Bettle Queen Conquers Tokyo (Grade C+)

Director: Jessica Oreck
Producer: Jessica Oreck
Topic: Insects as pets in Japan

sez says:  this documentary wonders around the web of cultural and historical ties underlying Japan's relationship with insects...INCLUDING the new market for Bug as PETS.  This is strange stuff.. about 20% will put you to sleep--and 20% is really great--the remaining 60% is nothing less than weird. It could have done with less 'arty' ramblings. But it did a great job weaving layer upon layer of material that seemed disconnected at times and then would snap into place to form understandings of Japanese culture. Here you find kitsch meeting science, meeting philosophy, meeting ecology, meeting music and poetry and on and on. This is not linear--but it eventually takes shape..even if you take a nap in the middle.  Grade C+

Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues: A Musical Journey, Vol 5: Fathers & Godsons (Grade B)

Director: Marc Levin
Topic: The Blues --Chicago, Chess Records, Rap

Includes rapper Chuck D, Marshall Chess (of Chess Records) Bo Diddley, Pinetop Perkins, Sam Lay, Lonnie Brooks, Chuck D and Public Enemy, Common, Ike Turner, Koko Taylor, Magic Slim, Howlin' Wolf and more

sez says: we are sticking with this series because it is a joy to listen to the music and to be learn more about the history of our favorite music.  This disc focuses on Chicago and Chess Record. It tells about Maxwell Avenue and about how it came to be the "Black+Jews=Blues" in the windy city. The organizing structure of this film is Rapper Chuck-D (of Public Enemy) came across an old Chess record (Electric Mudd) and contacted Marshall Chess (son of the founder of Chess Records) to learn more about the record. So Chess and D wonder about the city talking about and listening to old and new Chicago Blues and eventually build a bridge from the blues of old to the rapper of today--It all ends in really pretty amazing recording section where the original musicians from Electric Mudd (which is a psychedelic version of Muddy Water's music that was panned when it was released in the 1960s or 1970s) join forces with rappers of the early 2000s era,  It is a little slow in places in the middle..but it is still a fine ride. (Grade B to me)