1. The Fundamentals of Caring
Okay, it was a film, not a doc. A Netflix original film, to be exact. But I wanted to share it because it featured a main character who was a jerk asshole teenage boy confined to a wheelchair. His new caregiver had to have a very intimate care-giving relationship with him. It was extremely well written, lighthearted, and thought-provoking. Everyone should watch it! 10/10
2. Prescription Thugs
Umm, we have a different war than terror to fight in this country, and it's against opioids and amphetamines. Holy crap. I can't believe the creator of this film was allowed to exploit the pharmaceutical companies so freely. Bravo Netflix. I learned a lot. I also have more compassion now for people who rely on pills for pain or whatever. Former drug dealer Chris Bell is ballsy and he keeps it real. 8/10
3. Being Ginger
Did I review this one before? I watched it back in January. Anyways, I guess there is racism against redheads in some parts of the world. It's acceptable racism, which is strange, as I've never thought of red hair as a thing that constituted much of a difference between another person and myself. I mean people die their hair purple and pink now. Are strawberry blonde highlights really a thing to fear? Apparently so. Strange film, although there is a cute love story tied in, as the redheaded director tries to find a girl who will go out with him. He is cute, but struggles immensely. 6/10
4. Meet the Patels
I watched this when I was going through my internet dating phase and meeting Indian men over a year ago. I became intrigued with their culture. The producer of Meet the Patels, an only child in an Indian family of 3, films his parents as they discuss their views of marriage and life. They are a very cute family, worthy of having a reality show. I'd like to see more footage of this family if Netflix has more in the future. The Indian dad was especially funny, and I actually felt when the documentary ended, that I'd lost a friend without being able to properly say good-bye. I must have this Indian dad in my life, at least cybernetically. 9/10
5. Full Metal Jacket
Again, not a doc, but someone suggested I watch it, and let me tell you. The first 20 minutes terrorized me. I felt like I'd been to boot camp and war thrice over by the end of the film. It was an extremely disturbing psychological story of what a soldier goes through. 10/10
6. Where was God? Stories of Hope After the Storm
This was rather depressing, so I'd suggest watching this alone if you don't like getting emotional around others. It starts out kind of sad but then there are moments later on that pull your heart apart. It's about families torn apart by the Oklahoma tornado of 2013, which collapsed an entire school house. Anyways, it's not too graphic, and there are moments of the film showing how the tragedy brought a community closer together. 7/10
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Netflix Documentary Reviews 3: Holy Ghost, Dope, Furious Love, Fuller House: Season 1, Bob Ross: Season 1, My Beautiful Broken Brain, The Genius of Marian, Finding Vivian Maier, Janis: Little Girl Blue
1. Holy Ghost
This documentary followed a former member of heavy metal band Korn in his spiritual walk today. Mostly, he tells people about Jesus and tries to pray for them. There were a couple of other dudes praying and healing people, too. It really fascinated me, but then I read one distinct negative review on Netflix (even though the documentary had an overall 5/5 star rating), and it made me question everything I just saw. I've posted the negative review below, and you can watch the film and decide for yourself. 8/10
2. Dope
A fun ghetto film. Not a documentary, but I needed to include it. It's about a modern day black nerd, who dresses like Fresh Prince, but lives in the ghetto. Imagine Will Smith, as a smart and responsible teenager, growing up in the projects of West Phili. The film was well-directed and scored, and fairly well written. I just liked the concept for the character most of all. Though rated R, it seemed appropriate for the whole family. 7/10
3. Furious Love
This was kind of similar to Holy Ghost, but not quite as captivating, so I'll give it a 6/10.
