It Might Get Loud

Jimmy Page. The Edge. Jack White.

Even reading those three names in a row makes me a little giddy. I almost got chills watching these guys play together.

Director Davis Guggenheim rounded up three generations of rock ‘n’ roll gods, guitarists from Led Zeppelin, U2 and The White Stripes in his documentary ode to the electric guitar, “It Might Get Loud.”

The triad met in January 2008 to chat about their six-string obsession but ended up jamming more than jabbering. Circular dolly shots take in the legends playing together. It’s exhilarating.

But the bulk of the film’s running time consists of fascinating individual artist portraits where the boys visit old stomping grounds, gush about musical inspiration and reveal techniques.

The Edge’s deconstruction of U2’s “Elevation,” with its embarrassingly simple two-chord pattern, is a testament to his mastery of pedals and effects. White’s raw, gritty blues flavored rock and anti-technology sentiment make for an interesting comparison.

The White Stripes frontman makes the most interesting subject, in part because his persona is the hardest to pin down. He wanders around conversing with a nine-year-old version of himself, lives in a rickety barn that looks like it’s about to collapse, and dispels “ease of use” – plus he makes an interesting opening hook for the movie, creating a makeshift guitar out of wire, nails and an empty Coke bottle.

Page’s screen time seems a little slighted, but he is also the most reserved of the three, making his segments less interesting.

Besides the one-on-ones with the artists, there is archival footage of a neon-clad, new wave playing U2, earnest-faced Jimmy Page in a British skiffle band and a Stripes concert where White still refers to Meg as his sister.

It’s a bit demystifying, though fun, to see where the greats found their own inspiration: Page from rock pioneer Link Wray, The Edge from punk outfits The Jam and The Clash, White from the rockabilly of Flat Duo Jets.

While the film itself is a bit helter-skelter, jumping from topic to topic haphazardly, it’s well-shot with numerous close-ups of guitar playing action, deifying the guitar players.

Differing musical styles aside, each of the men has a common yearning to play honest music. The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll lives on even though it is tragically drowned out on today’s airwaves.

The music geek’s ultimate documentary, “It Might Get Loud” will give hardcore fans hard-ons. Extensive knowledge of rock history or fingering frets is not even required. “Loud” simply lets three great musicians rock.

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Afghan Star

As if getting on stage before millions and risking the insults of Simon Cowell weren’t bad enough, imagine if you had the Taliban sending you death threats just for appearing on “American Idol.”

“Afghan Star” is very much like its American counterpart, except for the shoestring budget. The titular documentary, playing for one week only at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, chronicles the lives of four contestants vying for the cash prize, record deal, and title of “Afghan Star.”

The film opens with the sobering image of a blind little boy singing a pop tune. He says that music makes his sadness disappear. A boy next to him adds, “If there was no music the world would be silent.” Music is probably more special to them than most of us can appreciate – up until recently, being caught singing could result in death.

Since 1979 Afghanistan has suffered civil wars and has been oppressed under the Taliban rule. Music was considered disrespectful and sacrilegious, and from 1996, it was a crime to dance, listen to music, or watch television.

With the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in place, the country had elections in 2004, and music and dancing were okay once again. A huge boon of television stations appeared and one popular program to emerge was “Afghan Star.”

A program that passes for thoughtless entertainment in the U.S. is nothing short of revolutionary over there. Viewers can vote for their favorite contestants via text message, which the first time many Afghanis have experienced democracy.

The competition is open to anyone despite gender or age. Two women bravely participate on the program. After losing, one of them removes her veil and does a modest dance during her final performance – shocking actions that threaten her safety, bringing her several death threats.

Besides encouraging the democratic process, the show advances national unity. Tribal disputes are set aside when people of all sects vote for their favorite contestants. One fan is so loyal to his idol that he’s willing to sell his car so he can buy more SIM cards for his phone, which equals more texted votes.

The story of “Afghan Star” is fascinating for several reasons, but mostly because of the parallels with its American counterpart. Albeit the show’s popularity in the States, the program is devoid of meaning except for contestants’ hunger for their own 15 minutes. In Afghanistan, the show represents the reemergence of popular culture and anticipation of a unified nation.

