“Nomadland”..now streaming on Hulu, this is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of the year and already winning awards. Frances McDormand could well win her 3rd Oscar, playing Fern, a woman who loses everything in the Great Recession, going on a journey through the American West. It’s just a gorgeous film, in terms of the acting, message and landscape. Rather than what you’d expect, an angry, dark movie about the down-and-out-forgottens, this is a celebration of the nomad experience and freedom from what most experience as everyday life. It’s a quiet film but so, so powerful and beautiful. I honestly can’t imagine anyone but McDormand in this role. David Strathairn has a much smaller role but in his own way, is just as commanding as a nomad who leaves the life, finding meaning in family. The film is a great reminder that we may not control everything that happens to us in life but we can control how we react to it.
4 Hearts
“Truth To Power” ..a documentary about System Of A Down Grammy winner, founder and lead singer Serj Tankian. From a very early age, Serj learned how his grandfather survived, although was left blind as a 5 year old , in the Armenian Genocide. It became a driving force Serj’s life : get the U.S. to officially recognize this Genocide. All Genocides. Serj was on the path to becoming a lawyer, heading to take the LSAT test, the law SAT’s, when he had an epiphany that he really had no interest in becoming a lawyer, despite his parents’ push for education . It was music that made him happy. Tankian found a way to combine his passions. The documentary (available on virtual theater at Truthtopowerfilm.com) shows how Tankian actually helped inspire the peaceful , so called Velvet Revolution, in Armenia. Long before the Kardashians became the most famous Armenian-Americans, along with Cher, Serj was put there proudly putting his community front and center. This documentary takes you behind the man , behind the music and gives a solid history lesson as well. Where it does NOT go is tabloid territory. We learn nothing really about his wife and 6 year old. Serj Tankian joins me on “Sonstein Sunday” 7 AM this weekend.
4 Hearts