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Reviews
Contraband: Seized at the Border (2023)
Interesting show - Good w a couple issues.
The show tries to reflect how deep and serious it is it is going to help to protect the USA. It's ok. Very repetitive.
However here are some facts:
1. Ppl driving or walking through to the border are a very small percent of what actually gets across. The staff on the show state specifically they stop and check 10% of the vehicles coming through. Think about how much people get through.
There are also tunnels under the border. With technology there can be 2 ppl on each side of a border at night with a
2. The border is a toss of the dice. Given the percentage of how many are allowed to drive or walk through bc most people are being waved through. This means they will get things across more often than not. Thats why ppl keep trying.
3. Mostly what's annoying is Maniece, a staff person on the Texas border. Big ego likes that camera on him when he's interacting with people. Other staff are nice and diplomatic. Seems he wants to be respected or else.
He has a lot of opinions of the people he's interacting with. Many respond to him w frustration bc he comes across as sarcastic and an *ss.
4. Two same scenarios, different people at the border.
Both have Maniece saying the govt has agreed to charge you, you pay the penalty right now.
To one middle aged woman this was regarding avocados. It's apparent the woman and her husband are middle aged couple who had a cpl drinks. They didnt believe they were wrong w avocados so are upset bc Maniece isn't trying to get them to roll with it he's a tough guy. Says it $300 fine ...or else they'll come after your property. They're really unclear why. Then Maniece takes the husband puts handcuffs on him bc he was sitting and agitated not knowing why $300 and takes him to the back. The wife pays and the couple are leaving and Maniece just can't relax the ego. People are allowed to be angry.
Then a younger woman is told pay $500 fine now...or else it starts at $5,000. No explanation of what law, options or protocol for this fine. Or why he has the power to dangle it and then threaten "or else".
The narrator is kind of silly talking like this is wickedly serious and the "officers" are secret service and clamping down daily on bad people. I get it's a needed job but really, they let more go by than they get. Just be serious and nice. Don't be Maniece.
Hold the Dark (2018)
Tepid w too many holes.
Without even getting into symbolism and bleak and meaning it lost w sm details. It's Alaska and it's cold out w snow yet it's never windy or snowing. The wolf specialist falls down a hill when watching wolves and the gun is a short way off. The wolves start running at him which would never ever happen. Stop right before him then leave. I guess that makes a good visual scene but is silly. Still, no wind no snow. The big shoot out w cheenon in the attic is dumb as fuxk. The 2 door attic opening is silly bc there'd be no doors in Alaska & the attic has zero insulation. Stupid sheriff deserved it.
Attack the Block (2011)
Love It - a favorite of mine.
It's not made w expensive scenes and hi tech jumbo but it's a pretty good feel good movie actually.
One reviewer doesn't like it bc it's stacked for the characters...errr ya mean the main characters the black kids? How is this a problem?
But every romantic show has them being happily ever after and that is a-ok?
So it shows that these are kids in the end just getting by. Yes they robbed a woman they end up saving, but it's really them trying to get some clout and a few bucks.
There are big time bad guys in here but these guys ain't them.
Ultimately it all comes together exactly what came from out of the sky and why there is a concentration of them w only big mouths that have huge diamond teeth.
All of the characters develop and have moments of fun and funny, and others parts that are intense or a bit scary.
To me it's in the same vein as Tucker & Dales Great Adventure, just on another continent and country w an English accent vs a Southern accent.
It's not Oscar worthy to be sure, but it's fun and a feel good movie. I give it 👍👍
Crime Stories: India Detectives (2021)
India Detectives feels like crime USA 1950s
This series has good intentions, and the detectives are earnest in wanting to do well. However there is very little to show this is occurring after the year 2000.
This happened in the past few years but feels very dated due to searing sexism and antiquated approaches.
I didn't see a holding cell one time in all the shows I watched. No handcuffs or means to detain. Even if they use them at times I didn't see any. Also they might believe they don't need restraints bc culturally citizens are generally submissive and compliant w police there are times I saw once in a great while the suspect escapes then no one can see this person is in handcuffs running, they just merge into the crowd.
I know cultural mores and environment determines perception and behavior. However this felt like the detectives were hanging out with people they were interviewing until they started threatening them with physical battery:
"Tell us the truth. I'll kick you so hard, Get me a stick"
And saying aloud to camera people that the suspect won't talk in front of them so "We'll call you back after we put some final touches on him". That person was determined to not be in the area and a detective said that sometimes suspect are assumed guilty and they are rough and hit them and are then deemed innocent when another person is arrested. He said that just happens, things aren't always black and white. Say what?
Again, this is very much how I can see this work was handled in the US up until the 80s, essentially until technology presented. And there was shared info between agencies. Similarly in the US and in these shows there are males who are certain they know everything. And therein it becomes prejudicial.
Many of these police stations and police seem ill equipped in training, and in their thinking that we can beat up these guys and theyll tell us the truth.
There seems to be zero social workers or social services. So it's difficult to watch.
A definite have and have not as far as socioeconomics. A homeless woman and her children are told to sleep in front of the police station while the husband is questioned, "you'll be safe there".
Prostitutes in one episode said:
"The police are our enemy. That's why they hate us."
The captain says the cases are heartbreaking bc they have no husbands and have to feed their children yet proceeds to say to his coworker they should clean houses instead. The ignorance is astounding.