Sherman’s March (1986)
Directed by Ross McElwee
The great thing about Sherman’s March is the overall simplicity of the idea. The success of such a personal film depends completely on the personality of the director (Ross McElwee), who’s decided to put himself in front of the camera in a project that began as one thing; a historical look at General Sherman’s Civil War march, and became another; an autobiographical search for true love.
It’s important to put McElwee into context here. This is a man who can be summed up by his consistent nightmares about nuclear holocaust. (One trait I seem to share with him) His initial interest in Sherman’s March is thwarted by an unexpected break up with his girlfriend, thus setting forth a film that seems to take on a life of its own as friends and family attempt to hook Ross up with just about any single female they know. Some are attractive and polite, while others are outspoken and strange. You can imagine which ones Ross actually manages to secure dates with. I’d have to say Pat is the most unusual of the bunch. She’s quick to show Ross her cellulite exercises, squatting and thrusting to his shocked delight. She’s also an aspiring actress, on a mission to star in a Burt Reynolds film. Once she’s out of the picture, Ross takes on the burden of hunting down Burt Reynolds for a one on one interview, but ends up settling for a look-a-like.
At one point in the film, Ross meets up with Charleen, a friend and former teacher of his. The chemistry between these two is comic gold. Charleen completely takes advantage of Ross’ quite and passive tendencies, insisting that she help him find a lady. “I am bored with your singleness. You have been insufficient in this quest, so I have to take over…because I’m going to be so bored with your loneliness, that I’m going to have to dump you myself.” Charlene finds Ross the “perfect woman”, a singer/songwriter named Dede. She plays him a cassette tape of her music, enthusiastically selling her like a used car salesman. Upon their first meeting, Charleen boisterously confronts Ross about his insistent need to film everything; “This is not art! This is life!”. Her enthusiasm to make a love connection ends up creating a gloriously awkward meeting that borders on cringe-worthy. Ross responds by simply hiding behind his camera.
McElwee brilliantly weaves the story of General Sherman throughout his journey, creating his own historical path of destruction. Clocking in at just over two and a half hours, this film is an epic look at relationships and love, rivaling the best of Hollywood’s neurotic, self-deprecating, anti-heroes. Ross McElwee is a real life Woody Allen.
Titicut Follies (1967)
Directed by Frederick Wiseman
A few months ago I assembled a list of my personal top 25 documentaries of all time. The response was overwhelming, and although there were many readers that were satisfied by my choices, a great number pointed out a glaring omission, Frederick Wiseman’s ‘Titicut Follies’. At the time, I had yet to see the film. In fact, I hadn’t seen ANY Wiseman films, mainly due to a lack of access. Thankfully, Wiseman’s decision to release his films on DVD has given me the chance to check out this non-fiction classic. You were all right, it should’ve been on the list. HIGH on the list.
The opening of the film is appropriately surreal, setting the tone for the next hour and a half. A group of inmates dressed in white shirts and bow ties perform a song and dance number at the Massachusetts prison for the criminally insane. The talent show, MC’d by one of the head guards, is called ‘Titicut Follies’. It’s almost something you could imagine seeing in a Harmony Korine film. In fact, this entire movie is full of photography so surreal and mind blowing; it’s crazy to think it’s actually real. Wiseman’s direct cinema approach ends up naturally producing gorgeously disturbing images that are pure works of art.
Wiseman pulls no punches in his portrayal of the inhuman relationship between guards and inmates at this particular prison. In one scene, as some guards shave an older patients face, they continually ask him how clean his room is to the point of driving him mad. The result is a screaming, naked man shuffling down the hallway, bleeding from the mouth. Another inmate is force-fed through a tube in his nose, a scene in which Wiseman outright attacks the prisons methods by intercutting the preparation of the same man’s dead body. His statement on the inhumanity of the system is clear throughout the film, but is it really possible to come to any other conclusion?
The most frightening moment in the film comes from a prisoner who insists he isn’t crazy. He passionately pleads his case in front of a board of directors, claiming his time in the prison has actually hurt his progress, and the medication he’s forced to take is harming his mind. He sounds nervous and frantic, but seems completely mentally stable. The board ignores his concerns, responding by attacking his sense of logic, using condescending medical explanations for his current imprisonment. Their solution is to increase the amount of tranquilizers to tone down his behaviour. The man has been institutionalized for over a year. It’s like a horrible, real life nightmare.
