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cschenkemeyer
Reviews
Blinded (2008)
The Suspense Delivers.
This is a short that goes for the delivery. It is a suspenseful tale of cheating and deception. A prime example to convey what is most meaningful for me in a film, short or feature, and that is the story.
Sure, we can look at this film and be critical on how technically well made this film is, you can point out the audio if you'd like, but that, for me, does not that away from the short. If anything, I am even more engrossed and drawn into the film because of it's story.
I love how this really plays on our own fears that we may have in our own lives (Join the Dark Side!!). I say 'Bravo' to this short, because I noticed how I was on the end of my seat, caught up in the suspense. Most of all this filmmaker stuck to what really matters most: the story.
Skum Rocks! (2013)
Amusing at times, well-made doc, but not thoroughly entertaining
This documentary properly displays the pathetic side to the rock and roll lifestyle. Although, I can look at this documentary and see that is well put together, I just have no liking towards any of these gentleman (hardly).
First off, all these "rockers" are all old, bald or balding men, with sunglasses on while doing their interviews. All of them!! It's hard for me to know who is essentially who in this doc, even when I have to rewind it two or three times to keep up with. Why should I like these people?
I admit I have a bias towards the rock and roll industry, in that I think the culture is quite pathetic. if anything, the doc, in ways, points this out to us, especially when it comes to this particular band.
The only person I feel sorry for in this doc is the filmmaker when he gets framed for burglary by the band members for filming in the wrong location (although I did get a good chuckle).
I like the structure of the doc, proving humor when needed, as well as the pacing was on par. I am not trying to take anything away from the filmmaker here, I just am not enthusiastic on the subject matter and there is no drive for me to like or love these characters/subjects of "Skum Rocks." Alice Cooper was a great narrator though.
Miss You Can Do It (2013)
A movie that really brings you outside your own perspective
This documentary will be awe-spiring to all those who watch it. The subject matter is one, that really, for me, strikes an emotional nerve in you as you hear the story of Abby Curran, a woman who really overcame and defied odds by being A Miss USA pageant contestant despite her physical disability of Cerebal Palsy.
The doc follows her story on how she starts her own beauty pageant; the "Miss You Can Do it" beauty pageant, a pageant inspired by kids of all ages with mental and physical disabilities.
We continue our journey by getting more involved with the pageant contests as the date gets closer. My heart goes out to these kids, and for me personally, I found it very difficult at times to watch some of them with their symptoms. However, it was because of this reason that I was hit by such a powerful message that the documentary delivers.
Everyone can contrive their own message from the movie, but for me that message was delivered by a little girl named Ali. She was born with Spina Bifida, yet despite all odds, is the happiest little girl in the world. She just about loves everything, very social, and more importantly excited about the contest. Who the hell am I to complain about such trivial things when I see this young girl inspire those around her, including myself, through her constant joy and happiness?
Pretty soon you come to find out this isn't just Abby's story anymore, this becomes everybody's story who is affected or involved in the pageant, and the tradition they set in place for future generations to come.
I give this 7/10 because I felt is spacing was a little off. However, I am more impacted by the story that anything else, and for that reason alone you should watch it. Thanks for listening!