Loving Highsmith - 2022 - 6/10 Documentary on novelist Patricia Highsmith. Childhood, impossible relationship with her mother (who rejected her), romantic dalliances. Talking heads include relatives (nieces?) and partners, along with experts. Scenes from four film adaptations: Strangers On A Train (1951), The American Friend (1977) from “Ripley’s Game”, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), and Carol (2015). The doc is enlightening, and maddeningly opaque. Dialogue is in English, French and German. The version I saw had no subtitles. One gleans the gist of conversations, but unless you are multi-lingual I suggest you hold off until this comes with subtitles. For now, stick with her listing on Wikipedia.
Released by the UN, doc entitled "Living in a Time of Dying": Don't dare try to discuss this . . . it is verboten.
Fyre the biggest party that never happened (something like that) Interesting I had never heard of it before Billie Jean King big tennis fan in those days. The Bobby Riggs match. Largest crowd to watch a match Kareem Abdul Jabbar A minority of one Some great footage. LEW on ed Sullivan in 1965 best high school players Houston at UCLA largest crowd for BB game Both sports events at the Houston Astrodome
Bukowski At Bellevue - 1970 - 6/10 One hour film of Charles Bukowski giving an early poetry reading. Audio quality is a tad muffled, but understandable throughout. Video is black n white, often out of focus, dirty, and freezes frequently. For Bukowski fans, this is must-see as he is fairly relaxed and steady the whole time. The audience is quiet and attentive. Poetry buffs, perhaps? 1970 would be considered the late 60's. Contrast with There's Gonna Be A God Damn Riot In Here from 1979. By then, his growing acclaim drew audiences not into poetry, often disrespectful. This earlier film catches him younger, just before “Post Office” and the fame thing.
Watched Laurel Canyon on YT. It was pleasant for the most part. Wished for way more Love. Their story were the most interesting parts. Finished the second episode of Taken Hostage on PBS. Not as good as the first but still really good. A politician as thoughtful and empathetic as Carter wouldn't last in today's arena.
Another of those Lucy Worsley programs on PBS - this one about the Witchhunt frenzy in 1500s Scotland. Very interesting and I wonder if it is actually true that Scotland was uniquely the source of the mania. lucy worsley witches - Google Search Lucy is a bit of an acquired taste - I don't know if I am more annoyed with those pursed lips and that lisp or have developed a new fetish.
On National Geographic, Retrograde, about the US pullout from Afghanistan. Told from the perspective of a young Afghan district commander who watches his US Special Forces allies leave, then tries to hold on to his command. Riveting. Retrograde | National Geographic Documentary Films
Is That Black Enough For You on Netflix. Terrific documentary about the history of black movies, mostly focusing on the early days through the 1970s. I wish it was longer so that it could have gone even deeper and covered the 1980s and beyond. Two hours isn't enough.
