeo

Jeff And His Historic Music Store: Music Inn World Instruments, 20 min

Jeff Slatnick is such an interesting growing-old hippie and owner of an incredibly eclectic music store in NYC, packed with instruments from everywhere. He's had a Forrest Gump-like life in music touching people like George Harrison, Muhammud Ali, Chuck Berry, Nora Guthrie. Credit due to Chris here as well. more

More about this character: The Mind Blowing Story Of NYC's Oldest Running Music Store Even more of Slatnick's story, this time a podcast. What a story teller!

Past Lives, 106 min, 2023

"Past Lives is a 2023 American romantic drama film written and directed by Celine Song in her feature directorial debut. Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro, it follows two childhood friends over the course of 24 years while they contemplate the nature of their relationship as they grow apart, living different lives. The plot is semi-autobiographical and inspired by real events from Song's life." Wikipedia

I liked this one. Just a quiet, human story about what might have been.

The Longest Johns

The Longest Johns are a shanty singing group from the UK. They sent out the track for people to follow, folks make a video of themselves singing along, then all the submissions are edited together, I don't know how, into a virtual chorus, upwards of 6500 strong. A glimpse of our Paul singing along at 1:45 min of 3:17 running time.

The Workers Song Community Project.

Wellerman Community Project | The Longest Johns | 6500 Singers! 2:43 min

Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, 4 episodes, each 48 min, 2024

"When money started to seemingly disappear from its local branches, the British government owned Post Office wrongly blamed their own managers for its apparent loss. Hundreds were accused of theft and fraud, and many were even sent to prison - leaving lives, marriages, and reputations in ruins." This dramatization is really well done. Toby Jones and a cast of fine actors illuminate the notorious story.

with KCTS Passport membership: more And you'll be intrigued to follow up with:

The Real Story of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, 48 min

Also from Masterpiece Theatre and PBS 48min as well. more and this article followup: more.

Johnny Cash Special

I went on a Johnny Cash run the other day, here's some cool stuff.

Johnny Cash - I Walk the Line (Live in Denmark) This whole concert is on PBS, KCTS 9 if you have it. T his concert is remarkable, with him in his prime, singing his heart out to a small audience of Danes. He's joined later by June and the Carter family and Statler Bros. At one point he makes an effort to read a greeting in Danish. Just one stop on a European tour.

Boy Named Sue I like Cash's strumming technique

I Walk The Line

Cash's last performance in 2003. He "rolls the line" as he leaves the stage in a wheelchair but he still had the passion and he warms up as the concert progresses.

Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest program's last show #39 (1966), 52 min, 2010

Pete's hanging out, singing and story-telling, ever so casually with Johnny Cash and June Carter. What a treat! The video quality is poor but these folks were golden. Thanks, Bert!

Seeger's program #20, a tribute to Woody Guthrie is brilliant too.

There's a wonderful UVic archive of Johnny Cash and his long time manager Saul Holiff, accessible here

Saul's Holiff's son, Jonathan, made a terrific doc about his dad's relationship with Johnny Cash and Jonathan himself.

My Father And The Man In Black , ??? min, 2019

The documentary can be watched on the library's Kanopy, free if you sign up with your library card (Hoopla too). Jonathan Holiff presented it at Movie Monday more

Two excellent films about the immigrant experience:



Yellow Rose , 94 min, 2020

"Rose, a Filipina undocumented immigrant, who dreams of leaving her small town in Texas to pursue her country music dreams. Her plan is put on hold when her mother is taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Rose is forced to flee to Austin, Texas". An eye opener that should be a must watch for those forming an opinion about the illegal immigrant question in the USA. On Netflix or rent on Apple TV and others.

Riceboy Sleeps, 119 min, 2023

This Canadian-made film about a Korean woman and her son living in Vancouver is a really touching story, very well crafted, with a quiet cinematographic style that fits the subject perfectly. Every turn is unexpected. The difficult theme of the aftermath of a suicide is addressed here.

Riceboy Sleeps has won numerous accolades for writer, director and actor Anthony Shim, especially the $100K Best Canadian Film prize at the Toronto Film Critics Association Awards.

Apple TV offers it just now for only $.99.

