I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (Dave LaMattina & Chad N. Walker, 2014)

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Rating: DOCQ=6, DOCP=7 / First Rate

Scale K=3, Scale L=3, Scale M=4, Scale N=3

Documentary, Biopic, Puppeteer, Children's Education, Tearjerker

Puppets hold a very important place in my heart. I remember running home from elementary school every day and watching Mister Rogers followed by one glorious hour of Sesame Street. While Big Bird wasn't my favorite character (I liked Telly and Ernie) he is undeniably the icon of the show. It's wonderful to watch the behind-the-scenes of the truly great entertainers/storytellers that puppeteers are. They are magicians with big hearts. And the love they have for children is sincere and ceaseless. Caroll Spinney is an amazing person and you if you ever watched Sesame Street you definitely need to know who he is. Watch this.

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Spellbound

Spellbound (Alfred Hitchcock, 1945)

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Rating: Q=8, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Thriller, Psychological, Suspense, Romance

One of Hitchcock's most marvelous films. Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck deliver wonderful performances but the real star, in my opinion, is the artistry and camerawork. Symbolism takes center stage as it leaps from the mis-en-scene into the narrative, too. So much texture and detail fill each frame. There's even a Salvador Dali dream-sequence. Complete with eyes on the curtains! If you like mysteries, I guarantee you'll like this one.

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It's A Beautiful Day

*Sorry for the lack of posts during October and November. I've been very busy at work and have re-watching favorites during this time.

It's A Beautiful Day (Don Hertzfeldt, 2012)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Animated, Drama, Philosophical, Coping

A very poignant collection of stories about coping with life, illness, the depressing realities we all face, the haunting past, the uncertain future. I found it both sad and uplifting, quiet and very heavy. A good reminder of how fragile and complex each person's existence is.

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