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Reviews
The Man from Earth (2007)
There's Some Monkey Business Going on Here
The Man From Earth pulls the wool over your eyes. But that's not an insult. It's quite an impressive trick, even though it won't work for everyone. To make the impossible seem possible, here are 4 wool pulling examples used in the film:
1. The protagonist's friends are the aggressors and with persistence they elicit explanations, which assigns a no-ulterior-motives veneer to our protagonist and believability to the proceedings.
2. The multi-disciplined academics all challenge our principal guy on a range of subjects. So as they transition from "ha, good one" to "could this be real" it lends an air of legitimacy. The scholars also mix in smart sounding philosophy, science, history, religion and psychology into continuous conversation which we won't fact check, thus pulling more wool over our sensible thoughts.
3. The way the main character has down-to-earth and well informed answers to every question, which ties rationally to the film's heady claims, such as a 14,000 year knowledge base.
4. The consideration of a super human lifespan and a body that doesn't permanently scar are explained in terms of the actual regenerative miracles of human physiology. It's just enough to be provocative but not so over-the-top as to be immediately discounted.
So the film manages to carry us on a journey of plausible skepticism, which is the "experience" some reviewers have mentioned.
On the other hand, almost everything else about the film is decidedly average. The acting ranges from some stilted characterizations to adequate. The better performance at least comes from the character where it matters most. The production level is, wait... was there a production? The cinematography is, well let's just say it was filmed, and with some type of camera. The direction has no standout moments either. The dialogue is slightly better than average, but it's really the intriguing concepts and superior persuasive tactics that carry this film.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
P.S. It's Not Based on an Actual Incident
We Need to Talk about Kevin seems to be the wrong title. No one in the film talks ABOUT Kevin. No one really even talks TO Kevin. A more relevant title would be We Need to Talk about Perceptive Parenting (or about Emergency Psychotherapy).
Aside from the (perhaps sardonic) title, We Need to Talk about Kevin gets more credit than it merits. The presentation of parental responsibility is rather one-note. Mom is perpetually distant, timid and incapable of correcting behavior problems. Dad is consistently in denial-land or in superficial everyone's okay-land. The mutual lack of insightful parenting is clear though only assumed to be a factor in Kevin's decline.
Another, again assumed, factor is Kevin's appearance. He's slightly freakish and slightly girlish looking with a scary Goth smirk, so likely not able to attract the type of attention a hormonal teen craves (he has no friends, no dates, no closeness to family). This lack of appeal which is not often talked about (yet known to the individual) is one plausible factor in the decent to mental darkness.
Perhaps the weakest aspect of the film is that for subjecting us to such a dismal topic, it provides no illuminating insight as to why a kid snaps. The film suggests that maybe distant parenting or ignoring abnormal behaviors might be relevant, but we already know these things. When Mom finally questions Kevin's motive, he replies that he's not sure why he murdered fellow classmates, his Dad and his younger sister. In other words, he's mental and doesn't know why. We need to talk about spending 2 hours to learn what we already know about mass murderers (spoiler alert) - they're all mental reprobates.
Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022)
Cha Cha Real Smooth Might Dance Into Your Heart
Cha Cha Real Smooth is similar in plot structure to The Graduate (a brilliant film) and mixes in young adult malaise portrayed by a character unlike anyone who may exist on the planet. Andrew, the center of focus, has empathy coursing through his blood stream in a way that is kind of charming and kind of disarming. Thankfully Andrew's caring-first persona is tempered by a guy who also drinks and swears. How much you like Andrew will likely determine to what degree you enjoy the film. The only truly bad thing about the film is the title, which is hard to remember, sounds like a Broadway musical and has no obvious meaning. At the other end of the evaluation spectrum the film offers quite a few special qualities.
The film's most successful aspects include sensitive depiction of emotion, reflective tones and its characters. The film is awash in human emotion, in an accurate and astute way. Every character speaks with their heart, not their vocal chords. The dialogue at times is so carefully discerned it's as if hearts actually wrote the dialogue and perhaps they did. That level of sensitivity can be best presented by a film maker in his 20's because that's when feelings (especially love) are the most intense.
Secondly and less noticed are the soft tones, colors and sounds of the film. They seem designed to evoke various first memories from viewers, our first dance, our first prom, our first kiss. As we reflect upon our own relatable experiences we can become more in tune with Andrew and the growing-up situations he must navigate.
