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Fraud (2016)
This is fabricated fiction, not really a documentary
I feel like I was mislead to see this film. It is promoted as being a new style of documentary film, but in reality, it is a fictional story made by editing and distorting a family's home movies.
There's nothing clever about lying and misleading the audience and making it sound like you are presenting a true story documentary film only to find out that after you've watched the film you were lied to. If the director wasn't there to tell you about some of the fictional elements you might think you watched a true story.
I heard the director speak at a film festival and the first thing he said is "I just want to say that the family did not commit any crimes and we just made it look like they did".
Basically, the director took a bunch of scenes from home movies. Put them out of order and distorted things out of context, put fake time stamps on the scenes to make it appear chronological. The time stamps have nothing to do with actual dates of when the film clips were made. The fake time stamps are merely there to help fake the fabricated fictional story that did not occur.
There were also fabricated fictional elements, and fictional scenes created to help tell the fictional story. For example there is fake news story shown in the film. Also video clips were added that had nothing to do with the family. For example the director leads you to believe you are seeing the family's house burning down. The family lives in the United States. The house on fire is a film clip the director found of a Russian house on fire and the house has nothing to do with the family.
The real fraud is that this movies is not a documentary film even though it described as being a documentary film.
Most people find it boring to watch home movies of people you don't know. Perhaps to convince people to watch this movie, the director had to make up some fake fraud story and mislead people to believe it is a documentary film.
This tactic isn't anything new or revolutionary. PT Barnum used to do that in circus side shows. Blair Witch project also created hype about a fiction found footage documentary. Reality Television shows do the same thing and distort things to create drama in shows that they claim are reality shows.
We don't need false reality "documentaries". Film makers who mislead their audiences trying to get them to watch films that are not what they promoted are not respecting the time or interests of the audience.
It would be like telling people they are going to see a romance movie and then giving them a gory slasher movie. People expect to see what they are lead to believe they are going to see and false advertising is not a good way to attract an audience. I wish I hadn't wasted my time watching this film. I was at a film festival and I missed seeing a good film because this film claimed to be a new form of documentary film making. It is not a documentary. It is fiction.
The Syndrome (2014)
Great Film about Shaken Baby Syndrome (aka Abusive Head Trauma)
This film is very well done. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a term that is sometimes used to prosecute parents and caregivers of babies who develop brain injuries. The film calls in to question the lack of science behind this syndrome and how over-zealous prosecutors have used this syndrome to convict and imprison hundreds of people and take children away from families. There are numerous other illnesses, accidents, and medical conditions that can cause trauma to the brain and often a misdiagnosis can cause significant problems for people who's children are misdiagnosed. In fact, many doctors and scientists now believe that the syndrome is a myth and does not really exist. The 3 doctors who came up with the syndrome also were responsible for an earlier syndrome called Satanic Ritual Abuse that was used to spread hysteria and many people were accused and convicted of abusing children for satanic purposes in the 1980s. Overtime many experts came to regard Satanic Ritual Abuse as having no credence. This film does a good job showing how believing "experts" without questioning their beliefs or validating their "science" of their beliefs can lead to major problems. It also shows how egos, self interest, irrationality, and cognitive dissonance can cause people to hold on to beliefs that are not backed up by science.
The Brown Bunny (2003)
Worst Movie I have ever seen
This is the most boring, tedious, noxious movie I have ever seen. I stayed through the whole thing because the director was there and I wanted to hear what he had to say about the move -- I should have left.
After about 10 minutes of the movie, if you don't like it then it does not get any better. Take a video camera, put it behind a man driving a van, and you basically have the movie. A lot of time watching a man drive around in the van, overexposed film while you are driving into the sun, and occaisionly he stops and has a one sentence conversation with a woman. Boring, tedious movie. Not worth waisting your time or money to see this piece of junk.
Around the World in 80 Days (2004)
Very good Movie
I really enjoyed this movie. It was better than the previews. It was funny, had good special effects and was a lot of fun to watch. This is one of the better movies to come out this year.
Some of the Jackie Chan stunts were really good and I think it's probably the best Jackie Chan movie I have seen. It funnier than most of his movies. The action scenes are very good and clever. I especially the group fight scenes. There is one scene without about 20 people fighting and the action was really fun to watch.
I'd give this a score of 9/10. I was expecting to see a children's movie but it really is the kind of movie for all ages.
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Michael Moore's Film Lacks Credibility.
This movie lacks credibility because the director lacks credibility. Previous works by Michael Moore has been full of deliberate distortions and inaccuracies. Documentation of errors and misrepresentations in his previous films is well documented on the internet.
The film was OK and interesting. However I would probably like the film better if it were produced by someone who is more honest and fair than Michael Moore. It's easier to make an interesting or entertaining "documentary" when you discard truths, distort facts, use fake setups, and manipulate editing. Moore has a history of doing unethical things to create his films.
Because it's difficult to know what is fact, fantasy, and false setups you need to be careful when viewing films by Michael Moore. You cannot accept his films as being accurate because he has an agenda and makes his documentaries to conform to his agenda even if some manipulation or false misrepresentations are needed to accomplish this.
