Rainman Sisters (2008) NR - 3½ Stars

You'll fall in love with this incredible set of identical twins who just happen to worship Dick Clark. Flo and Kay at age 52, are the worlds only set of identical autistic savant twins. Savant meaning "A person affected with autism who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (such as mathematics or music), unusual cognitive abilities, such as a photographic memory and excellent spatial skills." (Webster)

Flo and Kay are special with their extraordinary memories where they can name the day of the week for any date past or future. They can tell you what the weather was that particular day and what their favorite game show hosts we wearing. The girls has documented, in crayon, 30 plus years of color schemes their favorite stars were wearing on a particular day.
The girls have established routines in their brains that deviating anything upsets their world.Their lives are disrupted when the Ten Thousand Dollar Pyramid was abruptly taken off the air. Flo and Kay would watch every night to keep track of how many buzzers and bells sounded as well as the archiving every questions and answers that was used. Brain scans show almost identical normal brain activity for both left and right parts of the brain.

Guber-Peters Company

Producer: Mark Johnson

Sister Helen (2001) NR - 3 Stars

Good documentary on the life of Sister Helen and the halfway house she runs in South Bronx. Sister Helen was an alcoholic and became a Benedictine Nun after her life had touched bottom with the death of both her children (1 murdered) and also her husband. She got sober and vowed to turn her life around.

At age 70, she a strict nun with a potty mouth and takes no crap from the 21 men staying at her home. She's heard the lies before and only offers the men tough love. Some finally make it and some do not but all of their lives are changed forever with her death.


Awards:
2002 - Sister Helen - Sundance Film Festival - Director's Award.

R & R Films Inc.
Directors: Rebecca Cammisa, Rob Fruchtman
Producers: Rob Fruchtman, Rebecca Cammisa

Gates of Heaven (1978) NR - 3 Stars

Roger Ebert placed this documentary, by filmmaker Errol Morris, on his Top Ten Movies of All Time list. I thought it was an honest look at a sensitive subject regarding the pet cementary business. Since I work at an animal hospital, I have to deal with people who have lost their pets and for some it can't be any worse then if they had lost their child. I had never heard of "rendering a pet" before I worked at the hospital. Now, I could never consider dispoing of my pet in this way. However, I am not sure why this movie made Ebert's top ten list? While I found it informative and compassionate, it's just a decent documentary, made in the 70's, and I didn't walk away with some moment in awe that would find it on my top ten.

Foothill Memorial Gardens pet cemetery, located north of San Francisco, was started when the owner lost his own dog and could not stand the though of his pet being "rendered" rather than having a nice place to rest. And the need was great, as many animal lovers were eager to give their trusted friends some dignity after they've left this earth. But when the cemetery was forced to shut down, Bubbling Well Pet Memorial Park, in Petaluma, California, was where 450 pets needed to be moved to. The documentary focuses on with the families who have dedicated their lives and time to the preservation of the beloved family pet. The sons have joined with their mother and father and one, a rock guitar player, stands on the hill top playing to the pets below. The family has focused on death which has brought new life within them all.

Cremation is big at my hospital as no one wants to see their beloved pet, end up as a rendered pet. I don't want to gross you out but, many of you might have never given a thought to what they do with dead animal bodies. Every part of the animal is used for something including cement, lip stick and even pet food. Here are a few places to have a peek at if you really want to know. Corpse disposal is one place as well as sign a petition to Stop Rendering Our Pets Into Pet Foods and from Wikipedia.

New Yorker Films
Director: Errol Morris
Producer: Errol Morris

I viewed 7/08

The Hamburg Cell (2004) NR - 3 Stars

This movie gave me a pretty good realism into what I would think the people responsible for 9/11 were like. Somewhat normally behaving people amongst themselves but empty inside with non emotions. I plan on watching a lot of these type of films in order to get a better understanding of the minds of people who hate the U.S. and their religious devotion.

Meet the pilots behind the September 11, 2001 attacks. Ziad Jarrah (Karim Saleh) member of the Al Qaeda cell would force America to stand up and take a good look at terrorism. The film is about the cell of Al Qaeda members living in Hamburg Germany. It gives the viewer a first hand look at this group of religious extremists as they prepare to take planes as hostages in America.

