Change Your Image
Pinbison
Reviews
Crash (2004)
an excellent film....about time
every so often Hollywood surprises us with something that is real, clear, and no where near the glorified special effects and glamorous stuff that the industry seems to be made of.
"Crash" is not only surprisingly well made, but also a very truthful film. Not only do we have a presentation of American society in the microcosm that is LA, but there is no one character that you are told to see as the bad guy by the end. Prejudice and racism runs in the very fabric of everything Americana, and we see how it manifests as hatred cycles over and over. Misunderstandings, miscommunications and misinterpretations contribute to the downward spiral in the story of this film, all three points very much prevalent in our society.
The level of acting is good enough that you don't need focus in on it...which is great. All you focus on is the story, and that is exactly what an actor should do for an audience. Special commendations for Michael Pena and Ludicrous...never seen em act before and they impressed me.
Piñero (2001)
a genius
As a person of color who is also a SLAM Poet, i went to see this movie simply because Pinero was so very influential for the art form. His work is beautiful and truthful and often it is that which is killing us that inspires us to write. Bratt does a good job...initially it takes time to warm to his portrayal (his supermodel good looks)....but he does well. Well directed. Great badge of authenticity with other actors who lived through the time. A commendable attempt at production by John Leguizamo and company. If you really want to hear some beautiful, raw and real words, then this is the movie for you. If you are middle America, and unwilling to open your eyes to this world that is so very real and part of the fabric of America, then perhaps you should forget about it.
Born Free (1966)
not bad but not accurate
I grew up in Kenya, and have been to Elsamere (their educational camp) several times, and have seen this movie several times. When I was a kid, I loved this movie, but as I have grown older and learnt more about Joy Adamson, I have found that the depiction of her character is not at all consistent with the woman she was. Frankly she was a cruel colonial type who treated animals better than people. She was awfully mean to her house help, and frequently abused them, and on occasion shot at one or two of them for not obeying her the way she demanded. Unfortunately this led to retaliation that led to her death.
Nevertheless the film is not that bad...sentimental and cutesy!