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denmarkman
Reviews
Paranormal Activity (2007)
I Gave It a Five Because I am Genially Split
On the one hand, this show is perfect and genius. On the other hand, it is absurd and lazy.
I'm not even reviewing the Blair Witch Project, which is the perfect version of this movie. And I'm here rewatching these mockumentaries. This is in the 'found footage' subgenre of the mockumentary. It attempts to fool me, though it does not do it well. Blair Witch did that. And Cannibal Holocaust did it before that.
But, it is a cultural milestone in cinema. Even though after Blair Witch, I would not believe that a hoax could be successful again. Foolish of me. Orson Welles did it in 1938. So, not new, but effective.
Now I look at the acting. It was all fairly believable, but nothing dynamic. Not like the star of Man Bites Dog. I would say there are no interesting performances... Just somewhat realistic. Somewhat. So if I subtract the effectiveness of the hoax, there is nothing in the craft or performances that adds to the lexicon of cinema. So it's like fantastic kitten candy. Even Blair Witch had Heather, who was outstanding.
Maybe I'm wrong, but it's my opinion.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
I am Rewatching Old Mockumentaries
This was where the genre began. It's nearly perfect. So why only seven?
Well, as good as it is and as revolutionary as it is, it does follow The Rutles, and from my point of view, I remember it being better. So I suppose when some other similar style movies have come along like Man Bites Dog and What We Do In the Shadows, I feel like they have stood on shoulders and done better. But only slightly.
Christopher Guest is the real genius in this movie. His performance is top-notch. I do not know why he did not become a leading comedian in the zeitgeist, though I love all of his other mockumentaries.
I cannot add to what has already been said about this revolutionary movie.
Great Kills (2023)
I was very surprised by this Low Budget gem.
I have been rewatching mockumentaries when this one popped up for me to watch. I am in Europe, and with my VPN, I gained access to a US streaming service that allows me to see old movies. This show is new.
Lucky me. Here we have a film crew following this guy who is a hitman. So... "Man Bites Dog," right? No. It's different in so many ways. It's more like Woody Allen and Diane Keaton following Robert De Niro. Honestly.
The show has its limitations. It clearly had no money. However, it works in its favor if you are patient.
But I have to say, this actor Steve Stanulis, whom I also googled and still don't know of, is a stunningly good actor. This show is off the grid, so where did this guy who plays the hitman come from? His performance holds together eight episodes with ease. There is very little story here, and I applaud the filmmakers for making something out of nothing. But my high score is based on this actor who is on par with any of the great American actors of the '70s. I am not joking. Just watch the show with eyes that understand the limitations. The supporting cast is very good, but there's this actor who is clearly not as famous as say, Stellan Skarsgård, yet there he is, just as good, carrying five hours on his shoulders.
This show might be a bit messy for your average viewer who is used to watching slick productions. However, it is a milestone for the genre, much like "Man Bites Dog" was a milestone.
C'est arrivé près de chez vous (1992)
I Dark Masterpiece
I'm here to sing the praises of this work. It's the progenitor of the mockumentary genre (yes, I've seen "This Is Spinal Tap"). However, what you have in "Man Bites Dog" is a profound commentary on the process of creating a documentary. The filmmakers become entangled in the disturbing behavior of their subject, and the resulting dark humor is nothing short of brilliant. I initially hesitated to watch this film, having recently seen a mockumentary series with a similar theme, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. Both shows are exceptional in their own right, with the other being dark yet whimsical, while "Man Bites Dog" offers a much more biting critique of the human experience.
This movie certainly isn't suitable for everyone. However, if you can handle content that's culturally impactful but comes with its fair share of problematic aspects, I strongly recommend watching "Man Bites Dog."
Moonlight (2016)
A Wonderful Film
Making a film centered around subtlety requires a unique blend of skill, patience, and courage. Moonlight, a profound piece exemplifies this elusive quality. It chronicles the life of a young black boy growing up in Miami, navigating the complexities of being raised by a drug-addicted mother, enduring bullying for being different, grappling with his own sexuality, and searching for his identity. Adapted from Tarell Alvin McCraney's unproduced play "In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue," this movie does the extraordinary by saying so much while explicitly telling very little.
Barry Jenkins, the adapter and director, partitions the film into three distinctive sections, each commencing with a black title card adorned with white letters, revealing only the chapter number and the name Chiron, the protagonist, is known by during that phase of his life. "i. Little" introduces us to Chiron (Alex Hibbert), a reserved young boy who finds little joy in life. His only friend is Kevin (Jaden Piner), and he endures ceaseless bullying from his peers. Chiron's mother (Naomie Harris) vacillates between neglect and verbal abuse. "Little" forms a connection with a drug dealer named Juan (an Oscar-worthy Mahershala Ali), who becomes a father figure for him, aided by Juan's compassionate girlfriend, Teresa (Janelle Monáe), whose home offers respite and nourishment during particularly trying times.
Moonlight is an artful, subtle, and potent cinematic creation. The choice of three actors portraying Chiron at different ages was not merely based on physical resemblance, but rather the similarities in their eyes, evident even in the movie poster. Beyond this, the three actors (as well as the trio portraying Kevin) had no contact with each other during filming, allowing them to infuse their own interpretations into their characters. This approach, coupled with the compelling portrayal of their characters, effectively and captivatingly unveils a poignant coming-of-age narrative. Jenkins masterfully presents an unforgettable, creative, and truly artistic film.
What We Do in the Shadows (2019)
Chef's Kiss
I decided to renew my account subscription specifically for this series, and while the movie was impressive, this show surpasses it in quality.
The genre and style resonate with me in a profound way. Recently, I've been exploring several mockumentaries, and this one stands out as the best, even though I came across a smaller mockumentary that differed and was only less appealing due to its limited budget.
The actors in this series are truly exceptional, among the finest I've seen in a while. The special effects are impressive. The exaggerated acting is all part of the charm, which is delightful. There's a talented British actor in the series whom I hadn't encountered before, and I'm eager to see more of his work. After looking him up, I've added his other projects to my watchlist.
Overall, it's an excellent show.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
I normally don't like US Propaganda. But this was great.
I have to admit, the e first movie was annoying to me as a European. It was a bunch of fist pouring, military aggression, us propaganda. I did not like it. It's craft was well implemented, but the message was.. war good, us military good, rest of the world, bad.
Now we get to this. I have to say, I was swept up by the nostalgia. As I have aged, I am less militant and I found the story well crafted, positive and I was ver moved by Val Kilmer. I am still very against war and American Aggression. But I was taken in by this movie. It feels like it found a way to transcend the militaristic propaganda and tapped into a lost sentimentality that I am not imbue to. Good movie.
Asteroid City (2023)
I love Wes Anderson. They can't all be great. This was not even very good.
This ranks as the weakest among his films by a significant margin. Despite the presence of an exceptional cast, the director failed to utilize their talents, resulting in commendable performances that were ultimately let down by an uninspiring plot. While the film boasts impressive visuals, it falls short in comparison to his previous works in this aspect. "French Dispatch" marked his initial misstep, and "Asteroid City" follows as the second disappointment. One can only hope that a third disappointment won't follow. It's crucial that he brings in skilled writers for his future projects. While his strengths lie in art direction, photography, and injecting humor, the narrative aspect requires external assistance. Given the incredible cast at his disposal, the outcome is undeniably disheartening. This feels like a squandered opportunity, leading to genuine disappointment.