Channel 4 Television
Director: Antonia Bird
Writers: Alice Perman, Ronan Bennett
Producer: Finola Dwyer

I viewed 12/06

Capturing the Friedmans (2002) NR - 2½ Stars

I'm sure the true life story of the Friedman's was more interesting then the documentary. The way the film is put together, I didn't find that it really made everything clear. Did they or did they not abuse the children? Dad looks like he could have for sure but mom doesn't look the type.

In 1987, the prominent family of Arnold and Elaine Friedman and their three sons , Jesse, Seth, and David turns dysfunctional when it's found out that Arnold and Jesse are abusing and sodomizing the children in Arnolds class. Through their home videos this is the true story of the Friedmans struggle to keep their family together after being accused of molestation. The cameras are given to the family to record and document life at home.

Awards include:

2003 - Capturing the Friedmans - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best New Filmmaker
2003 - Capturing the Friedmans - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Documentary (Runner-up)
2003 - Capturing the Friedmans - Sundance Film Festival - Documentary Grand Jury Prize.

Magnolia Pictures
Director: Andrew Jarecki
Producers: Andrew Jarecki, Mark Smerling

I viewed 11/17

Catfish (2010) PG13 - 2½ Stars

Social networking can be a positive experience for those unable to communicate properly or in a normal fashion. But stuff like this goes on all the time. Who are you really chatting with and think you know? Some people live in a virtual world built solely on fantasy and this story is about one woman who paints a portrait of Nev Sculman, mails it to him and concocts a fantasy world around it. This film documents what he thinks may be the beginning of a love affair. Myself, I didn't feel the documentary was totally true. It gives me the impression that it's made up though I wouldn't accuse anyone of that. But it does go to show you, the influence of social networking has on today's society.

Nev Schulman is a photographer in New York City. He receives an email from Abby, an eight year old girl in Michigan, that wants to paint a portrait of him after she has seen him in the newspaper. Nev develops an on going conversation with this young girl until his painting arrives in the mail. The art work is amazing and he is very intrigued how such a young girl can paint so masterfully. In future conversations, Nev is introduced to more members of the family including Abby's sister, Megan whom Nev finds attractive. They speak on the phone and develop a romantic bond. But as his friends Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, begin to document this love story, things don't add up. The three young men decide to pay a surprise visit to the family to get behind the mystery of who is who.

Rogue Pictures, Focus Features
Directors: Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost
Producers: Andrew Jarecki, Henry Joost, Marc Smerling

I viewed 1/11

Manufacturing Dissent (2007) R - 2½ Stars

I believe we are spoon fed so much B.S. watching T.V., listening to the news, reading the newspaper, listening to the radio and now even the Internet, that it's hard to make an intelligent choice without getting all the facts. I feel most people, including myself at times, just go along with the flow and allow the media to dictate what we eat and buy, how we vote, feel, live our lives and even react to situations. And heck, if we get out of hand, there's always some new pharmaceutical drug we can take to comply with society.

Michael Moore is one of those controversial film makers you either love or hate. I didn't use to think too much of him until I started watching some of his documentaries. The one thing I ABSOLUTELY LOVE about Michael Moore is he gets under your skin causing a twitching reaction. Even though you can see his dramatics in his films, I still think they make a point and cause awarness. Too often we sit back and just allow someone else to solve the problems instead of wanting to be involved. Michael Moore makes me what to have a voice and has done a great job of getting people motivated to stand up for what the believe.

Now having said that, a Canadian team of film makers, Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine, made this documentary to show that you can't believe everything you see - read - hear, even if it's from Michael Moore - the supposed truth speaker. It gives you an in dept look on how Michael has used a lot of footage for his documentaries, manipulating the context to his advantage. He's claimed, on more than one film, he can't get interviews with people he's going after. Here, with the tables turned, the film makers can't get Michael Moore to speak with them for more than 4 minutes. They're banned from plugging into the audio feed, they're cameras are not allowed at certain events and just lots of off limit areas for someone wanting to make a documentary of one of the master of documentaries.

The film shows another side to Moore. It implies he's making films just for his own ego and the money he can bring in. But after viewing the film, I still feel sparking controversy and reaction into people is the only way to bring about change. Remember, the first part of solving a problem, is admitting there is one.

Liberation Entertainment
Directors: Debbie Melnyk, Rick Caine
Writers: Debbie Melnyk, Rick Caine
Producers: Rick Caine, Debbie Melnyk

I viewed 5/08

Control Room (2003) NR - 3½ Stars

The Vietnam war gave the public a glimpse behind the scenes of the ugliness of war. With Kuwait and Iraq wars, society was media-managed as to what we were to see and not to see. There's only so much reliable information on the Internet, which is mostly biased, to form an objective opinion. Watching this film shows how easily American propaganda takes over in our media as opposed to how media allows the people of the middle east to complete reality.

