Reviews
Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959)
a remarkable documentary visually and musically
a film full of magic and superb music. Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 -- with shots as well of the America's Cup races that year that don't add much. Diverse musicians, including Monk, Armstrong. Highlights: Chico Hamilton Quintet -- visually stunning; Fred Katz practicing in a bedroom with light and smoke framing the Bach Cello #1; Anita O'Day in total synch with the audience; the interplay between Armstrong and his band; and many more. One of my favorite movies ever.
Say Anything... (1989)
A sleeper for years, but wonderful
What is easy to overlook in this movie are the values implicit in it. Conrad Dobler, the hero, is a person of extraordinary character and goodness , whose virtues cast into sharp relief the more conventional good qualities that the heroine possesses. If you are a teacher (I am), you realize that we should be producing in our schools people like Conrad Dobler, that they are worth a thousand people who are less kind, loving, responsible. It's also a very funny movie.