The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

Amazon.com

Quiet patience and an observant eye turn a seemingly unpromising subject into a rich and fascinating movie. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill captures the life of Mark Bittner, a gentle homeless musician who's befriended a flock of wild parrots in a neighborhood of San Francisco. Following Bittner, the

camera zooms in on individual parrots, revealing their individual personalities and the traits of their species. This leads to Bittner's own life, the network of friendships that support him, and the ways in which the parrots--a non-native species--interact with both the natural ecosystem and the city government; just about every topic opens up another until a flock of colorful birds represents a microcosm of nature and society.

Filmmaker Judy Irving has created an exemplary documentary simply by paying attention to the details of the world around her subject.

Everything you expect from a Hollywood blockbuster--romance, violence, humor, sorrow, strong personalities in conflict--is here in spades, except that the heroes and heroines have bright red and green feathers. Utterly rewarding. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description:
An "engrossing, delightful film" (The Washington Post), The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill is the bonafide sleeper theatrical hit of the year. The film's endearing guide is Mark Bittner, an aging bohemian, but the supporting cast members, a rambunctious flock of urban parrots, are the true stars, and their surprisingly humanlike behavior makes for a wondrous and rare experience. The film follows the ups-and-downs of these wild birds within the green niches of San Francisco as Bittner befriends, feeds, and names the members of the flock. Along the way, we meet many unforgettable characters: among them Connor, the grouchy yet lovable outcast of the flock, crying for a mate but luckless in his pursuits, and "the lovers," Picasso and Sophie, inseparable until Sophie is forced into mourning when Picasso disappears. More than a mere birdwatcher, Bittner finds solace in his immersion with these strikingly beautiful creatures - but how will he cope when he's evicted from his sanctuary and forced to live away from the parrots? Packed with romance, comedy and a surprise ending that "makes you feel like you could fly out of the theater" (San Jose Mercury News), The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill shows just how wondrously similar the human and animal worlds really can be.

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Description

An "engrossing, delightful film" (The Washington Post), THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL is the bonafide sleeper theatrical hit of the year. The film's endearing guide is Mark Bittner, an aging bohemian, but the supporting cast members, a rambunctious flock of urban parrots, are the true stars, and their surprisingly humanlike behavior makes for a wondrous and rare experience. The film follows the ups-and-downs of these wild birds within the green niches of San Francisco as Bittner befriends, feeds, and names the members of the flock. Along the way, we meet many unforgettable characters: among them Connor, the grouchy yet lovable outcast of the flock, crying for a mate but luckless in his pursuits, and "the lovers," Picasso and Sophie, inseparable until Sophie is forced into mourning when Picasso disappears. More than a mere birdwatcher, Bittner finds solace in his immersion with these strikingly beautiful creatures - but how will he cope when he's evicted from his sanctuary and forced to live away from the parrots? Packed with romance, comedy and a surprise ending that "makes you feel like you could fly out of the theater" (San Jose Mercury News), THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL shows just how wondrously similar the human and animal worlds really can be. DVD Features: Origins of the Flock; Urban Legends; Update: Mingus at the Oasis; Parrots Music Video; Mark Bittner's Home Movies; Flock Updates; Deleted Scenes; Theatrical Trailer; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround; California Quail Bonus Short; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews:

This is wonderful film and will be known as an enduring classic........2007-09-03

Mark Bittner shares his unique world and bond with seemingly wild and xenophobic parrots in the middle of one of the most densely populated cities.
The whole film is an honest capture and telling of dichotomy's by Judy Irving.
Irving ignores any special effects or CGI because the subject matter, the parrots, are beautiful to behold in San Francisco or their native S. American countries.
A truly poignant (and not lightly used description) of a kind hearted man who befriends wild parrots at first to nurture them but discovers they've nurtured him in a spiritual way that no other person could.
The sharing of experiences, especially of Tupelo will move you to tears and joy, this is a film that will become a well worn classic in your collection.
Thank you Mark.

A Love Story.......2007-08-27

This story really touches the heart. The birds are personalized,
you become friends with them and fall in love with them just as the main
character does. Share their joys and sorrows.

