Raiders! The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made (2015)

Two friends since childhood get funding to complete their shot-to-shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark.  They’ve’ been making it every summer since they were kids (with a long hiatus in there after high school) and they now finally have the money and passion to film the last scene on their bucket list, the famous Nazi bomber fight scene between Indiana and the Nazi boxing mechanic.   Look, I used to make home videos too.  But what these kids did (and what their parents let them do) is unbelievable.  I envy them to be honest.  This documentary tells their story and shares scenes from their fan film.  What it must have been like to be one of their friends, conned into dressing up as a German solider or Egyptian and do what they said.  The best part of the film though for me isn’t really the movie they’re making but the ups and down of their friendship.  Kudos for keeping your flame alive, guys!   May this film inspire a generation of new film makers.  Grade: B+

Aparajito (1956)

The sequel to Pather Panchali, this second film in the Apu Trilogy starts off in the town of Varanasi where Apu’s family had gone to make a new start.  His father is working as a priest and his mother is working as maid.   Again their lives are turned upside down by tragedy and Apu and his mother move back into the country to her uncle.   The film continues to follow Apu all the way through college and his demanding mother wants him to return home.   This story wasn’t as poetic as the first one but it’s still a remarkable achievement in film.  The conflict between mother and son is unforgettable.   It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve watched two films in this trilogy so far.  At one time I thought I’d never see it because of its unavailability. Thank Criterion for making it possible for us to watch such amazing cinema.  Grade: A

Deadpool (2016)

The film all fan boys are praising and dream of seeing get nominated for Best picture:  I finally saw it.  And it was a really fun and raunchy superhero blending of spoof and action.   Ryan Reynolds plays the title character, an assassin set on getting revenge for the underground organization that turned him into a gross looking superhero freak.   Morena Baccarin plays the love of his life, who he abandons because he wants to protect her.  Reynolds is born to play this role and he is on fire with comic timing and anti-hero charm.  I wouldn’t say it’s the greatest superhero film of all time or anything, but it is an enjoyable rated-R experience.   My favorite bit had to do with Dead pool’s old and blind roommate.   With its tongue and cheek humor and explosive action, this is one all Superhero fans should check out.  Grade: B+

Audrie and Daisy (2016)

This depressing but very important documentary tells two similar stories of young teenager girls being raped and how their assault and people’s reactions ruined their lives.  While watching this film, I became enraged and dumbfounded by the meanness of people.  Daisy’s story is probably the most disgusting because an entire town would rather protect the school’s star football player than believe her story.  The fact that said football player was the grandson of a state politician only made me fume more.   Only the victims were punished and the accused rapists never showed an ounce of regret.   No, means no!  This is a film every parent should watch with their kids and have a long discussion about.  We need to hammer into our sons’ heads that a drunken partner can’t give consent and you never pressure anyone into saying yes.   What are we people, cave men!  Grade: A-

Love and Mercy (2014)

I’m not that much of a Beach Boys fan but I love this film.  I had no knowledge of Brian Wilson’s troubles nor did I know how much of a musical genius he was.   This film by Bill Pohlad tells Wilson’s story from two points in time: when he was younger (Paul Dano) and recorded his best album (in my opinion at least) Pet Sounds and when he’s middle-aged (John Cusack) and he falls in love while under the treatment of Dr. Eugene Landy, a scumbag.  Dano’s section is my favorite.  He gives such a bold and wild performance that demonstrates how intense and innovated Wilson was.  I gained a real appreciation of Wilson’s work.   Cusack’s section is equally fascinating but I wouldn’t say his performance is as good.  It’s a good performance and of all Cusack's most recent work it's his best, but Cusack doesn’t share Dano’s range.   The fact that Cusack and Dano look nothing alike doesn’t hurt the film at all.   The love story with Elizabeth Banks is wonderful and the fact it’s true is very inspiring.  A really cool film.  Grade: A-

Pather Panchali (1955)

The first in a trilogy, this is on almost every Greatest Film list I’ve seen.   I’ve been wanting to see it forever but it’s been out of print.  Believe it or not, the original negative burned in a fire.  I could have seen a VHS version of it about six years ago but I decided to hold out for this rumored (and now reality) restored version.  It’s a miracle that Criterion and team were able to bring this film back to form and I applaud their heroic efforts.  Thank god we have such artists out there to keep such monumental works alive.   This is the first film I’ve seen of legendary director Satyajit Ray.  I plan to see everything I can of his from now on.  This is a beautiful and tragic film that I know without a doubt would have found it amazing even if I had not known how revered it is among film scholars around the world.   Based on the novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, it tells the story of a rural family with three children.  The father wants to become a poet someday and that leaves his wife to take care of their children.   Living with them is an old woman who bickers with the wife all the time.   I fell in love with this family and found each of them so vibrant with life.   The black and white imagery is so stunning that I can’t get the images out of my head.   I have to say it, this is a perfect film.  Grade: A+

I Am Your Father (2014)

This documentary is about David Prowse, the actor who played Darth Vader from the original Star Wars film.  It’s really enjoyable but I think director Marcos Cabota and Toni Bestard shoot themselves in the foot by seemingly promising to show us a reshoot of Darth Vader’s death scene where David is used in Darth Vader’s reveal instead of actor Sebastian Shaw.   Also I don’t find it criminal that Lucas decided to go with another actor to play Anakin in that moment.   Bitter grapes though can be dramatic and help cause many a conspiracy.  Yet getting to know Mr. Prowse and seeing all of his accomplishments is rewarding.   If you’re a Star Wars fan this is a must-see.  And if you’re not, it’s at least a fascinating look at the impact playing such an iconic part can have on a person.  Grade: B+

Spoilers:  I’m on the fence with the whole “let’s reshoot the reveal scene” gimmick.  For one, it sucks we can’t see it.  You feel bamboozled and that’s not cool.  Second, you don’t even need it.  Prowse’s life and personality alone is enough for a documentary without making it a film about the making of a mini-film.  (His work as the Green Cross Code Man for example is really cool.) Lucasfilm, in my opinion, should let Cabota release his little reshoot.  It’s harmless for one.  And second it would make David happy.  Is his ban from Lucasfilm events warranted?   Does Lucasfilm own him anything like an apology?  That’s up to the viewer (although the filmmakers make their opinion quite clear).  I personally think all the attention inflated his ego a bit, but that’s okay, he’s Darth Vader and that’s really awesome.   Let’s leave the man alone and enjoy the rest of his years with his fine family.