There is such a joy when the out of the ordinary meets comfortable. What a prolific human. And all with the approachability of a puppy. He reveals with ease what others will overly bedazzle. I have reading disabilities, so I do not read novels yet, I'm excited to read his short stories! Thanks for taking this project on! It's a gift.
9 Reviews
Interesting to a point
ckoehncke-183-20352824 January 2020
This is a short documentary and an easy upbeat view. Jacob Appel is a classic bookworm, curious and always in learn mode, odd and quirky, but a nice guy that people like. He has some interesting views on life and aspects around it. An interesting life to say the least.
Fascinating
lionsmum6912 February 2020
So good that I watched it twice!
AlmaSoulAmor29 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
What a wonderful documentary! I know none of the people involved, I simply thought that it looked intriguing.
Watch this film. The short 45 minute length was part of the appeal when I chose to view this, yet when it ended, I wished it to be longer, to be able to hear more of his writing, more of his teaching students in various settings, more of his fun stories about the history of NYC, more of the rationale behind some of his more controversial beliefs, more of simply getting to know Jacob.
Jacob is an incredibly accomplished person, confident in who he is, yet remains down to earth, and is funny! Such an attractive mix. He also seems to enjoy provoking people to think more deeply about things, which I respect. I wonder what it would be like to sit down and have a conversation with him, or attend one of his lectures.
Jacob's joke that flopped on that date made me laugh out loud! And I am in the same age situation as she described herself.
The beginning line of some of his stories being read aloud by Tina Howe was one of my favorite parts of this film! One of my other favorite parts was the clip of Jacob teaching his medical ethics class at Mount Sinai Medical School, and the commentary afterwards by both Jacob and the next gentleman.
Thank you for making this documentary, and for sharing a bit about Jacob with us. I am a now fan.
QUOTES:
First line of Coulrophobia & Fata Morgana by Jacob Appel: "My father fancies himself a shrewd landlord- he refused to rent to lawyers, the children of lawyers, even a college girl 'who had law school written all over her'- but he bit off too much when he sublet to the mime."
Interviewer "Are you happy?" Jacob " I mean, happy is a strange word because it sort of suggests a uniformity of sentiment. I am probably happy more than I am unhappy, which I guess is a good sign. I mean, anybody who is happy all the time is an idiot, and anybody who is happy none of the time really needs to be treated. So I'm somewhere in the middle."
Watch this film. The short 45 minute length was part of the appeal when I chose to view this, yet when it ended, I wished it to be longer, to be able to hear more of his writing, more of his teaching students in various settings, more of his fun stories about the history of NYC, more of the rationale behind some of his more controversial beliefs, more of simply getting to know Jacob.
Jacob is an incredibly accomplished person, confident in who he is, yet remains down to earth, and is funny! Such an attractive mix. He also seems to enjoy provoking people to think more deeply about things, which I respect. I wonder what it would be like to sit down and have a conversation with him, or attend one of his lectures.
Jacob's joke that flopped on that date made me laugh out loud! And I am in the same age situation as she described herself.
The beginning line of some of his stories being read aloud by Tina Howe was one of my favorite parts of this film! One of my other favorite parts was the clip of Jacob teaching his medical ethics class at Mount Sinai Medical School, and the commentary afterwards by both Jacob and the next gentleman.
Thank you for making this documentary, and for sharing a bit about Jacob with us. I am a now fan.
QUOTES:
First line of Coulrophobia & Fata Morgana by Jacob Appel: "My father fancies himself a shrewd landlord- he refused to rent to lawyers, the children of lawyers, even a college girl 'who had law school written all over her'- but he bit off too much when he sublet to the mime."
Interviewer "Are you happy?" Jacob " I mean, happy is a strange word because it sort of suggests a uniformity of sentiment. I am probably happy more than I am unhappy, which I guess is a good sign. I mean, anybody who is happy all the time is an idiot, and anybody who is happy none of the time really needs to be treated. So I'm somewhere in the middle."
Finally - the insatiably curious have a superhero!
ChrystineA7429 January 2020
My entire life I've been told to focus. To chose one hobby. One subject. One major. One career. But I never could. After watching Jacob, I finally feel like that's ok. That my lack of ability to choose one thing isn't a bad thing. I will never achieve the level of multi-disciplined success that Jacob has (same brain capacity, wildly different speed of thought/understanding), but I'd rather be insatiably curious than bored in stagnation.
Loved it
alanrosner8 February 2020
It was just a pleasure to watch
ripengler-438193 April 2020
You Can Do What You Want to Do, You Can Be Who You Want to Be
bnwfilmbuff22 August 2020
Inspirational documentary about a very smart guy that has made his life about pursuing knowledge and qualifications to the useful end of teaching, instruction, healing, providing guidance and producing literature. I especially appreciated the insights of one of his friends that sees Jacob synthesizing these disciplines to produce extraordinarily interesting novels and unique contribution to the medical field. Jacob himself is down to earth and very approachable. Fascinating and highly recommended.
Fascinating
wavecat138 November 2020
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