new release picks: march 2nd

Beaches of Agnes



excellent documentary about one of the most ingenious filmmakers, as made by said filmmaker. it's perfectly fitting since so much of agnes varda's work as been semi, if not outright, autobiographical. if, like many people, you enjoy the visual whimsy of directors like michel gondry or terry gilliam, this is highly recommended.

Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea



this has quickly become one of my favorite miyazaki films. that phrase alone "miyazaki film" should have you ready to go on this thing, but if you need any more prodding, it's a crazy japanese riff on the little mermaid story, and is visually stunning as well as out and out weird. even weirder than spirited away in many ways.

Tell Them Anything You Want

i don't know what happened with this, but it should have been a bonus feature on a beefed up where the wild things are dvd, cause that disc is kinda weak extras wise. anyway, this is yet another great release from adam yauch's oscilloscope laboratories, which has been batting a thousand as far as i can see.

what you see is what you get here: spike jonze interviews maurice sendak over the course of making where the wild things are, talking about everything from sendak's childhood to his obsession with death stemming from an experience with the lindbergh baby. great little documentary that highlights the deep friendship that has developed between spike and maurice. be sure to check the extra with james gandolfini reading the night kitchen.

This Emotional Life



know right now that this three disc set is hefty, clocking in at 6 hours. it's truly engrossing though and absurdly informative, using some exceptional first person narratives and clinical studies (lots of them originating from UW, oddly enough) to illustrate its points. also, the bits of interviews with chevy chase will forever change how you see the man.

Where the Wild Things Are



this is the big one of the week (other than 2012 i guess). much has been said about how this movie nailed the childhood experience, but i think it's worth noting that it also, perhaps more notably, gets the ways that children perceive adult emotions right too. excellent film that, like it or not, is quite thought provoking.

all these, and more are available for rent after 12pm on monday night/tuesday morning. that midnight thing always trips me up.