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Reviews
Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars (2017)
Pretty darn good, but not perfect
There are a lot of reviews here and elsewhere that focus on EC's apparent lack of remorse. I agree, he could probably do more to atone for his terrible behavior, but I am willing to give him a bit of a bye, as he seems to be working hard to raise a family and be a loving husband and father in the waning years of his life. Unless you know first-hand what being abandoned by your mother can do to a man, don't be so quick to judge. It can be an awful path to walk, and (as I know) can lead to selfish and excessive behavior.
That said, I think this documentary does a very good job presenting Eric's life and *some* of the events and people that were and are part of his orbit. I am a true fan, and have been so since the days of Cream. I rediscovered Eric in the mid nineties when my wife bought me an acoustic guitar for Christmas. Through Eric is DID learn about the blues, and today I love the 12-bar genre more than any other music style. He led me to it, and for that I am thankful.
One thing I did discover in this documentary was the session with Aretha Franklin. I was unaware of it, and I'd never heard "Good To Me As I Am To You" before this show. It's a great tune, and when a fan finds a "deep track" when Eric is concerned, it is a find.
Lastly, I think the documentary did well to shine a light onto George Harrison's personality (to a small degree). I left my viewing with a lot of sympathy for Pattie Boyd. She seems to have been a woman doomed to be drawn to damaged men.
In my life, I don't think I've ever met a compelling artist that didn't have a number of flaws as a human being. Eric is no exception, and he deserves much credit for the art that he has created for us, and generations to come.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Brie Larson showed the range of a squirt gun
I had high hopes for the movie when it was announced, but the pre-release commentary let me know what I was in for. My son and i have a long-running tradition of watching Marvel releases in the theatre - usually on opening weekend. I wasn't about to break that thread, as a family tradition is worth much more than having to endure a bad movie. I still went with an open mind, and was willing to be entertained. Sadly, Brie Larson was so flat as a character, that I never found myself rooting for her, or otherwise caring in any way. Given the fact the Captain Marvel will likely be a pivotal character in Endgame, I can't for the life of me understand why another more dynamic actress could have been given the role. Endgame is only going to be diminished by Ms. Larson's ability.