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benjaminlatta
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God's Country (2022)
A Predictable Series of Cliches
The characters in this film were essentially all caricatures of a trope. The angry black lady, clueless cop, misogynist and subtle racist "thinks he is a good white guy guy', the white lady that tries but is outnumbered, then the podunk Trump despicables.
They weave in Hurricane Katrina, affirmative action, and even a MeToo moment.
I don't disagree with the point of the film, but they beat the viewer over the head with it. It didn't say anything new or offer any insights. They might as well have put out an infomercial or a paid political advertisement.
The lead actor is great, but she didn't have anything to work with.
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021)
Godawful
This is a movie about one of the most terrifying serial killers in United States history. What does the documentary tell the viewer about the Nigh Stalker?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Less than zero. Basically just his name.
They dragged this out for 2 hours by talking to the lead detectives, Who go on and on and on..
Who cares about these two detectives? They seem like normal guys, the freak is Ramirez and he should be the focal point here. He did all of the manical stuff. His background is horrifying. And never touched on.
The two detectives weren't exactly outstanding either. They basically did the bare minimum and a dozen people died before the killer got busted as result of something Feinstein did that they did not want to happen. They also bungled the dental appointment and the recovered vehicle. Could they not have pushed harder on either? I thought Salerno had weight?
Overall a horrible documentary. Don't waste your time.
The Rider (2017)
Wow
For someone that has a TBI as a result of playing contact sports for eons this film hit home.
A big part of our culture relates to being strong and tough. Unlike Lane in the story your average TBI sufferer, like Brody, looks and appears for all purposes fine. Completely fine. No scar even, no seizures. Nothing. People assume you are fine. But you aren't. Some friends will get it. Some will not. You are carrying a bomb around in your head and it's always ready to go off. To suddenly be called weak minded or soft, after a lifetime trying to prove your toughness. It's infuriating.
For men especially physicality is a big part of our identity. But I can no longer do many physical things: skiiing, basketball, contact sports, fighting if I need to. Tonight at a concert there was a small mosh pit. I was terrified of someone hitting my head. I'm 35. It's emasculating. It's hard to walk away from all of this instantly. It's like ageing 40 years in a heartbeat. It is more frustrating because you can physically do these things, but you can't afford to because of the potential consequences. But unlike Lane, who can't physically ride a horse, Brody has to relent as he can do it, but it could harm him. It's a mind warp to be able to do something you love, ut know that you shouldn't. It takes some getting used to.
I'm amazed the filmmakers were able to capture this so succinctly. Not to be rude, but particularly a female Dirextor. I was proud of the fact that Brody walked away rather than going out on his shield. It wasn't what he wanted, or what was ideal. But he played the hands he was dealt. I hope the real Brody finds meaning post-injury. I can't say how shocked I am at how well this film captured the experience of TBI, especially for young men. Astounding.
Attacks of the Mystery Shark (2002)
Somewhat interesting
This is presented as a whodunit, looking back at the 1916 attack of two people in a small river in New Jersey. The movie aims to determine what type of shark killed them. Is it a Great White or a Bull?
The movie meanders to different areas, such as India, where the Bull or Great White are known to live. A lot of effort is made to prove whether Bull sharks live in rivers where attacks have occurred. Ultimately not much evidence is provided other than the fact that Bull Sharks can live in freshwater and Great Whites can't, with Cousteau concluding that it therefore it must have been a Bull Shark.
For me the whodunit aspect didn't really work since it is quite obviously not a Great White. This hurt the movie. However, a great deal of interesting information on Bull Sharks was presented in an entertaining manner and the 1916 attacks helped center the movie. Well worth watching.