I agree with much of what his views are in the film. However, I do not respect the messenger or the tactics he uses to convey his message. If this film where made by a director who had more integrity and honesty then I would have more respect this film. Because this is a film by Michael Moore I am left wondering what is accurate and what are intential misrepresentations that Moore has put into a film.
I find it difficult to put much faith or credence in a film by a director who himself manipulates the facts and uses editing tricks, false statement, and ambushed interviews as part of documentary technques. I would like to see a documentary made about Michael Moore and see how well he would hold up under scrutiny if someone were to take a close look at him.
If someone wanted to, they could probably easily create a documentary about Moore that would make him look worse then how he makes other people look in his films.
Moore contradicts himself. He criticizes the integrity of others, but he himself uses dishonest tactics and false allegations to create his films. By doing so he discredits himself, his views, and his work.
Tarnation (2003)
Not that great
This movie is a lot of home videos, a few canned emotional set up scenes and silly performances strung together.
It's a autobiographical look at the directors life with a bunch of strange funky effects and music.
I didn't care for the movie. It was a little annoying watching this and I was glad it when it was over.
Jerky camera and music also distract but perhaps it is what interests some people. A lot of bad things happen to his mother and it was somewhat interesting to see how her life changes and how it affects her. I don't think this film has much going for it.
Van Helsing (2004)
Excellent Movie
This movie was spectacular. The story, the humor, the special effects, the music, and the acting make this a very enjoyable and fun movie to watch.
I was pleasantly suprised. Probably the best parts are the special effects. The movie is visually stunning. Also the humor is clever and adds to the charm of the movie. I think it is the best movie I have seen in a long time and plan to watch it a second time.
I'm not sure why more critics haven't given this movie a higher rating. I think perhaps because there is so much going on in this movie that some people find it overwelming. But this is a very exciting, fun, and well done movie.
Envy (2004)
Worst movie of the year
This is the worst movie I have seen in several years. Very dumb story, dumb humor, painful acting, hard to watch. This is the type of movie that should be destroyed instead of inflicting it upon audiences. Ben Stiller has proved himself to choose very bad movies and I thought perhaps Jack Black would have made it a good movie but he did not. I am making it a policy that I will boycott movies that have Ben Stiller in it. If Ben Stiller is in the movie it is likely a bad movie and this is probably the worst movie he has been in. Movie stars do a diservice to the audience by working on junk like this and perhaps if they don't care about their reputation and put out junk like this the audience should boycott movies they are in. There is absolutely no excuse for a piece of junk like this movie. They should pay me for waisting my time on this.
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
Not very funny, poorly done, legally flawed movie.
This movie comes accross as really stupid at times and that makes it not very funny. Humor is better if it doesn't try to insult your intelligence.
Also the whole premise of how prenups work is inaccurate and the whole premise of the movie is flawed.
Signing a prenup at the alter would likely invalidate it. Typically a prenup needs to be given about 30 days in advance and with legal representation.
Simply getting married does not entitle someone to half your property and in most states the married partner is only entitled to half the appreciation of the property. In the movie they made it seem like people could get rich by getting married and then seeking a divorce and getting half of the other person's wealth - it rarely works that way in real life.
In addition a prenup requires each party disclose their assets to each person and in the movie the false lies of non-existent wealth would have caused legal problems to the person lieing about their wealth.
Most prenups can only be changed in writing. Simply tearing up a prenup or making verble promises will not invalidate or change a written prenup.
There are so many things wrong with this movie, and it has too much slack-stip and unrealistic humor, it will not apeal to people who have much of a brain or understand anything about prenups.
There are several scenes that could be cut because they have little to do with the plot and they take away from the movie.
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Just an average movie, somewhat disappointed
I loved the first Matrix (it's my favorite movie of all time), but the sequel "Matrix Reloaded" is just an average movie. Not much plot, first hour is kinda slow and boring and then you get a lot of action that at times is probably too much action.
I figured it would be hard to make another movie as good as the original, but I was at least expecting a really good movie..the sequel is just your average everyday kind of movie.
What made the first movie so great was not found in the sequel. The sequel does not have much suspence, some of the special effections or action is a little stupid such as Neo flying around and some of it is overkill. This movie gets a score of 5 out of ten.... the original was a 10.
Squash (2002)
Intense Movie of Rival Players
You would not think that a movie about a racquetball game would be very interesting but this is one of the best short movies I saw at the Aspen short film festival.
Basically a man goes to play a game of squash against his boss...and it soon develops into a physiological mental game of lies, deceit, bluffs, wits, careers, goals, and challenges. It evolves into an intense physical game. The conversations goes for work, to competition, to life, to lovers, and is a game of good versus evil that metamorphosis from a friendly game into a struggle that brings out the best and worst aspects of each player.
The intense rivalry between each player gets you take sides and root for one of the players. This is an amazing film. You have to see it to understand what I mean. This film won an award for best writing at the Aspen short film festival in 2003. I'd give this a score of 9 out of 10.
Just Married (2003)
Very Funny Movie
This movie was a lot better than what I was expecting. Some parts were really funny. Probably one of the funniest movies I have seen in a while. I would give this a score of 9 out of 10. Some parts were so funny it was hard to stop laughing.
