Gypsy Caravan [NR]◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ • 4/5
I heard about this documentary in a review on National Public Radio. I was especially interested in it for a couple of reasons. First, because I enjoy gypsy music. Secondly, I have several connections (family and friends) with people in Romania, and two of the groups featured in this film are from Romania.
I'm glad that the DVD included some extra full performances, since you never get full performances in the film. A couple negative comments: I don't think the Johnny Depp interview added anything, and I thought the contrived use of the stage manager's microphone to slip in extra background details was hokey. Overall, I found the movie to be enjoyable. Oddly, the best footage was not the performances, but rather the visits to the homes and villages of the performers.
The film documents a six week tour in America by five very different musical groups including Esma Redzepova, Maharaja, Fanfare Ciocarlia and more. The wide variety of musical styles (flamenco, brass band, Indian folk, Romanian violin, jazz and raga) reflects both the diversity and similarities of the Romani peoples from India to Spain.
What the Bleep Do We Know [NR]◊ • • • • 1/5
I read about this movie in several blogs discussing physics and metaphysics. As it turns out, the movie is basically a piece of new age propaganda from several adherents of the Ramtha School of Enlightenment. The teachings of the RSE claim to be received from an entity known as Ramtha who is allegedly "channelled" through JZ Knight.
The movie uses the mysteries of quantum physics as a springboard for advocating RSE concepts. Viewers may be surprised to find out that they, along with everything, are God; that there is no right or wrong; and that reality is just a projection of the mind. Everything is pretty much your fault, but don't worry, you can think it all better.
Don't waste your time with this movie. If you're really interested in physics and metaphysics, look for books and interviews with John Polkinghorn. There is a wonderful interview with him on the Speaking of Faith website.
