The Cove

So, it's been a while.  So sue me.  This blogging thing is far harder than I expected. I figured once I'd watch a movie, I'd have all these things to say (which I usually do), but then I sit down in front of the screen and I totally freeze up and can't think of anything whitty or entertaining to write.  BAH!

Ah well, I finally got around to watching The Cove, the 2010 Oscar-Winner documentary about the un-just killing of dolphins in Japan.  I'd heard nothing but amazing things, and let me tell you, this film does not dissapoint!  In a covert mission complete with help from technology from the U.S. Military, and two free-divers this team sets out to witness and document the harrowing killing of thousands of dolphins in a highly protected cove in Taiji, Japan. 

In one of the very first scenes you're introdued to Richard O'Barry who was the dolphin trainer on the American classic Flipper. Since then, Ric has been heavily involved in fighting for dolphin rights and has been arrested throughout the world in doing so.  O'Barry explains how dolphins are one of the only animals that are self-aware (i.e. if they look in a mirror, they knows it's them).  He also explains how every breath a dolphin takes is a conscious one, because they don't have gills, they know when they need to breathe and rise to the surface.  Having O'Barry be the ring leader of this project gives this film so much more feeling.  In one scene he simply states, "Every year that Flipper was on, I went out and bought a new porsche, what I should have been doing is fighting for these animals."  TEAR-JERKER

The documentary moves with a the speed of a high-action thriller and uncovers several other social, economical and human problems along the way.  It's on-the-edge-of-your-seat viewing the whole way through and just a warning in the end you leave the film, crew, and Japan feeling a overwhelmed and a little sad.  Even my veiwing partner looked at me an hour later and said, "I feel depressed."

Do not let the emotion deter you. Every minute of this documentary is worth watching.  (However, you may never want to go Sea World again...just saying). 

Whether you're an environmentalist, humanitarian, animal rights activist, or just looking for a thought-provoking 2 hours, WATCH THE COVE!