We reviewed the docfilm Battle for Brooklyn after it made its public debut a few months ago (the filmmakers presented a rough cut preview at the annual ALI-ABA eminent domain program), and we recommended it. We even sat down for a few minutes with director Michael Galinsky for a short interview.
Battle For Brooklyn made its premiere in Brooklyn, naturally, and it has been playing in the New York area on an extended run. Unfortunately, there’s only one print of the final film because prints are very expensive, about $7,500 apiece, so it has not been more widely shown. But for the next week, the film will be in Southern California at the Laemelle Theatre in Beverly Hills.
Those of you in the area really should check it out. Our colleagues at the California Eminent Domain Report agree (“If you’re in the right of way industry, this is a must see. Or, if you simply like tales of David versus Goliath, go get yourself a movie ticket.”), as does the LA Times (“a deft look at a reluctant crusader and how financial sway and political override can so effectively trump the power of the average citizen”), the indieWIRE blog (“it’s inspiring to see Americans put a lie to the suggestion that they are apathetic, self-obsessed, greedy, fat, and stupid”), an LA blogger (“This weekend a movie opens in Los Angeles that everyone who cares about neighborhoods should see … We may be on opposite sides of America, but the battle for Brooklyn is our fight in Los Angeles, too.”), and Yahoo Movies (“The timing is exceedingly relevant to Los Angelenos as they listen to the on-going discussion about building a NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles.”).
Boffo, as they say. [Sidebar: Dwight, if you are reading this, I did cite the M-W Dictionary.]
More here (a recent interview with Mr. Galinsky).
Now, if we could only covinvice the filmmakers to bring Battle For Brooklyn even more west, to Honolulu.