Senna

I really enjoyed watching this 2010 documentary called, appropriately, Senna. 

It's about Ayrton Senna, Brazilian legend and one of the greatest Formula 1 [F1] drivers there ever was. It includes family-made home movies, F1 footage, interviews with crew, family, drivers, average Brazilians... 

I think this movie is geared (so to speak) much more for race fans. It's all about his spectacular F1 career, with only hints at past and periphery. 

I (as a former race fan) loved re-living some really amazing moments in his stellar career. And there were more than a few that I didn't remember or didn't realize the importance of.  

And the on-board cam! Oh, how I love the on-board race car cam! I wish I would have seen this on the big screen for the 200+ mph straights and tight cornering!!

There is drama and bad guys. There's politics and big money and then there's Ayrton in the opposite corner. It is entertaining...

But only in the F1 sense. I really wished the movie was longer and more in-depth. There's very little before F1. And after talking to a native Brazilian, I don't think the movie gave him enough credit for being such a national icon. No one in the US compares. He WAS Brazil! 

The only other minor gripes: Could he thank God any more in interviews? Probably not. Could he not wear speedos in Brazil in the late 80's? Probably not.  

Oh, and there are about 3 really grizzly things in the movie. No horror movie stuff. No blood and guts. But some horrific accidents. After all, he did lose his life doing the thing he was best at and loved so much. And what we mere mortals can only do on PlayStation.

Over all, I really enjoyed this look at a super-skilled driver, and really good guy!

Tracker

In the recent absence of good movies I managed to find one worth reviewing: 2010's Tracker.

Set and filmed in New Zealand, a veteran of the Boer War tracks a Maori (read: aboriginal, or less-than-human) accused  of murder through the wilderness. 

I don't want to give too much up, but it is very cliche at points, especially early. This is pretty much what I expected. (What'd you mean everyone but the Boar lost his trail??)

What I love about this movie is the direction, first of all. Every chance he gets, Ian Sharp takes a long-angle shot of New Zealand's beautiful landscapes. They truly are another character in the movie.

The acting is very good, including a South African accent so outrageously authentic I had to turn on the English subtitles at times. But the other actors are great too. (In fact it was written specifically for the actor of the Maori character.) 

Over all, I'd say better than usual. Not great. But worth watching..