Could Michael Moore’s new documentary, “Capitalism: A Love Story,” be his last? I’ve been wondering that myself, since the film will likely offend many companies who might offer financing for future films.
The film is a scathing critique of Wall Street, capitalism, and what some would call greedy bankers across America. Moore admits that many of the companies that financed this film will probably be unhappy with the final product.
“Why would these companies give money to me, a guy who is diametrically opposed to everything they stand for? One of the beautiful flaws of capitalism is they will …read more

That’s a wrap for the 5th Annual Traverse City Film Festival, and it featured a great selection of films and some surprise guests, as well. I didn’t expect to see Patton Oswalt at the screening of "Big Fan," so that was fun. He’s a very funny guy.
Day Five was a mixed bag. First, my son and I saw "In the Loop," a BBC film directed by Armando Iannucci, whose credits include assorted TV shows, including "I’m Alan Partridge," "Lab Rats," "Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle," and "Genius."
"In the Loop" is a political comedy told in a documentary-style format. The …read more

I received a screener recently that’s both beautiful and touching – and it’s a film that everyone should see. “The Singing Revolution” is a documentary by James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty which celebrates the amazing power of song to free a nation.
If you’re feeling downtrodden by the state of the world lately, this is a really moving film that will help you regain some hope that things really can change – without using violence.
Narrated by Linda Hunt, “The Singing Revolution” centers on the people of Estonia, one of the world’s smallest countries, but which also has one of …read more

Here’s my theory on why the Jonas Brothers are so popular: they’re young and fresh, they obviously love their fans, their singing isn’t half bad, and the tween crowd loves them. Plus, the whole purity ring business is a good thing (even if it was engineered by a publicist, which I’m just cynical enough to think might be the case).
At any rate, Nick, Joe and Kevin are headed to the big screen. “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience” will be in theaters this Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. It’s 76 minutes long and rated G (yay!). The film blends footage …read more

Cheech & Chong are making a comeback! They’re currently on their “Light Up America Tour,” and you can check out the dates and locales on their Web site. A documentary about the tour will be out sometime in 2009.
There’s also a Cheech & Chong Roast airing tonight, Sunday, 10 p.m. on TBS. I won’t miss it, because, well, I love those guys.
I talked to Tommy recently about what’s going on in his life, including his documentary, “A/k/a Tommy Chong,” released on DVD earlier this year. It chronicles how Tommy got busted for selling bongs, and how the …read more

Maybe Michael Moore should team up with Roland Emmerich for a “2012″ companion movie. Word is that Moore’s follow-up to “Fahrenheit 9/11″ was originally supposed to focus on foreign policy. But since the economy’s nose-dive in recent months, he’s decided to focus on that instead.
The still-untitled project is said to contain an end-of-the-empire tone that doesn’t focus on politics. Say what?! I can’t believe any movie of Moore’s won’t include his left-leaning views. Maybe because there’s a Democrat in the White House now?
Still, Moore (pictured with pal Madonna at the Traverse City Film Festival) has never been …read more

Really, it’s amazing that it’s taken so long for this movie to get made, isn’t it? A biopic on Jerry Garcia is in the works, based on Robert Greenfield’s book “Dark Star.”
The movie will focus on Garcia’s early life in the Bay Area before he joined the band that would become “The Grateful Dead. Ooh, if all those many walls could talk!
Included: a stint in the military, a life-changing car accident, and his first encounters with Northern California’s music scene, including future Dead bassist Phil Lesh.
There have been plenty of documentaries on the band - including 1977’s …read more