STU’S SHOW (2022, doc)

May 12, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. We tend to pay little attention to historians and archivists until we need them. By then, their importance cannot be overstated. If you know the name Stuart Shostak, it’s likely you assume this documentary from CJ Wallis will be about Stu’s internet talk show and his commitment to preserving ‘classic’ TV shows. If that’s your assumption, you will be partially correct, but also in for quite a surprise. Much of the film is dedicated to Stu’s personal life … a life that sets a strong example on how to hustle and how to care for loved ones in need.

“Stu’s Show” serves as both the title of this documentary and the title of Mr. Shostak’s internet talk show where the format involves interviewing those who were involved in television during the 1950s through the 1980s. Stu is a staunch believer that these folks (many of whom the industry has long ago forgotten) deserve to tell their stories, and we benefit from hearing them. Stu himself takes us on the tour of his studio and warehouse, both of which are located in his home. He points out shelf after shelf of archival footage in a variety of formats – from film to digital. This is no casual collection. Rather it’s 50-plus years of work from the man who served as the personal archivist for none other than Lucille Ball over the last 10 years of her life.

Stu walks us through the early days of how he started working as a ticket hawker/procurer for TV shows – the guy responsible for making sure the audience seats were filled (this was in the days when many shows were filmed in front of a live studio audience). He then worked as the warm-up act ahead of filming episodes for shows like “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Silver Spoons”, prior to his affiliation with the legendary Lucy on her final TV series. All of this is documented through clips and interviews from those that were there. Many of the recollections focus on Stu’s personality. “Exuberant” and “enthusiastic” are often used to describe him, and it seems what appealed to Lucy was his willingness to hustle after what he wanted (a trait they shared).

Classic TV lovers will appreciate Stu’s dedication to keeping the past alive; however, it’s the second half of the film that gives us the real reason to respect him as a person. After Lucy died in 1989, Stu co-founded a “Loving Lucy” convention, and one of the most loyal attendees was Jeanine Kasun. Stu and Jeanine shared a love of classic TV and would quote dialogue back and forth, thus establishing a bond that was quite special. For many years, the two were very close, though choosing to live apart in recognition of their individual quirks. But things changed quickly when Jeanine suffered a brain aneurism and was rushed to the hospital with her life in danger. Despite an extended coma and being written off as soon-to-die, Jeanine hung in. Equally impressive is how Stu became her advocate. He turned his penchant for excitable talking into ensuring that his beloved Jeanine received the treatment she needed, in spite of the challenges faced by her situation and the state of the healthcare system.

Most of us have experienced some frustration and a swell of emotion when visiting a loved one in the hospital. But Stu rallied friends and the stream of visiting celebrities surely did not go unnoticed by hospital personnel. Jeanine’s recovery was a slow process involving multiple hospitals and caregivers, and Stu spent as much time with her as possible. Bookending the film is video from their wedding … a ceremony with the look of a classic TV reunion attended by many of the celebrities Stu had interviewed over the years, including Tony Dow (Wally in “Leave it to Beaver”) as the Best Man. You may recognize many of the faces interviewed here, but you’ll surely recognize the love Stu showed for Jeanine.

Available On Demand beginning May 2, 2022

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Posted by David Ferguson

POLAR BEAR (2022, doc)

April 23, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. After filming their award-winning documentary PENGUINS (2019) in Antarctica, co-directors Alastair Fothergill and Jeff Wilson re-teamed and headed to Norway, not far from the North Pole, to capture life and the fight for survival by polar bears in this feature for Disneynature.

As we would expect, the adult polar bears are majestic and powerful, while the cubs are just about the cutest things on the planet. Also, as we have come to expect from Disneynature, the photography is stunning in its clarity and ability to take our breath away. Unfortunately, much of the story here is focused on climate change and its impact on these creatures. Filmed over years, we follow a mother “ice bear” after her two cubs are born. We watch as the mother first hunts for food and later trains her cubs. Seals are the preferred dish of the day, but seals have become harder to find due to the warming waters and reduced ice.

Three other segments feature Baluga whales, walruses, and an incredible few minutes of birds flocking along the side of a steep cliff. A dead whale gives us a look at the fearsome male polar bears and their intimidating force over females and cubs. Disneynature doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities and mortal danger faced by polar bears, as we witness both death and separation … though, as the circle of life indicates, these are offset with new birth and arrivals.

Two-time Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, CAPOTE) uses her distinctive voice to capture the wonder of the bears and their harsh environment, as well as the overall challenges occurring due to climate change. We are informed that the Arctic circle could be ‘ice-free’ by 2040, which means the polar bears must adapt quickly or face the dire consequences. Hopefully it’s clear that this is not one of the warm and fuzzy Disney docs that many of us grew up on, and therefore, not for the youngest kids (no matter how much they love polar bears).

