Friday, November 25, 2011
Just sayin.
Good morning! What's that? You don't have your pass yet for hot docs 2012? Of course you don't. That's because I'm THE VERY FIRST AND ONLY OWNER of a 2012 hot docs pass. A Premium Pass, to be exact. How did I achieve this not-so-dubious distinction, you may ask? Well. I called them, and asked if I could buy one. And a very nice girl named Allie told me, "they're not on sale yet but sure, we can sell you one." Awesome! Thanks Allie! There's only 50 Premium Passes this year (good job hot docs, limiting the number of passes is a judicious move), so get 'em while they're....hot.
Monday, May 9, 2011
(The) Last Night
At this point it doesn't really matter how my day was yesterday, since none of y'all are going to be see anymore movies because hot docs is over. But since you asked, the highlight of the day was Kumare, about a dude from New Jersey who dresses up like an Indian guru and convinces a bunch of gullible Arizonians to become his followers. I found him inspiring - I'm already growing out my own beard to see how many followers I can amass.
The People's Choice award was announced today, and was awarded to Somewhere Between, about American girls who were adopted from China, and the difficulties that they encounter as a result of being "somewhere between" the two cultures. I'm kicking myself for missing this. I skipped it last Sunday because I was hungry and I needed a break. Poor showing, Dr. Dock. And to think that I call myself a doctor...
Coming soon (as in tonight, tomorrow, or whenever I get around to it): a list and ranking of all of the movies I saw, and perhaps some of my own awards. Stay tuned.
The People's Choice award was announced today, and was awarded to Somewhere Between, about American girls who were adopted from China, and the difficulties that they encounter as a result of being "somewhere between" the two cultures. I'm kicking myself for missing this. I skipped it last Sunday because I was hungry and I needed a break. Poor showing, Dr. Dock. And to think that I call myself a doctor...
Coming soon (as in tonight, tomorrow, or whenever I get around to it): a list and ranking of all of the movies I saw, and perhaps some of my own awards. Stay tuned.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Ending, But Not Over
I'm convinced that the hot docs programmers have stacked the end of the festival with the better movies because yesterday was so damn good.
How to Die in Oregon was an emotionally and physically jolting experience. I cried for almost 108 minutes solid, and judging from the sniffling and snuffling noises coming from around me, I wasn't the only one. The movie follows a 54 year old woman as she decides if and when to die. What a ballsy subject for filmmaker Peter Richardson to cover. Bravo. The film garnered and long and strong standing ovation, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was a strong contender for People's Choice Award. It's playing again today at 5:45 at the Cumberland. Go. And bring tissues.
Another stand-out from yesterday was After the Apocalypse, which raised the controversial issue of a government's power to interfere with a woman's right to reproduce. Some doctors in Khazakstan believe that have an obligation to do so. It is difficult for us in Canada to understand that, but we aren't faced with the spectre of mass genetic mutations in our future generations. Maybe it's not so cut and dry. A highlight of the movie was seeing a fetus in a jar with one giant eye in the middle of his face. Who's got the popcorn?
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 was also amazing. It played to a sold out Bloor Cinema which is always a rowdy experience (for a night at the movies). There were a couple bouts of spontaneous applause in the middle of the movie, most notably after an impassioned soliloquy by Angela Davis from her prison cell. This movie was an extraordinary treatment of rare archival footage, and it was mesmerizing.
Well, I suppose this is almost my last post for the year. Thanks for humouring me by thus far. Tomorrow I'll let you know how today goes, and I'll announce the Dr. Dock Awards.
Get out there!
How to Die in Oregon was an emotionally and physically jolting experience. I cried for almost 108 minutes solid, and judging from the sniffling and snuffling noises coming from around me, I wasn't the only one. The movie follows a 54 year old woman as she decides if and when to die. What a ballsy subject for filmmaker Peter Richardson to cover. Bravo. The film garnered and long and strong standing ovation, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was a strong contender for People's Choice Award. It's playing again today at 5:45 at the Cumberland. Go. And bring tissues.
Another stand-out from yesterday was After the Apocalypse, which raised the controversial issue of a government's power to interfere with a woman's right to reproduce. Some doctors in Khazakstan believe that have an obligation to do so. It is difficult for us in Canada to understand that, but we aren't faced with the spectre of mass genetic mutations in our future generations. Maybe it's not so cut and dry. A highlight of the movie was seeing a fetus in a jar with one giant eye in the middle of his face. Who's got the popcorn?
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 was also amazing. It played to a sold out Bloor Cinema which is always a rowdy experience (for a night at the movies). There were a couple bouts of spontaneous applause in the middle of the movie, most notably after an impassioned soliloquy by Angela Davis from her prison cell. This movie was an extraordinary treatment of rare archival footage, and it was mesmerizing.
Well, I suppose this is almost my last post for the year. Thanks for humouring me by thus far. Tomorrow I'll let you know how today goes, and I'll announce the Dr. Dock Awards.
Get out there!
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