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Reviews
Chief Zabu (1988)
Comedic Genius!
Chief Zabu is a comedy like no other, with jokes that still land even after the 30-year gap between its creation and today. Allen Garfield and Zack Norman play two businessmen with a get rich quick scheme of monopolizing the island of Tiburaku. The film overflows with quick, dry humor and the fast paced editing matches their back and forth banter. Norman has acted alongside comedians Robin Williams and Danny DeVito, yet his humor shines most brightly as he quarrels with Garfield. Their characters Ben Sydney and Sammy Brooks scramble to fund their real estate project while the island's president, Chief Zabu, struggles to convince the UN to embrace Tiburaku as a member. I love the film's absurdity and how it closely mirrors today's political climate. The film's over-the-top depiction of the American Dream stands the test of time and leaves you with something to think about after the laughs have subsided. This film made me laugh to the point of tears and I think its silly plot adds to the intended satire quite nicely. Any fans of Seinfeld or the National Lampoon films will definitely get a kick out of this comedic gem.
Good Fortune (2016)
One of the most inspirational documentaries I have ever seen!
I don't think there is a rags to riches tale more uplifting than that of John Paul DeJoria in Good Fortune. I am truly in awe of how much he has done for others and how optimistic his outlook on life is. From funding a Sea Shepherd vessel to hosting a charity run on his own birthday, JP is the type of genuine person that more people should strive to be. My favorite scene from the documentary has to be when his daughter Michaeline shares a childhood memory of her father paying for another family's meal at a restaurant. Even when the mother stands up to thank whoever paid for her check, JP stays quiet and doesn't take credit for his good deed. This small act of kindness symbolizes the genuine compassion that he has for other people, and how he doesn't look for any sort of praise for his actions. From the opening title to the end credits, Good Fortune does an excellent job of showing the world what kind of person JP truly is without any sort of exaggeration or gimmick. His actions speak for themselves, and everyone featured in the film can attest to his humanity. Watching JP live his life so charitably inspires me to be a better person in so many aspects of my life, and I truly believe that others will feel the same way.
Urban Hymn (2015)
A Splendid Work of Art
Urban Hymn is as uplifting as it is breathtaking. Every second of this film is drenched with emotion, which can be attributed to the phenomenal acting of Shirley Henderson and Letitia Wright. Both women play their parts with infinite grace and realism, and breathe so much life into Kate and Jamie. Kate Linton is a social worker who dedicates her time to helping Jamie Harrison, a seemingly lost cause about to age out of a group home. Kate sees Jamie's potential and refuses to give up on her, even when Jamie gives up on herself. Ignoring the doubts of her husband and coworkers, Kate convinces Jamie to join a community choir. This small act of compassion helps Jamie blossom into a brilliant singer and gives her a way out from her tumultuous life. Music is tied in so elegantly with the plot of the film, and the scenes in which Jamie performs never feel awkward or out of place. Every character in this film has so much dimension, which makes them equally lovable and relatable. We see both the good and the bad of Jamie, yet we are able to relate with her tough life and questionable decisions. I have yet to see a film that inspires me as much as Urban Hymn has. From film buffs to music lovers, anyone can find some aspect of this masterpiece to relate to.
Danger Close (2017)
An Exceptional Documentary
As a huge film buff, I was incredibly excited to watch Danger Close. I love documentaries of all types, and this one was no exception. The film follows war reporter Alex Quade as she fulfills her task of finding the Iraqi combat outpost that Sargent Rob Pirelli built, and sending footage of it back to his family. Although Pirelli is no longer with us, watching his fellow soldiers and loved ones relive their favorite parts of him made me feel as if I was Rob's friend too. The respect and pride that radiate from everyone when speaking of him show how important he was to both his squadron and the Armed Forces. Not only was the story beautiful and engaging, the footage was equally as stunning. Quade shoots all of her own footage with only a camcorder to her name, yet this lack of equipment makes the experience of watching the film more authentic and familiar. She shows us a soft moment as a soldier kisses a stray dog, and the audience is reminded of the humanity that exists in even the most dangerous of situations. Everything about this documentary is breath- taking, and I truly believe that everyone can find something to love about it.