Premieres on Earth Day (April 22, 2022) on Disney +

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Posted by David Ferguson

UNTIL THE WHEELS COME OFF (2022, doc)

April 15, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness.  Who among us doesn’t enjoy a nice, leisurely bike road around the neighborhood? Taking in the fresh air while getting a little exercise is good for the mind, body, and soul. While golf has been described as “a good walk spoiled”, after watching this documentary, I believe it’s safe to say that the Race Across America (RAAM) is “a good ride spoiled.” RAAM is an ultra-endurance bicycle race that begins in Oceanside, California and winds across the continent to the finish line in Annapolis, Maryland.

For those counting, that’s 3071 laborious and tortuous miles pedaling through desert, mountains, plains, and just about all types of weather. And if that’s not enough, most of the ride is on open road where the danger of automobile and truck traffic is usually present. Oh, and riders get very little sleep, must meet certain markers within a given timeline to stay eligible, and require a full team to help prevent death, injury, starvation, dehydration, or insanity. To put this in perspective, we are told a rider would need to average 10.5 mph for 12 days riding 24 hours per day. While that is obviously unsustainable for humans, you should know that those who finish, typically do so in 8-12 days, while riding 20+ hours per day. That, my friends, is why they call it ultra-endurance.

Those are the details to know about the race itself, but this is really the story of one man and his crew. John Tarlton’s daughter kicks things off by explaining that “my dad” finished the RAAM in 2014 and is preparing to go again for 2019 (the basis for this project). We learn only about 300 riders have ever finished the race, and Mr. Tarlton explains that he will be much better prepared this time, with a goal of winning his age 50-59 bracket. Joining his crew this time will be his wife Jeanne, and their kids … turning this into a true family experience (or nightmare, depending on your perspective).

Climbers go up Everest “because it’s there”, and clearly this is just another way to push one’s mind and body to the extreme … an extreme most of us will never experience ourselves, especially after watching the pain endured by Tarlton and his family. If you’ve watched a loved one suffer with an illness, you know how difficult it can be. What about a loved one who chooses to suffer? His family is there as his body slowly deteriorates and his tired mind becomes muddled. In addition, we witness some of the tension and drama as it unfolds within his crew – something that obviously doesn’t help in these circumstances. In fact, the only downside here is that Tarlton’s wife (the film’s producer) pushes a bit too hard on her own story, rather than the guy pushing through exhaustion and pain.

Tarlton rides to raise money for the Stanford Cancer Institute, though we are never quite sure how the fundraising is handled. This is definitely not a cheap hobby, nor is it one for the masses. You are either the type that wants to push your body, mind, and finances to the limit, or you’re not. Described here as “a defining life experience”, it’s a race where the clock never stops and the scenery is unparalleled (though riders are likely too groggy to appreciate it). Don’t confuse this race with the Tour de France (stages over 3 weeks) or this movie with the HBO documentary, TONY HAWK: UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF.

Available on VOD

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Posted by David Ferguson

COW (2022, doc)

April 8, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Farming and ranching are about two main things: commerce and sourcing food and other items (wool, leather, cotton, etc). Director Andrea Arnold won an Oscar for her short film WASP (2003), and also directed a couple of narratives that I’ve seen, WUTHERING HEIGHTS (2011) and AMERICAN HONEY (2016). Her first feature documentary takes us to a dairy farm in rural England, and closely follows the daily life of the cows on the farm.

We open with the birth of a calf and the instant bonding with its mother, Luma. Then, as we’ve seen in other documentaries, the two are separated and we clearly see the anxiety this creates in the bovines. But this is a working dairy farm and cows exist for two reasons: to produce milk and to have babies. Ms. Arnold wisely keeps the focus on the cows, and the human workers are rarely seen or heard. It’s not a pleasant existence for the cows. They spend time being milked by a metallic contraption or being impregnated by a local bull. Denied connection with their offspring, the cows seem to be allowed very little time to frolic or graze in the fields.

Cinematographer Magda Kowalczyk does get some creative shots, but there are a few times the closeness of the camera to the cows gives us a feeling of temporary motion sickness. We are also bounced between mother and calf quite often, and we ‘feel’ the mother’s bellowing as she longs for her baby. The point is made that cows have feelings, especially as related to their offspring, but some of the attempts to drive that home stretch credulity a bit too far. Also responsible for a slight dulling of the film’s impact is that it arrives so closely to last year’s artistic masterpiece, GUNDA (2021) from Viktor Kosakovskiy, though director Arnold wins for the most abrupt ending (for us and the cow).

