Silver Docs the Inventions of Dr. Nakamats at the Discovery HD Theater in Silver Springs, MD

The Inventions of Dr. Nakamats a.k.a. OPFINDELSEN AF DR. NAKAMATS is a documentary directed by visual artist Kaspar Astrup Schröder in 2009. It was shown in HD at the Discovery Channel building across from the AFI Theater in Silver Springs, MD. The film follows the life of Japanese inventor Dr. Nakamatsu on his 80^th birthday. He is an eccentric genus who never stops selling the Nakamats brand and showing of his inventions. It was one of my favorite from Silver Docs and the funniest documentaries I have ever seen.

Other Silver Docs Films Reviews
We Don't Care About Music Anyways...

Film Review

I knew next to nothing about Dr. Nakamats before seeing this film, but you'd be hard pressed to live without his inventions. Some of his inventions include floppy disc, CD, DVD, digital watch, brain drink, and love gel. Dr. Nakamats is an ego driven Japanese Mr. Magoo who also happens to be a genius. He is also one of those charming people who have no idea they are funny. He is a celebrity in Japan and holds the record for most patents at 3300 and climbing. He plans on living to be 144 which currently seems possible. He speaks directly to the camera and enjoys it presents. It feels like he's performing, but after a while you know it's just not for the camera. It's easy to think he's all image and ego, but he is a genus and probably the greatest living inventor if nothing else.

The Inventions of Dr. Nakamats is filmed as the Doctor prepares for his 80^th birthday party in Tokyo. He wants the room of the hotel changed to his name, but the hotel management won't budge. The management wants to post Nakamats Room - Today Only. This is an ongoing struggle for Dr. Nakamats the entire film. This battle takes place through midlevel manager and not the person who's actually making the decision. This poor manager is left to apologize and try not to offend Dr. Nakamats while following his boss's orders.

The cinematography is tight and simple, but top notch. You're never left guessing who characters are or who is speaking like We Don't Care About Music Anyway... I also don't feel the director is trying to make any judgments about the "subject." What you see is what you get when it comes to Dr. Nakamats and his inventions. He's the perfect subject for this because he is the least self aware person I've ever seen. Like when he informs us that, "Dr. Nakamats is one of the highest paid speakers in the world." Then we are treated to one of these lectures which involve a sing along (Lyrics). He's even obtuse he wants to build a women's bra because he feels bad for women with small breast.

You can really tell the director is a visual artist because the title credits were the most impressive I've ever seen. I wished the Matrix has looked like that instead of a bunch of green Chinese characters and numbers.

If he were evil he'd be building a death ray and holding the world ransom. The world lucked out and got a silly old man who can't stop inventing things. He just putters around listing off his inventions and never fails to refer to himself in the 3^rd person when talking about them. "Dr. Nakamats' gate, Dr. Nakama's House, Dr. Nakamats' street, Dr. Nakamats' floppy disc, Dr. Nakamats' etc."

The music adds to the whimsical nature of Nakamats. He's an inventor in the grand old style and at any moment you feel he could burst out in a Willy Wonky style musical number. The music stays playful and often cannot be heard over the laughter of the audience.

See the movie for the man and his inventions and stay for the laughter.

Theater Information
-Address: 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
-Phone: 301.495.6720 & 301.495.6700 (Movie listing recording)
-Parking: Lee Building behind theater $3 a night
-Closet Metro: Two blocks Silver Spring (Red Line)
-Tickets: Varies but usually around $10
-Food: Hot dogs, pop cord, etc
-Drinks: Soda, beer, wine
-Gift Cards: Yes