3 Great Documentaries ...

I had a documentary kick from Blockbuster online.

I saw three great films ...

One is Control Room **** ...

I think Al-Jazerra is in an interesting position.

They are attempting to become the CNN of the Arab world but that is extremely difficult ...

Especially considering many of the Arab nations are governed by dictators, or Islamists. Considering they balance this well, I would be interested to see it on the Dish ..

Although I don't speak Arabic.

I do not think it deserves the condemnation is got from the Bush Adminstration ...

It is totally ridiculous that the Palestine Hotel was bombed where Al-Jazerra and many other journalists were staying ... It is also very odd this happened the day before the Americans entered the central square in Baghdad and took down the Sadaam statue. Which gave Bush the chance for the absurd "Mission Accomplished" speech.

I would also love to hear more from some of the Al-Jazerra people in this film ... Including Deema Khatib and esp. Hassan Ibrahim...

There was also a telling comment by the BBC in the movie .. that "everyone who works for the BBC, eventually works for Al Jazeera..." Its not a bunch of idologues at all .. .although it is certainly more Arabist then Fox News

This is a film that you must see if you are interested in the Iraq War or what Al-Jazerra is ... I would love to hear some of these commentators on Air America or NPR....

I knew the peace would be harder in Iraq then the war would ever be ... and it is so say that 170,000 priceless pieces were taken from Baghdad .. the capital of Sumer and the Persian empire ... One of the great losses ever in history and archeology .. Why these museums weren't guarded, I still have no idea.

Then there was the Fog of War .. ****1/4

Robert McNamara is one of the more interesting figures in 20th Century history.

He was Secretary of Defense under LBJ and JFK, and some have called Vietnam, "McNamara's War." I am not sure I agree with this.

This doc by Errol Morris is completely fascinating.

Its amazing how much of the cold war is covered in this.

McNamara was also president of the World Bank from 1968 to 1983 ... A much maligned institution even if the goals were good...

In happy news you learn that McNamara's wife started Reading is Fundamental ... A organization that gives books to millions....

Anyone who is interested in Cold War History (like I very much am) needs to see this.

And then there is the simply adorable "March of the Penguins" .... ****

This is a superb nature documentary.

I really enjoyed it greatly.

I also had no idea how tough it is for Emperor Penguins to Spawn and then keep the eggs warm, and the baby's fed in the Winter and then early Spring.

This is an outstanding film, and a great rental (I am sure just spellbinding in the theatre) ...

It is on my 2005 best films list which will be revised in a few weeks.

I am also reading the novel Being There .. and it is as wonderful as the movie .... I had no idea it was a novel first.

If you haven't seen the movie "Being There" rent it now ***** .. It is one of my favorite movies all time.

ecq