Babies

This documentary follows a baby from Japan, the USA, Mongolia and Namibia from birth until they begin to walk. It is exactly as you would think. The baby in Namibia is raised by tribal women, wears no diapers ever, teeths on an old animal bone, is filthy except when his mom spits on him, and is treated like just another kid by the sibs. The baby in Mongolia is tied to a bed when the mother is outside, is allowed to run free with goats and cattle, and is brought home on a motocycle. The baby in Japan is doted upon (even though it is a girl) and is set up for academic work by the age of 1. The San Francico kid is smothered by a boring mother whose reaction is always a sense of ridiculous calm- and when hit in the face, pulls out a book called "no hitting", has her kid in a group where they sing about mother earth while the kid tries to escape (probably wishing she LIVED on the earth like the Mongolian kid), and of course, despite her hippie parents she is surrounded by plastic toys and expensive, unnecessary strollers. It is obvious which babies will grow up to be calm and happy (Namibia and especially Mongolia) and which baby will be pushed (Tokyo) and which will run away at 16 (san Fran). This would be a great film for a pregnant mom to see- it does show how babies are made to survive. And a little dirt doesn't kill them- well, not usually.

Tyson

This documentary uses Mike Tyson himself to review the life and career of a man whose brilliant boxing was lost when he was charged with rape. And of course, when he bit off part of Holyfield's ear. It's easy to see Tyson as a fighting animal- ready to kill. He describes his rage at Holyfield at one point- and wanting to kill him in the ring. Yet, when he talks about his childhood and the bullies he had to fight, when he talks about not wanting to ever fight or hurt anyone, a little part of the viewer believes him. I think Tyson believes himself. But he is probably wrong. His early career bond to his trainer, Cus D'Amato, is that of a child to a parent. Tyson is fatherless and when he gets the guidance and training of D'Amato, he becomes a fighter of unbelievable speed and strength. Perhaps Tyson's future would have been different had Cus lived. In the archival footage, it is almost impossible to see some of his punches- they are that fast. But then, on a rape conviction Tyson denies, he goes to prison for 3 years. Prison is a horrible experience for Tyson. There is still fear and sadness in his eyes when he speaks of his prison experience. He is afraid he will die- because prisoners have nothing to lose and to take down Mike Tyson would be the ultimate status. He knows he is vulnerable there. But he makes it out. The most interesting thing about this documentary is how Tyson varies from a childlike view of the world to becoming a menacing and brutal machine. He sheds tears. But he is always on the lookout for the next bully. This is a very strong film. You cannot walk away from it without an opinion. But you will walk away sure of the incredible talent of the boxing skills Tyson possessed. And maybe pity for the man that circumstance shaped.

American Teen

Director Nanette Burstein spent a 1000 hours filming 5 teens in Warsaw Indiana, trying to capture the essence of the commonality of the adolescent to adult experience in the senior year of high school. These are real kids. And they have all hotly stated that they were NOT scripted, but were trying desperately to get out of high school and into college. If you had any angst or trauma in high school, you will remember it as you watch. There is the incredibly unlikeable "popular" over achiever and head bitch, Megan; the jock, Colin, being overwhelmed with the need for an athletic scholarship; the most socially inept and oblivious horndog nerdy boy you'll ever see- Jake; the cool guy who ditches a girl with a text message, Mitch; and a very cute girl who considers herself "different", when what she is really is a sweet and talented and spirited girl who is far more decent than the other girls at her high school- Hannah. It is absorbing. And really, universal. You KNOW these people and you KNOW these parents. But of all, it is Hannah, the creative and exhuberant girl, who is essentially motherless with an adorable grandma, who will earn your respect. And well, you will remember the girls from your high school (mine were named Vera, Lynette, Sandra and Lanier), who went to great lengths to make others miserable while acting as if it was "just a joke". Enjoy.

The King of Kong or a Fistful of Quarters

There is not a better documentary showing most of the various aspects of human behavior. This is about a guy from Redmond named Steve Wiebe (wee-bee), who decides to be the world champion in Donkey Kong. This involves presenting a videotaped score of his million point game done in his garage in front of his wife and kids. Steve seems unaware that there is a cadre of worshippers of the current point holder- one Mr Billy Mitchell. Steve isn't allowed to use his legal score because one of Mitchell's "enemies" sold Wiebe the motherboard that runs his personal Kong machine- and there is suspicion that Wiebe is a cheat. It is basically true throughout the documentary that Wiebe is, especially at first, seemingly the ONLY honest person. Mitchell is allowed to submit a very suspect tape that beats Wiebe. And the oddball group of adolescent-like adults are thrilled that their erstwhile bullying leader and hero can keep his record. Mitchell has obviously been beaten. Mitchell is allowed to get away with tape submissions while Wiebe is forced to play live. Mitchell doesn't agree to play Wiebe in a live game, but drones on and on in the film about how live play is the only real thing. He doesn't see his own stupidity. When the time comes for the match, Wiebe has a family in tow, but Mitchell brings along a wife who looks like she could be being paid to be there. Mitchell does not play live. Wiebe has everything that Mitchell does not- but he has to win this title. In the end, it boils down to the Guiness World Record people, a record keeper for the gaming industry, and the honest determination of Wiebe not to let a bunch of childish, poor sports beat him. One classic scene has Wiebe showing up randomly to eat at a restaurant that is coincidentally owned by Mitchell. One of the weenie adults whines to Mitchell on the phone "we didn't invite him". Ah, memories of junior high. Wiebe is a successful science teacher in Redmond WA, and he is a role model for kids of all ages.
http://www.billyvssteve.com/ is the official site.