I  watched this movie back in 2007 while the war in Iraq was still active on the ground. The images shown to us were exactly as our government and media wanted us to see. Direct hits on bad guys, front line pushing forward while sheltered from any reality of bombs hitting civilian targets. For me, watching documentaries that show all points of view allow me to form my own opinion of what I believe the truth to be.

We are invited into the headquarters of Al-Jazeera television to see how the news of the Iraq war is reported in the Arab nations. American television avoids the death and destruction where Al-Jazeera focuses on it and they make good arguments on it's benefits. For anyone who wants to see the Iraq war from all sides, search my site under war for the movies I've reviewed.

2004 - Control Room - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Documentary.

Magnolia Pictures
Director: Jehane Noujaim
Producers: Rosadel Varela, Abdullah

I viewed 11/07

Sicko (2007) PG13 - 3½ Stars

You either like Michael Moore's work or you hate it. For me, any movie that stirs me up and makes me angry and causes a reaction in me is a good thing. Michael produces directs and stars in this documentary on the health care system here in America as well as other parts of the world. When you see how much the costs we pay for prescription drugs and medical treatments here in the United States versus other parts of the world, well something isn't right.

Though Michael gets a bit dramatic towards the end of the movie, it was very sad to learn that detainees in Guantanamo have better health care then most American citizens do. Yet we as a society don't do anything to protest it but just complain.

Awards include:

2007 - Sicko - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Documentary.
2007 - Sicko - Las Vegas Film Critics Association - Best Documentary.
2007 - Sicko - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Best Documentary.

Lions Gate Films
Director: Michael Moore
Writer: Michael Moore
Producers: Meghan O'Hara, Michael Moore

I viewed 1/08

9/11 Explosive Evidence Experts Speak Out (2012) NR - 4 Stars

I, for one, will never be convinced that 9/11 unfolded the way the world has been lead to believe. Never having been one of the herd that just conforms to the crowd, I question just about everything. Sometimes to the point of obsessiveness; how did my good friend put it "I can complicate a free lunch," that can sometimes be true. However, it frustrates me when people are so narrow minded they do not want to even consider the slightest possibility of something different than what we are told.

How do you explain the towers falling in so preciously in just 9 seconds and Tower 7 not even hit by a plane imploding in just 12. Controlled demolition explosives is the only explanation but when you look at the 9/11 commission reports, they never even address the possibility or test for explosives. There's eye witness reports from reliable sources firemen eye witnessing of hearing explosions but NSID does not even address the possiblity. The film has counselors at the end who try to explain why society doesn't want to hear or believe our government could cover something like this up.

I'm sorry but war is good business. It keeps a lot of people in jobs and holds power over the country when they want you live in fear. I believe we created the hatred of ISIS and Al Qaeda and all the people who want to blow us up because we stuck our noses where they didn't belong starting with Iraq. At least keep an open mind and listen to what qualified experts with PHD's say. Steal just doesn't melt unless you plan it to.

Janson Media, AE911 TRUTH
Director: Richard Gage
Writer: Richard Gage

Producer: Francis Battaglia, Charles Ewing Smith, Richard Gage

I viewed 5/16

9/11 The Falling Man (2006) NR 4 Stars

Very good documentary, tastefully done, about the worst day in modern U.S. history and in particular, one of it's most controversial photos published after the attacks on 9/11/2001.

The media quickly filled the newsstands with images of devastation and destruction of the terror attacks. It also filmed and published controversy images of people seemingly jumping to their deaths. One photo in a series taken by photographer Richard Drew, who just happened to be there, was labeled "The Falling Man." With it's powerful imagery, Drew captured the quiet and calmness of one man alone who felt there was no other choice. Many images were taken that day of people jumping/falling to their deaths but this one stood out symbolically. But after it's appearance in the next mornings news, it was "quickly airbrushed it out of history" due to it's gut wrench emotion no one wanted to continue to feel. The photograph was stifled and never seen again about being published on 9/12.

I remember viewing that photo and it was very hard to look at yet I couldn't look away. The images were quickly replaced with images of the heroic side of America coming together in the face of disaster. To prove you couldn't keep America down. But it's hard to imagine looking out of a window so high in the sky and thinking, yep I'm jumping. One can only imagine those horrific last moments of these victims lives.

