Sandra Hüller. © 2023 A24, Film4, Access, Polish Film Institute, JW Films, and Extreme Emotions. Directed by Jonathan Glazer. VFA Nominee - 6 VFAs Including "Best Motion Picture"
Watched it at 59th The Chicago International Film Festival @ AMC Theaters (CIFF #3)
Everything Seems Normal Until You Look Out of The Picture... The sounds of dread, death, and peace are through the house of a Nazi-oriented family. A manipulative view of peace and quiet is seen through the eyes of this family. Director Jonathan Glazer shows us a different perspective of a Nazi family who are living their lives like any other family, but secretly hear the violence playing in the background. It is a deeply rooted film through its psychological and philosophical presence. A film that may be uncomfortable to watch, but it will immerse you, keep you thinking throughout, and leave you in a complete state of mind when the credits roll. It is a film that represents the horror that we may be living in today, but Glazer lets us soak into this time when war was at its peak and fall during this critical point in human history. Let's go back to 1943 and take a peek at this family living next to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Story: A Nazi commandant tries to build a dream life for his family near the Auschwitz concentration camp. However, with leadership and international changes, he must find ways to keep his family stable while keeping his job and the future of the family. In the first few minutes of the film, it is totally pitch black. However, the film slowly brings up the dreaded and daunting music and sounds that seem unpleasant and unconformable. Yet, it is fitted with the theme and story of the film which showcases the first shot of the film where the family is enjoying a nice summer day like any other family would. Yet, when closely hearing the sounds through the speaker channels in the theater, I hear a small yet distinctive sound of work and possible gunshots in the distance. This is just the beginning of a film that utilizes sound as a character which elevates not only the experience but deeply connects to the family and the environment surrounding them. The sound design and mixing are flawless with the rich and unnerving sounds of the environment and the conversations of each family member. From the silent sounds to the loud chaos within the Auschwitz camp, it stresses and destresses your listening experience from scene to scene. There are moments where sound can be given as a breather moment but once those dreading sounds come back, the film pulls you in like an instant shock. The brilliant sound design of the camp sounds, the nature and home environment, and even each room tone gave a sense of nervousness and sometimes fear. Fear is the message with the sound design and mixing of the film which gives the entire experience a memorable experience but in a unpleasant way. If there was no dialogue and just pure sound, this film still would be a masterpiece due to the sheer amount of haunting dreaded audio from the camp and the calm noises from the home environment. It is like two worlds smashing into one which creates some of the most haunting sounds I have heard in film and by the end, I left shocked. I felt like I was watching this film in a museum with its presentation and this should absolutely be in museums around the world. It is a work of art. I didn't even get to the score of the film yet in this review and it is also very memorable and disturbing. Within the music, it gets distorted through the instrumental score with hushed piano music mixing in the entire score. There isn't a lot of music in the film but when it is present, it hits you silently. It is atmospheric through and through which steps up the cinematic experience. If I were an Academy member, this would easily win best sound at the Oscars without a doubt including a nomination for music as well! Yet, as a critic, I love the amount of detail and expression within the sound design in every second. Before I lose myself in the fantastic sound work, the story and characters drive the film forward which accompanies interesting philosophical themes that are being challenged throughout the film for audiences. Ever since I finished taking that "Philosophical Issues in Film" class during the fall semester, I have been more deeply into philosophy than ever before which leads me to this film filled with philosophical interpretations. Before I dive into the philosophical themes, let's take a look at the story of this film which is based on a book based on the same name. Even though it is based on a true story, many of the story plot points are based on the novel with some dramatic storytelling being added for dramatic effect. There isn't much dialogue within the story but the relationship between the mother and father of the family we follow is apparent and focused. Throughout the film, the film quickly shifts to the father's point of view while it switches back to the mother. There is a balance between those characters which gives a fresh view of their family actions and the life they are living. It gives us empathy for these characters in their lives and while we know that they are a Nazi family, that is mostly landed on the father. The father is pretty much the protagonist or even the antagonist of the film. Yet, Glazer lets us into the family's home and live into the moment of their lives from their morning routine until they go to bed. That is the most crucial part of the film because it deals with this family. If it was just focused on the father, it wouldn't be a strong story, let alone, the whole point of the film. Glazer uses the occasional character development for all characters but there is little for each family member until the Nazis are starting to lose or where there is conflict in the family. For some, it will feel late, but for me, it fits well into the structure of the story and it feels natural within the context of the situation. This is not a typical family drama. It is more experimental within its technical filmmaking and its directing style of Glazer. Yet, with the storytelling narrative being also the focus, Glazer allows his interpretation of the characters to feel real and write them in interesting ways like the way they react to the slow defeat of Nazi Germany and the fall of the Auschwitz camp. Even from their kids, they are raising them to think that they are going to be future Nazi soldiers and have nice families in the Nazi regime. When watching it through, it is very sad to see how these children were raised in this environment which makes it devastating and you feel a bit of sympathy for them, but you quickly remember that they are still part of the Nazis. It can be emotionally complex based on your relationship with the history of WWII and the Nazis, but it also manipulates your feelings about the family alone. There is so much depth within the storytelling of the film but by the third act of the film, the plot takes into a whole new direction that exceeds the first two acts and makes the ending devasting and real. There is so much to praise with this film but the one thing I would like to explore is its philosophical themes about the family, war, and the Holocaust. Even though this film is focused on a Nazi family, you can't ignore the fact that this is one of the many tragic stories of the Holocaust. It is devasting to witness a family living near the Auschwitz concentration camp where you hear gunshots, screaming, mining sounds, and death. It is heartbreaking and it feels like your breath is out for two hours due to the sheer experience throughout the film that you are being sucked into. The way the Holocaust is being viewed here is interesting because you don't see the camp inside. You only hear sounds from outside. However, the film lets you briefly enter the camp but with no actual sight of the camp. Only the father monitoring the camp while you hear the loud gunshots, mining, and crying in close proximity. That is one of the few moments in the film that brought a true horror aspect and it has stuck with me ever since. There are moments in the film where they talk about the killing of the Jews which made me sick to my stomach and I was very uncomfortable witnessing that. Yet, it was necessary and it is not an easy film to watch. Even though there are not any real disturbing scenes, it is still disturbing with the context behind it including the way these characters talked and treated the Jews. The final ten minutes of the film is where the Holocaust takes its importance over the family with a silent memorial of the Jews in which the father doesn't know what his future holds. It is a brilliant yet sad ending that I will not forget.
