Reviews
Young @ Heart (2007)
Highly recommendable feel-good documentary
A "feel good" documentary movie, all right, that probably will "work" for a lot of people (but, as ever the case, not everyone -- it may help to have a few years on one, at the time of viewing -- otherwise, it's for the "more sensitive" types).
Young at Heart helps us to feel good/better, about our fellow human beings.
Young at Heart helps us to feel better about what our personal "old age" might be like -- it may not be as bad as we have tended to think it.
Young at Heart, being a documentary, amplifies the "feel good effect", because we know that we not just feeling good because of a work of fiction.
The music, also, greatly amplifies the "feel good effect" (maybe especially, because of the James Brown song that is performed within the film).
One of the central delights is the seeming incongruity of these mature folks singing music that is from much more recent generations (and not even to their personal liking, as is found out in the viewing). Also, that there is so much energy in the music, and in the performances, from such a chorus.
Further delights:
The music is in fact embraceable, vivacious, well-done, and often meaningful. By this alone, the movie is enjoyable, and worth the price of admission.
The "community spirit" that is shown -- generally positive attitudes, even in trying circumstances.
We see a lot of "goodness" in people, and this can help our personal and communal spirits, in these times when "evil" seems to be getting the upper hand.
The empathy that is engendered for people that are probably much older than (and thus "different" from) oneself.
The somewhat multi-racial characteristic is enheartening.
There is a message of "world peace" in one of the songs, and that seems more possible, after viewing the film
I learned more appreciation for the artistry of being a "music director" -- not just the quality of the selected music, but being able to tell what's going on at any given moment in relation to the performances. The chorus director seems "nearly saintly" (and is inspiring, in himself). (There is a scene where he is being interviewed at a little length, out-of-doors, and it's the "greenist" image that I think I've ever seen -- could be used by environmentalists.)
The cinematography, editing, and interviews lend to a sense of appreciation for the film- makers.
It seems to me that the "world could be a better place" (if only for a little while), if only more people could see this film.
Overall, fairly memorable, quite positive, and very worthwhile.
Winter Passing (2005)
Moody blues.
This is a "small subject" (a few inter-personal relationships), "mood" (mostly dark) film. It's set in New York City, and somewhere in the state of Michigan; current (2005 +/-) period.
I found it mildly engaging, but not memorable; well-done, but not exceptional. I did not go into the film with much bias for or against the cast and director, and came away the same.
I never quite got to the point of really caring about any of the characters -- I couldn't identify with nor "like'" the people portrayed, nor even find them very interesting. The acting was fairly good, but the roles were too shallowly developed, and most of the characters were overly much on the edge. The Corbit character was so inexplicably odd (there was more explanation for the other odd characters), that he puzzled and then alienated me.
The story-line was thin, but mostly credible.
Overall, there wasn't enough ancillary presentation (originality, complexity / challenge, intrigue, larger- statement, photogenics, music, action, or just plain "charm") to to raise the quality of the viewing experience to an "attractive" level.
I should also add that I am not a fan of the genre, and the graphic on the cover (on the video-store shelf) somehow misled me to think that there would be some lightness / humor within.
I rate the film a 6, out of 10.