I always thought I was going to do great things. I just didn’t understand why I didn’t.

- Mike Bell

One of my favorite documentaries of the year, Bigger, Stronger, Faster*, was a film that was about more then steroid use in America. It focused and illustrated the oddly strange fascination with performance enhancing drugs that was now seemingly embedded within American culture. Director Chris Bell opened up his own home and examined how steroids directly affected his life, and the lives of both of his brothers as they each dealt with their own reasoning for using or not using steroids. Chris himself chose not to use steroids, while both of his brothers not only used, but championed them.But in perhaps the most fascinating part of the film, it was the story of Chris’ older brother Mike Bell, a former wrestler for the WWE, and his struggles to recapture in-ring glory that really elevated the film from a mere examination of the film to a stunning and thought provoking human interest story. Mike was a man who had a dream of being someone, and was willing to do whatever it took to reach his goals. By the end of Bigger, Stronger, Faster* Mike and his wife have moved out to California, hoping that the change of scenery will help jump start Mike’s wrestling career, as well as brighten his spirits and strengthen their marriage. Both seem happy about the move, even as Mike worries about destroying his marriage, but in a scene that is now chilling Chris and Mike’s father has a very different take on Mike’s life and dreams.

On December 14th, 2008, Sheldon Bell’s worst fears were realized when his first born son Mike Bell died at the age of 37. It is a tragic end to a fascinating, complex and much needed film.

I’m running a bit behind today so I am going to have to keep this relatively short. In semi non-related news I finally broke down and bought an Eee this week, and it should arrive sometime next week. I’ve been eyeing one for sometime so I can actually get some work done while I am on the road visiting family, and it should allow me to not have to sit in my cramped room all the time when I type things up.

As for new releases this week the easy choice for theaters is the new adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s Choke, starring Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Houston and a slew of other people you will recognize but not know their names. I had the chance to see it several months ago at the Mpls/St Paul International Film Festival and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Hopefully you will too.

But the film I am most excited for this week is getting released on DVD this upcoming Tuesday, and that is Bigger Stronger Faster*. It is a documentary on the steroid culture in the United States and it is outstanding. It is one of a slew of excellent documentaries being released this year, which is looking to be yet another banner year for the genre. Do yourself a favor and watch the movie.

As always trailers are after the break!

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