I don't say this often about any movie..........2007-08-11

I'm often disappointed in watching movies, because many r predictable and lack meaning & sincerity. Because of this, I don't often BUY movies. This movie gave me FAR more than I expected it would...When I saw this film in the theatre, I went from laughing and Aaawwwe-ing, 2 hyperventaling thru my tears. This documentary has many of the best things of life wrapped up into the ~80 minutes but it also didn't spare the cruel truths of life either. There is a suprise twist 2 the plot (all of us in the the theatre crowd cheered out loud) which, especially 4 a documentary, wrapped it up quite nicely.

The main premise revolves around Mark, a peaceful dreamer who lives an alternative life style, a path less traveled. He decided as a "failed musician" he would not sell out 2 have just any career and so chose 2 work odd jobs, leaving him much time on his hands. He was on a spiritual quest 2 find his niche, which led him 2 want 2 get more connected with nature. As fate would have it, he noticed the resident Wild Parrots (cherry headed conures, blue crowned conure-who stole my heart-& some visiting parakeets)& took an interet in them. Before he knew it, his interest grew and so did his knowledge & research efforts on them. He even ended up fighting in the courts 4 the birds when their survival was threatened by us "wonderful" humans, trying 2 control things.

Mark's view on animals from this whole experience (& perhaps others), parallels mine; so it was very refreshing 2 see thru a kindred spirit's eyes. The respect he had 4 each individual is very tender and-I HOPE-thought provoking 4 those not able 2 SEE animals in the same light, at least as of yet. This film teaches of the interconnectedness of all living creatures and yet highlights and celecbrates the fact that we r all individuals.

In short: it will b educational 4 most, inspiring, emotional, meaningful, happy and sad. Get your tissues & heart ready. EASILY 1 of THE BEST MOVIES Out there. I bought it 2 treasure & support the cause. I hope it finds a larger audience as it's truly a rare gem.

Mark found his niche :O)

PS This DVD has an extra: an interesting interview w/ a woman who had contact w/ some of the birds as well, which gave more insite and background. 4 those further interested...The book also has muuch more detail of Mark's life w/ the birdies! Happy "bird" watching!

amazing and better than fiction.......2007-07-23

I rented this and I was so enchanted that I had to buy it to share with all my family and friends. Everything about it is so well done, the narration, photography and Charles Mingus is my new hero! It's so refreshing to watch a true story that has all the elements that make for a truly fascinating adventure. The extras were just as great too.

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.......2007-07-16

This is probably the best "bird film" I've ever seen. Very engrossing and fascinating. The photography was lovely - the birds are quite spectacularly colored - and the story was a moving one.

Average customer rating:

You Have Got To Be Kidding!
Are we moving forward or backward?
Do I have to give it even 1 star? :-(
People are Strange
Weird, Different, but Interesting!! VERY ORIGINAL MOVIE!!

Human Nature
Starring: Patricia Arquette , Rhys Ifans , Tim Robbins , Ken Magee , and Sy Richardson
Director: Michel Gondry
Manufacturer: New Line Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B0000714E6
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Amazon.com

This fascinating comedy questions what we mean when we use words like "nature" and "civilization." Lila (Patricia Arquette, Lost Highway, True Romance), a nature writer who grows hair all over her body, falls in love with Nathan (Tim Robbins, The Player, The Hudsucker Proxy), a scientist attempting to teach table manners to mice. While hiking in the woods, they discover Puff (Rhys Ifans, Notting Hill), a man raised in the wild since childhood, whom Nathan seizes as a test subject for his experiments--and soon these three, along with Nathan's French lab assistant (Miranda Otto) are embroiled in criss-crossed love affairs as they (and the audience) attempt to figure out what it means to be true to one's own nature. Though Human Nature isn't as surefooted as Being John Malkovich (which was also written by distinctive screenwriter Charlie Kaufman), it has moments of startling comic genius. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

You Have Got To Be Kidding!.......2007-04-05

I like weird movies, I like bad movies. But I do not like TERRIBLE movies, and that is what you have here.
The plot if there is one sounds like it was made up while two guys were in a druken stuper. The acting is terrible, and there is NO entertainment value what so ever. Can we give it a minus 1?

