THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
An L.A. couple and their dog set out to live their dream as farmers who live off the land in this fascinating, immersive documentary about the challenges of co-existing with nature. Director John Chester allows the audience to experience his and his wife Molly’s trials and tribulations of making their farm flourish, and celebrating when one connection is made that turns one problem into a solution.
It’s sheer bliss to watch the beauty and magic of the people working with wilderness in sweet harmony as it was originally intended. Their patience may be put to the test, but what an extraordinary, eye-opening adventure this becomes as we see the land go through breathtaking changes along with the animals who bring it to life.
A NEW DAWN (Een Nieuwe Morgen)
The elderly meet the youngsters in this short and sweetly shaped story of a nursing home that leases their empty apartments to those who are at the other end of life’s journey. Not everyone is accepting of this and wants to be left in silence, but there are others who bask in the change of something new and different.
Director Kim Brand tenderly lets us watch the young and the old learn, help, and discover with each other no matter how many generations apart they may be. This delightful doc does feel like an introduction rather than a full-fledged story. There’s undoubtedly more to tell. Even so, merging those who are ready for a new adventure with those waiting for theirs to conclude is bittersweet, yet it’s the circle of life happening right in front of you.
YOU ARE HERE: A Come From Away Story
After the horrific attacks on 9/11, almost 40 planes were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, a place the passengers had never heard of but will never forget.
Director Moze Mossanen gives us an exceptional story of citizens who simply did what they must to take care of their uninvited yet warmly welcomed guests. They took a terrible situation and made it into something beautiful – forming lifelong relationships that could have never occurred otherwise. Their generosity, selflessness, and love they shared with complete strangers is practically unheard of these days, and that’s the saddest part about it.
This inspiring documentary gives us hope in humanity’s kindness, and that anything can be made into a musical.
MILES DAVIS: BIRTH OF THE COOL
This is the definitive documentary for all Miles Davis fanatics out there. Though, music fans in general will appreciate what the ever-evolving Davis experimented with while breaking down barriers for what jazz was supposed to be. Director Stanley Nelson does a terrific job presenting an audacious artist who could never find peace – no matter what notes he played, how famous he got, or the women he was with.
His genius unarguably came with demons, but his mesmerizing mystique was alive and well. Personally, the film feels a tad too long and not everything is a fresh take on Davis. With that said, this still has a lot to offer on the life and tremendous talent of an icon who had a lot of battles that he never once backed down from.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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