Finally Cha Cha is great at capturing heartbreak. The most effective example is the scene when Andrew observes the life he cannot be a part of happening just outside his car window on a rainy day. Even though it's for all the right reasons, it's still an effective tearful moment especially if Andrew has earned your admiration by this time.
Not a great film like The Graduate, but near great in depicting some of our strongest emotions and the characters that embody them.
The Biggest Little Farm (2018)
The BIGGEST Haters Deserve LITTLE Regard
Yes I'm going to hate on the haters, lowing myself to achieve the higher ground (soil?). This is a film about the birth and life of animals and the inevitable killings, the restorative ability of nature, individual passion and dreams. There are thousands of other film subjects where hating is understandable but reread the list above... really? I can only conclude that any negative reactions about The Biggest Little Farm are from very cynical people or people envious of other's success. While most reviews are very positive for this documentary, there are a minority of negative reviews, all unwarranted. I will tackle a few of the complaints lodged against The Farm.
One repeated complaint is that the film doesn't disclose the financial costs. Another is that the film encourages others to join in the farm brigade but then doesn't tell you how to do so financially. I counter that the film does include the money aspect and additionally the necessary passion plus the ability to obtain investors. So yes, obviously it cost a lot of money. That's called a business! It takes a lot of effort and money and good fortune for any business to work, these are basic universal business facts. What relevance do total costs have, you either raise the capital or you don't? Also the film never promotes others to join in this business of balancing nature's delicate relationships. Instead this couple pursue their own dreams and do not encourage nor discourage viewers to follow in their footsteps. They don't even know if their plans will end in utter ruin or succeed, how is that promoting anything? What the film suggests broadly is that if you have a deep passion and commitment, go for it and you might succeed or you may not. Even if they disclosed the costs, that would not guaranty success to anyone else because money is only one ingredient in the venture's profitability. So hating because of the absence of financial disclosure is short-sighted and those individuals should never think about starting any private business, because they won't succeed.
Another complaint was that some suffering animals were filmed instead of immediately cared for, as if the farm owners are sadistic. A related complaint was that the husband is fickle because he reaches a crossroads when it comes to killing animals in order for the farm to succeed. But in the film there is only one questionable scene of filmed suffering and that animal has already killed numerous harmless animals. Also the animal in question was likely suffering for hours and was filmed for only a few minutes plus was likely zoned out. Regarding the killing dilemma, what this couple are trying to figure out is how they can intercede in nature's interactions without screwing things up. And if wavering over shooting coyotes is somehow a negative, God Bless them for having compassion.
The Biggest Little farm is not about financial privilege, or knowing all the right decisions when it comes to balancing life and death animal choices. It's about pursuing dreams, trusting in advice that might seem too ideological, about trying to make the right decisions and failing and then employing critical observation to achieve better outcomes. It's charged with the amazing restorative power of our planet which after millions of years can still yield rewarding abundance. It doesn't dwell on financial stresses or the reality of working in filth on a daily basis. Instead it's very animal positive and earth positive. Why is anyone hating this? In the final moments the film incorporates human life in two very uplifting ways. First the creation of human life framed in the context of all life and the second is the value that other human life imparts to our own lives and to the landscapes we preside over. Both are quite touching. The haters of this documentary are straining for things that are not admirable or credible.
2000 Mules (2022)
9 For Importance, 5 for FIlm-Making
The amount of indisputable evidence regarding the 2000 mules (ballot stuffers) in this documentary presents enough data showing that with just these mules alone the 2020 election could have been stolen. Further investigation (of a literally impossible nature) would be required for absolute proof, as current voting systems and methodologies do not allow for such accurate research, unfortunately. The film then casts a wider mathematical net beyond the 2000 mules, which again increases the statistical probably that the election was stolen. Additional tactics are examined as well, again adding to the probability of a stolen election. For those that understand math and statistics, the evidence speaks for itself, but the incompetencies inherent in U. S. Federal voting methods make absolute proof highly unlikely.
What 2000 Mules does prove absolutely is that massive election fraud does exist and various organizations engage in this illegal activity just as certainly as elections happen. Therefore 2000 Mules is a wake-up call for a significant overhaul of election processes so we can strive towards "one citizen, one vote" elections in the future.
