Feature Presentation--Checking in

Recount

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000771/

Tom recommended this movie and I finally checked it out. What a film. Basically it is supposed to be a dramatic re-enactment of the 2000 Presidential Election, and Spacey, Leary, Begley, Dern and a host of others give riveting performances. The focus of movie is in on several characters and their philosophical struggle about how to pursue their respective candidate’s rights at that moment in history, and if even half of the movie is true, then this country has really hit the skids. Ten years on, no one seems to reflect on this incident, and by no one, I mean me.

Anyway, check this out tonight. A tense drama with a cutting edge.

Michael Jordan to the Max

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245280/

During my recent illness I was looking for something short and low impact. Decided to rewatch this documentary of Jordan’s last playoff run. I was a big Jordan and the Bulls fan during the 90’s, despite living in Metro Detroit. I witnessed first hand the Jordan Rules and the roadblock to success that were the Pistons.

Any presentation of Jordan talks about several things: his competiveness; his PR savvy; and his incredible work ethic. The movie documents this as well as reflecting on his High School and College career, the first three peat, and his time in baseball after his father’s death. The film makes you confront the fact that, despite all of Jordan’s success, the Pacers and the Jazz almost took them out that year, showing that the line between success and failure is razor thin.

If you like basketball or sports based drama, you will definitely enjoy this.

Jordan Rides the Bus

http://30for30.espn.com/film/jordan-rides-the-bus.html

Continuing in the theme of remembering Jordan, this film looks at Jordan’s time pursuing his dream of playing baseball. Based on the interviews with those associated, it seems as if he had kept at it, he may have had a shot. Again, his work ethic was unmatched, as was his determination. Terry Francona was particularly complementary in his comments. But I’m a little skeptical that a man in his early 30’s, who had not played baseball in 15 years could be an every day player. I don’t put anything beyond Jordan but this would have been damn near impossible.

The film is extremely well done, showing sensitivity around the death of James Jordan, taking time to ponder the craziness that surrounded Jordan in his months with the Barons, detailing the daily struggle of being a baseball player, and getting the impressions of media, contemporaries, and baseball people.

Watching the two films back to back was quite surreal as if I was transported back to the mid-90’s in an instant. I would recommend this.