Boundaries for Documentaries?

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I googled "controversial films" and all that came up were the recently made documentaries over the government, oil crisis, war in Iraq, American diet, etc.  I'm not so sure yet how I feel about these films that cover such controversial topics.  These films are obviously independent because there is not a single Hollywood studio that would touch these projects with a ten foot pole.  While I do love to watch documentaries and go "behind the scenes," I almost feel that these film producers and directors are going a little too far.  The world knows that America's government and economy sucks, we know that 92% of Americans are too fat, and we know that "the earth is going to melt soon from the oil crisis and everything that comes with it."  Do we really need more media out there shoving all of this garbage down our throat?  I do keep up with these issues and yes, I definitely have my own opinions on them.  However, I don't really care to watch a movie over someone else's opinion on these touchy, yet boring, subjects, whether I agree with them or not.  Also, this is probably going to sound somewhat weird, but in ten years, granted the earth is still here, I don't really want my son or daughter to google 'earth' for a science project, and up pops a youtube video of Al Gore saying that we'll all be melting soon.  I guess by the end of this post, I have formed somewhat of an opinion, and that is that documentary films are interesting and educating, but the current generation of doc filmmakers are taking the action a little too far. 

Top 10 Indie Films

A close friend and I ended up in a heated discussion over the following, but I compiled a list of independent films that I think are simply the best.  I could sit here and analyze each and every film and give a reason as to why I think they are the best, but that will not interest you and it will only give me carpel tunnel.  Clearly, this is just my opinion so I am very open to other's comments on this subject. 

1. The Squid and the Whale (duh!)

2. The Savages

3. Hotel Rwanda

4. Requiem for a Dream

5. Little Miss Sunshine

6. Donnie Darko

7. Crash

8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

9. American Beauty

10. Pulp Fiction

Film as Art

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I think film is one of the greatest mediums of art. With a painting, it was only the painter who created it. With a photograph, it was only the photographer who created it. By now, you should get my point. But with a film, there is the script that was written by a writer or several writers. There is the actual picture created by a cinematographer. The characters created by actors. The entire story created by the director. The list could go on and on. Therefore, while I admire any piece of art, I appreciate a film in a much deeper sense whenever I watch one. I am currently taking a 'Film and Media Aesthetics' course, and it has shown me ways to look at a film that I never thought was possible. I'll try not to turn this into a lecture but I do stress the importance of the following facts: Film has the power to tell stories and express emotions. It is through form and style that draws us in, like Hitchcock's films. The formal patterns of a film trigger ideas and emotions in our heads; that's how film works. Film offers us life experiences we might otherwise not have. In simple terms, the art of film depends on technology and how it's used. Artwork is meant to engage our senses, feelings, and mind in process. How? The artist has created a pattern. And somehow with all of these confusing terms combined, plus a lot more, a film is created. Art is created. The richer our perception is when watching a film, the more complex our response becomes. Sure, it sounds cheesy, but the next time you go watch a movie remember that it's art and what you make of it is up to you.

What is an "Independent Film?"

I asked my sister to read my blog the other day and of course with her 13-year-old attitude she responded, "I don't even know what the heck an independent film is!"  So, I decided to clarify exactly what makes an independent film.  Basically, an "indie" film is any film that is made outside of the Hollywood studio system.  The Hollywood studio system is a group of major American film studios located primarily in Los Angeles but generally all over the world.  I'm not downgrading the big studios by any means, but in my opinion, most of the movies that come out of these powerhouses are just movies.  They are great for entertainment but usually have no purpose or emotional impact.  The executive pricks in charge of these studios usually will not even glance at a script that has thought to it.  It's all about the money instead of the art.  But that's an entirely different blog.  Which brings me to the notion that most independent films have a life lesson somewhere in there and can truly touch an audience.  Enough with my negativity... according to Wikipedia, "Independent films today are generally defined as American films financed and distributed by sources outside today's Big Six..."  So, it's not rocket science as to what an independent film is.  

The Squid and the Whale

First and foremost, The Squid and the Whale is my favorite independent film of all time.  However, for some reason whenever I find myself in a discussion over this movie, nobody has ever heard of it.  The movie has been a success with critics and every film festival that matters on earth, yet the general public has not been exposed to it much.  While it is a dramatic film and covers serious issues, there is a lot of comedy and dry humor throughout.  Everything from tennis to love affairs to sex to the life of a lame writer is given.  I'm not sure why I'm obsessed with this film, but it relates to everybody in some way, it's simple yet complex, and it's not just another flick that you see and forget.  It also stars my favorite actor, Laura Linney.  So if you have not seen it, rent it.  You'll love it.