Forty-Ninth Suggestions

Enjoy! 17 Mar 2024



Barbra Streisand: Back to Brooklyn, 136 min, 2012

"Join the legendary superstar for a magical concert and her first public performances in her hometown borough in October 2012. Includes nine songs that Barbra had never performed on stage, and features special guests trumpeter Chris Botti, Italian singing group Il Volo, and Streisand's son, actor-director Jason Gould." Not wearing badly for then at 70, (now 82) still a lovely voice and stage presence. more

From humble beginning she's had an incredible career! Her Wiki pages, and there are many, are really impressive. more

Florence Foster Jenkins, 110 min, 2016

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice. Lovely performances from Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg.

The Holdovers, 133 min, 2023

"The Holdovers is a 2023 American comedy-drama film. Set in the winter of 1970–71, the film stars Paul Giamatti as a strict classics teacher at a New England boarding school who is forced to chaperone a handful of students with nowhere to go on the Christmas break." Da'Vine Joy Randolph portrays the school cafeteria manager [and won an Oscar for her supporting role], and Dominic Sessa [a novice actor] portrays one of the students who stays on campus. On Prime

Wicker Kittens, 52 min, 2014

"In Minnesota, the winters are long but the jigsaw puzzling is fierce. Join some of the top teams in competitive puzzling as they prepare for the largest contest in the country, the one that crowns the fastest puzzler around, in this quirky documentary from South By Southwest." I like best the Sistine Chapel ceiling puzzle on one competitor's ceiling. Kanopy

The Last Repair Shop, 40 min, 2023

In a nondescript warehouse in the heart of Los Angeles, a dwindling handful of devoted craftspeople maintain over 80,000 student musical instruments, the largest remaining workshop in America of its kind. Meet four unforgettable characters whose broken-and-repaired lives have been dedicated to bringing so much more than music to the schoolchildren of the recording capital of the world. Directed by Kris Bowers and [Halifax based] Ben Proudfoot. Winner of the documentary short category at the 2024 Academy Awards, [and it got my vote]. Youtube

Touching The Void, 106 min, 2003

"In 1985 two friends, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, set out to climb Siula Grande in Peru via the West Face, a hitherto unaccomplished feat by any climber. After a tough ascent they succeed but on the descent they run into significant problems. Soon they are both in dire danger and the chances of surviving are slim." It's not a spoiler that this is a well-told story of a hair-raising choice to cut a buddy loose - and both climbers are there to tell the story!

With ads but free on Tubi.

Anatomy Of A Fall, 151 min, 2023

"For the past year, Sandra, her husband Samuel, and their eleven-year-old son Daniel have lived a secluded life in a remote town in the French Alps. When Samuel is found dead in the snow below their chalet, the police question whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Samuel's suspicious death is presumed murder, and Sandra becomes the main suspect." A cracking good mystery that deservedly won Best Screenplay at the Oscars and was surely runner-up for Best Actress.

Included with Amazon Prime

Humor Me, 93 min, 2017

"With an interminable case of writer's block and a personal family crisis, playwright Nate is forced to move into his father's retirement community. But a chance encounter with the local community theatre group may help turn his life around … or signal the end of his once promising career for good." A sweet comedy with Elliot Gould and Jemaine Clement (of Flight of the Concords). It all turns out well with a lot of good jokes along the way. Kanopy

Long Time Running, 96 min, 2017

"This emotional doc chronicles iconic Canadian band The Tragically Hip's legendary 2016 tour, from emotional lead-up through to the epic last show." I'm not a huge fan of The Hip but liked this doc. I sure admired Gord Downie for his ability to come back from surgery for a brain tumour to give a cross country series of full-on concerts for his leagues of admiring fans. Natty dresser for the stage too! more

Forty-Eighth Suggestions

Enjoy! 19 Feb 2024



As you’ve probably noticed, I'm prone to "based on a real-life story" films.

Several below.