In theaters and On Demand beginning April 8, 2022

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Posted by David Ferguson

SURVIVING SEX TRAFFICKING (2022, doc)

March 24, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Director, Jain monk, war veteran, and sexual abuse survivor Sadhvi Siddhali Shree follows up her 2017 documentary, STOPPING TRAFFIC: THE MOVEMENT TO END SEX-TRAFFICKING, with a focus on the rare survivors/escapees of the horrific global issue labeled sex trafficking. The initial statistics she provides state 45 million are trafficked each year, and only about 1% ever escape or are rescued. We learn this “industry” generates approximately $150 billion (with a b) in annual profit.

The film allows five victims to bravely tell their story, concentrating not just on the ordeal they survived, but also what has happened since. Their stories are about healing and recovery, and we hear from three women in the United States, one from Ethiopia, and one from India. Their stories are different, yet they share the similarities of being forced into a tragic and dark underworld.

The women are often asked, “Why didn’t you just leave?”, and their answers revolve around such things as fear, shame, and violence. Threats against themselves and their families were commonplace. One of the survivors defines Sex Trafficking as ‘sex for money through force, fraud, and coercion.” Another revisits the condo where she was violently attacked for wanting to leave. She re-enacts that night and we see photographic evidence of the brutal beating she endured.

Director Shree tells the details of her sexual abuse at age 6, and we learn the target age for traffickers can be 12 to 17. With their pain often invisible on the outside, the women discuss what they have done while attempting to rebuild some semblance of a “normal” life – always looking over their shoulder and living with the memories. Two key points emerge and those are opening more shelters for victims and training law enforcement on how best to treat those who have been sex trafficked … contrasting from runaways, for example. Therapy is obviously crucial, and what is most important is keeping discussions going so that, for as long as sex-trafficking exists, we are addressing the prevention, the rescue, and the treatment of victims.

In limited theaters on March 25, 2022 and on VOD beginning April 15, 2022

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Posted by David Ferguson

JAZZ FEST: A NEW ORLEANS STORY (SXSW 2022, doc)

March 23, 2022

SXSW 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. We are informed that the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival features 7000 musicians across 14 stages over 8 days. It’s a massive and popular event and co-directors Frank Marshall and Ryan Suffern set out to highlight the festival’s 50th anniversary in 2019, and ended up with a blend of music, history, and culture. Mr. Marshall, along with his wife Kathleen Kennedy, is a frequent producing partner of Steven Spielberg, and he also directed the 1990 favorite ARACHNOPHOBIA. Marshall and Suffern previously collaborated on music documentaries of Carole King-James Taylor, and The Bee Gees.

In New Orleans, “the air is thick with humidity and culture.” Music has long been a key element in the culture, and we see clips of late greats like Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Fats Domino, and BB King. We also hear from festival co-founders George Wein and Quint Davis, and learn that despite the festival’s name, all types of music have been featured, including jazz, gospel, soul, blues, R&B, and whatever that is that Pitbull does. In this spirit, the filmmakers include clips of live performances from such artists as the Marsalis family, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Buffett, Earth Wind & Fire, Al Green (in a comeback), and the great Aaron Neville singing “Amazing Grace.”

Any conversation about New Orleans must also include the unique local cuisine, the craziness of Mardi Gras, and the tragedy and destruction of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The first festival held after the hurricane featured Bruce Springsteen, and we get the footage of him performing, “My City of Ruin.” The film isn’t really structured as a history of the festival, but there is plenty here to justify a viewing, especially the clips of festival performances. To cap it off, Marshall and Suffern show us 2022 as The Big Easy and the festival recover from two years of pandemic shutdown, and leaves us with … “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

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Posted by David Ferguson

MORE THAN ROBOTS (SXSW 2022, doc)

March 23, 2022

SXSW 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. For as far back as we can trace human existence, the older generation has grumped on the younger one. It’s unlikely Neanderthal parents used the term ‘slacker’, but they undoubtedly got their point across to the youngsters who were inept at hunting and never seemed to gather much. Gillian Jacobs is best known for her acting (the TV series “Community”), and in directing her first feature length documentary she serves up proof that the rising generation offers plenty of hope for the future.

The film opens on a crowded gymnasium filled with noisy kids and action around some funky looking automated devices. It turns out what we are seeing, and what Ms. Jacobs set out to document, is the 2020 FIRST Robotics competition in Los Angeles. For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is an international non-profit organization co-founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen. The mission is to encourage and develop students in the field of engineering and technology through what they term, “coopertition”, a blend of cooperation and competition.