Naturally, the film was initially met with some controversy and heavy resistance from the state of Massachusetts. Wiseman was accused of exploiting prisoners as claims were made that he didn’t get them to sign release forms. This resulted in Titicut Follies only being distributed and viewed for educational purposes. Luckily, the film eventually worked its way through its legal issues and has gone on to be considered one of the greatest works of direct cinema in film history.
Oh god I remember watching a clip from Sherman’s March back in film school years ago. That shot of the woman doing her pose was hilarious!
Watched Titicut last tuesday man oh man, disturbing stuff. But not unique, Albert Maysles went to U.S.S.R. way back in the day and made a little documentary he called, “mental health in Russia” if I remember correctly. It didn´t get any distribution but I asked him about it, it will mayube get a DVD release along with some of his other older stuff.
That will be pretty cool.
and the process which is the best process and amzing thing which is also!
This is very great website
Showbox app is an important app now.we can watch online tv and programs through this app.For more information about this app visit Showbox-app.net.
hey awesome website man. superb yar and really looking cool
wow man.. such an awesome site it is. Superb yar it is so nice
Hi admin,
good blog , nice articles and really awesome
hungry shark evolution game on pc
hungry shark evolution game on pc
lovely information
wow very impressive
awesome app for watch online movies
http://www.letsgoodsystems.com/android-apps/playview-app-apk-android-ios-pc/
I want you to thank for your time of this wonderful read!!!
I definately enjoy every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff of your blog a must read blog! Thanks for sharing.
This post is quite good and helpful. Thanks because of this post, I am waiting to your next post.
connection ends up creating a gloriously awkward meeting that borders on cringe-worthy. Ross responds by simply hiding behind his camera.
Fantastic blog and keep posting!
I want to say about this article, uummm this is amazing and nice post.
The picture looks naughty.
thanks f for sharing this amazing psot.
Perfect blog for messaging in pc’s
Click here to download SHAREit for PC free.
Post your photos and videos very easily with different image effects in this application,nice one.
instagram for windows 10
Check here to download Prisma for Android free.
galaxy s8 edge features
blog topic
I found my children Playing an Street Fighting Game on his PS4 Tekken 7 fated retribution
great post thanks for sharing this information.snapchat download
Nice blog of IDM thanks for sharing
Nice blog of IDM thanks for sharing
Post your photos and videos very easily with different image effects in this application,nice one.
Thanks.
Post your photos and videos very easily with different image effects in this application,nice one.
Post your photos and videos very easily with different image effects in this application,nice one.
Wow great share! Keep writing the article!
Towelroot
I am delighted in the details on your internet site. Thanks a lot!
You have done a great job. I’ll certainly digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
Great web site! It looks extremely good! Maintain the excellent job!
nice post. Thanks
google allo
download the megabox hd app enjoy movie and tv shows for free: https://goo.gl/Z4baHC
Thanks for sharing this type of awsome article. i like this. Please visit my site. You will find some good article there.http://dubsmashforpc.com/
Thanks for sharing this type of information. Thanks for this article.http://photogridforpc.com/
Awsome mate. Great going on this blog. Thanks for this article.http://psiphonforpc.com/
Thanks bro for such type of article. Keep reading our blog to get more informational post.
http://rvitricks.com
Very good article, you have posted on your website. Thanks for your team for posting such type of awsome article.http://bestsofttool.com/
Really i was searching this type of post. Thanks bro for sharing this type of post.http://appsforpcq.com/
Thanks for sharing this type of awsome article. i like this. Please visit my site. You will find some good article there. http://www.easyw21099.com/
Keep posting such type of useful post. read my blog to get more information regarding photogrid app.http://theandroidapkzone.com
Lots of opening in bank, read more about all bank recruitment.http://bankrecruitmentapply.in/
If you want to run shazam appson your pc then just use this method to install shazam on computer.
http://shazamforpcpara.com/
Valueable information shared by you. Just keep posting such type of article.http://celebritynetworthx.com/
Just apply all sarkari recruitment. Read more on this site to get more vacancies.