World's Tallest Elephant Toothpaste Volcano, 16 min

Another Mark Rober antic; to beat the world record for the highest squirt of "Elephant Toothpaste". Beside the task is a neat storyline about kids coping with cancer being given a treat. more

Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game, 94 min, 2022

Based on true events, the film centres on the captivating story of Roger Sharpe, a GQ journalist and real-life pinball wizard who, in 1976, helped overturn New York City’s 35-year ban on pinball. How could a simple concept like this be a very watchable film? It’s all in the telling. We loved this one. more

Roadkill, 230 min, 2020

"Roadkill is a British four-part television thriller. The four part series stars Hugh Laurie as the British Justice Minister whose private life is under fire from his enemies." This is one short series that really works; terrific storytelling, fine cinematography. Reflects many of the pressures and loyalty aspects of current politics. more

Misbehaviour, 106 min, 2020

A light, better than usual, based on a true story about young women determined to raise awareness about by disrupting the 1970 Miss World Beauty Pageant. Greg Kinnear as Bob Hope! more

Burton and Taylor, 82 min, 2013

"Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were the original fabulous stars, and many were enthralled by their illicit romance, two tempestuous marriages, frequent break-ups and extravagant reunions. This is the story of the first celebrity couple [and their last stage play together, the 1983 theatrical production of the play, Private Lives]. …the last battle of the Burtons."

So much like this couple dueling in the classic "Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf"! Dominic West and Helena Bonham Carter are brilliant. more

John & Joe Bishop - Life After Deaf, 48 min

"When his son's progressive hearing loss prompts comedian John Bishop to learn more about the deaf community, he sets a goal - to deliver an entirely signed stand-up comedy routine." A great fam-attempting-to-bond story, a documentary.

Thanks,Ingrid! more

Note By Note: The Making of a Steinway Piano, 56 min, 2019

"Note By Note … follows the creation of a Steinway concert grand, L1037. It explores the relationship between musician and instrument, chronicles the manufacturing process, and investigates what makes each Steinway unique.

Watch the evolution of L1037 from forest floor to concert hall. Meet the craftsmen and women who shape L1037's personality. ….Each piano's journey is complex, spanning 12 months, 12,000 parts, 450 craftsmen, and countless hours of fine-tuned labor. ….."

Thanks, Chris! more

One Chance, 103 min, 2013

"The true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night who became a phenomenon after being chosen for -- and ultimately winning -- Britain's Got Talent in 2007."

"You’d have to be totally cynical, with a heart of stone and ice water in your veins, not to be even the slightest bit charmed by "One Chance." Roger Ebert.com more

Forty-Seventh Suggestions

Another eclectic selection of things I enjoyed viewing this month. I hope you do too. 18 Jan 2024



Octopus vs Underwater Maze by Mark Rober, 17 min

"Mark Rober is an American YouTuber, engineer, inventor, and educator. He is known for his YouTube videos on popular science and do-it-yourself gadgets."

Octopuses are really agile and really smart! 17min view

and … Backyard Squirrel Maze 1.0- Ninja Warrior Course 20min view

Mossback's Northwest

Host Knute Berger mines the Pacific Northwest's historical and cultural nuggets. Learn hidden backstories behind the region's most interesting treasures and discover why they're still relevant today.

For instance: Mossback about the first round-the-world flight: view
and a WWI story with a couple of Victoria BC hooks: view

Worth, 118 min, 2020

"Following the horrific 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Congress appoints attorney and renowned mediator Kenneth Feinberg (Michael Keaton) to lead the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Assigned with allocating financial resources to the victims of the tragedy, Feinberg and his firm's head of operations, Camille Biros (Amy Ryan), face the impossible task of determining the worth of a life to help the families who had suffered incalculable losses." With Stanley Tucci as a community organizer against Feinberg's initial process. A very difficult topic handled in a thoughtful way, with great performances by Keaton and Tucci. pg13 view

I milked 1000 spiders to make guitar strings!!

Here's an example of how far folks will go to follow where curiosity takes them - and to share on the www - like to Magagascar… 21min view

Lion, 118 min, 2016

"A five-year-old Indian boy is adopted by an Australian couple after getting lost hundreds of kilometers from home. Twenty-five years later, he sets out to find his lost family." Based on a true story. view

Miriam Margolyes: Almost Australian

"A revealing documentary series; following celebrated film and television star Miriam Margolyes as she embarks on an epic two-month journey across the nation to discover what it means to be Australian today." Miriam is a terrific host to explore the the good and not good aspects of her adopted country. view
And if one doesn't have Netflix (we don't now and Netflix searches always seem to come up "not available in your area"), Miriam Margolyes Almost Australian is on DailyMotion now, Ep 1 - 3. view

In the Room with Bass Legend Leland Sklar, 53 min

Rick Beato talks with this accomplished bass player Lee Sklar about his career as both session musician and working on the road. So cool to hear from a really great player talking about how grateful he is about his life's work and those he loved to work with. Great story teller!

