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Reviews
Zeitgeist: Addendum (2008)
Intelligent people should avoid this utopian gibberish at all costs
This film is basically an indictment of all types of governments and economies which have ever existed on the planet. The film is centered around the ideas of the earnest Jacque Fresco, who thinks technology will free all humans from competition with each other, will allow us to do away with monetary societies, dictatorships, socialism, and replace these with a resource based economies.
If you accept Fresco's thinking that there is no such think as innate human behavior, ie: that literally everything we do is culturally dictated (the blank slate theory), then you might be susceptible to his impassioned line of hogwash. That is, if you aren't very well read, and are about 16 yrs. old.
But anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of evolutionary biology and child development knows there is a HUGE biological component to human behavior. Like all animals, we are hardwired for certain behavior patterns, although our specific environments do indeed work upon our genetic endowments.
I would expect most 12-yr. old school children in developed nations have enough common sense to realize the fallacy of Fresco's argument; if everything we do is shaped by our environment, how did our impoverishing monetary-based slavery system even evolve in the first place? The answer is, economic and governmental systems evolved and continue to better themselves organically, in the most efficient ways possible, according to how intellectually advanced the people in a given country/region have become.
In Fresco's utopian world, there are no lazy people, no criminals, and no need for police. He thinks by doing away with the evil U.S. monetary system, and creating technology to replace the jobs of 90% of the population (his figure), people would be so relieved and happy that peace on earth and good-will toward men would rule the day.
The problem Fresco doesn't answer is: who the hell is making all those machines which will give 90% of us a life of leisure? Who is running the show, and what on earth would prevent those leaders from allowing absolute power to corrupt them absolutely? Oh yeah...human nature is infinitely malleable, according to Fresco. But...WHO is doing the molding? Apparently Mr. Fresco is. What would that make him...a Technology Tzar of the universe?
A silly film, all said and done, and palatable only to dreamers who would deny human nature. Social engineering hasn't worked in the past anywhere in the world. America isn't perfect, but our levels of economic and political freedom provide the highest standard of living human beings have ever experienced in the history of mankind.
I just hope our socialistic president hasn't led us down the same path to ruin which Europe is currently on. Long live free markets! Down with the utopian social engineers who know better than we do what is good for us.
A Serious Man (2009)
Not Goy Fare
As a huge Coen brothers fan, I wasn't surprised at their take on a Jewish schlub's life. As a non-Jew myself, I find the depths of despair which Jewish writers and filmmakers are willing to plumb fascinating. Looking so deeply into the abyss, the meaninglessness of existence, is an endeavor suitable for only the most stout at heart. Watching "A Serious Man" is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. The acting is superb. The art direction and cinematography are impeccable.
What the film lacks, however, is hope. I don't know if Jewish people have a word for "hope", but if Larry Gopnick, the main character, is the archetypal male Jew, I'd be surprised there was any such word in the Hebrew language.
So without spoiling the plot, suffice it to say: be warned...do not watch this film if your emotional/psychological disposition is less than peachy keen. Because you may find yourself hankering to suck on the barrel of a gun by the time the tornado arrives.
Cloverfield (2008)
Well done considering the concept
I delayed watching Cloverfield because my 19-yr. old son told me it sucked. We both dread shaky-cam films, and he said Cloverfield takes the cake in nausea-inducing jitter. I finally watched the film, and was pleasantly surprised at not only the quality of the special effects, but at the producers' success in evoking a real sense of dread and horror. The Blair Witch style handy cam approach lends quite a bit of realism, and the destroyed city was portrayed to stunning effect. My guess is that all the negativity in many reviews of this film stem from the 16-24 yr. old demographic of viewers, who probably couldn't get past their emotional biases against the main characters in Cloverfield. Sure, the plot was simplistic, and the monster invincible and undefined...that's the hallmark of a truly frightening monster movie - mystery, the unknown. We fear most that which we don't understand. In summary, I think Cloverfield, even with the annoying shaky cam, manages to do something most horror films fail at - create a real sense of stark fear.
