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RyanNijakowski
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Blame It on Rio (1984)
I watched it pretty young as a child
My parents divorced when I was pretty young, but not to young to understand to under stand that I I was only going to see my father every other weekend which I didn't want because my father was still him a big child and toxic masculinity described him perfectly. I don't share this to bash my father, but one of the things he did as a deadbeat with no ambition to get his own house, grow up and mooch on his friends and couch surf. On weekends I stayed with him at one at one of his best friends house, and I slept in the Living Room couch. I woke up really early from discomfort and the television was on. 'Blame it on Rio' was on, and think I managed to watch the whole film as a young kid, but I knew everything in the plot and thought it was one of the most ridiculous movies with one of the worst dialogues and characters ever. What middle aged man knocks boot and bump uglies with the daughter of his male friend of the same age as the former man's own daughter . It took me many year to realize what movie that crazy stupid film actual was. I originally thought it was a gross Woody Allen film, but it was made by someone els. Someone was trying about older middle aged man getting lucky with his (also middle aged) best friend's daughter in a midlife crisis. None of the characters were sympathetic. The scenes where the cast directly speaking to the camera (like they were one some Real Housewives) and disgusting their experience was ridiculous. It's all stupid. There is nothing redeemable about the characters in my opinion. They all seemd ridiculous, stupid, and unapologetic for their actions. And the dialogue sucked. I have written many questionable stories, novels, and unfinished screenplays myself and I understand it's hard.
On a good note: At least the actors, writers, directors, and producers made a movie. I never made a movie, as much as I've love to. Congratulations to the cast and crew for that accomplishment on themselves. Perhaps the film has a small cult following. May someone out there loves it. I just couldn't find myself liking it in the least I usually try to revisit movies a second time that I didn't like the first time.
L'humanité (1999)
One of the dumbest movies I've ever seen...
One of the dumbest films I've ever seen, and there are a lot of bad movies out there. The characters are so dull. The sex scenes and nudity are so repulsive and serve no purpose. The performances are unremarkable. I got this film when the Criterion Collection released it, and it was probably the most disappointing film they've ever released on home video. Sometimes people try to pass something off as art when it is anything but art. The fact that this film won any awards at the Cannes film festival boggles the mind.
7th Heaven: I Hate You (1997)
People Need To Stop Hating Each Other
There are many television shows that try to articulate life's lessons to families. In my opinion 7th Heaven was the pinnacle. ( 'Mr. Roger's Neighborhood' deserves honorable mention, though.) This episode, as well as an episode from the fifth season titled "Tunes" are the two greatest episodes of the entire series, because they deal with topics of injustice, hate, love, and kindness, and because it is a series that tries to teach lessons in humanity, I strongly recommend that everyone watch this episode. Well done!
Girl 27 (2007)
Worth watching, but Bad Direction
The 1937 scandal is definitely a story worth learneing about. There are some interesting interviews, great film references, but the director of the film clearly does not know how to direct a documentary. There is an ego about him that is just not acceptable. He insinuates himself into the story and into the life of the woman who back in 1937 was Girl 27. He never passes up an opportunity to bring up the fact that he is also an author of celebrity biographies. He never passes up the opportunity to let his audience know the famous people he has worked with. I am not someone who believes there is a perfect cookie cutter way of making a documentary film. Sometimes it's necessary for a director to knock down that fourth wall and make himself or herself a presence in the film he or she is producing. A good director should never steer the focus of the subject matter onto himself or herself, though. David Stenn is not just annoying as a documentary filmmaker, he is disgraceful as a documentary filmmaker. This documentary should be taught in film schools about what NOT to do as a documentary filmmaker.
Anyway... this is the only existing documentary that covers the subject matter of the 1937 MGM sex scandal. It's a story worth knowing. It's unfortunate that the story was brushed under the rug as long as it was. In this, the time of #MeToo and #TimesUp, it's really important not to brush such stories under the rug. History absolutely repeats itself. 'Girl 27' as well as other documentary films and biopics like 2019's 'Judy', for example, are evidence that Louis B. Mayer was the Harvey Weinstein of the '30s, '40s, and '50s. Some people live their whole lives and die without being brought to justice for their horrible behavior. Justice sometimes comes in the form of unearthing the truth postmortem, denying their legacies praise, and condemning them for their insidious existence.
The Problem with Apu (2017)
Hari Kondabolu's Opinions Aren't Valid
I completely disagree that Apu fed stereotypes. And what is the problem with a man being a convenience store clerk? What is the problem with a person owning a grocery store or carryout? Apu has an honest job! Apu supports a family! This is a slap in the face to ALL people who work!!! This documentary tries to criticize the beloved Simpsons character, the voice actor who plays him, and the show overall None of his arguments were valid. Hari Kondabolu is a NOBODY. His ego is so large; he needs to humble himself. He fails in every way as a comedian and an entertainer, so he lashes out at others for his failures. 'The Simpsons' is a world treasure, and he isn't. He's not a success, so he cannot be happy for something that is a success. Hurt people hurt. He tries to be somebody by creating a controversy that doesn't exist. What other way can he get attention than by latching his name onto the most successful television show and sitcom in history. He is a disgrace. The heart of a true comedian does not beat in his chest. Comedy sometimes pushes the boundaries, and The Simpsons are no exception. If Kondabolu thinks that Apu having a job, being a workaholic, and owning a business is offensive, then Kondabolu has no respect for working people of any class. His ideologies are disgusting, and he is a disgrace. He is the offensive one. He is a snob!
Highway Dragnet (1954)
Predictable but Delightful Pulp
Once the poor dog (who was supposed to be on a leash) was hit by a car and killed, I knew what the murder weapon was. Still, I found this desert road-trip film with the often-used "wrong man" theme to be quite a fun film noir.
Strangers in the Night (1944)
Catfish 1944
I'm actually surprised that this movie hasn't resurfaced as a kind of cult classic in recent years of the digital age. We are all familiar with social media and what "catfishing" is. Strangers In The Night is a wonderfully eerie catfishing tale as it would have taken place in the 1940s before social media. In a way the movie was ahead of its time. For being just under an hour long, though, it sure does have a lot of story packed into it. There's also a feminist element to it (female doctor).
Arthur's Perfect Christmas (2000)
All-Inclusive Holiday Joy
I was just a child when Arthur's Perfect Christmas was released on VHS. It is a wonderful, even Millennial, example of how Christmastime is not just for Christians, Americans, nor commercialization. It offers a little something for everyone. Not only does it offer something to appease those who celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but it also has an Atheist and Agnostic alternative through the Buster Baxter storyline. Arthur has always offered a politically correct, family-friendly, and altruistic body of work that past and future generations can enjoy.