The Post (2017, dir by Steven Spielberg, written by Liz Hannah & Josh Singer, Fox Pictures)

Blending a brilliant script, impeccable pacing, and judicious use of historic audio and video, The Post is a far better film than one would expect, even given the top-notch team that made it:

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer

Produced by Amy Pascal, p.g.a.; Steven Spielberg, p.g.a.; Kristie Macosko Krieger, p.g.a.

Cast: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys

Music by John Williams

For more about this film about Katharine Graham (Washington Post Publisher in the early 1970s) and Ben Bradlee (Washington Post Editor), or to watch the trailer, go to https://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-post.

SPOTLIGHT (2015, dir by Thomas McCarthy, Open Road Films)

Thomas McCarthy's SPOTLIGHT is one of the most compelling dramatic re-enactments of real people at work, taking personal and professional risks, to shine light on the systematic cover-up of youth sexual abuse my clergy. In this film, those people are journalists at The Boston Globe as well as a few lone bold and brave attorneys representing victims.

There are superb performances by Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Brian d'Arcy James, Liev Schreiber, and Billy Crudup.

Very Highly Recommended.

Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me (2014, PCH Films, directed by James Keach)

I'll Be Me is the story of a community coping with the blessings and challenges of Alzheimer's disease, and how the musician at the center of this community, and all the members of the community, call on their deepest well-springs of compassion, flexibility, humor, knowledge and love to help Country Music legend Glen Campbell stay connected to the love of singing which brings him comfort.  But this is actually a layered film about authenticity, grace, partnership, strategy, caring, masculinity, aging and the deep affection of musicians for each other.  Definitely in the top 20 documentaries made so far in the 21st century.  Not to be missed.  The direction and sequencing by James Keach is extraordinary.  The implications for society are profound.

Film: Short Term 12 by Destin Daniel Cretton

Short Term 12 covers what occurs in the lives of 5 staff members and 5 youth at a group-home for at-risk teenagers over a 6 week period.  The central character is a 20-something dorm and activities superviser named Grace, played by Brie Larson (herself only 23 years old, but who gives an amazing performance).  Grace handles all the acting out which these youth -- many having been abandoned or abused by their families of origin, but as the film progresses, her character gets more and more interesting.  The other main actors also give realistic and believable performances - of people trying to live, although facing deep crises of despair and often feeling it is not safe to expose yourself and risk further rejection.  

As someone who has worked with troubled youth (as a volunteer), I will say that this is a deeply compelling film, which I strong recommend you go see.  

Lavanya Naidoo's Can I Stay Quilling

(Click on image to see it enlarged)

See Behance.net project page

Lavanya Naidoo's Design Indaba Superstars 2010 Quilled Art

See Behance.net project page

Sabeena Karnik's Paper+ Typography

I think you will enjoy looking at Sabeena Karnik's Paper+ Typography hosted on Behance.

You can see this project at http://www.behance.net/gallery/paper-typography/858836 and see more of Sabeena's work at http://www.behance.net/sabeenu .

Sabeena is also on Facebook, and her main website is http://www.be.net/sabeenu

Film: AKA Doc Pomus (Peter Miller/Will Hechter, 2012, Clear Lake Productions)

Doc Pomus, a Jewish kid from Brooklyn, was one of the most successful songwriters of all time, publishing hundreds of hits (“Save the Last Dance for Me,” “This Magic Moment,” “Viva Las Vegas”) from the blues clubs of Harlem to the explosion of rock and roll. Though confined to crutches and a wheelchair, he lived a rich, eventful life. Featuring collaborators and friends from Lou Reed to B. B. King, this documentary celebrates the generous spirit and storied career of a musical legend. See akadocpomus.com. .

People as Miracles

Iskwaauu Gibson's Digital Art - Transhumanism

Iskwaauu Gibson's Digital Art - Transhumanism

Film: Stories We Tell by Sarah Polley (2013, Roadside Attractions)

Stories We Tell is an inspired, genre-twisting film that explores the elusive nature of truth and memory. Filmmaker Polley is detective and interviewer as she investigates the secrets kept by a family of storytellers.

See www.storieswetellmovie.com.

Film: Haevnen/In A Better World (2010, dir by Susanne Bier, written by Anders Thomas Jensen, Sony Pictures Classics)

In A Better World (Wikipedia, IMDB, Trailer) is a fabulous film. Danish director Susanne Bier (known for After the Wedding, and Brothers) won the Best Foreign Language Oscar in 2010 for this tightly-wound, emotional, family drama about forgiveness and revenge. The film is set in two very different locations - a refugee camp in an unnamed African country and a small town in Denmark. The lives of two families, each in their own period of crisis, cross each other. US film lovers can check the Sony Pictures Classics website to find theater venues.