Sklar has a podcast series of his own on Youtube. view

Banksy Most Wanted, 122 min, 2020

The most recognized artist of our era, the mysterious Banksy creates public art that cannot be ignored. This doc starts at an auction where an original framed "Girl With Balloon" is won for $850K and then self-destructs. Funny, political, clever images appear magically overnight on walls and even huge 3D work — and nobody knows who he is. What's his business model?

Can anyone crack his anonymity?

On PBS - well worth a membership, lots of other good stuff there too. view

Forty-Sixth Suggestions

8 Dec 2023



Some bold whistleblowers

The Most Dangerous Man In America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, 99 min, 2009

"In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a high-level Pentagon official and Vietnam War strategist, concludes that the war is based on decades of lies and leaks 7,000 pages of top secret documents to The New York Times, making headlines around the world. The Most Dangerous Man In America is a riveting story of how one man's profound change of heart created a landmark struggle involving America's newspapers, president and Supreme Court-- a political thriller whose events led directly to Watergate, Nixon's resignation and the end of the Vietnam War." A man with real integrity. A favourite doc of mine.

You might follow up with this

You might also checkout related: Citizenfour about Edward Snowdon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRzDsxUOm4M or more recently Cassidy Hutchinson who helped expose Trump's carrying on up to the Jan 6/2o debacle. Her book Enough talks about her struggle with her whistleblowing decision.

Hutchinson's full Jan 6 testimony.

Garbage Warrior, 86 min, 2007

"Meet renegade architect Michael Reynolds and his green disciples who have devoted their time to advancing the art of "Earthship Biotecture" – passive, solar, off-the-grid, sustainable housing. Earthship n. 1. passive solar home made of natural and recycled materials 2. thermal mass construction for temperature stabilization. 3. renewable energy & integrated water systems make the Earthship an off-grid home with little to no utility bills." more

here's an update:

Off The Cuff - Earthships - America's Off-Grid Desert Community, 34 min, 2021

Garbage Warrior and his legacy 14 years later. more

Tokyo Pop, 98 min, 1988

This gem, at 35 years old, really stands up. It features the radiant Carrie Hamilton, Carol Burnett's daughter, in the lead role. A restored-to-4K version has just been released. Happily it is available now on Kanopy.

"The film follows an American girl (Hamilton), and a Japanese boy (Yutaka Tadokoro), who lead a briefly successful pop band [as apparently Japanese bands were]. It contrasts American customs with Tokyo lifestyles, while presenting an evolving love story between the two main characters. In real life, Tadokoro fronted the 1980s rock group Red Warriors, who also star in the film as themselves."

Through your Public Library.

The Enemy Within, 52 min, 2003

"This feature-length documentary looks at German POWs from the WWII who were housed in 25 camps across Canada. Filmmaker Eva Colmers follows her father's story - Theo Melzer - who spent three and a half years in a POW camp in Lethbridge, Alberta. Growing up in Germany, she had always been puzzled by her father's fond memories of his POW life, so when she moved to Canada, she set out to rediscover this story. What she found surprised her. Watch as Theo Melzer, along with other POWs, recount how their lives were changed by the unexpected respect and dignity they received at the hands of their Canadian captors." From NFB

Cave Digger, 39 min, 2013

"An unsung land artist who creates singular, cathedral-like 'eighth wonder of the world' sculptural caves with nothing but hand tools and passion struggles with unappreciative patrons, financial hardship, and his aging body." It's an obsession, a life's passion like no other. Poor wife! cave digger documentary

Anvil: The Story Of Anvil, 80 min, 2008

"Canadian heavy-metal band Anvil delivered a highly influential 1982 album that would inspire the likes of Anthrax and Metallica, and then dropped off the map to begin what would become decades of toiling in obscurity. Director and former roadie Sacha Gervasi follows guitarist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner as they stumble through a harrowing European tour and reflect on failure, friendship, resilience and the will to follow even the most impossible of dreams."

