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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

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