We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen (2005)

This blog is going on indefinite hiatus. Here is a hot mess I wrote for a film I watched ages ago that I forgot to post. Take it easy humans.

DB

This documentary concerns the story of punk band The Minutemen who hailed from San Pedro, California in the early '80s and proved to be a very influential band. Central to the tale is that of guitarist D. Boon and childhood bud and Minuteman bassist Mike Watt. Through old interview footage with the band, contemporaries such as Henry Rollins and Flea, and newer footage with Watt you understand the importance of their relationship to the success of the band. Drummer George Hurley gets his props as well. Footage of him doing some fancy work on the skins with one of the most ridiculous fringes I've seen, possibly ever, was a highlight. The excitement and opposition they felt during the burgeoning punk scene on the west coast of the states during those days is well told.

I knew of these misfits but was not overly familiar with their output. My interest in their era of music spurred me on to watch this and I dug it for the most part. It certainly filled in a few gaps of information and it was a little sad knowing the documentary was leading to the premature demise of D. Boon in 1985. There is a fair amount of live footage to take in which is not great quality and that extends to most of the film actually. For those not interested in the music I couldn't recommend it. The story doesn't really transcend to anything much greater than the story of a band, even though it is trying to. There is also an exorbitant array of talking heads who often tend to be saying the same thing which just leads to to the whole thing becoming a little boring. I'm glad I watched it despite the cons but it could probably have done with a little less idolising and a bit more storytelling. Sound none the less. 

3/5

 

Moneyball (2011)

It's been some time since a sports movie of this quality flickered by in front of my pink, jammy eyeballs. Whether you are a fan of 'America's past time', aka baseball, or not matters little such is the quality of this film. It is based on true events that occurred during the Oakland Athletic's 2002 season as General Manager Billy Beane implements unorthodox strategies to build his team and upsets a few traditionalists along the way. Brad Pitt is commanding as Beane and Jonah Hill great as the underling that inspires Beane into action with his bold ideas. 

The film is refreshingly free of fluff such as an unnecessary love interest while still offering the expected emotional punch as the underdogs find their nuts. Not just a film for sports fans it is an interesting and entertaining look at the dynamics of the characters behind the scenes. I was more than happy to lay down my own moneyball (a sweat and fluff encrusted hunk of bills and coins that had been forged in the depths of my jean's pockets) to watch this.

4/5

Of Gods and Men (2010)

I was told my patience may be tested with this film but that it was also wonderful. Some bastard lied to me about the patience bit but not the wonderful part. The fact it is based on true events during the Algerian civil war adds to the outstanding film making. It takes a close look at the lives of a group of French monks and the decisions they have to make when their lives come under threat during war. A fascinating study of their daily rituals and interaction with one another never becomes boring as tension mounts inside and outside their monastery walls. Save their bacon or stay and answer their calling? Pretty sure I'd get the hell out of there but it isn't easy imagining myself as a monk.

4.5/5

 

A Christmas Carol (2009)

This is me in about ten years

I'm a bit of a sucker for Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol and it's film adaptions. As an embryonic being I enjoyed Mickey's A Christmas Carol (1983) and gurgled compliantly as a teen to The Muppet's Christmas Carol (1994). Then there was Bill Murray in that modern, screwball yarn Scrooged (1988). Damn it that was good. Although it's waned somewhat over the years I do still get a warm glow in the belly from sentimental and gooey Christmas capers and Disney's latest addition delivers in dollop loads. Jim Carey voices Ebeneezer Scrooge in animated fashion without drawing attention to the fact it is Jim Carey. Unusual for him yes? The detail in the animation is rad. Look at old Scroogey's face above. Genius work. Originally a 3D feature there are some passages obviously intended to wow that viewing audience but watching it on bog standard 2D at home makes it seem an obvious superfluous effect. 
I could understand people not liking the characters which border on creepy at times. The humans that is, not the ghosts. Despite a strangely odd detached feeling from reality I am happy to add this film to the list of A Christmas Carol classics. That doesn't make it a classic film but it's still a nice accolade for it yes? My oath it is.
4/5

Are there any other worthy A Christmas Carol themed films I should see? Tell me!

 

Until the Light Takes Us (2008)

Some think our far northern friends in Norway behave a little peculiar at times due in part to the extreme weather conditions they live with. I don't know about all that weather mumbo jumbo but something helped spawn the carnage that is black metal in their otherwise mild-mannered culture. This doco looks a little into the music's background, the players involved in the early days and how things got seriously shit shaped. What is described as essentially an escape from mundanity does become something else when crimes are being committed such as church burning and murder. Interviews with some of the guys involved such as Varg Vikernes, who was in prison at the time of filming, and Fenriz shed an illuminating light on to what may have been swirling around in their heads at the time. There is no mention of any mind altering substances though which you have to wonder may have contributed to Vikernes' heinous murder of his bandmate. His description of the event sounds deluded despite his obvious intellectual tact. He's cold as hell about it too. As he mentions driving a knife into a skull his tone of voice resembles that which may be used to describe a wine bottle being opened. 

Interesting stuff in all but it could have definitely benefitted with a shorter running time of 60 minutes. Fans of the genre may dig on all the inane details but for someone with only a casual interest it was too much.  

Norway; I got to visit thee.

3/5

Conviction (2010)

This is like a true crime telemovie but with some classy actors and a polished production. Hilary Swank is suitably rugged yet vulnerable as the little battler trying to free her sibling from a life behind bars. Sam Rockwell is her rough-nut brother who has been locked up for the grisly slaughter of some poor young lady. Rockwell's been in some interesting movies over the years but I've always been slightly unsettled by his presence. I think with this film I'm finally onboard with him though. Super glad that's all sorted out. He's very good as a guy with a tonne of character who struggles living within the confines of the law. Melissa Leo appears as a ball busting cop. She appears in everything these days so no surprises to see her mug popping up here as well. Also I didn't realise Minnie Driver was still making movies. How you like them apples?

This is a genuinely touching story especially as it is based on reality so it's a shame it does have that telemovie feel. I also felt slightly uncomfortable with the way the passing of years was dealt with. It felt a little awkward but that's a small gripe to be honest. 
Worth seeing if you feel like some vague heart string pulling and prodding and poking.

3.5/5

Grave of the Fireflys (1988)

This lovely Japanese tale of siblings trying to survive during the midst of WW2 just about cracked my beautiful porcelain exterior. While not preaching about the horrors of war it makes it plain to see the tragedy. The animation and sound are spot on at capturing a tranquil landscape shattered by relentless hailstorms of bombs. They also capture the tender relationship of the brother and sister in their quest to stay together and stay alive. 

Director Isao Takahata is a legend of the Anime scene and was a founder of Studio Ghibli. In case you are ignorant of this sort of thing I should inform you they are the studio responsible for Spirited Away (2001) and Howls Moving Castle (2004). I hope that helped. Casting my eyes over some of his other directorial efforts a story about shape shifting racoons caught my eye. Pompoko (1994), I believe we have a date!

This is recommenced if not essential viewing at some stage of your life regardless of your feelings about animation, war or ugly truth bombs.

4/5