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Cody_L
Reviews
In Pot We Trust (2007)
Great Documentary on an Issue Considered Incredibly Taboo
I'm only writing this commentary to correct one I have previously read. The film is not attempting to legalize marijuana in any way, it is simply trying to decriminalize medicinal cannabis nation-wide so that it is accessible to all those suffering and in need. Furthermore, the documentary seeks to dispel traditional myths associated with marijuana use, namely its effects on short term memory, motor control and drastic shifts in personality.
Overall it does a wonderful job of presenting its arguments in an unbiased approach. It features interviews with people arguing on opposite ends of the spectrum. These interviews are then juxtaposed to offer the viewer grounds to form an opinion. Of course, like most documentaries, the final editing creates a subliminal bias in favor of medicinal cannabis, indoctrinating the viewer in a way too subtle for most to pick up on. However, unlike Michael Moore and his horrendously cheesy and self-righteous documentaries, this one never comes across as over-preached or enforced. The facts are presented, and often no more.
The only complaint I have aside from the tinge of bias is in one of the film's most lacking arguments. Often the opposing view argues that marijuana abuse is dangerous, reckless and socially parasitic. This traditional myth is rampant in today's society and within the film. Marijuana users are unfairly labeled as degenerates, low-lives and unanimously unproductive in comparison to their 'clean' counterparts. As far as I can remember the film never actually attempts to dispel these myths with the VERY simple argument that these people are discussing marijuana 'abuse', not simple 'use'. Like any drug (alcohol, painkillers, even caffeine), abusing it will lead to resounding side-affects and a drastic change in personality.
To me it's a glaring fact that is never formally raised, but with that aside it's still an excellent film that is important for anyone to see. Even if the battle for medicinal decriminalization has nothing to do with you or your family, this film is worth viewing in order to dispel common myths and to raise awareness on the problematic 'war on drugs' situation.
It's a silly epidemic that I wish America could deal with (myself being Canadian) and this film is greatly suited for dealing with just that.
Koroshiya 1 (2001)
Stylistically better as an anime...
The themes of gratuitous gore and excessive and perverse sexual fantasy are realms I always felt better left to the animes. With live action there is a level of realism that no amount of camp can overcome. The end result comes across as overtly shocking and completely unnecessary. But I say this in the best sense of the word, because the reality is, I appreciate film makers such as this pushing the boundaries of film.
Stylistically the film is quite breathtaking. The use of color and light and shadow is consistent throughout the film and they add to the fantastical nature of the events being played out. Comedy and the ridiculous nature of many of the scenes also add to their entertainment value - an appreciated side note that American films such as Hostel seem to continually fall short in.
I have just finished watching it, and I am still trying to figure out how I feel about the film in general (as well as the nausea to go away) so it is quite hard to offer a good commentary on the film itself. I highly recommend you watch it if you feel your stomach can handle it (really, I mean this). If you are a fan of anime or semi-experimental film-making then this is really a must-see film.
The Dukes of Hazzard (2005)
Fun but Very Disgraceful
I saw this in theaters and I have never seen any of the original episodes.
Saying that, this movie is a hell-of-a-lot-of-fun... as long as you like Jessica Simpson half naked, the General Lee with a hemi and a lot of cheap humor.
Of course, this movie can be nothing more than a disgrace to all the original Duke County fanatics because of it's lack of morality. As far as I'm concerned, the original could not have been this far from any kind of meaning other than a couple of idiots slinging moonshine, trying to get laid and drive a fast car.
Only go see this movie if you want to have some stupid fun and are not a fan of the original series. Nevertheless your still better off going to see the Stiffmeister in American Pie or Mr.Knoxville in Jackass, for they are FAR better than this movie.
As for Jessica Simpson, just look her up on the internet, you'll get lots of hits.
Kalifornia (1993)
Good, Not Great, Far from Excellent
This is a good movie with lots of predictable but enjoyable thriller moments. It has some incredible acting in it (Brad Pitt especially) but does nothing to really capture positive attention.
It may just be me, but I do not like Juliette Lewis as an actress... at all, and that drags down the entire movie. Through all her annoyances she does manage a few very well done scenes as the innocent, clueless "little girl" type character. But combined with the predictability of the story, the movie never really goes anywhere.
Or at least when it starts to, it all falls down as Mr. X-Files comes in with a one-liner that seems either cheesy or ridiculously cliché.
It's an interesting movie and is well-worth seeing if you are a Brad Pitt fan or like Juliette Lewis, otherwise this movie will come-off as a completely average film.
The Warriors (1979)
Better Than Expected but not Perfect
Don't judge this on the 8/10, this movie is FANTASTIC. I watched it expecting the mega-cheese that this movie is.
That's right, it's cheese all the way through, and I loved it.
Easily the best gang action movie I know of, it also ranks up there as one of the best thrillers I have ever seen. The movie is one big chase, and you really do feel as if you are one of the Warriors with thousands upon thousands upon thousands of vicious street rivals wanting nothing more than to tear you apart (literally).
Featuring a very well cast group of no names (only James Remar was a stand out to me) and an awesome character base, this movie thrives upon it's title roles. You are drawn in and become attached to them all, part of the films appeal.
Because I didn't see this until just recently (I was born in the late 80's, far after the film's original release), the film is out-dated and together with it's retro-techno-rocker soundtrack it is pure cheese.
But that's the cult appeal of this flick. It's a classic, under-appreciated gem that is well worth picking up.
It should at least prove to be a little bit of fun.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Visually Spectacular but Equally Intense
A wonderful example of what cinema is capable of. I saw this with the intention of reading Hunter S. Thompson's novel (of the same name) and it drove me to the brink of my own madness. The film does that to you, but it also gives you enough fodder to keep you thinking. Through all the insane drug hallucinations, psychotic and savagely brutal themes strewn within the vast outer layer of this story, lies an engrossing view of the North American culture and our own stumbling collapse. Although I did not live in the 60's or the 70's, this film gives the viewer a very extreme but believable account of one man's life as it, willfully, spirals out of control.
For showing the American culture at it's most vile and primal nature, this film is worth a 10 in my mind and is a must see for any movie buff looking for a wild ride and/or a thoughtful journey in the Red Shark. With enough twists and turns to keep you enthralled, you will not let go until the end.