Great footage. I just wish there was something - narrator or whatever - to briefly chime in and give us a change of pace. By just relying on Gruen and Beck's footage I feel like something is lost in translation regarding the story of the Dolls.
The subject of the documentary was good enough to succinctly say this of the film, "Some of it is very good and some of it is very annoying." I think he sells it a bit short. Filmmaker Jay Bulger, who was a generation removed from Baker's commercial heyday, saw the early 70's Ginger Baker: In Africa documentary, and wondered if Cream's groundbreaking, extremely crazed ex-drummer was still alive. Not only was he still alive, Bulger found him on a compound with lots of Polo horses in South Africa, cantankerous as ever, and willing to talk. What transpires is essentially a straight, very lengthy interview mixed with dark-tinged, damaged-looking animation meant to match Baker's often altered physical and mental states of existence. However, what is not altered is his continous restlessness, wayward outbursts, inevitable clashes with authority, and the overwhelming sense that Ginger is both charmed and tortured to survive his constant careening from crisis to self-inflicted crisis. That, and, he might just be the greatest natural drummer of all-time.
One thing I can say about this book is that it is definitely irreverent. However, as far as behind the scenes looks went, I felt Eskenazi could have gone much further. Then again, maybe he didn't have to. Anyone familiar with the NFL knows about the New York Jets - a franchise eternally doomed to second-class status in any number of measurable areas - except for one shining moment in 1969 when they shocked the football world by becoming the first charter AFL franchise to win a Super Bowl. But for most of their history, the Jets were a rudderless band of malcontents and misfits begging for leadership from the top which they never received, and eventually, the culture became paranoid and toxic. This is the loose chronological thread that Eskenazi follows, with glimpses of actual humanity every now and then peeking out of the miasmic muck - the meteoric, violent flameout that was the end of coach Walt Michaels' tenure is oddly touching, for example. He intentionally doesn't tie up any loose ends, because the Jets never seemed to, either. And it's a quick read, too.
Easily one of the most sober-minded, detailed books written about the NFL ever written. Roughly covers the NFL between the mid-70's and the mid-80's, focusing on the interaction between the owners and then-commissoner Pete Rozelle. A lot of coverage is given to Al Davis and his court battles with the league and various entities over the move of his franchise from Oakland to Los Angeles. I will admit the author gets a bit too detailed at times, but if you ever wanted a primer on the motives of your average NFL owner - and just how the league works overall - this book is a must-read.
Not too bad for Sixth Sense even in its abridged NG version. The convoluted plot is an unintentional adventure with its' share of thrills.
