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Reviews
The Sound of Insects: Record of a Mummy (2009)
Images associated with words childish at best
This could have been a really amazing film but instead the producer who apparently has never experienced depression or had suicidal thoughts attempts to provide imagery that they belief reflects the notes of someone committing suicide. I found it akin to me as a White person attempting to provide images that tell the story of a person who is African-American. So many of the images were so disconnected from what was being spoken by the excellent narrator. Ultimately, I found the movie frustrating and disappointing. I do plan on reading the book now that this movie was based on.
Before Midnight (2013)
Exhausting...
If you are interested/able to listen to two people continually fight and tear each other down then this might be the film for you. I also found their relationship as two people together for as long as they are with 2 kids together to be unrealistic. They speak as if they just met and when they walk together, they do not hold hands (even when their arms touch). When you are having thoughtful conversations with your partner regarding your future and past, there is a connection there and this movie does not illustrate that. But again, you will find two people who literally bad mouth each other for well over half the movie. It felt like a bad therapy session that I had to witness.
How to Beat a Bully (2015)
Kids yes, adults no
This is quite possibly one of the top ten worst movies I have ever seen. The acting, especially by the dad, is absolutely horrific. But my 7 & 11 year old thought it was good (not great). My wife and I cringed so many times that when I started counting after 30 minutes, I lost track by the end of the movie. I cannot believe the high reviews which is why we watched it in the first place. A very LOW budget film. The plot is bad. The acting is bad. The directing is bad. It really is bad. The message in the end, however, is good. And while the pieces fall together, I will add that my youngest, who laughs when she farts said she thought it was good.
Israel: The Royal Tour (2014)
A public relations video for Netanyahu
This is about two buddies touring Israel making Netanyahu and his policies look good. I gave it 5 stars for the tour of sites as it was interesting to see the different parts of what is now called Israel. There is a nice blend of the old and new in the video. You visit various bodies of water including the Dead Sea. The video covers old temples and sites of importance along with covering the modern city with its night life. The repeated attempts by Netanyahu and especially the journalist fell flat. Ultimately this is an uncritical examination of Netanyahu. It is a video produced for Netanyahu by his friend to give himself a good name.
H.O.P.E. Was Here (2014)
What about money?
As someone who has experience leading both short and long-term study abroad "trips," I found the video somewhat useful in detailing what students and the community being served gain and don't gain from service trips. What is sorely lacking from this film is the "donation" that students must pay to work with the agencies they volunteer with. The film posed the question several times, "What does the community being served get from the students volunteering?" since several students indicated they felt like they were more disruptive than anything. Here is the answer: They get money!!! They are willing to have their work be disrupted by foreigners because they are getting money in return (and in some cases, cheap labor).