It’s important to see what Afghanistan is like now and where it has been. I think that our perceptions of region are highly skewed, and this film shows just a peek of what life is like on the other side. “Afghan Star” is worth viewing for the much needed reminder that there are real human beings in the Middle East. The story about the actual “Afghan Star” show is just icing on the cake.

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The Garden

It’s a classic David and Goliath story. Race, class, and politics flare up in this excellent documentary. “The Garden” was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2009 Academy Awards and finally gets a run in theaters.

A 13-acre plot of farm ground in downtown Los Angeles has been worked for over a decade by low income Latinos. Land is communal, open to anyone to farm. The location is a lone spot of nature in the otherwise developed cityscape.

The city bought the land from a private developer in the 80s, but recently sold it back to him in a backroom deal off the record. Now the city and developer want the immigrants out so a warehouse can be constructed.

The land has become much more than it seems for its workers; it has become their livelihood, their way of living.

Director Scott Hamilton Kennedy wisely lets the farmers tell the story instead of opting for a narrator to string things together. These real people carry the picture and let us get to know them. They simultaneously feel authentic and like characters in a work of fiction.

Lack of narration helps draw you in and forget you’re watching a documentary. Title screens are used to fill in bits of information not covered elsewhere.

Lawsuits and rallies abound to save the garden. Trouble doesn’t only brew between the city and the farmers though. A farmer is evicted after not complying with community established rules and attacks another with a machete.

Guess it’s not in the Garden of Eden.

It’s great to see that this movie contains an honest to goodness story, richer than many concocted by Hollywood writers. A few years worth of the power struggle for the garden are covered in the brisk, 80 minute running time.

The direction and editing are adept, working to clearly tell the story. The movie was obviously shot a low budget, but this gives it a homespun charm much like that of the garden itself. It feels like an indie picture produced lovingly by professionals.

The only thing that kept me from getting completely behind the cause was the likelihood that not all of the farmers were legal citizens; illegal immigrants shouldn’t have a legal leg to stand on. But it appeared that many of them were legitimate residents.

While the film obviously sides with the farmers, both sides are represented. The councilwoman and developer responsible for the illegal deal get to express their side, even though the latter refused to be interviewed. Kennedy went out of his way to make sure everyone was heard.

Go see “The Garden.” It’s an excellent slice of life picture with a real story to tell.

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Food, Inc.

If you eat, this movie is a must see.

Director Robert Kenner works to unearth secrets about agribusiness monoliths that control virtually everything we eat. “Food, Inc.” is a humbling exposé that explores a range of facets of the modern food machine.

It explores consequences of patenting genetically engineered seeds - producers are eager to sue unconverted farmers into buying, keeping over 90% of soybeans planted in the country patented.

It examines the “veggie libel laws” that make it easier for the food industry to silence its critics - the examples seem downright unconstitutional.

It looks at how starchy snack foods are cheaper to buy than fruits and vegetables. And how all this unhealthy eating will lead to one in three children born after 2000 developing type two diabetes.

Apparently, nearly all the food sold in the United States is owned in some way by one of a few companies.

Even though cattle are meant to munch mostly grass, they are corn fed up to their eyeballs. Corn can harbor E. coli, be spread to the bovines, then to you.

What sounds like a better solution: feeding cattle grass to minimize bacteria, or sterilizing meat in ammonia baths?

The latter option is just one of many cringe inducting examples of the industry favoring cheap technological solutions over common sense.

“Food, Inc.” is well made, but not abounding with its own style. The focus is squarely on the content, which is where the heart of a good documentary should be.

It also takes its subject seriously but isn’t afraid to sprinkle in some humor. The facts were strong enough to speak for themselves, even though the film is somewhat of a muckraker. The food companies aren’t represented, but that’s their own fault; they refused to talk with Keener.

The film balances its factual horror with ways the average consumer can change their diets and change the industry.

I sat through the film contemplating the hamburger I ate beforehand, which may have contained meat from over 1,000 different cows, and concluded that I needed to make that change for myself.

“Food, Inc.” is the most important film of the year.

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