The documentary follows one journalist who is committed to finding out the identity of this one brave man who seems so calm looking falling to his death. Like many others that day, who felt the better choice was to jump rather than burn, one can only imagine being faced with their options. But while trying to identify the man, one family's religious beliefs are shattered when the journalist tells them he believes it's their beloved father, brother and husband. They are unable to rest knowing his soul would go to hell by taking his own life. When it is finally revealed it is not their beloved, they can finally accept his death in peace. Even though the film finds a pretty good idea of who this man is, the film establishes the strength of the photo speaks for itself of the terror of that horrific day.

Like the tomb of the unknown soldier in, the picture represents everyone who lost their lives that day especially those who had felt they had no other option but to jump.

Awards:
2007 New York Festival - Best Documentary - Henry Singer

Darlow Smithson Productions
Director: Harry Singer
Writers: Tom Junod
Producers: Harry Singer, Sue Bourne, John Smithson

I viewed 5/16

Stranded: I've come from a Plane That Crashed (2007) NR - 4 Stars

This is a very moving documentary about the 16 survivors of Uruguay's cricket team, who's plane crashed deep in the Andes October 13, 1972. After stranded 72 days, high atop the Andes mountain range of Chili, 2 exhausted survivors did the unthinkable by trekking over 8 large mountain ranges to get back to civilization. When all other hopes of rescue exhausted, these two brave young, men with little choice but to make it or die trying, crawl to freedom from their frozen tomb. Once they were found barely alive, their only thoughts were of getting help for their 14 friends still trapped in hell on the mountain. This documentary will make the hair stand up on your arms listening as the recapture their ordeal in the Andes.

I read the book, "Survived", when I was young and it has always stuck with me how these young men were forced with the decision to eat their fellow players in order to survive. Even learning that grinding done parts of the bone would give them a source of magnesium and calcium supplements their bodies needed to survive. These 16 survivors have uniquely special bond of a lifetime. Now, 30 years later in 2006, they reunite at the crash location and tell the stories to their families, and us the viewers, of permanent memories etched in their heads of the lose of their fallen friends.

Jose Algorta - Himself (as José Pedro Algorta)
Roberto Canessa - Himself
Alfredo Delgado - Himself
Daniel Fernandez - Himself (as Daniel Fernández)
Bobby Francois - Himself (as Roberto François)
Roy Harley - Himself
Jose Luis Inciarte - Himself (as José Luis Inciarte)
Alfredo Mangino - Himself (as Álvaro Mangino)
Javier Methol - Himself
Carlitos Paez - Himself (as Carlos Páez)
Nando Parrado - Himself (as Fernando Parrado)
Ramón Sabella - Himself
Adolfo Strauch - Himself
Eduardo Strauch - Himself
Antonio Vizintín - Himself
Gustavo Zerbino - Himself
José Gilberto Bravo Castro - Himself
Laura Canessa" - Herself (as Laura Inés Canessa)
Antonio Caruso - Himself
Juan Catalan - Himself (as Juan Catalán)
Sergio Catalan - Himself (as Sergio Catalán)
Jorge Massa - Himself
Juan Pedro Nicola - Himself
Mateo Nicola - Himself
Carlos Páez Vilaró - Himself (as Carlos Páez-Vilaró)
Madelón Rodríguez - Himself
Alejandra Strauch - Herself
Lucas Zerbino Payssé - Himself
Martín Zerbino Payssé - Himself
Sebastián Zerbino Payssé - Himself
Bernardo Antonaccio - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Rafael Beltrán - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Mauro Bettega - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Mario Bianchi - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Hilario Canessa - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Rodrigo Castellanos - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Pablo Collazo - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Juan Antonio Damiani - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Alfonso Díaz Cat - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Pablo Di Leva - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Nicolás Estrada - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Nicolás Furtado - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Joaquín Jaume - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Simón López Ortega - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Romeo López Ortega -Actor in reconstructed scenes (as Romero López Ortega)
Pablo Magariños - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Silvana Magrini - Actress in reconstructed scenes
Javier Martínez - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Pedro Musto - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Pilar Pelfort - Actress in reconstructed scenes
Carlos Scure Lacoste - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Ariel Tornin - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Rafael Soliwoda - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Alejandro Zivov - Actor in reconstructed scenes
Ernesto Cantu - Narrator (noncredit)

Columbia Pictures
Directors:Gonzalo Arijon
Writers:Gonzalo Arijon, Deborah Ford
Producers:Sally Jo Fifer,Mariela Genta,Sergio Gándara,Virginia Martínez Vargas

I viewed 4/12

A Man Named Pearl (2006) G - 3½ Stars

A warm hearted documentary about the passionate life and garden of a man named Pearl. He's been called the Edward Scissorhands of Bishopville, South Carolina. You must check out his gallery on line.

