Worth the Watch - August
CLARIFICATION TO OUR NETFLIX RECOMMENDATIONS:
We want to clairfy that our recommending Netflix movies/documentaries does not mean we endorse Netflix’s position on certain important issues. However, we also believe that if you are not in the “public arena” (ref. areopagus sermon by St Paul, Acts 17:16) but choose to remove yourself from it, then companies like Netflix will never know - with their algorithms - which material actually is of value to their audience. By doing these monthly recommendations, we want to help you sift through the dross, in order to get to the good stuff! We hope it helps!
Films
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Tells the story of Zak, a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school. A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler, a small time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak's unlikely coach and ally. Funny, endearing and enriching. Great movie!
Miracle in Cell no. 7 (2020)
A story of love between a mentally-ill father who was wrongly accused of murder and his lovely six years old daughter. The prison would be their home. The story is beautifully embodied by some splendid actors. The unfolding of humanity is reinforced with a solid visual and musical score - realistic, but with flashes of fable -, and sustains a deep reflection on fatherhood, justice, guilt and forgiveness.
Schlinder’s List (1993)
Based on a true story, Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, a German businessman in Poland who sees an opportunity to make money from the Nazis' rise to power. If you haven’t seen this movie, it’s a must. Bring your tissues though.
Moneyball (2011)
The story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players. And oh, it stars Brad Pitt. What’s not to like!
Documentaries
Called to Courage, Brene Brown
Filmed before a live audience at UCLA's Royce Hall, Brené Brown: The Call to Courage challenges the viewer to show up, step into the arena, and answer their own call to courage. Thinking you are going to watch an hour long talk might put you off initiatlly but honestly, it’s worth sitting through this. Brown is gifted at presenting her ideas. Some of the audience shots are a little cringe-worthy, but if you can overlook that, you’ll enjoy it :)
7 Days Out
A behind the scenes look at the seven days leading up to significant events in the realms of sports, fashion, space exploration and cuisine.
They are all good, but particularly: Eleven Madison Park and the Chanel Haute Couture Fashion Show are particularly entertaining.
Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things
Examining the many levels of minimalism by looking inside the lives of minimalists from various walks of life. This documentary is so zen! And certainly motivates you to declutter! Well made and such interesting insights into people’s lives.
The Great Hack
This documentary offers an alarming glimpse of the way data is being weaponized for political gain -- and what it might mean for future elections. The world of data exploitation is uncovered through the unpredictable personal journeys of players on different sides of the explosive Cambridge Analytica/Facebook data story. Makes you think and question how information is being fed to you. Intellectually stimulating!