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I'm just going to go ahead and put Spike Lee's latest on the list. But I'm not doing it because of him or because it's exquisitely crafted. I'm doing it because Little League pitcher Mo'ne Davis is amazing. This 16-minute doc effectively communicates her story and allows her personality to shine. She's a natural and she just gets more likable the more you know about her.JerrycanUntrained child actors, an improvisational camera style, no lights, and a stark storyline give Julius Avery's short film Jerrycan a grittiness and a gravity. Close, quick, and fluid shots capture the tension of the characters and sometimes coyly expose the nervousness of the actors. The plot concerns a gang of boys' shifting hierarchy and the resulting peer pressure. The kids must all ask themselves how much they are willing to risk to gain the respect of the others and themselves. It won the Jury Prize at Cannes in 2008 and was an honorable mention at Berlin and Sundance, the film is well vetted and ready for your consumption.
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