Tag: Alex Gibney

Documentary, Reviews

ZERO DAYS

Michael J. Casey

“I do not know how the Third World War will be fought, but I can tell you what they will use in the Fourth — rocks!” —Albert Einstein When Einstein provided that quote in 1949 — to Alfred Werner for Liberal Judaism 16 — he was most likely thinking of nuclear weapons and the idea of mutually assured destruction. But Einstein is right whether or not nukes are used in the next war; for we have developed another technology, one that can send our enemy back to the dark ages simply by flipping a power switch. That switch is part … Continue reading ZERO DAYS

Documentary, Reviews

STEVE JOBS: THE MAN IN THE MACHINE

Michael J. Casey

“It wasn’t for you, it was you,” Sherry Turkle, author and MIT professor, says describing Apple Computer products. It’s a good line — succinct, accurate, catchy — and it catches director Alex Gibney’s ear, later recycling it in one of his many voiceovers. It’s how Gibney chooses to see Steve Jobs, a genius inventor that didn’t work for you, but was/is you. Why else would people across the globe feel such a personal connection to a multi-millionaire phone designer? This is the central question of Gibney’s latest documentary, Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, a cradle-to-grave story of Apple … Continue reading STEVE JOBS: THE MAN IN THE MACHINE

Movie Beat1 Comment

Movie Beat – 8.01.14

Michael J. Casey

The Almost Man – Some people are late bloomers and others will just never bloom. It’s still up in the air which one Henrik (Henrik Rafaelsen) will end up. 35 years old and still living with his mother (who treats him like the child he wants to be) when his girlfriend informs him that he is about to be a father. Henrik needs to make some drastic changes: a new job, a pre-fab duplex and responsibility are the name of the game. Sadly, these clothes don’t fit Henrik very well. Co-starring Janne Heltberg Haarseth, Tov Sletta, Per Kjærstad and Tore Sagen. … Continue reading Movie Beat – 8.01.14

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 11.08.13

Michael J. Casey

The Armstrong Lie – “Sure I cheated. BUT, I didn’t cheat that one time, and I want credit for it.” Seems like a silly argument to take, but Lance Armstrong was a cheater, what else would you expect? In 2009, director Alex Gibney and producer Frank Marshall set out to make a documentary about Lance Armstrong, the man who overcame testicular cancer and became the poster boy of cycling. Over the course of the lionization of Armstrong, the truth came out, and boy did the subject change course. Documentary out in limited release from Sony Pictures Classics.   At Berkeley … Continue reading Movie Beat – 11.08.13

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 05.24.13

Michael J. Casey

3 Geezers –  If these geezers were in their twenties, they would audition for Jackass, if they were teenagers, they would be labeled ‘troubled youths’, and if they were in preschool, they would fit right in. J Kimball (J.K. Simmons) is researching a role for an upcoming movie and spends some time with these degenerates in a retirement home. When it becomes clear that he is in too deep, he calls on his Hollywood friends to put these old farts in their place. Makes perfect sense to me. Basil Hoffman, Lou Beatty Jr., Tim Allen, Scott Cann, Breckin Meyer, and … Continue reading Movie Beat – 05.24.13

Movie Beat

Movie Beat – 02.01.13

Michael J. Casey

As Luck Would Have It – With echoes of Billy Wilder’s Ace in the Hole, comes a very dark comedy from Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia about a man who will go to great lengths to take care of his family. Roberto (José Mota) is having a terrible time and his wife, Luisa (Salma Hayek), is trying to help out, but doesn’t have a clue how bad the situation is. Roberto has a terrible car accident, and finds himself with an opportunity on his hands. Because of the freak nature of the accident, Roberto becomes the center of a wild media … Continue reading Movie Beat – 02.01.13