While this content is certainly valuable and hopefully inspires actual change, as a film documentary 2000 Mules is not that praise worthy. For such a dramatic topic, the film tends to be boring at various points. The dialog is at the level of a weekly news broadcast. The interview subjects are too close to the topic to create any sort of dramatic tension. Some featured guests end up expressing a line or two of outrage, but no one ever utters the phrase, or anything close to the phrase, "I now believe the election was stolen" and their evolution of opinions are suggested by the film's structure to be much more transformational. The Director himself appears far too long in the documentary, again making it seem like a weekly news program. The Director's wife is prominently featured also, but has no relevance to the content. When you add elements that add nothing to the story, you are not trying hard enough. 2000 Mules carries a very important call-to-arms message, but at the same time, feels like a weekly news special that somehow snuck its way into a documentary film release.
All My Friends Hate Me (2021)
All My Comments Love Me
Wow, after reading other comments, I feel as if I saw an entirely different film. Some reviews for instance mention comedy elements, yet there is nothing humorous here, in fact, the opposite. Horror genre references are also common, yet while the film seems to heading into full-blown horror territory, it's not that either.
All My Friends Hate Me is more accurately an effective psychological torture story. Its greatest strength being the well-executed line it treads between normal friendship behavior and the inference of very terrible things to come. Some examples of this include:
- The title itself. Friends don't hate you, or do they?
- The disconcerting sound from the dog in the opening
- The attack by the vagrant
- Getting lost in the country heading towards a very isolated manor
- The off-putting encounter with the funeral-parlor-faced local
- The sudden shifts from normal conversation to spiteful blame by nearly everyone
- The many situations of mental harassment (it's not merely cringey
- The oft mentioned birthday surprise that had me thinking something like a human sacrifice was in store
- The cutting mockery of the protagonist by an impersonator
- The mock violence of the gun and axe attacks (with these friends, who needs serial killers?)
Up until the ending this all creates an effective undercurrent of anxiety, nervous anticipation. But no worries, according to the final moments, everything we just saw is false. Yet it's not. The friends really didn't hate... but they did. The engagement is off... but it's not. The uncomfortable situations were all jokes... but they were not. Then comes a final lame joke about the inability to take jokes. Yet despite this confused and out-of-step ending, it doesn't ruin the good work prior to it.
The Dark and the Wicked (2020)
Horror Film Directors - Please Don't Do This
I don't write comments for weak films but in the spirit of reaching out to horror film directors regarding what not to do, The Dark and the Wicked yields a treasure trove of riches.
In no particular order, here are some of the more serious flaws in The Dark and the Wicked (semi-spoiler-ish).
The film lacks intelligent to support the primary story conceit. There is no explanation for the devil's obsession with this particular soul, he just is obsessed. Likewise there is no explanation why the devil must kill every one close to the dying man, he just does so. Sometimes a lack of explanation works, not so here.
One character posits the only way to beat the devil is with love. However love doesn't help and the plot never carries out its own foreshadowing that there will be some sort of battle between good and evil.
There is little originality to every aspect of the film. The story is merely a string of modern horror themes with no intelligence behind them. Just one example is the incorporation of grief (gee, who would-a thought dying might be disturbing?). The main characters are in a perpetual and forever state of grief, but the film never earns its right to wallow in grief so this element if more annoying than effective.
Common tactics are used for the shocks and the shrieks. The "disturbing" scenes are shock for shock's sake and the jump-scares are saying boo for boo's sake. Once more, lacking in much thought.
While the scoring is decent, it's also over used. Not every moment needs to declare I'm brooding and ominous. Tonal spookiness is essential but try something less one-note next time, if the devil allows for a next time.
This Is Us (2016)
This Is Us - A Mini Binge-Watch Secret
An unknown secret (because I invented it), you can effectively mini binge-watch This Is Us attaining maximum enjoyment with minimum time sink. Watch the first 2 and last 2 episodes of Season one and you will be absorbed in some of the best television ever produced. This episode sampling is exciting in many ways: discovering Mandy Moore's high caliber acting talent via her endearing character Becca; Milo Ventimiglia "Jack" is completely charming as the Father (their supportive parenting is for the ages); Susan Kelechi Watson "Beth" likely tops them all in a series definitely cast for superior acting ability; finally the direction, writing, and smart time structuring effectively pour on the emotion. It's a captivating ensemble of impressiveness all around. In the likely event that you cannot stop at just these 4 episodes here is the rest of the best in descending order: 1. The remainder of Season one; 2. Season two; 3. Season three; 4. Season four (meh, optional). If other reviews here are accurate, apparently Season five went "woke" so I avoided it entirely. Hollywood wake up, woke is a joke. Season six (2022) is TBD. Happy viewing, and yes men do cry, almost too much in the series and likely more so amongst Us viewers.
