I’m going to need to write an actual review of the movie for the main section of the site, but for now, it is enough to say that I was there and give my initial impressions of the movie. There is another showing Tuesday of next week which will also feature some discussion which I hope will bear interesting fruit. It will include three pannelists including one of the local meteorologists whose name escapes me at the moment. I’m hoping to be at this other showing and take notes.

But anyway, my impressions of the movie. The first thing that strikes me is that there is much about this movie which closely resembles (now, follow me on this, people) Mickey Hart’s Drumming at the Edge of Magic. What do I mean by this? While the subject matter couldn’t be more different (one is about the impending environmental disaster, and the other about the continuum of human spirt, time and the drum), both share a common narative style wherein the central story is woven around the biography of the author. In both cases, the result is a genuine artistic triumph that creates a very inspiring hero-myth capable of drawing the audience into the work.

On a more contextual level, this movie was filled with scary images, but also solid scientific research presented in a straightforward way that made a case for the reality we are facing right now. And while the grave concerns of scientists, experts and quite obviously Al Gore are very clearly presented, there is also the inspiration and motivation that no, the situation is not hopeless, and yes, we can do something about it. Or rather, many somethings. I’ve incorporated a “Daily Quotes” section of my site, but after having watched the movie, I am inspired to change that to a “Daily Efficiency” blurb showing one way in which we as individuals may become more energy-efficient. I think that’s a good thing.

As for this movie being a commercial for Gore’s next presidential run. . . Well, there’s no doubt that the seeds are planted in this movie. In weaving his story into the movie, he does touch on the 2000 elections in what seems a trifle out-of-context segment. He also takes a few stabs at the Bush Administration (but no where near the level of vehemence he’s shown in the past), and strongly posits the need for strong White House leadership in the area of conservation as the best route to solving our problem. That leadership is sorely lacking in the current administration, a fact which he also does not shrink from.

So, is he running? Who knows, but if he does, I’ll vote for him. I cannot think of another politician in Washington or elsewhere that is in a position to run for the presidency for whom the term “principled” seems to apply. That’s Democrats and Republicans alike, sorry John McCain. the biggest thing is that Al Gore has shown a personal commitment, passion and inspiration for doing something to make the world a better place. That is a thing which has always been sorely lacking in this administration: much though they talk about spreading democracy, that was specifically *not* Bush’s agenda during the 2000 campaigns, and they have shown a conspicuous lack of genuine inspiration in thier prosecution of thier supposed mission.

Meanwhile, an interesting serendipity happened to me this evening: while waiting for the theater to open, my fiancee and I struck up a conversation with a man who mentioned his personal goal of converting unused or abandoned land in Rochester into what he called “CSA Farms.” What is a CSA farm, you ask? So did I, and it turns out to be a Community Supported Agriculture Farm, meaning that people come together, buy the land, work the soil and reap the crops together. An interesting concept, leaving aside his specific goal of planting corn where there used to be old tires and various industrial chemicals. . .

But then, after the movie and a quick bite to eat at Zebbs, we returned home. I turned on the television and there was Independent Lens, with a story about (you guessed it) a CSA Farm. The story was called The Real Dirt on Farmer John, and it was an amazing peice of film, and equally environmental, resonant, biographical and inspiring.

But that’s about all I have to say about the movie so far, but I’m planning on seeing it again soon, after which I will be writing a much more robust review.