Nothing So Strange

It's one of those dates we all remember vividly: December 2, 1999, the day Bill Gates was assassinated in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park. What?!? There's a powerful ring of truth to Brian Flemming's Nothing So Strange, a cleverly mounted, perfectly modulated, intensely credible little mockumentary that--beyond the startling central conceit--has little to do with Bill Gates. Rather, this is a film about contemporary America, where the level of distrust--particularly for our institutions charged with serving justice--is at an abysmal low: a land of conspiracy theories and paranoia spawned by unbelievable "official versions," whispered half-truths, and suspected police corruption. The truthseekers don't come off much better, as the film also paints a portrait of unhealthy obsession, with every eerie piece of the puzzle unraveled by the grassroots advocacy group Citizens for Truth balanced by head-shaking moments in which you wonder if only crazy people challenge the powerful. One of the most chillingly convincing bits of fiction I've ever seen, this is highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras--which are all treated in character, as if the film were a true documentary--includes audio commentary by director Brian Flemming, “Evidence” (featuring three multi-angle segments of  “Video,” a Citizens for Truth “Photos” slideshow, and three interrogation “Audio” tape segments), “The City Beat” public access show clips (13 min.), and a weblink to a “Virtual 2nd DVD” utilizing the new BitPass system of “micropayment” transactions to pay for additional bonus materials. Bottom line: an excellent (if creepy) extras package--at least the free part; we didn't assess the fee-based “additional bonus materials”--for a fascinating film.] (M. Johanson)