http://sarkarinaukriapply.in/
Install vidmate on your computer. Just use this methods and enjoy vidmate on pc. http://vidmateforpcq.com/
Really great article found on internet. Keep posting such type of article.
http://onlineappsforpczone.com/
This is awsome site to use prisma application on your pc/computer.
https://prismaforpc.xyz/
This is awsome site to use Mobdro application on your pc/computer.https://mobdroforpc.net/
very nice post and i am really appreciate your effort
allo app download
This is awsome site to use Mobdro application on your
They are fabulous.I want to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include approximately all significant info.
Students can check sslc result 2017 from here.
thanks for sharing
check out RBI rresult
Mobdro app is a free app that lets you stream loads of movies and TV shows from your Android.
Get 2nd puc result 2017 here
So, here you find the direct link, which you can for downloading AZ Screen Recorder Apk Free enjoy!
So, here you find the direct link, which you can for downloading AZ Screen Recorder Pro Apk enjoy!
TN SSLC Result” will be declare on the 2nd week of May 2017. Students can check the results online.
Click here to get “karnataka sslc results 2017” online.
VBSPU Result 2017
Thanks for this post!! amazing work!
Check Out Greenify Donate Apk !
Great article!
Do you know there is dedicated blog for Google Gravity tricks. Google Zipper trick is the best!
Thanks for the time and effort!
Do you know there is dedicated blog for Google Gravity tricks. Google Zipper trick is the best! Thanks.
Definitely, Do you know there is dedicated blog for Google Gravity tricks. Google Zipper trick is the best! Thanks. Bye.
Post your photos and videos very easily with different image effects in this application,nice one. Bye.
Post your photos and videos very easily with different image effects in this application,nice one. Bye.
Post your photos and videos very easily with different image effects in this application,nice one. Bye.
easy process of shareit download.
GSEB SSC time table 2018
nice post
Awesome post, keep it up!
It’s nice to finally have all the helpful resources in one post! Thank you so much for sharing it! Merry Christmas Jessu Images
Thank you for sharing this informative information with us.a href= Windows support number
This is great write up. Waiting for more such content.
Your post is well detailed and well understood. Of a truth, there are many of the points mentioned above am coming across for the first time but I clearly understand it. I hope someday you’ll continue posting.
Nice article! I found some useful information in your blog, it was awesome to read, thanks for sharing this great content to my vision, keep sharing. I will come back to your website again.
I am very excited because I can get this very good information, This is one of the really very helpful information, I hope you keep updating other up-to-date information that may be useful to me as well as to many others, Maybe I will recommend this site to my friends, Because I am sure they will be very helpful with this site, just like me, Thank you very much
Because I am sure they will be very helpful with this site, just like me, Thank you very much
this website is good.
Awesome information. documentary is one of the tuffets work. Because you have to study lot of work to do documentary. thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for this unique post about Lucky Patcher. i love your post very much. actually i am a regular viewer of this site. keep it up Apkja. If you can add a video on this post or some related image, that will look much eye-catching. However, waiting for next update.
very nice information thanks for sharing this.
The great article i seen recently. thanks for sharing this wonderful article. Expecting more from you.
mobdro for pc will give you best streaming application in the world. you loved it.
Happy to come here.
This post is great. site
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful and helpful post with me
I loved reading it!
Yeah sure
awesome information dear.
very interesting website.
really awesome information and great article.
great one dear. keep going.
very impressive article dear. i loved it.
great one i seen today thanks dear for sharing.
really awesome information dear.
Beauty And Fashion Magazine
Great weblog right here! Additionally your web site a lot up fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate link in your host? I desire my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
I have the same problem with Wileyfox. Most recent Cyanogen OS (basically Android on steroids). Only some videos are affected, so i guess it has something to do with those videos. According to the controls the video is loading normally. But for some reason only audio plays and the video stands still. If i select a random time frame, then the video moves like 10 pixels and then it stops again.
To me it looks like the app can’t handle the amount of data coming in. This is strange, because if i play a 360 video with HD resolution on my local player it runs just fine. So i very highly doubt it is a problem with the specs