Are we moving forward or backward?.......2007-04-03

Males outwardly act to build a "civilization" based on repressing urges, secretly yearn to return to nature, yet ultimately do whatever it takes to bag some tail. Best line: "As you say in the vernacular, I want me some of that."

Females fight against nature tooth-and-nail (think cosmetics industry), and ultimately "sell their soul" to land a relationship (and the requisite baby).

Sounds pretty cynical, yet accurate, doesn't it? I don't think the human species, or any species at that, has ever made it far without a healthy prioritization of sex. What this movie does, however, is attempt to peel back the veneer we have painted upon ourselves.

I had this movie on my "to watch" list, but forgot why it was there. Shortly into it, I got weirded-out by the imagery and matter-of-fact treatment of some pretty ludicrous scenes. I thought, "Is this a joke?" I stuck with it and only during the end credits did I realize it was Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze flick, and a Charlie Kaufmann Freudian-tinged script.

I'm sure there's much to this movie that I am missing (What is the meaning of the scientist's new little brother? Where exactly is the white room?). I'm purposely writing this review before reading any other reviews or analysis at all, so I can't pretend that I figured out all the metaphor and simile on my own. Maybe the movie demands a second viewing? Or maybe, like good art, the movie is only a conduit by which we find the answers within ourselves. That sounded good, huh?

-a little verbal masturbation from a not-yet-evolved ape

Do I have to give it even 1 star? :-(.......2006-09-15

A truly awful, abysmal movie, its only redeeming quality is its ability to make me fall into deep slumber. Everyone is awful in it. One only wonders if actors really have no options in the jobs they take.

Stupid, tasteless, boring, asinine. Not worth any more thought.

People are Strange.......2006-08-15

I have to admit, I had really high hopes for this movie. Made by Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry, the same writer/director team that worked together on one of my favorite movies ('Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'), and featuring Rhys Ifans and Miranda Otto, who were so good together in another favorite of mine ('Danny Deckchair'), I figured I had good reason to get excited about this. While I was not completely disappointed, it should be said that 'Human Nature' was something of a letdown for me.

At least it's original. 'Human Nature' is the story of four people who come together through some pretty unique circumstances. Tim Robbins is a scientist trying to teach table manners to mice, as the result of an interesting set of neuroses. Patricia Arquette, cursed since puberty with out-of-control body hair, plays Robbins' girlfriend and eventual assistant. Rhys Ifans is the scruffy man who was raised as an ape in the wild. And rounding out the list is Miranda Otto, the cute French lab assistant who has bigger dreams and naughtier intentions. Nobody in the film, of course, is quite what they seem or what they wish to be, and as the story progresses they all interact in different (often surprising!) ways. At the very least, the story will keep your attention to see what happens next.

Hilary Duff fans, take note...she appears for maybe 30 seconds in 'Human Nature' as a young (teenage) Patricia Arquette, when she first discovers her hair growth. It was a surprising appearance if you're not expecting it (I wasn't), but nothing to get excited about if you're a fan.

'Human Nature' has its funny moments, and its sad moments, and many that are an odd mixture of both. As Robbins and Arquette first find the man-ape Ifans, their ideas of his situation are completely opposite: Robbins wants to re-train the apeman to be a refined and dignified gentleman, while Arquette wants to let him explore his freedom. Otto's French lab assistant's motives aren't ever really clear, except for the idea that she's mostly looking out for herself. The thematic question becomes obvious: which is the 'true' nature of humanity? Is humanity defined by it's ability to rise above the base animal instinct and be civilized, or is it preferable to free the beast within us and live as we wish? The film provides no ready answer to this, but does give you the chance to explore the ideas of it.

There's nothing specific I found disappointing about the movie, just a general feeling that at some point it got so strange that it lost me. Was it Patricia Arquette's oddly-placed nude (well, sort of) singing scene? Was it Miranda Otto's questionable French heritage? Rhys Ifans getting shocked over and over for his natural reaction to seeing a naked woman? Probably, it was the overall effect of all of these things, and others like them. Taken all together, I never felt like the movie found its direction. It's not so much that it lost me...just that it never really found me in the first place.

