GOOD LITTLE KNOWN MOVIES

                                                         Part 4

I guess we always realized there was a person inside that costume. I Am Big Bird (2015)  is the true story of Caroll Spinney, who invented and played the giant creature for more than 40 years. This fascinating documentary shows in detail how the magic was done and managed to captivate the hearts of children of all ages. Big Bird was the kind, slightly off-center friend we all wanted.  Goofy and yellow, yes, but kindness personified. By the way, Mr. Spinney also voiced the hilarious Oscar The Grouch!

   Being Elmo (2012 ) One of the most popular Muppets, a late-comer to Sesame Street, was the red and fuzzy Elmo. (Remember tickle-me Elmo?) Being Elmo is a film about the invention and staging of this puppet. Though made in 2011, this movie wasn’t released until 2012. Kevin Clash, who moved and voiced Elmo,  rose from an humble beginning in Baltimore to become the biggest star in Jim Henson’s huge stable of life-size puppets.

  Two Days, One Night is one of those films with a fairly unpromising story line that turns out to be really good. Marion Cotillard misses a considerable time from her job in a solar panel factory because of illness. While she is gone, the other workers discover they can cover her duties by each working a little longer. The boss offers each of them a substantial bonus if they will continue to do the extra work and render Marion’s job superfluous. She begs the boss to let her stay. He tells her she has through the week-end to convince the others to forego the bonus and let her come back. She must visit each one and convince them to help her. To find out how it comes out, you’ll have to watch it. 

The Wrecking Crew is one of the most fascinating documentaries I have ever seen. It is about a group of musicians who play back-up for some of the most famous acts. Almost no one has ever heard of them- except the singers they play behind. In the music business, they are legendary. They have backed up The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, the Mamas and the Papas, Frank Sinatra, Sonny & Cher, and others. They are absolutely the go-to, call them first, back-up group

    And finally, I just must mention Amour (2012). Having won Oscar as Best Foreign Film, it is hardly a sleeper. But it is a wonder, featuring French icons Jean Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva as an artistic elderly couple and Isabelle Huppert as their pushy daughter. It is not easy to watch and the plot is too complicated to spin out here. But this is a masterpiece.

The first two are fine for all ages. The rest are for grown-ups. For sure, they are all available on DVD.