Pearl is just a good old boy who's life has never been easy and purchases a home in 1976, in a upper class all white neighborhood where he is not wanted. The Real estate agent told Pearl and his wife Metra, that "black people don't keep up their yards properly", and Pearl, the proud man that he is, sets forth to make his garden something the neighbors will be happy with. He teaches himself the art of topiary and is allowed free plants from the dump pile the local garden house is throwing away. When he hears of a contest offered for the best yard of the month, he is eager to make his yard something worthy of the prestigious honor. With his creative mind and faith in what he wanted to achieve would grow, he began to twist and tie branches in unnatural ways. Sometimes waiting 5 years or more for his creation to be realised. Then he meticulously hands trims the bushes and trees into abstract art. Along with his trash art made up of items found here and there, he has transformed his over 3 acres into a magical garden, people from all over have come to see.

In one conversation with Japanese tourists, the admit that Pearl's garden is even more stunning then many in Japan. His work has been featured in many magazine and he has done television interviews and has become the no named wonder in the gardening / landscaping world. The local waffle house has his twisted work outside of their doors and give Pearl and his wife free breakfast for life because of all the attention his masterpieces have brought to their doorsteps. It is now the hope that Pearl at age 68, can continue his 30 years of magic by adorning the city streets of Bishopville and Lee County with his artistic and calming creations, driving tourists back to their small economic dwindling town. You're heart with fall in love with a man named Pearl.

Shadow Distribution
Directors: Brent Pierson, Scott Galloway
Producers: Brent Pierson, Scott Galloway

I viewed 1/09

Iraq in Fragments (2005) Part 2 NR - 2½ Stars

This is a 2 part documentary of what you are not going to see on CNN or the local news. Part 2 is a more personal look at how the war has effected the Iraqi people. I watch every documentary I can about the war because it is the only way to see all sides of the story. It's subtitled and broken down into chapters. Part 2 drug on a little for me but was still educational and comes with Part 1 automatically.

Chapter one - Sari's Mother:

Sari Zehum is a 10 year old boy who has contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion. This chapter shows the mother point of view in trying to get care for her boy who's had the disease for 4 years now. She becomes lost in the health care system that really has no idea how to treat the infliction. The children play war games with their clay toys putting bombs under the wheels of cars.

Chapter two - Jim McDermott visit to Baghdad:

Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott and the James Longley travel to Baghdad to see what condition the country is in after the Gulf War. Their speeches are of trying to disarm Iraq. The film shows the sewage treatment plants not operational and causing diseases to the Iraqi children. Also birth defects are up do to the large degree of radiation poison from uranium plus debris and tanks left all over the country side.

The last section is made up of the Independent Film & Television Center (IFTC) and the artist community before and after the war strikes. 4 short films by students are included in this section as well as Director commentary.

2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Excellence in Cinematography - Documentary Competition.

To read more about the filming of this documentary, click here.

Typecast Releasing
Driector: James Longley
Producers: James Longley, John Sinno

I viewed 5/08

Iraq in Fragments (2005) Part 1 NR - 3 Stars

This is a 2 part documentary of what you are not going to see on CNN or the local news. It's actual footage of how the Sunnie, Shia and Kurds feel about America and our invasion into their country. I watch every documentary I can about the war because it is the only way to see all sides of the story. It's subtitled and broken down into three chapters.

The first chapter is entitled Mohammed in Baghdad. Mohammed Haithem Majid is an 11 year old boy who is needs to look after himself after he's disconnected with his father during the start of the war. He works in an auto shop for a man he'd like to call his dad but he makes fun of him as he can't read or write and has flunked the same grade 4 times. This man tries to instill the importance of an education but with the talk of Americans invading his country, he's uncertain which direction he should take.

