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Reviews
The Oh in Ohio (2006)
The Eh in Ohio
There are few redeeming aspects in this showcase of irresponsible, unmotivated filmmaking. The characters, dialog, and situations were nearly as uncomfortable and awkward as the premise of a woman trying to have an orgasm. I don't understand how a film mainly about sex can be so boring, slow, uninteresting and UN-sexy. The pacing is far too slow for what is supposed to be a fun, quirky film, and the editing is loose with some confusing cuts. The entire film felt unnatural, uncomfortable, and bored. A few plot points and lines of dialog were entirely confusing and unclear, and by the end of the film I felt lost. The student and Sherri characters were poorly written and poorly executed – they felt like characters in a book I was reading. They weren't dynamic and didn't feel truly alive and present. Their comments were unnatural and strange, and didn't fit in with the rest of the film. Also, a very confusing aspect of the film was the relationship between Priscilla and Wayne – I won't give everything away, but throughout the whole film I was confused about their past, present, and until the end, future.
So now you might be wondering about those redeeming qualities I mentioned earlier. Paul Rudd is an excellent actor, which somehow manages to show through in this film. However, his skill is weighed down, limited, and ultimately trapped and killed by the poor writing, directing, and overall execution of this story. Danny DeVito is the only thing that manages to rise above this snooze-fest to make it somewhat enjoyable. His character is developed, complex, motivated and real in a world of fake, tired, hollow shells of people. Overall though, this film is slow, barely able to capture and hold attention, and left no impact on my view of the world. I believe that each film is worth watching once – to watch this film again would be a waste of time.
Super (2010)
Comic book come to life
This tale of a real-life superhero proves that when something we love is at stake, anyone can be a superhero. Rainn Wilson shows his superior acting skills as Frank, aka the Crimson Bolt, a man who saves his drug addict wife from the drug lords that kidnap her. Super walks the fine line between honestly realistic and exaggerated fiction, which yields a heartwarming tale of a man living out his dreams and saving the woman he loves. Frank is a complex character, and throughout the film I could never tell if he was completely crazy or just passionate and carried away. Ellen Page delivers an excellent performance as the Crimson Bolt's sidekick, Boltie. This film will make you laugh, cry, sweat, leap for joy, cringe (it's shocking violent and graphic), and most importantly, examine your inner superhero.
Unraveled (2011)
Unraveled is Enlightening
While Hollywood has romanticized financial crime in films like Oceans Eleven, the documentary Unraveled provides a surprisingly honest look at large-scale white-collar crime in America. By following Marc Dreier during his house arrest, director Marc Simon captures a once-in-a- lifetime glance into the mindset of a criminal. This true story is propelled by real news clips about the incident and has a very cinematic, narrative feel to it. At times, I forgot I was watching a documentary and not a fiction piece. Dreier's crimes are so large and creative that they seem to be taken straight from a Hollywood film. Unraveled examines the financial climate at the time of Dreier's crimes and follows his activities from the opening of his law firm in 1998 until his sentencing in July of 2009. The film also analyzes the effect Dreier's crimes had on his personal life, especially regarding his relationship with his son and dog.
Unraveled explains how Dreier build his empire on shaky stacks of debt and lies, then follows how it all came falling down. It also relates his case to Bernie Madoff's similar case also going on at the time. During his interviews, Dreier shows remorse and a sense of responsibility for his actions. The documentary leaves you understanding the position Dreier was in, and also learning enough of his personality to understand why he committed the fraud.
Overall, Unraveled does an excellent job explaining the inside situation surrounding Marc Dreier's case and provides a great explanation of the economic climate during the last 20 years. When it was over, I was left feeling informed and sympathetic, but also sure that Dreier got what he deserved.
Answers to Nothing (2011)
Compelling and Convicting
I was blown away at how raw and honest this film was. It dealt with real, difficult issues that most, if not all people can relate to. There are affairs, disabilities, prejudice, and a kidnapping. Each main character is likable yet broken, and each are changed by how their lives intertwine. Each actor does a fantastic job, with the exception of Dane Cook, who I think had a calculated somewhat forced performance. Overall, this film is touching and convicting. It challenges the audience to look at their own lives and to take action where it is needed to end injustice. I highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you feel like your life is stagnant and needs some motivation.