Netflix Recs

Gomorrah

Taking the appeal out of the life of a gangster, Gomorrah tromps through the muddy terrain of quid pro quo with the camera on the backs of kids that lack 'that' and are willing to do any 'this'. Scarface is the epitome of the impeccably tailored gangster. Kids toting automatic rifles in this haunting, necessary movie are the outcome of Scarface's unrequited respect. Naples is the star of this one, gray and drab, just like the future for kids growing up in capitalism's/Hollywood's cracks. In my top 100.

Coffee and Cigarettes

Jim Jarmusch makes far-out movies. If you want to watch Tom Waits and Iggy Pop intellectualize the theater of the absurd then queue up this one. You'll be impressed by how tight Jarmusch scenes can be in the face of a devoid script. If you don't smoke and don't drink coffee, or if you only partake in one and not the other, you'll still enjoy watching a hodgepodge of thoughtful celebrities indulge their vices. Most of the vignettes are on youtube if you ain't got Netflix.

Up The Yangtze

I was at a friends house  waiting for him to wax his surfboard. Our plans to surf ended when this documentary came on PBS. How nerdy of us? We were mesmerized by the dedication of those being displaced during the construction of Three Gorges Dam. Life as they knew it, simple but enough, was thrust aside by plans for a gargantuan China. They defer to the authorities they'll never meet or know, put their furniture on their back and "do what's best for China." We can't relate.

Senna

Ayerton Senna is an enigma despite candid, verbose tantrums. His self reflection is what is most interesting. He was Brazil's hope when visions of western luxuries seemed unattainable. Favelas latched on to his bravery and relished in his successes that challenged an establishment. He is political and spiritual and contemplative. He is also one of the greatest drivers to ever live and die on a track. The hook in this flawless documentary is the timeless human dilemmas beneath Formula 1, a billion dollar endeavor. This is a great one.