In the Heights (2021)
Think Again. It's Not What It Thinks It Is
Having just finished watching In The Heights, I unfortunately found more to question than to celebrate.
The non-stop singing and dancing puts criticism to shame that West Side Story is inauthentic for having dancing gangs. Here everyone sings and dances for no apparent reason.
As IMDB users point out, the songs tend to blend together. Therefore not one standout song results - a major musical film detriment. This however will not deter teenaged Broadway fans from memorizing the rap lyrics since age prevents critical point-of-comparison skills.
The plot/s are all entirely clichéd.
The chorus of attentive children are presented as sycophants who are enthralled at every unimpressive story development.
This is a feel-good movie for some who believe in the legitimacy of race privilege, since nearly the entire cast is non-privileged, allowing privlege-believers to feel good and virtuous.
Its mentioned at least twice that The Heights inhabitants are invisible, a highly dubious conceit given that the entire population is consistent and dominate every aspect of their own existence.
The semi-veiled suggestion that this population is oppressed, are strangely the most singing-est, dancing-est, happiest group of oppressed people I've ever seen.
Finally for a group of people diminished by the American system, they all obviously covet the most cherished aspect of it, the American Dream of success. Slightly hypocritical?
Longmire (2012)
Longmire - Long on Quality, Short on Superfluous
Having completed the entire Longmire series I write these comments as a form of closure to some characters I didn't really want to say so-long to, comparable to saying goodbye to teachers we may have admired in our youth.
The title character as played by Robert Taylor is the most compelling. He's consistently put in tough and sometimes complex decision-making situations. His experience and almost super-human intuition leads mostly to the best possible outcomes. Yet despite his superior sheriffing skills, he is also flawed and very down-to-earth, creating a most likeable and admirable personality.
Deputy Vic is the next most compelling character. While carrying a significant amount of personal baggage, it never interferes with her outstanding job performance. She is nearly as good at her difficult job as Walt Longmire. Vic's imperfections and devotion to her Boss elevate the entire series.
The third most arresting character is Cady, the daughter of Sheriff Longmire. She often challenges her limits and exhibits warmth and seriousness, a combination that impresses nearly everyone she meets. It's only in the final episode that her storyline disappoints, where it is suggested she can successfully step into Longmire's boots.
It's good to see Lou Diamond Phillips, but this role is pretty much typecasting. His brotherly friendship and spiritual guidance is an enjoyable cog in the various plots, but his vocal cadence of a very non-native tone and accentuated brevity slightly detracts from character authenticity in comparison to the rest of the cast.
Other than interesting characters, the series has mostly familiar storylines that are well produced, with satisfying developments and heightened tensions. One very satisfying moment occurs in the final episode in a long-time-coming expression of love.
The weaker aspects, which do not diminish the overall enjoyment, include the lesser amounts of engrossing story interconnections in the two opening seasons. Also the questionable depiction that nearly all the reservation inhabitants have a strong distrust and strong disdain towards any non-natives based solely on ethnicity.
While not perfect, Longmire is a very enjoyable and sometimes thrilling series of consistent quality. In the final episode you depart characters that for many will remain fondly in memory and a coda that nicely alters a running theme about a cell phone that reveals insightful traits of Sheriff Longmire.
America: Imagine the World Without Her (2014)
3 Top Reasons to see America: Imagine the World Without Her:
1. It obliterates the shame narrative that America-hating citizens have been trying to pervade U.S. culture with to harm the American spirit, then cathartically puts the past in the proper and truthful perspective so we can live shame-free in our American present and our American future.
2. Provides soul food for starving patriots. Imagery, music, and information combine to uplift those who believe there is hope for America, or perhaps those who have lost hope. If these ideas were internalized there is no doubt the American Dream and American Exceptionalism will not only survive but thrive.
3. Delivers compelling expositions from entertaining what-if contemplations to truly scary revelations that our top government leaders were mentored in political thought by someone who dedicated his writings to Lucifer (yes it sounds conspiratorial, but it's sadly factual).
Bravo Dinesh – Patriot Extraordinaire! Brent Chastain, Top3Films.com