Rock School

Net Flix: At Paul Green's Philadelphia music school for kids, the "three R's" are rhythm, rock and roll, as the energetic ex-rocker teaches kids the essentials of playing, singing and performing rock music. This documentary captures him working with his students, including a talented 12-year-old guitarist who just might be Hendrix's reincarnation. During the film, Green's top band is invited to perform at Zappanale, Germany's annual Zappa cover-band fest.

My Take: A great documentary, in many respects. After viewing this film, I declared "Every parent in the US should be required to watch this movie." Clearly, we as a product of being raised by our parents, are certainly subjected to their influence. In some cases that can be good, in other cases less positive. Why are these kids capable? Some have talent, some work hard, but most importantly in many cases, they've not been told "they can't" or "if it gets too hard, you can quit." Check out this flick and I suspect, you'll find, the evidence speaks for itself.

Long Way Round

A sort of The Motorcycle Diaries for the Hollywood set, this documentary miniseries chronicles the cross-continental adventures of actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they set out on their BMW bikes to travel round the world. Embarking from London and arriving 115 exhausting days later in New York, the duo tackles 20,000 miles of tough terrain, explores offbeat destinations and takes in colorful local culture.

I found this to be one of the most facinating docu-dramas I've ever seen. I think this is for several reasons.
1. We've seen and know Ewan McGregor. His "familiarity" helps us as an audience. Plus, he's Obe-Won for fuck's sake.
2. They took a long time to tell the story. I think this is what, we miss with many many movies today. How can you really tell a story, develop a story, build a story with 80-90 minutes of film time?
3. We all subscribe to the great "adventure." All are snowflakes and really reflective of personality but we all want to discover more about our lives, our friends, our selves.

Highest rating on this one......

The Yes Men

Net Flix: This humorous documentary monitors the exploits of a group of jokester liberals who make names for themselves as they mimic members of the World Trade Organization at various venues across the globe. The absurd facade gets started when two members of The Yes Men create a web site that looks quite similar to the WTO site, resulting in the group being invited to high-level meetings and being mistaken for WTO officials.

This was a documentary CLASSIC. This just shows us that there are a percentage of the population, a very small percentage, who live off the true cream of the crop and as a result have no understanding of daily life. This was cleary evident by audience responses. My highest rating.

Kung Fu Monks - 4 Stars

On the one year anniversary, I've decided to resurrect my movie Blog.

NetFlix: If you get a kick out of kung fu, you'll love this exhilarating film that traces the journey of five kung fu monks in search of the American dream. Hailing from China's legendary Shaolin Temple, these Zen masters and kung fu stars have left their homeland to forge a new life and bring their special brand of martial arts to the west. Hear their personal stories (narrated by Beau Bridges) and watch in awe as they display some of their best moves.

I found this movie quite interesting. I really liked how the monks told the stories of how Shaolin monks came to America and have created a school for their way of life. Wow

The Life of Birds

Netflix: Presented by world-renowned naturalist David Attenborough, The Life of Birds is the definitive series exploring the most colorful, popular and perfectly adapted creatures on Earth. Researchers traversed the globe, exploring 42 countries and examining more than 300 species of birds using a variety of techniques, including infrared, slow motion and computer-enhanced effects.

Winged Migration it wasn't, however not a bad documentary on our little feathered friends.

The Man Who Skied Down Everest

Description: Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1975, this engrossing film follows world champion skier Yuichiro Miura and his tireless team of adventurers as they grapple with frostbite, icefalls, altitude sickness and even death to ascend and then descend -- by slaloming -- the world's tallest mountain, Everest. A truly gripping film about a one-of-a-kind stunt, The Man Who Skied Down Everest is a landmark in the sports documentary genre.

My Promulgation: This movie came on a recomendation from Michelle, and I liked it. I really enjoyed the more philosophical naration by Miura himself. Since I have been to both approach sides of Everest, I really enjoyed the fact that they hauled all the gear 185 miles from Kathmandu. Today, we have it easy, we just walked from Lukla. In the end, you ask yourself, did he succeed, or did he fail?

The March of the Penguins

Description: Award-winning photographer Luc Jacquet takes documentary film to new heights -- and depths -- with his first feature film, a stunning insider's look at the life of the emperor penguin. The product of more than a year of filming in the brutal Antarctic ice, this official Sundance selection presents never-before-captured footage of the penguins' underwater life and explores their steadfast quest for monogamous mates.

My Promulgation: Excellent movie. I like penguins, I like documentaries. I like National Geographic. This had all three elements.

The North Face Expeditions: Madagascar and Great Trango Tower

Description: Great Trango: The 20,600-foot Great Trango-Tower has never been summited from its northwest face; climbers Alex Lowe, Jare Ogden, and Mark Synnott brave weather, exhaustion and rockfall to claim the prize of this mile-high first ascent. Madagascar: This is quickly becoming the destination spot for big-wall rock climbing. Here, world-renowned climber Lynn Hill and her all-star women's team attempt a new route. Features music from Sting.

