Criterion Year Week 68: The Thin Blue Line

The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

The Thin Blue Line

Spine Number: 753

Director:Errol Morris

Genre: Documentary

 

What is the highest goal a movie can attain? Huge box office? A ton of awards? A massive following?

How about saving a man's life? It might seem impossible, but that is exactly what Errol Morris's "The Thin Blue Line," did.

Errol Morris is one of the greatest documentarians of all time. He has a fluid and intimate style that allows his subjects to come to life and tell their own stories. He's made some amazing films, but "The Thin Blue Line," stands head and shoulders above the rest. It tells the story of a man convicted of killing a police officer in Dallas in the 70's. He goes in depth to show just how much our legal system can be screwed up by people just trying to do what they think is "the right thing." 

This is one of the most captivating and compelling pieces of documentary filmmaking in the history of the genre, and another glaring example of how screwed up The Academy Awards can be. A film that tops almost every list of greatest documentaries ever made that was not even elligable for an Oscar because... of re-enactments. That's right. One of the greatest documentaries every made, a movie that literally saved a man from being executed was "Well, actually"ed out of an Oscar.

But no matter. Everything about this film, from the interview style to the music, is perfect. And in addition we take a look at the brilliant "Documentary Now!" send up "The Eye Doesn't Lie," which as about as perfect a tribute as you could hope to find.

So, join us for an absolute classic.

Next time...

Spine number 776: Moonrise Kingdom

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http://fantasymovieleague.com/

Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.

It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.

You have an 8 screen theater.

Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.

Then you compete against other theaters in your league.

It's fantasy football for movie people.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

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Thanks for listening, and until next week...