Two Film Documentaries on Amazon Instant

Off track yet again.  Clearly I do not find the mid-60’s the most inspiring time for cinema.  Never fear, I will finish 1965 by the end of the year.  But this list was so tempting!  Documentaries About Movies. 

Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010)
Directed by Craig McCall

[box] Most directors who have been around for a while, acquire a gaunt, soul-scarred look associated with fighter pilots who have survived a war. – Jack Cardiff[/box]

 Fantastic look at the career of oft-lauded cinematographer/director Jack Cardiff, who is most associated with The Archers but did so much more.  In his 90th year, Cardiff is a wonderful storyteller and of course the clips are mind-bogglingly beautiful.  Recommended.  Film and trailer also available on YouTube.

The gigantic, unwieldy Technicolor camera with which Cardiff (seated) did his magic.

American Grindhouse (2010)
Directed by Elijah Drenner

[box] [asked what his epitaph should read] He seen somethin’ different. And he done it. — Herschell Gordon Lewis[/box]

It’s a fascinating documentary chronicling the history of exploitation cinema from “educational” teens-run-amok movies to nudie cuties through where it ended up in  porn.  This stuff (not the porn part) is my jam and I loved this one.  Lots of commentary by both the men who cranked it out and by mainstream directors inspired by their days at the grindhouses on 42nd Street.  

Dwain Esper – Godfather of Exploitation and auteur of such greats as “Sex Maniac” and “Reefer Madness”