Chapter two is entitled Sadr's South. About the fundamentalist Shiite cabal of Moqtada Sadr and his strict government based on guns and Muslim Law. They are against alcohol of any type and raid swap meets where they know sellers are peddling their goods. Mehdi Army fighter, Naseriyah is featured. Scary to see fanaticism of these young men as one can trigger them all into fury. None of these Iraqi men are happy with the American invasion, some even saying things were better with Saddam.

Chapter three is entitled Kurdish Spring shows the Kurds as farmers making bricks holding onto the faith that someday will be better. They welcome the US presence as it has allowed them a measure of freedom previously denied.

Awards include:
2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Excellence in Cinematography - Documentary Competition.
2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Documentary Film Editing Award
2006 - Iraq in Fragments - Sundance Film Festival - Documentary Directing Award

To read more about the filming of this documentary, click here.

Typecast Releasing
Director: James Longley
Producers: James Longley, John Sinno

I viewed 5/08

Dragonslayer (2011) NR - 2 Stars

I usually fill my queue at Netflix with movies that have a rating of 3 and above, without paying much attention to their contents. It was my impression this film would be a sci-fi thriller about dragons as I rarely read the descriptions before watching. I never dreamed this was a documentary following one guy, Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval from Fullerton, and his passion for skateboarding intermixing with his responsibility into fatherhood. I'm assuming someone into skateboarding, and this lifestyle, get this title better than me. However, if skateboarding is your thing, you've probably heard of Skreech as he's been voted the "oddest" in So. California published  skateboarding magazines. He's young and at times irresponsible, with no apparent parental support or attachment (since they're never mentioned) but I say, if you can make money doing something your passionate about, follow your dream even if it means battling the business money making world of pro-skating.

 

The camera man, Tristan Patterson, does a good job following the day by day excursions of Skreech as he makes his choices, or lack there of them, in life. Though, I didn't learn anything new about the sport from watching the film, I do know many in the close knit community of skateboarders who band together like street gangs, in order to find acceptance and happiness.

Josh 'Skreech' Sandoval from Fullerton, California is a twenty something skateboarder. Parental guidance seems non existence as his street family has become a band of skateboarding, drug addicted punks. He's a legend around Orange County for his passion for the sport while not surrendering himself to the corporate world of profit. His passion is helmet less tricks done in local and abandoned swimming pools. His young life consists of getting high, drinking then skateboarding. Because of his non obligations, he travels to other states and even countries in the world, entering contests for some extra cash. His needs are minimal, living off cup of noodles and pitching a tent in any ones yard that will allow him. All that must change as he's now got responsibilities with a new son and wants him to grow up in a better environment then he did.

Awards include:

2011 - SXSW Film Festival - SXSW Competition Award
2011 - Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival - Best International Documentary

Killer Films, Animals of Combat
Director: Tristan Patterson
Producer: John Baker, Tom Fanning,Christine Vachon

I viewed 8/12

After Innocence (2004) NR - 3½ Stars

This documentary will make you think twice about our criminal justice system and how seriously flawed it is. Jessica Sanders does a great job interviewing at least 10 men who have been wrongly convicted and released. I was surprised that most of these men were not more bitter. On some cases, everything they had, good jobs, nice home and family life, has been destroyed with no more than a "whoops sorry about that!" Even the police themselves can fall pray. One of the men interviewed was a police officer who spent way many years behind bars where even his badge couldn't save him.

I can't even imagine what it would be liked to be yanked off the streets, handcuffed, taken away and accused of a crime you didn't do, spending 20 plus years in jail. Being accused of murder or rape, many of these men have received life sentences and they are totally innocent. This makes me have mixed emotions about my hard stand on the death penalty. On one hand, I believe when one takes another's life in a crime of passion, the good old rule of an eye for an eye should take place. This can save tax payers lots of money keeping someone alive in a jail where they get better health care and services than a lot of our upstanding, yet poor, citizens. Then, on the other hand, what if innocent men or women are executed or sent away for life sentences when they've done nothing wrong. This is the basis of this documentary which profiles 10 men who have been wrongly accused.

Even after DNA has cleared these men of all charges, some were still not promptly released till years later. And what about the cases that are so old, DNA evidence was not taken at the time or was destroyed or become lost in the haystack of chaotic order. To me, it's very surprising that these men still have their dignity even now as they're still considered criminals with records that have not been cleared. Somehow these men have kept their pride. They can never get back the time they've lost, they're not given any monetary compensation, no emotional therapy and not even the basic job training needed to fit back into society. Some families have bankrupted their retirements funds and placed mortgages on their homes, fighting for the justice of their loved one. Shouldn't someone be responsible and do more for these men?