I like some pretty oddball movies sometimes, but 'Human Nature' might be just a little over the line even for me. It's funny, it's got some good performances, and it's definitely an original. My overall impression in the end, though, is that it's just... strange.

Perhaps that's the point.

Weird, Different, but Interesting!! VERY ORIGINAL MOVIE!!.......2006-01-29

Charlie Kaufman may be the most original writer for screenplays in HOLLYWOOD, having contributed to weird movies such as Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Adaptation and Human Nature, HUMAN NATURE Plot: Take a beautiful girl (Patricia Arquette) with a condition of extreme hair growth that grows all over her body, decides she hates humanity because of all the abuse she gets from being different. SO she decides to live with nature, abandoning humanity. After a while she becomes increasingly lonely, so she decides to live back with humanity for the purpose to meet a guy and decides to get treated getting rid of her HaiR growth problem. In her search for a guy she meets a weird scientist(tim robbins) who is trying to teach mice table manners. They get married and go hiking one day to meet a man who lives by himself in the wilderness, who can't speak and is completely un aware of humanity. This becomes a great opportunity for the scientist to see if he can teach a primate to learn table manners. SOUND STRANGE? it get's weirder, you'll just have to see it for yourself.

Average customer rating:

impressive
Outstanding documentary

Secrets of UFOs: Fields of Mystery
Starring: Secrets of Ufo's
Manufacturer: Grizzly Adams Prod
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ASIN: B000E991LG
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Description

For decades, mankind has witnessed the mystery of crop circles the often beautiful but always baffling markings that appear in fields the world over. Previously dismissed by skeptics as the work of clever hoaxers, crop circles are now the focus of increasing scientific investigation. How can complicated crop circle designs appear in just minutes, often in complete darkness? Why does the crop undergo changes at the cellular level? What about the strange lights which appear over the fields where crop circles are found? Are crop circles the product of new military technology?

Customer Reviews:

impressive.......2007-07-20

I loved it, full of info, and great footage. If you are not familiar with the crop circle phenomena, this is a great way to start, before you get any other dvd with more talk and less footage. enjoy, grab it, get familiar with the subject and you are ready to see other dvds on the subject.

Outstanding documentary.......2006-07-29

If you are interested in the phenomena of Crop Circles, this DVD is a great place to start. This documentary examines all the terrestrial explanations including plasma vortices, hoaxers, etc. Each is, in turn, dismissed as inadequate. The very important distinctions between hoaxed and genuine circles is examined at some length. And then there is the Dave and Doug story. In 1991 these two pubmates convinced the mass media that they were behind the mystery in the fields. The question, of course, is why did the media pounce on them? And the answer is because they were the first and only down to Earth explanation; hence, mystery solved. But the real hoax perpetrated by Doug and Dave was on the media itself which with thoroughgoing gullability accepted their version of events and declared an end to the story. Henceforth the news could dismiss the story. But despite the mass media's long standing disinterest, the story goes on and the mystery deepens as the evidence accumulates and the studies intensify. The bottom line is that either there is a "natural" terrestrial cause for the crop circle, or there isn't. And if there isn't, then that opens up a new can of worms that most people would rather not peer into.

A number of experts, including the well-known Colin Andrews and Michael Glickman, are interviewed and each adds an informed perspective on the complex puzzle that are now referred to as "agriglyphs." For instance, Dr. Nick Kollerstrom, a Fellow at the Royal Astronomical Society, uses the complex designs of crop circles to teach a "holistic geometry...that shows us a different experience of mathematics..." Indeed, new conceptions of math and physics seems to result from the study of these cereal pictograms, especially, as Dr. Kollerstrom notes, "in the past 12 years" when the complexity and progressive themes of the formations provide a window into new areas of mathematical study. New geometric theorems and correlaries have been deduced from the study of the abstract configurations of the circles. Despite this, the media continues to persist in its obstinant refusal to acknowledge the investigations that mathematicians, physicists, botanists and other researchers have been conducting for at least the past 15 years.