We follow four distinctly different teams as they prepare for the competition. One team is from an upper-middle class California area and has 60+ team members. Another is from the Watts area and is much smaller. Interestingly, the adult mentors for these two teams are a married couple, displaying the true meaning of coopertition! The other two teams are from Japan and Mexico, respectively, and Ms. Jacobs wisely focuses on one student leader from each of the four team, making it easier for us to connect and follow.

The pandemic wreaked havoc on the teams as the competition was canceled for two consecutive years. However, the kids proved just how resilient they are as they committed their time and skills to building facemasks, respirators, and contributing to society in every way possible. Of course this meant even more excitement was generated as the 2022 FIRST Robotics competitions kicked back in … and we get to experience the emotions. The focus on teamwork and alliances is refreshing to see, and the joy on the faces of students makes it all worthwhile. This may seem to revolve around robots, but it’s actually life lessons for everyone involved.

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Posted by David Ferguson

FACING NOLAN (SXSW 2022, doc)

March 21, 2022

SXSW 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. Having been a baseball fan for as long as I can remember, I can list the handful of players that I got to see play in person who left me in utter awe of their talent. Lynn Nolan Ryan was definitely one of them, so when I saw Bradley Jackson’s documentary listed on the SXSW schedule, I immediately sent my RSVP.

Jackson opens with the numbers: 7 no-hitters, 100.9 mph, 5714 career strikeouts, and 51 Major League Baseball records. Big Tex. The Ryan Express. If he wasn’t flesh and blood, Nolan Ryan could be the lead character in a graphic novel. An intimidating player with a Texas drawl borne of his upbringing in tiny Alvin, Texas. We see a fuzzy clip of Nolan pitching in high school, and his wife Ruth drives us by his childhood home. As a long-time fan, I’m relieved to see that Ruth Ryan is finally exposed as a guiding force in his life and career. Their first date is recalled … watching ROME ADVENTURE (Suzanne Pleshette, Troy Donahue) … as is their second – a baseball game to see Sandy Koufax pitch. Ruth explains that Nolan had no aspirations of a professional baseball career, and instead was determined to become a veterinarian. It was Mets’ scout Red Murff who changed the trajectory of animals and hitters everywhere when he convinced the team to draft Nolan.

Jackson includes interviews with players such as Pete Rose, Randy Johnson, and Jerry Grote (his catcher with the Mets). Rose talked about how difficult it was to face Nolan, while Johnson labels him the most intimidating pitcher of all-time. Others interviewed include Ryan’s biographer Rob Goldman and former President George W Bush, who was one of the team owners when Ryan signed with the Texas Rangers.

Some terrific archival footage shows Nolan’s World Series contribution to the 1969 Miracle Mets, his subsequent trade to Gene Autry’s (“The Singing Cowboy”) California Angels, and his early no-hitters and dominance. We learn about the impact of Tom Morgan, his first “real” pitching coach, and later, Ryan’s stunning free agent contract with the Houston Astros – making him the first athlete to sign a million-dollar contract. Jackson even includes the replay of the moment in 1973 when Norm Cash came to the plate with a table leg instead of bat to face Ryan during his second career no-hitter.

More footage is shown of Ryan’s 5th and 6th no-hitters, including Terry Puhl’s running catch. What a fun moment it is when Mr. Puhl proves that, even to this day, he still has the clip of that catch on his iPhone. And yes, it was the Astros’ blunder of inviting Nolan to take a ‘hometown’ pay cut, that drove him to sign with the cross-state rival Texas Rangers and write the final chapter of his storied baseball career. What followed was his 300th win, his 5000th strikeout, and remarkably, his 7th no-hitter. Of course, one of the most famous events of Ryan’s career occurred in 1993 when Robin Ventura charged the mound against the 46-year-old Ryan. What’s fascinating is how this is tied back to a previous incident with Dave Winfield years ago. Winfield discusses what happened, while Ryan admits to the impact.

The baseball content served up here is enough for any fan, but the real insight comes from the talks with Ruth and Nolan and their family members. Sure, he spent 27 years in the league and delivered a humble Hall of Fame induction speech (which is included here), but at the core of the player is the man with values … the man Ruth chose so many years ago. The kids and grandkids speak of Nolan and Ruth as role models, and we witness firsthand the difference between the Hall of Fame pitcher and the man fishing on the riverbank or at the head of the table for family meals. We have Red Murff and Tom Morgan to thank for the pitching, Ruth Ryan to thank for the man, and Bradley Jackson to thank for this profile.

