Politics

Yesterday, I decided to tackle the stack of political propaganda that makes its way to my mailbox every election. I am an active voter (you are too, RIGHT?) and try to set aside quality time to review the current issues and candidates on the ballot. In California, we generally have a good share of hot topic issues to ponder each election and this year seems to be no different.

I came across a DVD mailer for the documentary film, Gerrymandering, about the same time that I glanced at a Los Angeles Times article on the film - so I figured it must be one of the aforementioned hot topics this time around. Plus, I was impressed at the savvy marketing job - sending it directly to voters while concurrently screening it in selected theaters.

If you don't remember from your school civics or poly-sci classes, gerrymandering is the act of redrawing electoral districts for political gain. It is referred to in the film as the "blood sport of politics", which is saying a lot. The film documents the problems inherent in letting politicians draw their own districts - which seem fairly obvious, but the film highlights a number of crazy, recent examples of this practice in action across the U.S. Like a NY state assembly election wherein an incumbent gerrymandered his opponent's street right out of the district and thus, the election. Say what? The issue bubbles up after each census' Congressional reapportionment, so here we are.

The film is quite one-sided, but not partisan, and I am glad to have this enlightening documentary reminder of how to help keep our legislative houses in order.

Baseball

For a lifelong NY Yankees fan, George Steinbrenner's death this summer was the end of an era. Love him or hate him, the Boss changed the game of baseball and reinvigorated the most storied team in sports history (and certainly elicited more than a few Bronx cheers from baseball fans over the years!). His legacy will continue to impact the sport for years to come.

ESPN's 30 for 30 series continues this fall, and tonight's film directed by the famed documentarian Barbara Kopple explores The House of Steinbrenner. I've already set my DVR in anticipation of reliving the days of George at the helm of my beloved Bronx Bombers.

In other baseball news, I had the fantastic privilege to meet one of my documentary heroes, Ken Burns, last month at a Dodgers game reception honoring him and his upcoming PBS film with Lynn Novick, The Tenth Inning, which airs 9/28-9/29. What a thrill and I am looking forward to viewing the new chapter to his treasured PBS Baseball series of 1994.

I'm going to go settle in now to enjoy the early days of fall baseball. America's pastime continues to delight, and what better way to relive all of the thrills than through documentaries!

Summer

Eek, it's been a while. I've been blazing through the wintery-like Southern California summer, but of course have still found time to check out a bunch of new captivating docs.

HBO Documentaries has once again been showcasing a number of fine films in their esteemed, now annual Summer Series. I recently attended a screening for the film 12th and Delaware, an intense look at one Florida intersection where an abortion clinic and pro-life center sit within steps of each other. The incendiary abortion rights debate finds its ground zero here, in a daily battle for women at a crossroads (literally). That film stayed with me for a while.

I also have queued up on my dvr Smash His Camera, the story of pioneer paparazzo Ron Galella, whom you may remember as Jackie O's New York City street nemesis during the '70s and '80s. I can't wait to watch that one, nor Lucky - a film on the aftermath of winning the lottery.

My Sundance favorite, Gasland, also made the lineup - I'm glad their story of the consequences of natural gas fracking has reached a wider audience, to hopefully raise the level of public awareness and debate.

There are a number of other strong films - check them out Monday evenings on HBO. By the end of summer you will hopefully not only have a glowing tan, but be well versed on a plethora of fascinating stories from around the globe!