An Inconvenient Truth outlines the science of global warming and tracks the understanding of it in the American consciousness. One of the film's achievements is it's ability to articulate the difference between controversial understandings of global warming and other environmental concerns in the media and the academic scientific consensus on data that isn't controversial at all.

Al Gore narrates, and his personal ancedotes and experiences abound, but the documentary is saved from being propaganda by its scientific soundness. There are, of course, a few jabs at the "current administration," but they are muted and ultimately justified within the context of the film. And while the tagline that my friend Ryan came up with of "The Story of One Man and his Powerbook" isn't that far off the mark, the film is definitely worth your time. 5/5.

1 Comments Tuesday, June 13, 2006, 6/13/2006 11:37:00 AM

Ever wanted to hear Scarlett Johansson talk? Then check out the trailer for Scoop, the upcoming Woody Allen movie opening on July 28th, 2006.

0 Comments , 6/13/2006 10:16:00 AM

Sudden cravings for ramen and a visit to Mitsuwa has brought back memories of Tampopo (1985). Juzo Itami's "Noodle Western" is a hilarious and entirely competent take on a plethora of familiar sounding narratives: the quest for the perfect recipie, the unfulfilled patriarchal needs of a woman and her son, reference to the japanese revival of western themes in film, sex and food (quite literally), and the shining fulfillment of monetary, capitalist, needs. Itami infuses his film with irony and wit, and Yamazaki Tsutomu is excellently cast with Nobuko Miyamoto.

Sadly, Tampopo is out of print, but I'm loving these DVD covers and posters I'm finding online. 5/5.

0 Comments Friday, June 09, 2006, 6/09/2006 02:18:00 PM