Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
I’m kicking myself for missing the SPELLBOUND screening here in LA tonight. I’ve heard really great things about this from people I trust, and I think Mr. Beaks actually made it. I’m hoping he’ll write it up later this week, and I know that as soon as it’s playing, I’m going to check it out. In the meantime, here’s first time spy BG to tell you about the films he saw:
Hey Harry,
Short time reader, first time writer. I've currently been attending the San Jose "Maverick" Film Festival, and must say that I've enjoyed myself thoroughly. I'm reporting in this email about two Documentaries that have stuck out in my brain, and one that is nominated for an academy award: Con Man and Spellbound.
First, both of these documentaries really leave you enraptured at the films end. Con Man is the story of James Hogue, who re-entered High School at the age of 28, 10 years after graduating his original High School, subsequently got discovered and moved to Utah, where he then applied and was accepted Princeton (while in jail) and attended for 2 years until he was discovered and then Jailed again. The director and narrator Jesse Moss vividly paints the landscape of Hogue's life. He interviews everybody that had involvement with Hogue, from first and second High School classmates, to College mates and Cell mates, and the cell mate was of course the most entertaining. Moss does a great job bringing you into Hogue's world of deception, the web that he wove to fool almost everybody, and the type of person he is. As an added bonus, Moss was at the screening and fielded a Q&A session, which is one of the great benefits of being involved in this festival.
The second movie is Spellbound. What a treat, to see different children from all walks of life, their personalities and motivations, study habits and parental support was superbly done. The musical score and movie effects tied in well to the documentary, and it always remained on story. You got a glimpse into the lives of a handful of spellers who made nationals, their families stories, all leading up to the pressure cooker that is the national spelling bee. You get a true sense of Americana watching this movie and seeing just how unique and different Americans can be, and to showcase these kids who may have issues making friends in there local circles not having any issues with commonality and the other bee participants. I was so happy because I began to recollect my spelling bee's when I was a child, and how nervous I used to get. This really was the best in festival, and I recommend your readers to see it.
Ok, having said that, the festival folks decided to partner a short movie with Con Man, titled Our Man. Harry, if you do not get to see this absolute gem of a short, you are missing out on one of the greatest theatrical experiences I've ever had, and I've had many. I don't want to go into details because I do not want to ruin it for you or readers, but it's the story of an old man in a room writing a story. Sounds simple, but it turns out to be such an endearing story about purpose, childhood innocence, the imagination, and so much more. Kazuo Ohno, the director, did an absolutely brilliant job with this short. I do hope you get a chance to see it.
Anyway, thanks for a great website that keeps me entertained every day, and take care.
BG
Thanks, man. I’ll definitely check them both out as soon as I get the chance.
"Moriarty" out.
