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An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Funny how this movie's approval rating is the inverse of Bush's
And no coincidence. Those in the "reality" based community will be able to appreciate a film that is very clearly presented, factually rich, and geared to those without extensive scientific training. Gore makes a compelling moral case that is apolitical and that appeals to viewers' common sense - rather than the fear, anger, ignorance and greed of those who argue that massively unbalancing the planet's environment is somehow trivial, unavoidable, or nonexistent. While right-wing Bush loyalists will surely slam this film without seeing it, will argue that drilling for more oil in environmentally sensitive areas is better than employing existing technologies to eliminate our need for oil, that smoking is healthy, and that the earth is flat, any true "conservative" will be inspired to renew that now dead "conservative" notion of conservation. Remember the good old days of "conservative" Republicans: "If fish could vote, they'd vote for Nelson Rockefeller."
My only criticism is that the movie could have mentioned that nearly half of the CO2 released into the atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans (called the carbon sink), and that this has measurably raised oceanic acidity in the past few decades to the point where the shells of phytoplankton are dissolving. As phytoplankton are the base of the entire global food chain, the increased oceanic pH level will have catastrophic ramifications for all life on earth, starting with massive declines of oceanic life - which we are seeing already.
If you are someone with any concern for the future of earth, who realizes that the world is highly dynamic and not decreed fixed in stone tablets, and who wants to ensure that we and our children don't have to face catastrophic tragedy, this film is a must see. While some may savor the life ending potential global warming presents in the hope that biblical Revelations will bring an end to this world, those with vision, determination and a sense of moral responsibility can act to employ idle technologies and idle will and address a looming disaster that is barreling towards us with the same visibility as hurricane Katrina crossing the Gulf on a radar screen.
The Scarlet Letter (1926)
Anyone who considers silent film-making inferior to sound film-making needs to watch this film.
I watched this 1926 silent version and the 1934 sound version back to back, projected in a theater. The 1926 version was not only a more artfully shot film, but the depth of the characters and their relationships were immeasurably better. The story structure and additional focus on the developing relationship between Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale created enormous empathy, and the introduction of Roger Chillingworth was absolutely haunting and palpable. The 1934 sound version was deflated and unemotional by comparison. The 1926 film is very well cast, solidly structured, skillfully directed, and beautifully shot. The film's final scene will leave one almost breathless and wondering what will happen next in the lives of these settlers. It perfectly wraps this must see example of masterful storytelling. Anyone who considers silent film-making inferior to sound film-making needs to watch this film. You may be enlightened.