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butternutt
Reviews
Made in America (2008)
meh
The documentary is pretty one-sided in terms of what it covers. But I don't begrudge that what it does address did lead to gangs (segregation, racism, etc.). The film tells this side well with good background and history. I learned a lot about LA racial history. However, the "criminal enterprise" aspect of gangs isn't really addressed at all. Gangs have structures, turf, and commerce. While they may have sprung from hopelessness and segregation, they evolved into criminal enterprises that are quick to use deadly violence.
I give this film 5 stars because it really addresses half the story. It is a good history lesson on why gangs came to be, but I would have liked to understand their structure and commerce more (the day-to-day reasons for their existence and brutality). The film kind of shrugs off the violence as gang members list many reasons why their lives suck. That's fine, but it really needed to be balanced more with what they gain from gangs through drugs, robbery and violence. The gang members are not powerless victims - they profit from and gain status from the violence.
The Aristocrats (2005)
Just Awful
Don't believe the hype. This movie is awful. Imagine being surrounded by 100 comics laughing about one long, bad inside joke. You will feel like an outsider the whole time the comics basically talk about a joke that is not even funny.
It is painful to watch so many comics NOT being so funny. This movie feels like a movie for comics and comics only. After the 50th cutaway in 20 minutes you will find yourself, 1. a little dizzy, and 2. wondering what all the fuss is about.
The hype this movie has received is way out of touch. I can only imagine the reviewers gave it respect for "being different". But in reality is is trash.
The joke is on you. Don't rent this movie.