By Gregory Crofton Want to know what it’s like to be a Patel? You know, the Indian-American families named Patel who own motels all across America. I didn’t really want to know, but once I plunged into MEET THE PATELS,…
‘HOLY HELL’: Director of Cult Documentary Interviewed
“Holy Hell,” a documentary directed by Will Allen, tells of the filmmaker’s time with the Buddhafield, a Los Angeles–based “spiritual group” he joined in the 1980s. Director Will Allen shares clips from the documentary as well as the trailer, and…
A Film on the Manic, Harmonic Strings of Legendary Bass Player Jaco Pastorius
By Gregory Crofton People, especially people who play electric bass, can be worshipful of Jaco Pastorius. He’s their Hendrix. Pastorius pried the metal frets off the neck of his guitar and slid straight into a new world, one where he…
‘THE SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD OF SPARKLEHORSE’: A Close Look at the Delicate Music of Mark Linkous
By Gregory Crofton Long rides on his motorcycle through the mountains of North Carolina brought him some peace. So did smoking cigarettes and holing up in his studio to create quiet, melodic indie rock. “The thing about Mark, he was…
‘GLEASON’: From NFL Star to ALS Diagnosis
GLEASON a documentary capturing the first five years of former New Orleans Saint defensive back Steve Gleason who, at the age of 34, was diagnosed with ALS. Filmmaker Clay Tweel discusses Steve’s life and ALS technology today. Tweel also breaks…
‘EYES ON MISSISSIPPI’: How One Journalist Fought White Supremacy in Mississippi
By Gregory Crofton I interviewed a reporter named Bill Minor in 1999 as part of earning my master’s degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi. Minor suffered a stroke and had been slowed down, but he still made time…