WATCH THE ENTIRE MOVIE ON NETFLIX

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Posted by David Ferguson

CROWS ARE WHITE (SXSW 2022, doc)

March 21, 2022

SXSW 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. The synopsis for this documentary had me excited to learn about the Tendai sect of monks on Mt Hiei in Japan. Known as “the Marathon Monks”, the sect has been a part of the mountain for more than 1200 years and are known for their extreme tests of physical endurance on the path to enlightenment. Director Ahsen Nadeem set out to explore his own faith, and looked to these monks for guidance.

This is a film of contradictions. It’s not really about the monks, and Nadeem’s true objective seems to be tricking the monks into guiding him through his messy life … a mess he created through his many deceptions. Nadeem seeks out time with Kamahori, a monk in the midst of a difficult 7-year journey to enlightenment. Kamahori has taken a vow of silence, which, as you can imagine, doesn’t make for a much of a cinematic interview. Instead, the monks kick Nadeem off the mountain when his cell phone rings. It’s at this point where we realize Nadeem is all about himself, and the tone of the film shifts.

Raised by strict Muslim parents, Nadeem recollects his childhood for us. It’s this background that allows us to understand how severe his broken trust with his parents has become. See, Nadeem is engaged to a non-Muslim woman, but he keeps this fact (and her) a secret despite regular Facetime calls. It’s a double-life that continues to get more complicated as the lies and deceptions pile up.

Still seeking answers, Nadeem heads back to the mountain where he meets Ryushin, a monk working the gift shop. We learn Ryushin is a black sheep monk … one who loves sake, ice cream, and heavy metal music (Slayer and Slipknot). Their odd friendship is the most interesting part of the film, and perhaps the portion that most helps Nadeem. Some of the best monk sayings come out in this part, though mostly we (and Nadeem) learn that perception is truth, and that we often lie to ourselves regarding key elements in life. And then Nadeem is again kicked off the mountain.

After returning to Los Angeles for his wedding, Nadeem admits that he still hasn’t told his parents. We find ourselves not liking Nadeem very much and certainly struggling to have any respect for a man who deceives his loved ones. In fact, his wife seems to take our side and is the one who pushes him to ‘come clean’ with the parents he hasn’t seen for 10 years, 3 of which cover his secret marriage. The way this portion is handled is downright despicable and we feel for his parents and the pain they experience.

We can remain in awe of the monks and their extreme physical feats. Walking the circumference of the globe over 1000 days is fascinating, and Kaihogyo – no sleep or lying down for 90 days – is dangerous and incredible. It’s very likely a second viewing of the film would allow for more focus on the spiritual aspects regarding faith and love and self. The contradictions in life – especially those we create for ourselves – are most certainly worth exploring, but our dislike of Nadeem (in spite of his honesty in front of the camera) is too distracting to pull out the wisdom and counseling that is present. Perhaps that is one more contradiction or paradox that we should deal with.

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE TORCH (2022, doc)

March 17, 2022

Greetings again from the darkness. When Buddy Guy pops up on my playlist, I can feel it. After watching Jim Farrell’s documentary, I now know why. Sure, Buddy Guy has won 8 Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, been awarded a Kennedy Center Award, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. He has also influenced most every known guitar player from Hendrix to Clapton to Beck to Page to Stevie Ray Vaughan to John Mayer, and so on. But it’s not until you watch him play that it all comes into focus. Buddy Guy finds joy in playing, and he also carries the burden of keeping the blues alive.

Howlin’ Wolf died in 1976. Muddy Waters died in 1983. When BB King died in 2015, the legacy of the blues fell to Buddy Guy, and now he’s doing what he can to ensure it lives on … he is 85 years old, after all. So part of Farrell’s documentary is about the legacy of the blues and Buddy Guy, and part of it focuses on Buddy’s mentoring of guitar phenom Quinn Sullivan. We get some background on both men. Buddy was born and raised on sharecropper farm in Louisiana. He was crafting his own instruments by age 7 using wire, string, nails, and rubber bands. After playing with Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters for Chess Records, he will forever be associated with Chicago blues. Sullivan, a natural guitarist, first played on stage with Buddy in April 2007, at the age of seven. Since then, the two have bonded, performed, and recorded together.

Sullivan is truly the heir apparent, and Farrell includes footage of Quinn and Buddy performing live on stage together … quite a musical experience for those in the room. We also see the two chatting it up – Buddy telling his stories and Quinn soaking it in. And as amazing as it is to watch them on stage, it’s a rare treat to be allowed in the studio to film them recording a song. Farrell includes some interviews (Carlos Santana and others), and Buddy’s reverence for Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters is understandable. We are left with the hope that Buddy’s polka dot playing days continue for many years and that Quinn Sullivan appreciates the torch being passed to him.

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

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