THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI - “Eighty-year-old Jimmy Mirikitani survived the trauma of WWII internment camps, Hiroshima, and homelessness by creating art. But when 9/11 threatens his life on the New York City streets and a local filmmaker brings him to her home, the two embark on a journey to confront Jimmy’s painful past.” Unfortunately, I caught only the last ten minutes or so of this film. What I did see of it was very good, focusing mainly on Mirkitani’s personal life and his relationship with he director, who says she never intended to film this movie, but her subject chose her. I hope I have the opportunity to see it in its entirety.

An Unreasonable Man - The history of Ralph Nader’s public life. Did you know that it is because of Nader that we have things like seatbelts and airbags in automobiles? Or OSHA? I didn’t. This movie tells the story of his rise to popularity in the ’60s and ’70s and his decline in the ’80s. It’s a compelling story and told well. Left feeling pretty discouraged about the American political system, though. As one woman said as we walked out of the theater, “Where do we direct our energies if we are going to make a difference?”

Who Gets to Call it Art? - The world of the 1960’s New York art scene as seen through the eyes of former Met and MOMA curator Henry Geldzahler. Includes never-before-seen footage of Warhol, Jasper Johns and Lichtenstein. Told mainly through interviews with Frank Stella, David Hockney, and James Rosenquist, the film explores one of the most fertile periods of American Art. Very well told story about some of my favorite artists. Of course I loved this one.

While you’re waiting to hear about more of the films I watch, head over to New West and read the
interview with “Montana Meth” director Eames Yates.

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