Every now and again, one is left with an assortment of films that has no rhyme of reason. In one hand, I have a documentary that is ultimately against the concept of Global Warming, but that doesn’t take the whole “Democrats are evil lying Liberal Commies” approach; an anti-sexist, fictional account of a 1968 Ford Sewing Strike; and a chick flick with Patricia Clarkson. In the other hand, I am faced with an IMAX flick that shows us how cool it is to ride in a helicopter with Martin Sheen whispering into your ear; an Academy Award-nominated animated film suitable for all audiences; and a god-awful animated Belgian turkey that isn’t suitable for any audience but Adolf Hitler.
And so, with absolutely nothing to connect more than two films here whatsoever with, it is my less-than-confident pleasure to welcome you to the latest chapter of Catching Up At The Video Store: “A Little Of This, A Little Of That.”
Enjoy.
· Cool It (2010) (Lions Gate)
The Short Version: Yet another movie to annoy your Right Wing friends with.
The Slightly-Elongated Version: No, it’s not the UK TV series with human puppet Phil Cool of the same name. Instead, director Ondi Timoner presents us with this documentary about The Skeptical Environmentalist author Bjørn Lomborg. Instead of going the usual route that most “documentaries about saving the planet” seem to go down — declaring that we’re doomed and all that jazz — Lomborg presents viewers with a number of innovative ideas and original concepts to stop the threat of Global Warming and save the human race (although as to why anyone would want to do such a thing is beyond me). The movie received a limited theatrical screening in the US, which is a bit surprising considering Lomborg himself is supposed to disbelieve the concept of Global Warming himself. Either way, here’s your chance to see it for yourself.
· Made In Dagenham (2010) (Sony Pictures)
The Short Version: Somebody should show this flick to all of the Walmart workers of the world.
The Slightly-Elongated Version: From Nigel Cole, the guy who helmed such Brit Hits as Saving Grace and Calendar Girls, comes this tale based on the true-life 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike incident. The story here (which takes a certain amount of liberties in order to make it all the more dramatic, naturally) focuses on the fictional character of Rita O’Grady (Sally Hawkins), who organizes a strike that ultimately shuts down an entire Ford Motor plant in Dagenham, England (yes, they have Fords there, too, kids) after the factory’s male superiors refuse to give them equal pay and rights and stuff. Miranda Richardson, Rosamund Pike and the great Bob Hoskins also star in this anti-sexism masterpiece that boasts some truly wonderful retro fashions. Also available on Blu-ray.
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