4. Fuller House: Season 1
Also not a documentary. But so epic I must review! Lots of laugh-on-the-inside moments. Give it a few episodes, and you'll be hooked for the season. I was surprised to see how well the roles of DJ and Stephanie Tanner were played. Nothing was awkward. Not even the fake audience laughter following Kimmy's dumb attempts at attention, though she seems to have given up her crush on Uncle Jesse. She has a child, and is recovering from years of drinking and drugging, so she's grown up a bit, too. Rebecca and Jesse share some very wet kisses (that was as close to awkward as it got), and of course, Jesse plays his "Forever" song (yeah, that was pretty awkward) toward the end of the season. They really hashed out a lot of old memories though, yet not many visual flashbacks. Maybe they weren't allowed to use old footage for copyright issues. "Michele" did not re-join the cast, and other characters make comments about her disappearance, in one instance saying she can't join them because she is too busy "running her fashion empire." 9/10
5. Bob Ross: Beauty is Everywhere, Season 1
Wow this was a trip. Back in time, and out into nature. His paintings really come to life in front of your eyes in like 20 minutes. It's so amazing. Now kids can pause and play to prepare their palettes and practice their brush strokes. If they're painting for real and not using computer painting software. Ross often takes a moment talk about nature and animals. On the first episode, he shows baby squirrels suckling from a bottle, that he prepared for them after they lost their mother! It was nuts! I wish I could own one of his paintings, really. That would go on the bucket list for sure. 10/10
6. My Beautiful, Broken Brain
This was a legit documentary. This girl had a stroke and lost the ability to do certain things. She had to learn how to do basic things all over again. It was scary (she was only 34!) and touching. 9/10
7. The Genius of Marian
A son films his mother after she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I felt the film was too slow paced and boring, and it was poorly edited, and also a little invasive and exploitative. But anyways. It's there on Netflix. Maybe it could help somebody who is struggling with losing someone they love to this disease. 6/10
8. Finding Vivian Maier
This nanny whom everyone knew as always walking around with a big camera around her neck, finally got exposed, long after her death. Her pictures are so amazing, I must give this film a 10/10.
9. Janis: Little Girl Blue
Such a sad story of Janis Joplin, but this film brings her back to life, and humanizes her in a way no other media has. Great footage, and some very intimate interview segments with Janis and those closest to her. This is a story worth watching. 8/10
This documentary followed a former member of heavy metal band Korn in his spiritual walk today. Mostly, he tells people about Jesus and tries to pray for them. There were a couple of other dudes praying and healing people, too. It really fascinated me, but then I read one distinct negative review on Netflix (even though the documentary had an overall 5/5 star rating), and it made me question everything I just saw. I've posted the negative review below, and you can watch the film and decide for yourself. 8/10
2. Dope
A fun ghetto film. Not a documentary, but I needed to include it. It's about a modern day black nerd, who dresses like Fresh Prince, but lives in the ghetto. Imagine Will Smith, as a smart and responsible teenager, growing up in the projects of West Phili. The film was well-directed and scored, and fairly well written. I just liked the concept for the character most of all. Though rated R, it seemed appropriate for the whole family. 7/10
3. Furious Love
This was kind of similar to Holy Ghost, but not quite as captivating, so I'll give it a 6/10.
4. Fuller House: Season 1
Also not a documentary. But so epic I must review! Lots of laugh-on-the-inside moments. Give it a few episodes, and you'll be hooked for the season. I was surprised to see how well the roles of DJ and Stephanie Tanner were played. Nothing was awkward. Not even the fake audience laughter following Kimmy's dumb attempts at attention, though she seems to have given up her crush on Uncle Jesse. She has a child, and is recovering from years of drinking and drugging, so she's grown up a bit, too. Rebecca and Jesse share some very wet kisses (that was as close to awkward as it got), and of course, Jesse plays his "Forever" song (yeah, that was pretty awkward) toward the end of the season. They really hashed out a lot of old memories though, yet not many visual flashbacks. Maybe they weren't allowed to use old footage for copyright issues. "Michele" did not re-join the cast, and other characters make comments about her disappearance, in one instance saying she can't join them because she is too busy "running her fashion empire." 9/10
5. Bob Ross: Beauty is Everywhere, Season 1
Wow this was a trip. Back in time, and out into nature. His paintings really come to life in front of your eyes in like 20 minutes. It's so amazing. Now kids can pause and play to prepare their palettes and practice their brush strokes. If they're painting for real and not using computer painting software. Ross often takes a moment talk about nature and animals. On the first episode, he shows baby squirrels suckling from a bottle, that he prepared for them after they lost their mother! It was nuts! I wish I could own one of his paintings, really. That would go on the bucket list for sure. 10/10
6. My Beautiful, Broken Brain
This was a legit documentary. This girl had a stroke and lost the ability to do certain things. She had to learn how to do basic things all over again. It was scary (she was only 34!) and touching. 9/10
7. The Genius of Marian
A son films his mother after she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I felt the film was too slow paced and boring, and it was poorly edited, and also a little invasive and exploitative. But anyways. It's there on Netflix. Maybe it could help somebody who is struggling with losing someone they love to this disease. 6/10
8. Finding Vivian Maier
This nanny whom everyone knew as always walking around with a big camera around her neck, finally got exposed, long after her death. Her pictures are so amazing, I must give this film a 10/10.
9. Janis: Little Girl Blue
Such a sad story of Janis Joplin, but this film brings her back to life, and humanizes her in a way no other media has. Great footage, and some very intimate interview segments with Janis and those closest to her. This is a story worth watching. 8/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)