Helvetica - The Movie

I did not expect much but this documentary about the font Arial ripped off was quite brilliantly done and thought provoking; simply a must for anyone even mildly interested in graphic design or visual culture.  Instead of being dry [it's a documentary about a typeface, after all], the film travels through the evolution of Helvetica's uses and artistic statements from its inception in the 1950's as an attempt to put the pieces of a shattered post-war society back together to falling out of favor and being redeemed in contemporary design. The interviews illuminate the underlying issues of design as politics, design as identity, and design as truth.  Like the font itself, the narrative is short, direct, and powerful with numerous fascinating interviews with influential designers.  Also, it's available on Netflix Watch Instantly, so you really have no excuse not to watch.  Five stars; if you're of a mildly artistic temperament it will definitely make you think about redoing the design of your blog...