In sum, this DVD is a fascinating account of a phenomena that refuses to go away, and seems to point to only one conclusion - that an intelligence greater than our own is behind these curious and sublime marvels.

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Smart Sex Series

Nature of Sex: Sex & Human Animal
Starring: Nature of Sex
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000065B02
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Customer Reviews:

Smart Sex Series.......2002-04-20

I remember watching the series on cable on a trip to Hawaii years ago. It was such an honest, uncolored look at human sexuality. No 'sex scenes' that I recall. And I would recall 'cause I was watching it with my parents and sister. I would have ran out of the room in embarassment. Though, that's not to say you/your kids wouldn't! But it is very intelligent and enlightening. Sex being one of the greater drives of all man-/womankind, it helped me better understand myself and other cultures. By how much? At least a little, possibly much more. It's been quite a while for me and your enlightenment may vary depending on your current knowledge on the subject. There are sure to be tid-bits of information that will have you think, "Huh. Never thoughta that." That's why I'm gonna buy the whole set when it comes out. I've forgotten most of what I learned and self-relization is important to me.

As for this DVD by itself, um, the title suggest that this part is more about the biology of sex. Rather than the parts on world culture or sex through the ages.

...

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

You Have Got To Be Kidding!.......2007-04-05

Are we moving forward or backward?.......2007-04-03

Do I have to give it even 1 star? :-(.......2006-09-15

People are Strange.......2006-08-15

Weird, Different, but Interesting!! VERY ORIGINAL MOVIE!!.......2006-01-29

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Insects and People
Starring: Insects & People
Manufacturer: Insects and People
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00076ONJ6
Release Date: 2004-10-02

Disney Presents Bill Nye the Science Guy: Bones and Muscles

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Disney Presents Bill Nye the Science Guy: Bones and Muscles

Manufacturer: Disney
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Nature & Wildlife | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

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Product Features:

Grade 4 and up

ASIN: B000MNJJTS

Product Description

Bill Nye the Science Guy knows how to provide easy access to hard science. What's his secret? A fast-paced approach blending humorous hijinks with hands-on activities. Bill encourages kids to ask interesting questions...then shows them how to discover fascinating answers. In "Bones and Muscles," Bill muscles in to give more than just the bare bones about x-rays, the healing of broken bones, bone marrow, and the body's joints. Also includes glossaries, quizzes, bonus footage, Spanish translation and closed-captioning.

Average customer rating:

tragic...
Witless and worthless

Human Nature
Starring: Human Nature
Manufacturer: Asylum Home Entertaiment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00062IXYM
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Customer Reviews:

tragic..........2007-05-06

This is a tragic movie. Not tragic in a profound sense, just tragic that it was ever made...There is no plot just some idiot serial killer who cuts up bad actresses in his apartment. I would try to resell this DVD on Amazon but it is only selling for $2.00 so its not even worth the cost of shipping...

Witless and worthless.......2004-10-05

If I was able to give this thing a negative star, I would give it 3. The acting was horrendous, the actors couldn't speak their lines above a whisper, and there were some ridiculous inconsistencies in this movie. There is one scene where a hooker goes missing, and her pimp breaks into her apartment looking for her. Idiotic. The pimp is followed by a hot blond brandishing two guns in all the rooms (who was she? unknown. why a pair of guns?). The pimp discovers her camcorder (sitting on the coffee table, of all places!) and discovers that she recorded her own abduction (the table it's on is nowhere near a window, let alone tall enough to see outside, and she'd been abducted in a car).
Utter garbage. No motivation is given for the killer. The actress playing his wife sees him walk thru the house on numerous occasions, covered in blood, and only asks him about it once.
Unmitigated trash. Glad I ONLY rented it. Still wasn't worth the 3.79 for the rental.

Human Nature-Reach Out: Live at the Capitol

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Human Nature-Reach Out: Live at the Capitol
Starring: Human Nature-Reach Out: Live at the Capitol
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVD:

DVD

DVD

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (book)	March of the Penguins	Grizzly Man
Winged Migration	Best Documentaries of 2005	Nature & Wildlife DVDs