Frontline: The Al Qaeda Files (2006)

              Frontline:  The Al Qaeda Files          

NETFLIX SYNOPSIS:  Made over a span of five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, this collection of reports from the “Frontline” series investigates the inner workings of al-Qaida and the group’s link to America’s war on terror. The two-disc set examines the rise of Osama Bin Laden, U.S. intelligence failures, the history of Muslim fundamentalism, the story of ill-fated FBI agent John O’Neill, the arrest of a sleeper cell, al-Qaida’s activities in Europe and more.

REVIEW:  This two-disc series is a collection of eight Al Qaeda-themed episodes of the excellent PBS documentary series Frontline. Some early episodes were aired before 9/11 (“Hunting Bin Laden” aired in 1998 and eventually screened by the White House after 9/11), exploring the potential terrorist threat which would of course eventually become a reality.  Later episodes examine America’s place in post-9/11 global affairs.  Frontline takes an even-handed approach to the subject matter without all the finger-pointing and hand- wringing that generally accompanies post-tragedy analysis.  Two episodes in particular are fascinating: “The Man Who Knew” (disc one) about an FBI analyst who somewhat predicted the events of 9/11, and “Son of Al Qaeda” (disc 2) about the son of an Al Qaeda operative who is able to provide first-hand insight into the terrorist operations, as well as a more personal profile of Osama Bin Laden. The sheer volume of material is overwhelming at times, but as always Frontline is able to distill the information down and present it in an easily digestible package.

4.5 stars
HAWK

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991)

            Hearts of Darkness           

NETFLIX SYNOPSIS:  It’s Francis Ford Coppola vs. natural catastrophe, crazy actors, the Philippine government and crushing self-doubt in this unbelievable account of the making of the 1979 classic Apocalypse Now. Behind-the-scenes location footage is combined with candid 1990 interviews of cast and crew members; the result is a fascinating portrait of a director plunged into the very obsession he sought to portray on film.

REVIEW:  The above synopsis is wrong (again): Hearts of Darkness is actually Francis Ford Coppola vs. himself.  If any director could stake a claim to the turbulent 1970s, it was Coppola, whose iconic Godfather films along with the more subdued The Conversation and the mind-bending madness of Apocalypse Now would cement his reputation as one of the industry’s luminaries.  Hearts of Darkness is an intimate look at Coppola’s creative process during the insanity of the extended Apocalypse Now shoot.  Certainly there were plenty of distractions: typhoons, heart attacks, Philippine Government interference, alcohol and drugs, and Marlon Brando, and who’s to say which was worse?  Yet through it all, we’re captivated by Coppola, who pursued the project with a single-minded, visionary drive, ultimately offering his home and possessions as collateral should the picture fail.  Entire essays could be (and probably have been) devoted to what makes Apocalypse Now a great film, but Coppola was the guy who got it done, perhaps at the cost of his own sanity; certainly he’s never again approached the enormity of his 1970s oeuvre.

4.5 stars (subtract at least one star if you’ve never seen Apocalypse Now or don’t consider yourself a fan of the film)
HAWK

Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience (2007)

              Operation Homecoming         

NETFLIX SYNOPSIS:  Veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan recount their war experiences in this Oscar-nominated documentary, which collects the writings of soldiers and their families to give a deeply personal view of American troops’ involvement in these conflicts. Various visual strategies complement the interviews and readings by such noted actors as Robert Duvall, Beau Bridges, Blair Underwood, Aaron Eckhart and writers Anthony Swofford, James Salter and Tobias Wolff.

REVIEW:  In a sense, Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience doesn’t really tell us anything that we didn’t know on an abstract level. But I think there is a lot of value in immersing oneself in the concrete realities of those who serve, and of coming to a more intimate understanding of the human cost of fighting any war.

The photography and the stories are very powerful, and it is very interesting to see many different points of view from several different conflicts.  But more than anything else, this documentary has whetted my appetite to read the book.  I’m a bit surprised that this received a Best Documentary Oscar nod, because it is only an hour long, and is clearly made for television, but I learned something about the soul of the soldier, so it definitely achieves its purpose.

Of the documentaries nominated for an Oscar this year, No End in Sight is clearly the best film.  But this is a nice companion piece.

4 stars
Lori