Even if you don't go for Metal music this documentary will entertain you, a real life Spinal Tap. more

For an update, Google:

Never Quit Before The Miracle: The Story of Anvil, Rich Roll Podcast, 139 min, 2022

13 years later, around the time of the film's re-release, "'Anvil! The Story of Anvil', teen roadie become filmmaker Sacha Gervasi and band members Lips Kudlow and Robb Reiner (still rocking at 65yrs) discuss resilience, heavy metal, and what it takes to pursue a lifelong dream against all odds." It's an incredible story, "the definitive Anvil Podcast". Lips has much to say, so best taken in bites but worthwhile throughout. or a 10min update: Anvil on 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil!' re-release: view

Becoming Santa, 92 min, 2011

(suggested a few years ago but still a good Christmas-time offering, a different slant on the season)

The story of one man entering the culture and character of Santa Claus for a single season. He tries to do everything that Santa is asked to do. Along the way he learns the history and origin of Santa and the ordinary people keeping the spirit alive.

Forty-Fifth Suggestions

17 Nov 2023

Woodhouse In Exile, 82 min, 2013

"An all-star cast heads up this intimate film about how author, P.G.Wodehouse, came to face a charge of treason during the Second World War and how this quintessential Englishman, creator of Jeeves and Wooster, became an exile from his own country and never set foot on English soil again." Well made, based on the real story.

On Amazon Prime.

We had Netflix for a month and caught these two American stories Arnold a winner, mostly, and Mobster John Gotti, another kind of famous person:

Arnold, 3 parts each about an 60 min, 2018

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a surprisingly engaging subject in this 3 part documentary series that follows this incredibly determined Austrian through his multiple celebrity careers; as world famous bodybuilder, to blockbuster movie star, to politician. Through it all his positive, charming personality seems to float him to the top. His candid, straight forward treatment of his faults could be a lesson for certain other politicians. more

On Netflix

Get Gotti, 150 min in 3 parts, 2023

John Gotti was a NY Mafia Don, a really bad guy, who against type, became a public figure, a kind of celebrity, while combined law enforcers failed several times to take him down. Will they get Gotti?

Great editing from extensive archives and with speakers from both sides of the story.

On Netflix, some graphic Mafia violence

Forty-Fourth Suggestions

Oct 2023

Desperate Souls, Dark City And The Legend Of Midnight Cowboy, 101 min, 2022

" A half century after its release, Midnight Cowboy remains one of the most original and groundbreaking movies of the modern e singer's fearless direction, the 1969 film became the only X- rated film to ever win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Its vivid and compassionate depiction of a more realistic, unsanitized New York City and its inhabitants paved the way for a generation's worth of gritty movies with complex characters and adult themes."

Not so much the usual "making of" but a broad look at the times "…. director Nancy Buirski illuminates how one film captured the essence of a time and a place, reflecting a rapidly changing society with striking clarity." view

The Colour Of Ink, 109 min, 2022

"Ink is our primal medium. It has always been with us, inscribing the evolution of humanity. The Colour of Ink uncovers the medium's mystery and power through the eyes of Jason Logan, a visionary Toronto inkmaker. Working with ingredients foraged in the wild—weeds, berries, bark, flowers, rocks, rust—he makes ink from just about anything. Jason sends custom-made inks to an eclectic range of artists around the world, from a New Yorker cartoonist to a Japanese calligrapher. As the inks take on a life of their own, his playful alchemy paints a story of colour that reconnects us to the earth and returns us to a childlike sense of wonder."

On CBC Gem.

Free from NFB https://www.nfb.ca/film/the-colour-of-ink/view ~ Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dq7KimW8Xgview

Al Prudy Was Here, 91 min, 2015

Also by Brian D Johnson, past MacLeans movie reviewer, now filmmaker is Al Prudy Was Here about an eccentric, colourful Canadian poet - another MM tried and true doc. view

Painted Land: In Search of the Group of Seven, ? min, ????

