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Boycott (2021)
Essential viewing
This is a deep look at the ways in which Israeli propaganda finds its way into the American political and legal systems. By profiling three Americans who have been fighting state legislation about the right to boycott, we get a glimpse of the ways foreign governments and other lobbying bodies are using model legislation to pass laws written as templates, which can and are being used across the US. I do wish there was a bit more on the context about why people should participate in the BDS movement, but I suppose this film is intended for audiences that might already be aware of that historical and current context.
A Chorus Line (1985)
Unwatchable
How is it possible that these people made a film version of a fantastic Broadway musical that is unwatchable? The singing and dancing is less than mediocre. The acting is B movie level at best. You can't even watch it to enjoy the music because they ruined all the songs. Thank god for Spotify!
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
Watch only for the dance numbers
It pains me to give this film a bad rating, but it's an awful film. I love Gene Kelly - his dancing and his choreography - but the story and music in this film are terrible. But it's worth watching if only for the dance numbers with Kelley using roller skates as his tap shoes and the number where they put metal garbage can tops on their shoes and tape with those. Extraordinary dancing!
Bright Road (1953)
Prescient film about education
I love the ethos of this film. Although the film could have done so much more with the character of CT, it illustrates how important different forms of knowledge are. And it shows how equally important it is for educators to acknowledge different abilities and help students embrace their talents. I love the way CT is a sensitive boy who is a keen observer of nature. His intelligence takes some time for the school to see, but the audience gets to see his beautiful development and it's lovely to watch.
Sanders of the River (1935)
Propaganda film for colonialism
I watched this film solely for Paul Robson's performance, but it was very difficult to watch. It was so propagandistic as to feel like a state-funded film to promote colonialism. The offensiveness of the script and the interactions between Nigerian tribes and British occupiers is almost unparalleled from the inter-titles to the culmination of the film in which Robson's character thanks the white man for teaching him to be a leader who wants the love of his people rather than thriving on scaring them.
Parenthood (2010)
Brilliant depiction of autism
This show is one of the best film portrayals of autism that I've seen thus far. I love the complex way in which we see from the parents' point of view, as well as siblings, grandparents, cousins, how they move, over time, from diagnosis through all the intricate aspects that affect the person on the spectrum and the entire family. It's moving, powerful, and there needs to be more like it on TV.
The United States of Autism (2013)
An un-scientific approach to autism
I was extremely offended by this film. First, the film allows parents to speak uncritically about their beliefs that autism is caused by vaccines when it's very clear that the science has proved otherwise. Second, the cherry picked physicians they choose interview corroborate that point of view even as they reveal there isn't any scientific study to support that.
What they don't realise is that the very thing they're working for - many of these families want better support systems in place for their children - has been derailed by people who are scurrying to find a "cure." Indeed, they even feature someone who has supposedly been "cured" of autism.
The film doesn't engage with anyone in the neurodiversity movement who reject this idea that there can and should be "cured."
Kiss the Ground (2020)
This film instructs you how to resist climate change!
One of the most vital films out there on climate change. If we all followed - and got our governments to follow - the soil science and sequestered carbon in the ground we could actually have a fighting chance.
A remarkable documentary, with beautiful footage and significant experts who we all need to listen to. Because essentially they're conduits for the ground beneath our feet.
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
A jingoistic festival of banal music
As a great fan of tap dancing and musicals, I found this one utterly lacking in every respect. The music is banal and boring and overly patriotic - as is the entire film overall. The dancing is stiff and unimaginative as well. It was disappointing to not see much interesting cinematography either given that James Wong Howe filmed it.
Beyond the jingoism of the film, there is an extremely offensive blackface number as well as a number of songs longing for Dixie, in spite of the Yankee of the title.
Hamilton: One Shot to Broadway (2017)
Watch Hamilton's America instead
This is one of the worst documentaries I've ever seen. The talking heads are not very bright. A few of the talking heads are so steeped in their white privilege that they're unable to have a sense of the play's power. And the documentary didn't interview anyone from the play. They just include interview clips from other sources. And they keep showing the same still shots over and over again.
Njan (2014)
Visually and intellectually stunning
At its heart "Njan" is an excellent story. The director, Renjith, has a wonderful way of seamlessly integrating the past with the present accompanied by gorgeous cinematography. The setting and costumes are equally gorgeous: it is all perfectly authentic. The sparse yet aesthetically rich interiors of old Kerala village homes as well as the expanse of the sky and rural countryside add so much to the story. The acting is also superb. Dulquer Salmaan does an excellent job in his role as Kottoor and Ravi. On top of that one gets a narrative that reveals a compelling and perhaps little-known slice of Indian history. One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen.
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
Too much gratuitous nudity!
The film is an excellent rendition of Shakespeare's play. The acting is impeccable. There is one serious problem, however: the filmmakers clearly want this film to be used in classrooms, which is obvious given the teacher materials they included on their website. If this is the case, then why on earth would they add so much gratuitous female nudity throughout the film? There are several scenes where there are prostitutes and random women walking down the street whose gowns only reach below their breasts so their nipples and breasts are showing. This is extremely problematic for a film that could otherwise be immensely useful in a classroom.