Review: Intriguing documentaries make their way to DVD

“Iron Man” is the precursor to this summer’s megahit period, and it’s a fun film, but I couldn’t bear to see “Speed Racer” or the latest “Narnia” movie.

What to do?

Turn to DVD releases.

In particular, there are a number of interesting documentaries recently released for the home market, and only one ever showed up on-screen in Springfield.

‘Sicko’

That film is “Sicko,” directed by the admittedly left-leaning Michael Moore. Whether one agrees with his politics is beside the point, and even though critics of Moore will point out that he has stacked the deck (he usually does so) the film doesn’t lie, it simply views the health care crisis in America through the lens of a liberal.

I saw “Sicko” when it was released but had a better viewing experience recently at a screening party attended by a few doctors, a few lawyers, a prominent former executive at a major health care center and a number of other folks with impeccable credentials. After watching the film, one of the doctors moderated a book-club style discussion that went on for more than an hour. There were varying views of the situation, but the general consensus seemed to be: The system is broke and needs to be fixed. Not with Band-Aids, but with major surgery.

“Sicko” is a movie that will spark much thought and is one of Moore’s best works.

‘My Kid Could Paint That’

“My Kid Could Paint That,” directed by Amir Bar-Lev, teaches a lesson of how a well-made documentary can be extremely powerful.

Bar-Lev got close to his subjects, and there is much controversy surrounding the subject matter. But the director doesn’t ever tip his hand as to which side he’s aligned.

The subject matter is the artwork of Marla Olmstead – paintings that have sold for tens of thousands of dollars. It should be noted that Olmstead’s creations were done when she was between the ages of 4 and 6. And no one, except her parents, ever saw her do a painting from start to finish. Not even “60 Minutes,” which sent a film crew to interview the Olmsteads and film Marla at work. What they captured was Marla slopping paint on a canvas with the result looking like what any 5 year old might do. It wasn’t the high-priced, abstract modern art (Marla has been likened to Jackson Pollock) that the gallery mavens touted as the work of a child prodigy.

What’s the difference between a kid’s dribblings and a modern masterpiece? A fan base and a few hundred thousand dollars.

The fact that Marla’s dad is an aspiring artist – and gives interviews that are as unsettling as those given by convicted criminals denying their guilt – led me to my own conclusions. But Bar-Lev remains neutral, and every viewer will have a unique opinion.

‘How to Cook Your Life’

“How to Cook Your Life” is a fascinating look at the art and practice of cooking as an act of spirituality. The subject of the film, directed by Doris Dorrie, is Zen Master Edward Espe Brown, author of the popular cookbooks “The Tassajara Bread Book,” “The Tassajara Recipe Book” and “Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachings.” His Buddhism comes through in his instructions on cooking, as evidenced when he says, “When you’re cooking, you’re not just cooking, not just working on food, you are also working on yourself, on other people.”

Even casual students of the Zen philosophy will recognize the influence when Brown advises, “When you wash the rice, wash the rice, when you cut the carrots, cut the carrots, when you stir the soup, stir the soup.”

I’ve been cooking since I was in grade school, and a long time back I read that when preparing food, the cook should do it with a cheerful heart and calm spirit and filled with love.

Is that corny? I don’t think so. My grandma cooked the best food I’ve ever tasted, and it was evident that love, was indeed, a key ingredient in her meals.

“How to Cook Your Life” is a must-see for anyone who enjoys to cook, watches the Food Network or finds the Zen approach to things soothing.

‘What Would Jesus Buy?’

From the sublime to what may be seen by some as the cynical, there’s “What Would Jesus Buy?” directed by Rob VanAlkemade.

As a matter of full disclosure, it must be pointed out that I have not had a Christmas tree, an Easter basket or answered the door on Halloween in my adult life. It’s not a matter of being a Grinch, it’s a matter of disgust with commercialization.

Performance artist and star of “What Would Jesus Buy?” Bill Talen – billed in the film as Rev. Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping – feels the same way.

This documentary is hilarious on the surface but resonates with serious truth.

As Rev. Billy travels around the country with his Stop Shopping Choir, he asks people what they think Jesus might want for Christmas. More than one of the completely straight-faced respondents replies, “An X-Box 360.”

The settings range from Times Square to the Mall of America in Minneapolis to Wal-Mart headquarters in Arkansas to Disneyland. Each location has a Rev. Billy rally.

While the humor is full-frontal, the film also mentions several very serious issues ranging from child slave labor in Bangladesh to the enormous aggregate credit-card debt owed by American consumers.

“What Would Jesus Buy?” isn’t a film for everyone. But potential viewers will no doubt know in advance if they are going to understand and enjoy it. I bought it for myself as an early Christmas present. It’s never too soon to get that impending holiday shopping done.

As a relief from the usual Hollywood fare, it’s worth a trip to the local book/video outlet or rental store to peruse the documentary section.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield freelance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.