Summer Movie's '04 by Knom Dee Gare

The best movie so far this summer is a documentary. No, not the Leni Riefenstahl-esque Farenheit 9/11. It is Bukowski, Born Into This. For fans of the low-brow poet and prose master or fans-in-waiting, this unflinching look at genius unmasked is essential viewing. It is more quickly plotted that any vapid pre-fabricated blockbuster and it does not deify its subject. The scene in which Bukowski kicks his wife is truly harrowing viewing. Unfortunately, this film has the field relatively to itself, with quality apparently a non-starter in Hollywood this season. It has gotten so bad that Garden State, by virtue of Natalie Portman's beauty, has been well-reviewed. That piece of tripe does not even hold water for the most sentimental and stupid 20 something audience for which it shamelessly grabs. So do yourself a favor if you respect yourself. Get the Bukowski movie and avoid losing any more essential intelligence with the rest of the garbage in the air-conditioned dark.