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100 Days to Indy: Knocking at the Door (2023)
Knocking Down The Door ...
This second episode of the first season in 100 Days to INDY does not disappoint in the overview of what may motivate someone to take up racing cars as a life's purpose and work.
The production value of meeting and talking with drivers where they live breaks outside of a packaged approach in public relations and allows for a more comfortable and observational view in the life of a person professionally addicted to competition. Meanwhile, all of the teams know there is no time like the present to make an early statement in pursuit of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season points championship as racing moves from a temporary street course to a very high-speed banked oval track where everyone who is set up right, can roll with their foot planted on the pedal.
The action on the track is gripping and has one asking, can the intensity of this level of competition get moved any higher? In INDYCAR, anything is possible.
100 Days to Indy: Crowded at the Top (2023)
In INDYCAR, It's Always Crowded At The Top
If one follows the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on a season by season basis, it is amazing to even the most informed and jaded fan how the drivers in the field step it up to a higher level year after year. Here in 2023, the number of drivers fielded has increased, so how can it be anything but crowded at the top?
This first episode took on the monumental task to entice and introduce a broad audience to the intense micro-aggression world of high-level technologically advanced formula open-wheel automobile racing.
So many elements and facets that could have been included did not make the cut, but as an introduction to the human elements combined with the levels of commitment required to be here in INDYCAR, not much was left off of the table given the restrictions of time and pace required to fill a first episode running 42.23.
The beauty of this docuseries effort is that it doesn't get bogged down in detail while capturing the personalities and enterprise found in the most dynamic professional racing series on Earth. In the walk up to the INDY 500, known by its tagline as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" - 100 Days To INDY and its first episode sets the table for the rich living and racing yet to come before we get to the biggest story of all - the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge here in 2023. Looking forward to what is next with anticipation.
The Real Anthony Fauci (2022)
Nothing Is Taller Than The Truth
Anyone who became familiar with Science through Scientific Method, knew immediately who the real Anthony Fauci was when he stated that "He Was Science" when people fielded questions about the discrepancies in statements he made against conflictive evidences observed.
After over.37 years as the head of a service, formed and run by our taxpayer dollars (how does this happen without owning a private business?) to serve the citizens who pay for it, one wonders just what good is the NIH to our way of Constitutional Freedom and culture.
Dr. Anthony Fauci (who hasn't practiced as a real Medical Doctor since he became the 5th Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) behaves that his authority is owed to him and postures himself as the tallest authority in the room. After watching this documentary, one begins to understand that there is nothing taller than the ... truth.
Becoming (2020)
Nothing New If One Was Paying Attention
Where most documentaries go deep, this Netflix Obama produced Michelle Obama portrait stays at a pure surface portrayal. This "Becoming" is more about the former FLOTUS's inspirational personality, which was already laid out on display during the last 13 years of Michelle being in the public eye. So, in review - nothing new.
Killers Anonymous (2019)
Story Premise-Trick Doesn't Work
Not a "John Wick" wack'em style kinda' movie ... not until a very dis-satisfying conclusion. Frankly, not worth the wait especially given the premise-trick trying to shroud these story events with the trappings of a twelve-step program. Ham-handed and un-entertainingly slow with lazy overtones.
Driven to Race (2010)
Driven To Race - A Passion, Process, And Culture That Can Never Be Squelched
Cargo Productions, in concert with MAZDASPEED Motorsports, have created a documentary style film depicting the process, competition & commitment of drivers, teams, sponsors, and culture displayed through the course of a 12 race season in an open-wheel automobile racing series.
For the record - Cargo Productions produced the film independently and had complete creative control. Mazda USA and MAZDASPEED Motorsport were pleased Cargo Productions chose one of the many racing series Mazda has a commitment to for automobile technology and driver development, but did not fund or influence the film. It is largely due to this distinction, Driven To Race stands on its own as one of the best documentaries about a competitive pursuit, any competitive pursuit, ever made.
The "Premiere" screening was held for a select group of invitees to the 2010 MAZDASPEED Motorsports pre-season media gathering held at The District, Tustin Legacy to rave reviews. The evening was introduced by Mazda Sr. VP Robert Davis who gave an update as to what was new and expectations for the 2010 racing season and the famed MAZDASPEED Motorsports ladder series development and participation.
For our money here at The EDJE, we could not have become more informed or entertained about all the surrounding aspects in what it takes to be a part of the disciplined pursuit of motorsports competition.
Driven To Race is a must see and must have film to view and share over, and over, as it is the best effort of its type to ever be produced ... a hallmark of honesty, information, and entertainment!
... notes from The EDJE
Chasing Perfect (2019)
Lessons Learned In The Needs-Satisfaction World Of "Chasing Perfect"
The first half in a life lived as a motorcycle competitor, artist, pursuer of nature, perfectionist and ... mobility solutions designer, Frank Stephenson.
"Chasing Perfect" is a documentary style film production by Salon Pictures and Lionsgate UK that is a biographical look behind the curtain of the creative and commercially productive life of Casablanca born, Frank Stephenson.
So, just who is this man who was placed into our everyday mobility consciousness?
Many people are not aware, but they are met with Stephenson designed solutions when outside of their homes through the traveling designs of the Ford Escort, the BMW X5, the re-birth of the MINI, the modern version of the Fiat 500, as well as the establishment of McLaren in the world of (can this be said?) everyday drive and affordable supercar - a calculation most supercar creators and purveyors do not consider when they create a near 200mph, or better, transportation solution that is meant to be reliably driven (as opposed to being tinkered with in the tune-up shop) everyday.