"A photographer, a writer and a historian go in search of the location where the Group of Seven painted their iconic Ontario landscapes." view

Another terrific study of our Canadian artists from White Pine Pictures - all of them are terrific Winds Of Heaven: Emily Carr, Carvers and the Spirit of the Forest, view, West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson view

Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson And The Band, Margaret Atwood: a word after a word after a word is power, Genius Within: the inner life of Glenn Gould, Where The Universe Sings: The Spiritual Journey Of Lawren Harris and so many more I've been proud to screen at Movie Monday) view.

Stories We Tell, 108 min, 2012

"This feature documentary is an inspired, genre-twisting film directed by Oscar nominee Sarah Polley. Polley's playful investigation into the elusive truth buried within the contradictions of a family of storytellers paints a touching and intriguing portrait of a complex network of relatives, friends, and strangers." I've suggested this one before but I think it's worth another look. view

The Woman Who Loves Giraffes on Kanopy, 82 min, 2018

"In 1956, at the young age of 23, Anne Innis Dagg made an unprecedented solo journey to South Africa to become the first scientist in the world to study animal behavior in the wild on that continent. The world's first ‘giraffeologist', her research findings ultimately became the foundation for many scientists following in her footsteps.

A hit at Movie Monday! A Canadian story.

view

Who Loves The Sun, 91 min, 2009

"Will Morrison and Daniel Bloom were the best of friends. They grew up together. Went to the same schools. Liked the same records. Loved the same girls. Daniel was Will's best man at his wedding to Maggie Claire. Then one day Will disappeared without a word. Half a decade later he re-surfaces and sets off a tsunami of unforeseeable events." I think a Great Canadian Movie - starring Molly Parker and written directed and starring her husband at the time, Matt Bissonnette. Available on Prime: view.

About Schmidt, 122 min, 2002

Here's a quiet, charming little movie that really stands up. A delight!

"Jack Nicholson stars as Warren Schmidt, an embittered man who has just retired after 32 years as an insurance company actuary. When his wife dies suddenly, Warren packs up the 35-foot Winnebago that he and his wife had planned to travel the country in and sets out on a journey across the Nebraska plains to Denver, Colorado, for his daughter's wedding to a waterbed salesman, whom Warren despises.

Every move Warren makes seems wrong, and he appears destined to end his life as he lived it: a failure. But along the way, Warren recounts his journey to and shares his observations with an unexpected friend--a poor Tanzanian orphan whom Warren is sponsoring for 73 cents a day. In his long letters to the boy, Warren begins to see himself--and the life he has lived--in a new light." view

Forty-Third Suggestions

An eclectic mix of things, new and older, many of them free to library users. Enjoy. Happy to get feedback, even your suggestions.. Bruce 11 Sep 2023

The Commitments, 117 min, 2014

"In the Northside of Dublin, Jimmy Rabbitte aspires to manage the world's greatest band, with only one music in mind: soul. By advertising for applicants in a newspaper and asking around to promising acquaintances, Jimmy holds auditions at his parents' home and assembles a band together. Unlike his idols, Jimmy's band is white. With the help of Joey "The Lips" Fagan, a veteran musician who answers the ad and joins the band and who has unlikely stories about meeting and working with famous musicians, Jimmy begins to whip the members into shape - gradually coming together beautifully onstage, only to have the group fall apart in a clash of egos." A classic, voted in Irleand "the Best Irish Film of all time".

It's on Hoopla, free with your library card: view.

The Prisoner's Daughter, ? min, ????

"Granted a compassionate release, a dying convict (Brian Cox) tries to reconnect with his daughter (Kate Beckinsale) and the grandson he's never known, but his violent past comes to haunt his best intentions." A bad diagnosis does seem to sharpen ones thoughts about life. See Living below.

Hoopla has it: view.

The Line, 3 hr 43 min in 4 episodes, ???

I'm not usually watching war-related stories, especially of the Iraq/Middle East theatre, but this 4 part series on AppleTV really drew me in. As engaging as any concocted mystery, The Line takes us into "covert modern warfare, [where] the line between right and wrong has blurred. This docu-series examines the moral ambiguities of war as embodied by the 2018 case in which a US Navy SEAL platoon accused its chief, Eddie Gallagher, of war crimes." Find Season 1 Episode 1 on Apple TV. trailer

.