Adaptation. (2002)
Not that great, rather boring, below average movie
This is one of those movies that critics seem to like because it is different than most movies but I don't think it's that great. Anyone could do this kind of movie....Basically just make a movie about a screen writer struggling to write a movie and give them several dumb variations of the movie and they come up with a stupid ending to wrap up the movie. There is nothing worth writing about because most the movie is about nothing. Don't waste your money on seeing this movie, I don't think it is even worth renting. I kept waiting and waiting for something good or profound to happen in the movie but it never does. It is a slow, boring, rather uninteresting movie.
The Transporter (2002)
Great Movie
This is probably the best action movies I've seen this year. It's better than James Bond or the movie "XXX" combined. It is intense, entertaining, good story. Very well done. I will probably see this movie a second time because I liked it so much.
The World at War: A Special Presentation - Secretary to Hitler (1974)
Boring
I saw this film at the Telluride Film festival. It was very hard to sit through. Every shot the same. Not much editing changes. Nothing in this film but watching person talk about a lot of stuff that wasn't that important. The conversation didn't seem to give much insite into Hitler. Basically the secretary talks about his dog, and other misc stuff. After about an hour of sitting through the movie myself and a friend decided to leave because it was rather boring to keep sitting through this movie.
Changing Lanes (2002)
Not worth seeing
The plot of this movie is really week and rather unbelievable. That alone makes the movie hard to watch and a waist of time. Also, Ben Aflecks acting is rather poor at times. This is more like a low budget TV movie and isn't worth paying to see it. I don't think it is even worth renting on video.
Queen of the Damned (2002)
Lacks substance
This movie starts out ok but the longer it goes on the it seems to drag. Not much (if any plot). Very little story, just various scenes of violence, bad music, and special effects. Not really worth seeing. What is especially disappointing is the queen is only in about 5 minutes of the whole move even though the previews seem to indicate the move is about her. Save your money - wait for the video. This movie is a dud. 5 stars out of 10.
Shallow Hal (2001)
Has Depth - better than the Previews
This movie was much better than I had expected. It was a comedy but also a drama, there were times I felt emotions and empathy. This is not a movie with a lot of stupid fat jokes but has a much deeper level of depth that makes it a good movie. If you think the movie is offensive or avoid seeing it because you think it makes fun of fat people then you are missing the point of the movie. In fact it does the opposite. I'd give this a score of 7 out of 10.
Joy Ride (2001)
OK, but not as good as the previews
I was looking forward to seeing this movie because the previews looked really good. It was an OK movie, slow at first, got better towards the middle. Had a few scary parts. Overall I would give this a score of 6 out of 10.
Original Sin (2001)
Good except for the ending
Overall was an OK movie but the ending was a little poor. It was interesting and building story until the end it just got wrapped up too quickly. I think this movie would have been better if the ending was different. In particular I think they tried to hard to have a happy ending. It could have been a very good movie but the ending kind of harms the overall movie. I'd give this a score of 6 out of 10 (would have been a 7 if the ending were better).
America's Sweethearts (2001)
Lame movie, Not worth seeing
This was really a poor excuse for a movie. The story is really weak. The characters are shallow. Theres no depth to it. You have just steriotypical one dimensional shallow characters. It's almost as though everyone was trying really hard to be pathetic actors in this movie and they didn't have much of a story to work with. I don't know why all the well know actresses and actors bothered to waste their time on this piece of junk. I wouldn't even recommend renting this video. This is one of the worst movies I have seen this year.
Kiss of the Dragon (2001)
Decent Action, but plot lacking
This film seems to skip much of a plot and starts out in the middle of a story that you never really get to find out what is going on. The action is fairly good but it would have been a much better movie if it had a better plot. You never find out why a murder occured, why a main character was involved, why people are being framed, why there is hostility between governments, why the evil person is in power, or why the prostitute and her daughter are in the situation they are in, etc. It is almost like walking in to the middle of a movie and missing the first half of it because of this all the undeveloped and unfished plot. I'd give this movie a score of 6 out of 10.
Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles (2001)
Boring Junk
One of the worst movies to come out this year. Not much of a plot. Not much humor. Poor script. It is certainly not worth paying to see this junk. I wouldn't even recommend renting it. Very boring to sit through this poorly done movie.
Sånger från andra våningen (2000)
Long, strange, Hard to watch
I did not care for this film much. It seems like a lot of different scenes some of which have nothing to do with each other. It was interesting at first, but after a while, the dull lighting a strangeness of the film got tiring and tedious. I gave it a rating 4 out of 10 stars. There doesn't seem to be much of a plot to it, just a bunch of weird situations filmed in dull muted lighting.
Heartbreakers (2001)
Below average, poorly done film
The previews look better than the film. The story basically insults your intelligence is difficult to sit through. This is the type of movie you may want to walk out of rather then watch it.
It is a little too ridiculous. Characters are not believable. Some parts are just plain stupid. Some lines in the dialog make it obvious nobody put much thought into writing this piece of crap. I'd give this a rating of 4 stars out of 10. Don't waste you money on it.