To label Frank as an artist minimizes the totality of what evolves through the many influences and points of information designer Stephenson has to consider and digest before he is given a target assignment objective and places a drawing instrument to a sheet of paper.
This documentary evolves into an enticing study in the life of an eternally young man who understands that perfection is elusive but for one convergent moment, achievable, given that ultimately, what's produced has to deliver its desired effect, one customer at a time.
This is the very reason why anyone who engages in pursuits that are designed to hit their target, be it a grocer, a lawyer, a boat builder, a healthcare specialist, a government services employee, a salesman, a teacher, a small business owner, or even a CEO would benefit from sitting down and investing an hour and thirty-one minutes experiencing "Chasing Perfect" with one who is never satisfied ... even when the project is over.
These viewing minutes will deliver many lessons when one wishes to become competent at chasing the concept of perfection throughout one's life.
"Chasing Perfect" can be acquired in North America as of July 9th, 2019 via digital download order, streaming, and DVD purchase through the following resources.
Amazon
iTunes
Google Play
REDBOX
VUDU
... or, just Search for your favorite portal of choice.
... notes from The EDJE
Free Fire (2016)
A sad day for a Scorsese movie credit
Where does one begin? - No actual story to the plot line - The fact that Martin Scorsese lent his name to this project - When no hand guns were allowed, everyone has a hand gun with enough munitions to fight ISIS in Mosul - The best things about the flick is a John Denver 8- Track tape and gunfire.
No amount of sarcasm masked as humor can out run the mindlessness of this film project. In order to be funny, there has to be an honesty or truth that, sadly, this film misses.
Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party (2016)
Solid "A" For Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party
If one becomes educated by this documentary, one has entered the theater with an attitude to be entertained and without an agenda (a mind open to truths).
The way this documentary is constructed, it could have been named the other way around because the background (The Secret History of the Democratic Party) is needed to be told before one gets introduced to the continuum that becomes "Hillary's America." This background will prove itself to be informative to almost anyone, especially those who received their formal education (no matter the level of attainment) in these last 50 or so years.
A 9 out of 10 isn't promotional but was placed there to urge those who enjoy knowing about some of the unique roots of American politics and are not afraid to be exposed to the reasons for some of the political landscape (Establishment vs Outsider presidential primary season) we all find our country in today.
Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party will not disappoint ... even at full fare theater prices.
Racing Through the Forest (2018)
Spoken word documentary "Racing Through the Forest" at Pebble Beach delivers a 'Must See'
Boxes that contain photographs arranged in albums (not just images) of times shared in a lifetime are nothing more than just books with photos. It takes other humans who have courage, patience, acumen, and heart to attempt to capture context and tales associated with the lives and times of a bygone era so important to our modern day motor culture ... here, and throughout the world.
Race car driver, Rick Knoop is one such person who, with the support and talents of film-maker Dean Kirkland, Rick's wife Cydette Vikander Knoop, and the rest of the organization at K&K Productions, who stepped up to the challenge to bring forward the stories behind the images stored in book placed in a box then conducted and edited over 50 interviews, 100's of photos, and archive film into one 1 hour 16 minutes piece of informative movie entertainment.
For those who may have been unfamiliar with Rick, he is the son of Fred 'Frosty' Knoop who also happened to be a driver of sport cars while ranching, raising and judging horses in Northern California. Rick came by his skill through his DNA, in that Frosty raced sport cars in the formative years of modern road racing through the woods of the Monterey Peninsula.
For Rick's contribution to motor culture, as a driver, Rick consistently won and placed in the world's most challenging and prestigious sports car races that include his victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to winning at Daytona.
This seminal set of races also placed in motion the process of finding lighter, faster, more powerful, nimble cars from around the world and helped to fashion a racing resource template used today that has its motor culture roots firmly based in the forest around Pebble Beach.
Rick Knoop and Dean Kirkland delivered on the promise these photographs stored in an album and held in a box to be brought back to life with heart in a way an image could never do ... through film.
A must see film where the heart of the making of the presentation comes through in every frame and leaves an indelible and permanent impression.
... notes from The EDJE
Champion (2013)
Grandpa, Teenager, and a misplaced dog - what could go wrong?
Actress Dora Madison Burge of "Friday Night Lights" stars as Madison (Maddy), a spoiled big city 16-year-old with a full teenage social life. But when her mom is deployed overseas for three months, Maddy is sent to live with her hard-nosed grandfather (Lance Henriksen of ALIENS) at his rural cattle ranch.
In this strange environment with no Wi-Fi phone/computer access, Maddy will meet cute 17-year-old dog trainer Eli (Cody Linley of "Hannah Montana" and CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN), grow to love and respect her stubborn grandpa, and bond with an old cattle dog who just may have the potential to be a blue ribbon champion. They bond through their mutual sense of displacement and the two outcasts form this special bond in this heartwarming story about the meaning of family, the courage of outcasts, and the promise of new beginnings.
It is refreshing to see a movie that understands what its charter is and seizes it. Yes, if one is gaming, the movie is predictable but the writing, acting interplay with actors in pivotal scenes, and the un-disruptive ending leaves the viewer with hope and a title for family viewing.
This Is Life with Lisa Ling: Unholy Addiction (2014)
Not as myopically focused as to the influence of the Mormon religion as one might fear.
Lisa Ling investigates prescription drug abuse in, and around, Salt Lake City, Utah.
She does her best to have a real connection to those who become troubled and off a path of living a life on its own terms without the requirement of pain-killers, heroin, speed, and etc..
In the end, she discovers that help for those who are afflicted with this American family tragedy can only come if people come to the end of themselves and the secret life they have to pursue in order to keep the sham of this painful life alive.
Worth a watch!