My Promulgation: I like climbing, both mountain and rock. These were two great 1 hour length films about the difficulty to the summit.

Pi: Faith in Chaos

Description: This jarring black-and-white brain-bender is a haunting examination of science -- and obsession. Written and directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream), Pi: Faith in Chaos tells the story of a haunted, fragile mathematical genius (Sean Gullette) on the trail of a 216-digit number hidden in Pi that could unlock the secrets of the stock market ... and the universe.

My Promulgation: I saw this movie years ago. Didn't like it then. Why the hell did I rent the POS again. I am an idiot.

Southern Comfort

Description: This moving documentary chronicles the last year in the life of Robert Eads, a female-to-male transsexual dying of ovarian cancer. We're introduced to several people who figure prominently in Robert's life -- most importantly, Lola Cola, a transsexual who's become Robert's life partner and cares for him full-time. The two prepare to lead a panel at the annual Southern Comfort conference, a yearly event created for transgendered individuals.

My Promulgation: This was a facinating movie about a whole group of transexual freaks. Well, transexuals can love. They can die of cancer too. They can cry. I cried too. It was sad.

When We Were Kings

Description: Two latter-day warriors travel to their ancestral homeland in When We Were Kings, a fascinating documentary about the 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" title bout between heavyweight boxers Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. At the time, Foreman was world champion, and 32-year-old Ali was thought to be past his prime. Director Leon Gast struggled more than 20 years to complete the film.

My Promulgation: I remember when this happened, but I was only 10 years old, so I rented so I could learn more about this big boxing match in Africa. It reminded me of when Arnold out psyched poor Lou in the docu-drama Pumping Iron. How ironic that now Ali can't wipe his own ass and George Foreman is a multi-millionare selling those stupid grills. And why they hell did he name all his sons George? What a dumb ass. Oh well, if success is measured by the moola we make, he's clearly got more than me. Good God will you look at this? USB Grill

Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure: IMAX

Description: One of the greatest survival stories of all time comes to life in this extraordinary true story of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914-1916 British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, a testament to heroism and human endurance. All 28 men survived nearly 2 years in the barren, frigid Antarctic when their ship was caught in pack ice and eventually crushed. Features stunning photography and 35mm motion picture footage.

My Promulgation: OK, there is no way you can't like this film or story. Nothing better than the survival of the human spirit in the most adverse conditions imaginable. Ok, truth be known, I'm bummed about the fact that I know that they had to kill and eat their dogs, but the didn't say much about that in this IMAX version, so it's kid friendly.

Festival Express

Description: In the summer of 1970, a chartered train crossed the length and breadth of Canada, carrying some of the world's greatest rock bands as its passengers. Festival Express documents this historical journey. Follow The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Buddy Guy and others as they live (and party) together for five days, stopping in major cities along the way to play live concerts.

My Promulgation: I dig old rock and roll and even though I don't think much of Jerry Garcia's drug habit, he did make a positive influence on the world. The shots with Buddy Guy and Janice Joplin were really cool.

National Geographic: Everest: 50 Years on the Mountain

Description: Celebrate 50 years of mountaineering magic with this awe-inspiring documentary replete with sensational footage of Mount Everest. The award-winning National Geographic crew tracks the three children of mountain-climbing icons Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first two people ever to conquer the fabled peak.

My Promulgation: I like mountain climbing and have an imense amount of respect for the drive, determination, and devine inspiration for people who climb mountains for fun and for pay. Besides, it's a cool place that I plan to visit someday. OK, not Everest but somewhere near, perhaps.

Super Size Me

Description: Two out of three Americans are overweight or obese, but where does personal responsibility end and corporate responsibility take over? On the heels of recent lawsuits against McDonald's, director Morgan Spurlock takes a hilarious and often terrifying look at the effects of fast food on the human body. Spurlock spends a month of eating nothing but McDonald's food, ordering everything on the menu at least once and "super-sizing" his order if asked.

My Promulgation: I'm completely amazed that people would eat food that only cost a dollar? Do you know the profit margin on this shit? Basically what you're eating cost no more than 15 cents to "manufacture" (like mass food manufactures are "growing" anything) what you're cramming in your hole. Everybody in the US of A should see this movie, all 300 lbs of ya.

Warren Miller's: Storm

Extreme-skiing/snowboarding documentarian Warren Miller traveled from Alaska to Aspen to the Austrian Alps to lens this amazing display of extreme skiing. The film keys in on some of the sport's greatest competitors and rising stars. Witness the ultimate combination of deep powder and the high, lonesome clash when these superb and fearless athletes rocket down the slopes (all set to the music of the Dave Matthews Band, Nickel Creek and more).

Gotta love Warren Miller flicks...They are the best!