I saw one movie in August, while I was in Manhattan, and I'm so glad I saw it there. There's nothing like seeing "Mad Hot Ballroom" in a theater near Union Square: from their reaction, many members of that audience had attended NYC public schools and shared my municipal pride. But you don't have to be a New Yorker or even an American to be uplifted by this extraordinary documentary. And you certainly don't have to watch it in a Manhattan theater, or even any theater: I'm sure the DVD will be out soon, if it isn't already. Admirers of the art of film editing will also enjoy this movie on a professional level.
The other movie I saw this past Thursday. It's also a fairly new documentary, and already available on DVD: "What the Bleep Do We Know?" There is a web site for the film and its subject, which is quantum physics and the meaning of consciousness. Admittedly there is a New Age-y cultish component to this site, what with conferences and workshops that you can pay somebody's hard-earned money to attend, but the movie has some really interesting science. I only wish they hadn't used New Age music, which doesn't work for/on me as intended...it makes me agitated and irritated, as does old-fashioned "elevator music." Anyhow, the bottom line of "What The Bleep" is: the brain can perceive lots more than you think, you have lots more influence over events in your life than you think, and everything is deeply intertwingled*. One could conclude that "The Power of Positive Thinking" might actually be old wine in old bottles...the best kind of wine, y'know.
*credit to Tom DeMarco, from many many years ago.
2 comments:
Haven't heard of either. They both sound very interesting, especially Mad Hot Ballroom. I'll Google it to find out more. Thanks for the tips!
Heard of What The Bleep... but this has given me a reason to rent it. I'll probably have to search more into Mad Hot Ballroom, myself. I might be dragging some people out to watch Corpse Bride tonight. Should be interesting.
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