Movie Spotlight: Grizzly Man

First, let me be very, very clear: I am not (repeat NOT putting a quick spotlight on this movie because I liked it. Noooo. I really didn't like it. But it has sparked something.

The movie is a documentary about Timothy Treadwell, who supposedly had devoted his life to "studying" Grizzly bears in Alaska. He "lived" with the bears every summer/early fall for 13 years until in October of 2003 he and his girlfriend were mauled to death by the bears. His death and the death of his girlfriend was caught on audio tape (his video camera on with the lens cap on as well)...no, that doesn't get played during the movie.

Early on in the film, one of the gentlemen who had assisted in retrieving the remains said rather bluntly "He got what he deserved." Oooo, that was a bit harsh. Or was it? After watching the film, Cori and I both weren't so sure that it was harsh, but actually rather accurate.

Now, I know that you can't watch a documentary and believe it to be completely unbiased. However it wasn't just the narrator's words that made me come away with the opinion that I have, but Treadwell's own actions (as a majority of the film is actually Timothy's own footage).

I didn't see a man who respected these animals. I saw, rather, a boy in a man's body who wanted to be a bear...live with them, be "friends" with them. If you respect them, don't get them so completely used to people in their presence. Watch them from a distance. If you want to study them, don't interfere with nature (he moved some rocks in a stream to help direct a salmon run). He goes on a rant about the park rangers who didn't want him camping on the federally protected reserve. Although he would often have a gf with him, they were never in his footage as he wanted to give the appearance that he was always so very alone with the bears....whatever.

Any credibility he may have had goes out the window if you see this movie. He may have died doing what he loved, but his death brought on the death of 2 bears...wild animals, who should not be blamed for his death. He was in their territory, going against the safety rules his own organization posted (stay at least 100 yards from the bears). There were even times in the movie that he went up to them, touched one in the water.

More Netflix

The Legend of Zorro Adventure Zorro must save the day...again. Ok, I admit it. I liked the first one...so I pretty much disregarded all of the bad reviews. I didn't think the critics liked the first one either. The movie started off terribly slow...so slow that I actually stopped watching it and came back to it later. This is something I don't generally do. If I start a movie I typically finish it (about 98% of them, regardless of how bad they are) and I finish it in a single sitting. I just couldn't do it with this one. When I picked it up again later (about 50 minutes into it) Cori was with me. She didn't feel like she had missed a thing, and she was pretty much right. I caught her up in less than a minute. Some very, very cheesy (read "stupid") bits with Zorro and his horse...beautiful horse...that were pretty much useless, certainly not funny. Overall I gave it a 3. It was ok. If you want a brain dead movie, this would be acceptable.

Wedding Crashers Comedy Two guys who, well, crash weddings. Good food, drinks, pick up women...until one of them falls for one. Of course it can't end happily ever after half-way into the movie, because that would make for a really short movie! Fiasco happens, blah blah.....happily ever after. Why did I rent this? No idea. I knew I wasn't going to like it, but did I listen to myself? Noooo. 1 star, just because Netflix makes you give them something.

Hustle and Flow Drama A pimp wants to make it as a rapper. While the plot is pretty basic, the movie isn't. Good actors/characters. Good song...my friend Lisa and I were singing along to It's Hard Out There for a Pimp...which, btw, was nominated for an Oscar. If the plot sounds even the least bit interesting to you, rent it! 4 stars.

Just One Time Independent Guy and girl are engaged, but before getting married guy wants to have a 3-way with another woman...he doesn't want to break their vows after marriage, so they can't do it then. Girl agrees, but on one condition: Guy must agree to a 3-way also, but with a man. Ha! Interesting turn, but the movie was just ok. I kept hoping for a real twist. Like girl realizes, hmm...see ya and leaves him for the other woman (that'd teach him). Or maybe even guy realizes, uh-oh, I'm gay. Something different. But no. No different...no 3 way...but really no different. Again, blah blah blah....happily ever after.

Yesterday Foreign An African woman raising a daughter in a small village while the husband is away earning a living (and apparently fooling around) is diagnosed with HIV. Her only wish, to live long enough to see her daughter go to school. I don't want to give too much away, but this is a very powerful movie. I'd highly recommend it. 4 stars (only because I can't give it 4.5 on Netflix).

My Date With Drew Documentary Guy with a serious crush on Drew Barrymore decides to do a documentary and attempt to get a date with her. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Wasn't sure at first if I could handle an entire movie about this, but I did! I won't give away the ending, but if you're interested email me. Gave it 4 stars.

Dark Water Thriller A newly single mom struggling to make ends meet moves to a dilapidated apartment with a serious leak and some other "issues". I totally did not expect the ending. I was a little scared (Cori was not), but no blood and gore. I gave it 3 stars. It was ok.

The Constant Gardener Thriller A man's wife is murdered in Nairobi, he takes matters into his own hands and risks his life to find out what happend. It was an interesting concept and gives you some food for thought. 3 stars. It was ok, but a bit long/slow...

Red Eye Thriller A fellow passenger seeming to be a stranger has actually targeted a woman as key in his plot to murder an executive in Homeland Security. I had much higher hopes for this movie. Categorized as a thriller, there wasn't a lot thrilling to it. It was ok, 3 stars. There are better thrillers out there. If you've seen them all, then maybe consider this.

Brokeback Mountain

One would think that now that I am jobless I would be better about updating my blog...yeah...well, I'm not :0)

We actually saw Brokeback Mountain a few weeks ago. Ooops. We thought it a good idea to do fulfill our "community support" obligation and see the movie at the theater. I think I could have just as easily waited until it came out on rental. It was well cast (clearly, given the number of Oscar nominations it has received) and believable. It was a good love story, as far as tragic heart break love stories go. I have to stay it started off a bit slow for me, but I eventually adapted to the pace of the movie.

Would I recommend it? Yes. Do you need to run right out and see it in the theater? Not so much.