Immortel (ad vitam) (2004)
A good story, well crafted
As a former Heavy Metal reader and an artist, I was fully entertained by Immortel. The story was good, the unique blending of animation and film footage was expertly executed, with many stunning set pieces interspersed throughout the film. I think this unique sci-film movie deserves better than the ratings many have given it. And I don't give out glowing reviews readily. If I had to compare Immortel with comparably well made ones in the sci film genre, I'd have to mention Rennaisance, Akira and Cowboy Bebop. Forget that these are fully animated, I'm talking about great stories and characters, stylistically designed to provide maximum wow factor. I could cry blue tears to think any viewer could dismiss Immortel as a less than terrific addition to the list of top notch sci film productions, whether animated or not.
Eden Lake (2008)
Utter rubbish....dehumanizing porn for sadists
I am compelled to WARN sane viewers that this film is a worthless piece of refuse. I am dumbfounded how any viewers could possibly enjoy this horrible film. Stylistically it was well executed....good pacing, lighting, camera work, musical score. The only thing missing is a story worth telling. And the story Eden Lake tells is one of complete hopelessness in the face of evil. This type of garbage appeals to the basest impulse in some people, who enjoy seeing human beings tortured to death. There is no redemption, no consequences for the evil acts. In the dismal, sadistic vision of the screenwriter of this film, mankind is basically evil at heart, and the good will be slaughtered like lambs. Compare Eden Lake to Lord of the Flies, another film dealing with evil adolescents. In Lord of the Flies, we are shown a balanced view of human nature, one providing a metaphor for the good and evil duality in all men. The majority of humans turn to charismatic leaders for guidance, and those unlucky enough to choose evil leaders ultimately pay a high price. Because humans are for the most part good, the evil doers in life can only persist for short periods before they are eradicated by the majority who want safety, security and stasis, rather than pain and anarchy. The evil kids in Eden Lake commit the most horrendous of brutal murders, and get away with it. The end. Sound like a film any normal person would find gratifying to watch? It is a symptom of a debased culture when its citizens find it enjoyable to watch innocent people tortured to death, with their murderers receiving no punishment for their crimes. It takes a sick mind to write this stuff, and a sick mind to find pleasure in the viewing.
Murphy's War (1971)
A memorable tale of the best kind of hero...a flawed one
Murphy's War is one of my top 50 most loved films, and I've watched A LOT of films, in all genres. When a film with a straightforward narrative, and a relatively simple plot with very few characters can rivet you to your seat right until the end, you have a hell of a story on your hands! The wide 2.35:1 format and outstanding cinematography by Oscar winner Douglas Slocombe are ideally matched to the location and type of action. And the reviewer who thinks the role of Murphy isn't suited for Peter O'Toole should have his head examined! O'Toole IS Murphy as much as he IS Lawrence of Arabia. Murphy's progression deeper and deeper into a vengeance-clouded mania is masterfully accomplished; he's in good company here, along with Gregory Peck's Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, Spencer Tracy's Old Man in The Old Man and the Sea, and Robert Shaw's Captain Quint in Jaws, O'Toole's tenacious Irishman Murphy is an inspiration easily absorbed and applied to all situations in which one may be considered the underdog by a wide margin. In other words, Murphy isn't an ironic post modern anti-hero. He's the old fashioned everyman, overcoming incredible odds to achieve his ends kind of hero. One could critique the film from sociological or psychological perspectives, and question whether the screenwriter intended for Murphy to symbolize the evil war can bring out in man, or the greatness, or both. But without reading anything into it, Murphy's War is on a primary level simply a terrific action yarn, well worth owning on DVD.
Stargate (1994)
A sci-fi classic of the highest order
If ever there was a perfect sci-fi plot, Stargate has it. And a good script is the most important ingredient in a great film. Stargate has excellent direction, pacing, special effects and musical score. The only knock against it, in my opinion, is the unrealistic direction of photography in the lighting department. Some of the scenes are lit almost like TV sets, and a better job could have been done with creating more convincing realism throughout the film. But this movie makes no claims to be art. It is sheer grade-A escapist entertainment, and will stand the test of time along with other classics like Star Wars and Star Trek.