2/13/2018 - 2018 Oscar Documentary Shorts
My Pick: Knife Skills
Oscar Probable: Edith+Eddie
Traffic Stop (2017) - 6/10 - Wrenching but little disjointed and light. It stops before it can really take off and spread its wings. Still, striking and well done, just not amazing.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7874708/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Eddie+Edith (2017) - 7+/10 - The perfect marriage of timing and subject, catching the heart of the story before it descended into sadness. A sobering and infuriating personal story that covers multiple social topics, but especially ageism. The juxtaposition of love at any age vs the greed keeping them apart is powerful. The charm of these 2 bright souls fighting to stay flickering captivates this film.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6519356/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Heaven Is A Traffic Jam On The 405 (2016/2017) - 8-/10 - Wondrous and artistically vibrant, as it deftly uses the subjects own art to dramatically interpret and express her story. The blending of the art, her testimonials, her now & her past is all so well constructed. Evocative, emotional and transportative. Really strong work.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5095260/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Heroin(e) (2017) - 7+/10 - Another sobering watch, but well put together and edited amalgamation of the different paths to care for the same problem: heroin overdose in West Virginia. Excelling in the alternating sides of the same coin they delve into, with heart, empathy and a strong dose of unavoidable reality.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7389366/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Knife Skills (2017) - 8+/10 - Dark. Affirming. Sad. Funny. This one had it all and is probably the best overall structured story here. Detailing the journey from prison to chef in an Ohio program to open a restaurant run by ex-cons, this is a soulful expose in the value of 2nd chances and the possibilities within us all. Big fan.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5745110/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
