Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind

Movies to See Right Now (at home)

by
Itsaso Arana in THE AUGUST VIRGIN. Photo courtesy of Outsider Pictures.

This week: five new 2020 movies, and the best two are about young women in European summers.

ON VIDEO

The August Virgin: In the best movie of summer 2020, a young woman switches up Madrid neighborhoods to mix things up in her life. It’s a lovely and genuine story of self-invention, and it’s on my list of Best Movies of 2020 – So Far. The August Virgin opens today on Virtual Cinemas, like San Rafael’s Rafael or Laemmle’s in LA.

An Easy Girl: A 16-year-old girl is introduced to her 22-year-old cousin’s Eurotrash lifestyle and learns about life; written by its female director, it doesn’t go as you would expect. An Easy Girl is a NYT Critic’s Pick and it is streaming on Netflix.

Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind: A surprisingly interesting documentary about a now genial singer-songwriter that I hadn’t thought of for decades. I watched it at the Laemmle.

The Speed Cubers: This short documentary about a curiosity surprisingly turns into a moving story about love, friendship and profound decency. Streaming on Netflix.

Radioactive: Marie Curie led an amazing life – I knew about the two Nobel prizes, but not about the tragic early death of her husband, the sex scandal, WW I X-ray machines and more. You would think this would make for a scintillating biodoc, but this isn’t. Rosamund Pike is excellent as Curie but can’t save the movie. Streaming on Amazon (included with Prime).

The most eclectic watch-at-home recommendations you’ll find ANYWHERE:

ON TV

Bette Davis and Warren William in SATAN MET A LADY

Can you imagine The Maltese Falcon as a screwball comedy? On August 23, Turner Classic Movies has just that – Satan Met a Lady, the earlier, 1936 version of The Maltese Falcon, starring Bette Davis and Warren William, the King of Pre-Code. I’ve written about The three faces of The Maltese Falcon. Satan Met a Lady is lots of fun and well worth watching.

GORDON LIGHTFOOT: IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND: no, I hadn’t though of him for decades, either

by
Gordon Lightfoot in GORDON LIGHTFOOT: IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND

Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind is a surprisingly interesting documentary about a now genial singer-songwriter that I hadn’t thought of for decades.

The biodoc emphasizes Lightfoot’s talent as a songwriter and his importance to Canadian music scene. Just when it starts getting too reverential, the more lively tidbits from his career and personal life start rolling out.

Notably, the inspiration for the lyrics of Sundown is revealed:

I can see her lyin’ back in her satin dress

In a room where ya do what ya don’t confess

Sundown you better take care

If I find you been creepin’ ’round my back stairs

Amazingly, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was recorded not only on the first TAKE, but the on first time Lightfoot’s band had ever PLAYED the song.

Gordon Lightfoot in GORDON LIGHTFOOT: IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND

Physically unrecognizable from his hey day, the 81-year-old version of Lightfoot is pretty likeable. He is modest and irreverent about his own work (I hate that fuckin’ song). He is also grateful for his blessings, sober, open and regretful about the mistakes in his personal life.

Heck, I enjoyed spending an hour-and-a-half with the guy. Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind is available on Virtual Cinema; I watched it at the Laemmle.