A Thousand And One, 117 min, 2023

"In recounting the story of the unbreakable love between a mother and son over the course of a tumultuous decade, writer-director AV Rockwell skilfully combines earthy realism and warmly surging emotions. It's a strikingly original approach that cuts through the stereotypes to create complex characters and relationships while also taking a fresh look at New York's transition from the seedy and crime-ridden 1990s to the ruthlessly gentrified 2000s ….. It opens in 1994, as Inez (Taylor) leaves prison and tracks down her son Terry (Adetola) in foster care. When he ends up in hospital, she kidnaps him and takes him to Harlem" From review by Rich Cline Some surprises... Great acting and direction.

On Prime: view

Lars And The Real Girl, 106 min, 2007

"Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) is a loveable introvert whose emotional baggage has kept him from fully embracing life. After years of what is almost solitude, he invites Bianca, a friend he met on the internet to visit him. He introduces Bianca to his brother Gus and his wife Karen and they are stunned. They don't know what to say to Lars or Bianca – because she is a life-size doll, not a real person and he is treating her as though she is alive." This is a surprisingly sweet story, a favourite of mine.

Lars And The Real Girl trailer.

Two more MM faves, and like Hoopla titles, all available free on your public library card on Kanopy.

Babies, 78 min, 2010

view

and

The Snow Walker, 4 min, 2019

view

Oppenheimer: The Real Story, 97 min, 2023

"The documentary covers Oppenheimer's contribution to nuclear physics as a professor and leader of the Los Alamos Laboratory." and the rest of the story. view.

Shorter by half than the daunting 3 hour feature film version, this doc covers the story pretty well.

Living, 102 min, 2022

" Living A lifelong civil servant in London has an epiphany after receiving a dire medical diagnosis." Bill Nighy was perfect in this thoughtful film. Worth a rental on Prime.

Forty-Second Suggestions

As usual, eclectic finds worth watching. Bruce 7 Aug 2023

Starwalker Buffy Stainte-Marie tribute concert on Gem, 66 min, 2022

A musical tribute to musician, visual artist, human rights activist, Truth and Reconciliation educator, and Oscar-winning composer Buffy Sainte-Marie featuring performers inspired by her life's work, including Crystal Shawanda, Leela Gilday, Logan Staats, Marie-Mai, Sarah Midanik, ShoShona Kish, Tom Jackson, William Prince, and Jeremy Dutcher.

A musical tribute to musician, visual artist, human rights activist, Truth and Reconciliation educator, and Oscar-winning composer Buffy Sainte-Marie featuring performers inspired by her life's work, including Crystal Shawanda, Leela Gilday, Logan Staats, Marie-Mai, Sarah Midanik, ShoShona Kish, Tom Jackson, William Prince, and Jeremy Dutcher. view.

Ballerina Boys, 53 min, 2021

"Celebrate Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo--for 45 years home to some of the world's most beautiful dancers, male ballerinas who have taken great risks to practice their dazzling version of ballet parody. A film full of beauty and fun, it seduces viewers into facing issues of gender, inclusion, and social justice. Ballerina Boys is both intimate and panoramic, both historical and urgently of this moment. Now the world can admire real-life heroes who actually do wear tights!"

Free though the GVPLibrary.

Showgirls, 52 min, 1998

From NFB, Show Girls celebrates Montreal's swinging Black jazz scene from the 1920s to the 1960s. Three women who danced in the legendary Black clubs of the day—Rockhead's Paradise, The Terminal and Café St. Michel—share their unforgettable memories of life at the centre of one of the world's hottest jazz spots. Show Girls chronicles the lives of Bernice, Tina and Olga - mixing their memories with rarely seen footage of the era. Their stories are told against a backdrop of the fascinating social and political history that made Montreal a jazz and nightclub hotspot for decades. It is a story of song and dance, music and pride." View on NFB.

Adventure Never Ends: A Table Top Saga, 39 min, 2023

From dungeon-like basements to worldwide phenomenon, Adventure Never Ends: A Tabletop Saga explores how tabletop roleplaying games have fought their way through decades of trial by fire to emerge at the height of pop culture— now shaping and bringing together millions of lives through storytelling. The film takes a behind the curtain look at an open community of fans, as well as youth programs who use tabletop role-playing games to promote socialization, team building, and empathy. view.

