Collapse

This is a documentary centering on Michael Ruppert's view of the world. He is a former LA cop and whistleblower on CIA drug dealing. He sits for an interview in a darkened room, a symbolic bunker. Smoking cigarettes he asserts that it all comes down to "peak oil" and how difficult it will be for the world to break its addiction. And Rupert doesn't hold much faith in alternate fuels. To him it will be those that can go back to the earth who will survive the transition to a new world. I have little argument with his general assertions. Rupert is credited with predicting the recent financial collapse. But really, anyone with their eyes open could see that a major downturn was inevitable. It was only a matter of how severe and when. I also agree with him that we're not yet out of it. I do however have some faith that humans have the capacity to come to grips with the fix we're in. In spite of our troubles there are still a lot of alert,  industrious and inventive people on this planet. I have little doubt though, that there will be a great many lives that will be lost along the way to a world that will be less dependent on oil. To compound the dismal outlook for this film it ends with the notice that Rupert's latest book is drawing little attention as he's shown alone looking very isolated along with his dog and having a hard time paying his rent. Is his message ignored as well? Better not be.

Directed by Chris Smith USA 2009 7/10

A Serious Man

It's the Coen brothers at their best. Larry Gopnik is a struggling physics professor in 1967 midwest suburbia. It's all flat green lawns and bungalows with tv antennas and lots of wood paneling. The Coen's grew up in this kind of environment apparently. Gopnik's next door neighbor is a mean looking, gun-toting red-neck. Things get bad and complicated for Gopnik when his wife wants to leave him. His unemployable live-in brother and his annoying kids add to his troubles. He soon agrees to move himself and his brother to the Flying Dutchman Motel. Then a student manipulates him in order to get a passing grade. Gopnik consults three different rabbis to help him understand his problems to no avail. This is a well cast movie with no big stars and wonderful attention to detail. The interiors brought back just how terrible the decor and furniture was back then. Same with the clothing. Notice Gopnik's pant length way up his legs. I'm sure Jon Stewart would describe this film as very Jewy. They kept referring to non-Jews as "Goys". Just from the point of period detail and the delving into Jewish culture the film offers plenty enough. It is darkly funny throughout. As for the meaning of life and story of Job which this film presents --  I need to see this movie again because I have to admit I was not being quite prepared for the deep philosophy involved. Not that the Coens gave us any real answers.

Directed and written by Ethan and Joel Coen USA 2009 9/10