The city treasurer is to toss out the ceremonial first pitch of the baseball game, but decidedes to start with a rambling speech about local government activities and history. This is well done dry comedy.
Reviews
4 Reviews
The Entire Universe
(2016 TV Movie)
The science seems accurate, but the comedy is weak
3 January 2018
The Entire Universe has the feeling of a variety show, but one that is focused on the physics of the universe. Comedy, music, and dancing are used to give the basics of the contemporary understanding of the physics of the universe.
Unfortunately, the entertainment garnishes largely fall flat and leave little time for anything beyond a statement of findings. A more straightforward science program could, in the same amount of time and on an admittedly very basic level, which is the level I am at, explain how physicists have come to these conclusions, and probably be nearly as entertaining.
Unfortunately, the entertainment garnishes largely fall flat and leave little time for anything beyond a statement of findings. A more straightforward science program could, in the same amount of time and on an admittedly very basic level, which is the level I am at, explain how physicists have come to these conclusions, and probably be nearly as entertaining.
Informative yet shallow
23 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The state of knowledge about jazz is so abysmal that a film like this can simultaneously be informative and shallow. It can tell the non-initiated quite a lot of biographical details, as this film does adeptly with saxophonist John Coltrane, but still not give more than cursory attention to Coltrane's greatest accomplishment, his music.
Despite the inclusion of musicians like Reggie Workman and critics like Ben Ratliff, very little time is spent describing the details of Coltrane's music as it relates to the context of jazz. Sure, Cornel West talks about how the music moves him in his trademark wonderfully loquacious manner and Bill Clinton says the same in the way that he talks, but it was all telling, not showing. The film really did not explain how Coltrane modified bop with denser and faster playing. Or how Coltrane took the, already brilliant, already out there, free jazz work from the likes of Ornette Coleman and Sun Ra and made it his chaotic yet soulful yet violent own.
Perhaps this would have gone over the head of the average viewer, but at least it would have been an attempt to explain what made Coltrane notable.
Despite the inclusion of musicians like Reggie Workman and critics like Ben Ratliff, very little time is spent describing the details of Coltrane's music as it relates to the context of jazz. Sure, Cornel West talks about how the music moves him in his trademark wonderfully loquacious manner and Bill Clinton says the same in the way that he talks, but it was all telling, not showing. The film really did not explain how Coltrane modified bop with denser and faster playing. Or how Coltrane took the, already brilliant, already out there, free jazz work from the likes of Ornette Coleman and Sun Ra and made it his chaotic yet soulful yet violent own.
Perhaps this would have gone over the head of the average viewer, but at least it would have been an attempt to explain what made Coltrane notable.
Owl and Mouse
(2014)
Good Fun!
16 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Set in an anthropomorphic word, this is a delightful stop-motion tale of an owl that helps a mouse get in from the rain and then has to resist the urge to hunt the mouse. Despite this premise, the picture keeps a lighthearted and fun tone and is something that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Tell Your Friends