Blinkity Blank , 7 min, 2???

"This experimental short film by Norman McLaren is a playful exercise in intermittent animation and spasmodic imagery. Playing with the laws relating to persistence of vision and after-image on the retina of the eye, McLaren engraves pictures on blank film creating vivid, percussive effects." 7 minutes of fun. View on NFB.

On Drums Stewart Copeland, 59 min, 2019

Document from BBC.

Copeland, longtime drummer of The Police, takes us on a lively tour through the history of drumming. Thanks to Chris for this tip. view

The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, ? min, ????

We lost a great talent when Alan Arkin died recently. He leads a reckie with the crew Russians from their grounded submarine to a sleepy East Coast American town.

A fun watch. I rented it from AppleTV.

Arkin had a great voice as well as being funny. Here he is singing like Sinatra and with Carol Burnett. view

The Inlaws, 103 min, ???

Another treat to see Alan Arkin at work, a wonderful pairing with Peter Falk. A classic comedy, full of action and silliness. Make sure you get the 1979 version - at AppleTV or on DVD from your library.

Again, Judy Blume Forever on Prime, ? min, ????

I recommended this one last time, but on rewatching it with my older son, I've got to bring it to your notice again. It's great! view

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Wings Of Hope: Julianes Sturz in den Dschungel, 68 min, 1999

"Werner Herzog returns to the South American jungle with Juliane Koepcke, who survived a fall from a plane to live another 12 days in the Amazon before being found. Juliane and Werner recreate her journey out of the jungle." This amazing story gets the Werner treatment but always interesting (and fun) the see his work.

Free on your library account: view.

The Strangest Dream, 89 min, 2008

I've heard good things about the new Oppenheimer film. Here's a story about a really sweet and deep-thinking man involved in the same race, who took a detour.

"This is the story of Joseph Rotblat, the only nuclear scientist to leave the Manhattan Project, the U.S. government's secret program to build the first atomic bomb. His was a decision based on moral grounds.

The film retraces the history of nuclear weapons, from the first test in New Mexico, to Hiroshima, where we see survivors of the first atomic attack. Branded a traitor and spy, Rotblat went from designing atomic bombs to researching the medical uses of radiation. Together with Bertrand Russell he helped create the modern peace movement, and eventually won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Featuring interviews with contemporaries of Rotblat and passionate public figures including Senator Roméo Dallaire, The Strangest Dream demonstrates the renewed threat of nuclear weapons and encourages hope through the example of morally engaged scientists and citizens."

View on NFB.

Forty-First Suggestions

Just four this time - but all real good. Feedback welcome.. Bruce 9 Jun 2023

Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen, 88 min, 2022

The fall of 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof, the film Pauline Kael (The New Yorker) called "the most powerful movie musical ever made." Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, Fiddler's Journey To The Big Screen captures the humor and drama of director Norman Jewison's quest to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and re-envision the beloved stage hit as a wide-screen epic.

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Daniel Raim puts us in the director's chair and in Jewison's heart and mind, drawing on behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen stills as well as original interviews with Jewison, Topol (Tevye), composer John Williams, production designer Robert F. Boyle, film critic Kenneth Turan, lyricist Sheldon Harnick, and actresses Rosalind Harris, Michele Marsh, and Neva Small (Tevye's daughters). Free on CBC Gem ~ view.

Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, 95 min, 2017

"Follow the surprising twists and turns of an unlikely, unparalleled pop culture success in this Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe."

Any of you of a certain age, who have had kids in their lives, will fondly remember the craze for young boys (and probably some girls too) in the mid 80's to mid 90s for these overbuilt-bodied plastic action toys.

Free through GVPLibary ~ trailer.

Little Richard: I Am Everything, 101 min, 2022

"Little Richard: I Am Everything tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n' roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator -- the originator -- Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard's complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon's life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions. In interviews with family, musicians, and cutting-edge Black and queer scholars, the film reveals how Richard created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself."

Odes to the King Of Rock & Roll by the likes of; Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and John Waters (his skinny moustache is in honour of LR) Well worth the rental from AppleTV

Check out the trailer.