The Secret to a Happy Netflix - 12/14/10

Best Worst Movie - See it - Anyone who loves cult classics should see this movie. Anyone loves being a little odd should see this movie. Anyone who had their 15 minutes of fame and lived every second to the fullest should see this movie. Best Worst Movie is a documentary that follows the cult rising of the movie Troll 2. The 1986 movie is widely considered the worst movie ever made. Even though it's called Troll 2 it actually has nothing to do with Troll. Over the 20 or so years since its release Troll 2 has gained a notable cult following through word of mouth and the efforts of fans. Troll 2's child star, Michael Stephenson, now an adult decided to explore why this movie has become a cult classic and make a documentary of his journey. Along the way he recruits dentist George Hardy who played his father in Troll 2. The two of them spend the next few months reconnecting with other cast members, organizing screenings and convention appearances, along with fans of the movie. No one has more fun with this than George Hardy. The only person who doesn't seem to enjoy their new found cult status is Troll 2's director, Claudio Fragasso. Fragasso never seems to embrace the humor of being a cult classic and is uneasy when people laugh at the serious parts of his film. Best Worst Movie is an engrossing look at how we accept the absurdities of our past. Some in this movie have learned to embrace their notoriety while others continue to hide from what they consider a blemish.

Wordplay - See it - I learned three things while watching this nicely done documentary. 1. People who do crosswords are way smarter than me. 2. This is where those spelling bee dorks ultimately end up. 3. Jewish people love to do crosswords.  The doc revolves around two central subjects the New York Times crossword puzzle and American Crossword Puzzle Tournament both of which are led by Will Shortz editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle. In the movie, Shortz details what goes into creating the NYT crossword, from clue submissions to puzzle construction as well as the genesis of the NYT puzzle. Through out celebrity interviews are cut in with their personal connections or obsessions with the NYT puzzle. The other half of the doc is the crossword puzzle tournament where the worlds best puzzle solvers convene every year to crown a champion. The viewer is given a glimpse at the lives of some of the top competitors which adds to the drama as the tournament climaxes on stage at the Stamford, CT Marriott.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - See it - After seeing Youth in Revolt, I lost a lot of my enthusiasm for seeing Scott Pilgrim. I thought, well I've seen all the typical Michael Cera character has to offer. I was wrong. Scott Pilgrim is the natural progression of the Michael Cera character. All his awkward, quirkiness is finally channeled into a focused goal of defeating evil and getting the girl. I haven't read the graphic novels so I can only judge the film on its own merits. The film was beautifully shot and perfectly cast. Kieran Culkin, Aubrey Plaza and Allison Pill provide great supporting performances. The score and songs are pitch perfect for the film's style and subject matter. 


Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong - Skip it - I actually gave this documentary a positive rating on Netflix after I initially watched it. After a day or so passed I started to sour on that opinion. Not because the movie was worse than I thought but my view on the subject matter began to change. I'm all for making documentaries about unimportant subjects but I think the more frivolous the subject matter the more well made the doc needs to be. In other words, either have something important to say and/or do it very well. This movie misses on both accounts. There is nothing particularly compelling about the competitors or organizers and the editing is much too clunky to create real drama. There are better movies to spend 90 min with.

Non Netflix Movies

The Secret to a Happy Ending - See it - Over the past few years some of Houston's best small artsy theaters have closed their doors. The Angelika and Landmark Greenway have both gone away and with them went opportunities for Houstonians to see some of the better small independent movies at the theater. The Landmark River Oaks continues to hold on despite repeated threats to its survival. This past week I was able to catch a screening of the new documentary on the band The Drive-By Truckers, The Secret to a Happy Ending at Studio Movie Grill City Centre. My wife couldn't go so I invited fellow documentary enthusiast @SeanInCypress who runs a website dedicated to the enjoyment of the documentaries, docdaddies.com.

I loved the movie but then again I'm a huge DBT fan. The director did a nice job of telling the story of the band while presenting the obvious connection between their music and northern Alabama community they come from. The common theme among all members of the band is that music is the only thing they could ever do. Each member readily admits to being terrible at everything else. But when they do what they are good at they do it in outstanding fashion. DBT writes songs about the south and the people who characterize it. They don't apologize for our shortcomings but rather celebrate what makes us unique while sympathizing with our plight. Technically, the film has it's shortcomings. I would have liked to see more of the bands internal struggles highlighted including the disintegrating marriage between two of its members. The record making process especially during the A Blessing and a Curse sessions. The graphics were terrible and the chapters poorly conceived but the stories behind the songs were priceless and the on stage footage made it all worth it.

30 for 30: Pony Excess - See it - I was fortunate that as a kid my parents took me and some friends to see Eric Dickerson and the Pony Express play at Rice Stadium against the Owls. We got to meet some of the players and get autographs after the game. I will go to my grave with the opinion that the 1982 10-0-1 Mustangs were jobbed out of a national title. Of course, they probably wouldn't still have that title because of the litany of NCAA infractions during the era. Pony Excess spotlights the late 70's early 80's SMU program and its outlandish policy of buying players. The old footage from signing day at Craig James' house and Eric Dickerson driving around in his gold Trans AM is outstanding. Ron Meyer is almost a caricature of the extravagance of Dallas and college football in the 70's. I was 11 during the last year of the Pony Express and Eric Dickerson was my favorite player between the Earl Campbell and Barry Sanders eras. I was a teenager and can remember being at a Houston Oilers charity basketball game when the news of SMU's death penalty came down. We were young and naive but even then we knew this was a terrible thing for SMU. However, I don't think we or the NCAA knew just how terrible the death penalty would be.

Lombardi - See it - As good as Pony Excess was Lombardi may have been better. As a football fan, I've always known who Coach Lombardi was but this exceptional documentary by HBO films enlightened me as to who Vince Lombardi was. The doc does a great job of explaining how his need to coach, to teach and to succeed is what drove him to be great, to be a champion. It was also the same thing that made him a miserable person and ultimately made him work himself to death. The obvious collateral damage of his obsession was his family. His passion for football left him with an alcoholic wife and strained relationships with his son and daughter. The most moving moments though are by those people who worked for or were coached by him. Even nearly 40 years after his death, Lombardi left such an indelible impact on their lives most are moved to tears when speaking of the coach's last days. If the greatness of a man is judged by the imprint he leaves on those he touches then Lombardi was truly one of the greatest among us.