The documentary also talks with "eye witnesses" who wrongly pointed the finger and how they feel today knowing their testimony helped put an innocent man away. Project Innocence was formed with the emergence of DNA evidence and today they are still hard at work looking into an overload of cases of the wrongly accused. I believe more attention should be paid to this as their case load is overwhelming of new clients eager to be heard. Bravo Jessica Sanders for the hard work done.

Awards:
2005 - Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize

American Film Foundation, Showtime Independent Films, New Yorker Films
Director: Jessica Sanders
Writers: Marc Simon, Jessica Sanders
Producers: Marc Simon, Jessica Sanders

I viewed 6/12

9/11: In Plane Sight - 2007 N/R - 3½ Stars

There have only been a couple handfuls of movies I've seen that have inspired me to immediately go to my computer and write down my review. Sometimes it's because the movie is so twisted if I don't write it now I'll never be able to fully remember. At times,some movies are so bad I'm angry to have wasted my good time viewing it, and to warn others to avoid it. Even occasionally they hit me deeply and I feel everyone should get the opportunity to view. In this case, this documentary affected me and I sit here thinking what can one person do to change it, and more importantly can anyone stop or change it. This makes me just plain angry and if anything I can do as one person is to encourage you to at least keep an open mind, watch this film, and be aware that all you see and read is not always as it seems.

It seems we, as Americans, go about our daily lives like a herd of cattle being led into eventual slaughter. We choose to not see what "CONTROL" our government has over us. From what we eat, what we buy and where we buy, to what we hear, read and believe to be true, as broadcast through our many forms of media, we've become controlled robots. And whether you want to believe it affects you personally, take off those rose tinted glasses and watch this film before you say that can not be true and it happens to us again.

I've always said War is good business! Some of our biggest monetary corporations have been formed around the business of war. Without it, we would not be the Super Power of the world and could get away with some of the shit we pull on other nations. But not only does war bring in the big money, it does something way more important; it creates fear! Fear can be the biggest form of control over a human being. As a rule, if we humans are led to believe certain truths, we are then bred to react in a certain fashion. It's human nature that we form our opinions based on what we've done, we've seen and what we are told by others. This can in sense me to an extreme when I listen to people speak who are so close minded they have allowed this conditioning to control their thought process and would never allow their minds to think in a different direction. Thus, probably why we are - where we are today.

I am one of the people "Oh ye, of little faith," was named for. I question almost everything that I am told and actively seek out other forms of documentations to form my own opinion of what is the "truth". It's so easy to get caught up in the fear of what it might be, to the effort it takes of figuring out what it really is. Example, if I hear a strange noise in or outside my house fear instantly is instilled due to my involvement of media influence, but instead, I pragmatically and logically figure our the root of the noise. We'll our new 21st century fear is Terrorism!

The thought of being terrorized, stalked and prayed upon has always been a fear in the back of the minds of most of us. That uneasy feeling that makes you clutch your purse tightly, install extra locks for your doors, judge people by the color of their skin and believe what people in power tell you to do, all because of fear. It's a great way to control. Conspiracy theories have always abounded and 9/11 is nothing new there. But, I am one to believe that everyone has a price and can be bought, people disappear for knowing too much and/or questioning authority and I don't believe everything I see and hear. Yes there are times that bad things happen to good people for no reason at all. And even though you can not make logic of it, you must accept it. But I will never accept that what happened on our own soil on September 11, 2001, was carried out by a third world - under educated country with box knifes.

Watch this documentary, one of the best I have seen on the subject. Someone has actually taken the time to construct evidence that proves these mighty structures could not have come down on their own. Look into why there are such limited remains of plane parts and bodies, and how what they say happened just isn't logically possible. If you think big government doesn't have the control to pull one over on your eyes, watch some of the other documentaries I have posted showing how big business, government and greed are taking over how our food is created, produced and chemically altered in the name of progress. Remember, the health industry is one of the most productive industries of today and major players in our Congress, Senate and all forms of government were once CEO's and major players of these huge corporations are making the decisions of our health. Form your own opinon on how 3 buildings can implode, large planes fit in tiny holes and also disinigrate in open fields.

