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Berkshire Arts #018
Berkshire Fine Arts Has Moved http://www.berkshirefinearts.com Berkshire Arts #017 Bird Soars Sweetly at WTF Looking ahead at the Main Stage in Williamstown Berkshire Arts #015 Two Must See Documentaries Inconvenient Truth and Wordplay Berkshire Arts #014 Swan Songs Covering the Eclipse Mill, Tanglewood and the Williamstown Theatre Festival Berkshire Arts #013 Berkshire Notes: July 21, 2006 Eagle Beach, artStart, Northern Berkshire Creative Arts, Brill Gallery Studio, Stephen Clark Lecture, TV Star Amy Brenneman for Nikos Stage at WTF |
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Inconvenient Truth and Wordplay July 27, 2006 By Nikolai Rudd If you haven’t seen these two documentaries see them in the theaters or wait for them to go on video and DVD. They are two of the best documentaries this year. First, lets tackle Al Gore’s lifetime fight to bring to light the effects of global warming around the world. What are we doing to contribute to it? Why has the temperature of risen in the atmosphere as well as the oceans over the last 10 years? These are two questions Gore tackles in this film, that not only entertains but educates the audience on man’s (particularly the United State’s) contribution to the problem. His message is simple. If we change a little of our habits, it will go a long way to reverse this epidemic. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, “An Inconvenient Truth” weaves together Gore’s message through lectures given all over the world and footage of damage that had been done to parts of the Earth like the ice sheets melting in the North Pole and drowning the existing Polar Bears as they swim in vain, trying to find ice sheets to climb on. Gore also uses data collected since he began this quest to change the global climate during his advocacy for the environment more than 30 years ago while in college. Though the movie does show images that are haunting, it is not one of despair, but rather a rally and a challenge to everyone to do their little part in order to reverse the effects of global warming. Years ago when scientists found a hole in the ozone layer which protected humans from the effects of the sun, many believed that it was irreversible and would only get worse. Since then, researchers and scientists did everything to find a way to correct the problem by having us change a few things. Today the ozone is no longer a problem. Being an advocate for the environment, I hope that people watch this film and realize that little changes in their lives can make big changes and affect the world as we know it. The second must see documentary is “Word Play”, directed by Patrick Creadon. The movie deals with people’s obsession with the New York Times Crossword Puzzle and the 28th National Crossword Puzzle Tournament that has been held since its inception at the Marriot in Stamford, Connecticut. While Will Shortz and Mearl Reagle s talk about how they create the puzzles and edit them, Creadon introduces some of the past champions and shows the audience how these contestants prepare and actually work on the puzzles. There are also guest appearances from Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, John Stewart, The Indigo Girls, and Mike Mussina a pitcher for the New York Yankees. If you liked Spellbound, about the National Spelling Bee or the movie about the National Scrabble Championship, then you will definitely like “Word Play”. As my dad said, “I don’t even like crosswords, but I really enjoyed the film. In fact, I think it was better than the one about the spelling bee”. ----- 
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