After watching, please stop blaming Obama for all of today's nations problems. Educate your selves to see where the largest money is to be made with the biggest influence of control. Remember Romney is already one of the biggest financial big-wigs going. Another good ole boy like the Bush's. His monetary power can only help secure a larger fence between us common folk and the fear backed by big business with control.

Wow I do sound like a radical.
After thought, I just asked my boyfriend if he thought there was any possibility of our government behind 9/11 and his answer was absolutely NOT. "Someone would have talked by now as it would have been too big of an operation." I completely disagree as too many people work in our government on a "need-to-know" basis. Thus, I guess that names me the radical type buying into conspiracy theories. I'm that cattle over watching the neighbors field, trying to contemplate my escape, while he is one of the cattle calmly grazing in the field. Watch the film and decide for yourself.

Director: William Lewis
Writer: Dave Vonkleist
Producer: Dave Vonkleist

I viewed 5/12

The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia (2009) NR - 2½ Stars

This documentary is about one of the worst dysfunctional families I've ever seen. Even though it's not the most exciting documentary, you somehow can't stop watching it. The story allows a peek inside the lives of the "White family" of West Virginia. Trying not to judge will be real hard for the viewer as this entire family is one gigantic wreck. No one seems to have their act together,except maybe the father of the whole clan, D R White. D R was famous for his tapping shuffle style of dance and all he wanted to do was to make people smile with his clapping feet. D R forced this dance style upon his young son Jesco. For punishment after Jesco was caught sniffing paint, gas and lighter fluid his father would force him to learn how to mimic his fathers dance moves. Jesco grew up with brain damage but it didn't stop him from preforming like his father did. Unfortunately he also had the devil bred into him who could snap at slightest sign of trouble.

Becoming a product of their environment, the Whites are uneducated, living in the back hills, and no real enthusiasm of working their way out. Even the smallest of family members curse, hold up their middle finger and have already learned to hate and rebel against most everything as the mock their environment. Their lifestyle, attitudes, struggle with drugs make them the most reviled family in West Virginia. When you hear the words, "white trailer trash," you just might find them on page one.

Dickhouse Productions, MTV Studios, Tribeca Film
Director: Julien Nitzberg
Producer: Storm Taylor

I viewed 4/12

Hempsters: Plant the Seed (2009) R - 3 Stars

When most people hear the word "hemp," their immediate thoughts turn to it's cousin, marijuana. While hemp is a product of the marijuana family, it's not for smoking and getting high. It contains less than 1% THC - Tetra Hydro Cannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana that gives the "buzz." Instead, the industrial crop of hemp, that once fueled our nation, is banned from growing in the United States.

Since 1985, hundreds of thousands of farmers have lost their farms with approximately 500 farmers a week go out of business. The film follows small town farmers who have grown hemp for generations but now current and future generations are banned. 

I learned a lot about this plant from the documentary about it's usage and benefits on our growing society. So many products can be made from hemp, it 's really sort of paranoid of the government and public opinion to not bring it's production back to life. If hemp is grown anywhere that marijuana is grown, hemp will take over the drug plant weakening the strength of the marijuana plant. It looks totally different than the marijuana plant and these differences can be seen by flying over.

30 countries across the world regularly grow hemp to meet their agricultural needs. However, the mention of the product here is untouched because if it's close relationship with the drug.  In 1942, the US Military destroyed all seeds in Kentucky as part of the marijuana prohibition causing American farmers to be forced to grow other products like corn, soy and tobacco. We've seen how these huge corporations gobble up the small farmer , forcing them to only plant their patented seeds. Hemp, once  grown  for military rope and canvas, now effecting Indian tribes and the soil on their land, where exercising their sovereign rights has only brought in the DEA to destroy their only means of income.

The documentary starts in 1996 where actor Woody Harrelson is planting four feral hemp seeds in the lawn in front of Kentucky government building, Knowing he could be arrested and face jail time, this documentary follows his crusade in the hopes of drawing public attention to his environmental activist approach to reliance on foreign oil, and discovering efficient forms of energy. Harrelson joins other activists Ralph Nader, Willie Nelson, Julia "Butterfly" Hill, Merle Haggard and many more top open up societies eyes to the benefits of producing such an important product. I'm unsure where hemp stands in this year 2012 but I do feel if more people watched this documentary to lessen their fears of the plant, hemp would be brought back to live helping solve production relationships with our own people in our own land.

Cinema Libre Studios
Director: Michael Henning
Producer: Diana Oliver

I viewed 2/12