With its philosophical themes that Glazer is tackling like the problem of evil, ethics, and morality, it makes the psychological part of the characters a bit more complex. Evil is depicted in the film through the family actions with the Jews and the father working near the camp. There aren't a lot of on-screen evil actions but through the tone and atmosphere of the film, you can sense the evil and fear within the walls of the house and the camp walls as well. A sense of horror and dread is blocked off from the outside walls of the camp which questions the true evil within the family. Who is the problem of evil in the family? What is the problem of evil in the family? So many interpretations can be expanded but one thing to note is that evil is being hidden from the family except the father. He's the true evil person in the family and when he realizes that the Nazis are losing, his evil starts to die and he will be forgotten. He also has no morality in the Jews unfortunately except the mother but maybe not the kids. Morality is also being juggled here but their ethics within the family are very centered and we get to see it play out in the family. Some morality is developed between the family and their Jew workers but no morality is developed by the father which makes his character a bit soulless to have empathy. Yet, from a philosophical point of view, that makes his character a bit more sinister. The philosophical elements can be seen through its visual presentation than its character storytelling but it allows more interoperations of evil and morality within the characters and ethics running through the family. Through all of this storytelling, Glazer ultimately uses the technical part of filmmaking to bring this story in a thoughtful yet immersive dark experience of this tragic and haunting story.
The way this film was shot is quite simple. Yet, it is beautiful and the framing is exquisite and intentional. There are no handheld or gimble shots being used. It is purely static and tripod shots in every shot of the film. There are a quite few dolly shots but there are no pure moving shots which helps the film to not break the illusion that the film is intended for. Plus, the way the cameras are being positioned in the house feels like a camera watching them at all times. It gives a Big Brother feel to the experience of the film and with its slow pacing, it feels like it was playing in real time. The editing is brilliant with its sound mixing and editing. There are interesting editing choices that made the experience a bit more real. There is also a sense of rhythm through each scene with its pacing in each pivotal sequence and when it hits nighttime in the film, the editing keeps that rhythm momentum going like a CCTV camera. Even during the scenes with the mother and father, it only cuts up close to the person who is feeling a sense of uncomfortable or taking control of the conversation. The editing is better described when you watch the film. The production design is also fantastic and while the film is just in the house with some great VFX being placed with the wall and the camp, it takes a step further into the house. Even way beyond the house with its underground system and in the final act, it goes beyond the house. There is one aspect that may be overlooked but it is the costume design of the film. With the context of the story, it is scary to think that some of the costumes being worn could have been dead Jews and there is one scene where Sandra Hüller's character is trying out a nice winter coat. However, that winter coat belonged to a Jew, and seeing a Nazi mother wearing that was honestly shocking. The colors on certain characters' costumes including the father give a sense of authority, system, and emotional state. Even if we go back to the cinematography, the colors are mudded yet vivid with some standout colors like white, green, and gray. It feels like a documentary at certain moments but at the same time, it feels like you are actually being there. That feeling of if it is a documentary or a narrative feature. That blur is present throughout because of the fantastic production of the film and it is one of the best technical films of 2023. As I look back on the film, I don't see any major flaws besides that this film could be very slow for some people, despite being a 105-minute film. I didn't feel that at all throughout. However, I feel like I wish there was more family drama but I don't think that was the point of the film. It can be mixed for some people who had family members who experienced the Holocaust or had relations with the war in Germany. I know it can be emotionally complex for folks out there so I have nothing against that. This is not an easy film to watch. It will destroy your mood for the entire day or night. Yet, it is an important film that everyone should watch. Jonathan Glazer takes this important story and unfolds it into a daunting experience that will leave you numb or speechless. It is an important film that interestingly explores the Holocaust through a Nazi family but without seeing the Jews in the camp. It blocks you from seeing the horrors within the camp by keeping the "beauty" of the family right in front of your eyes. It can be manipulative but the film gets its point across with its dark themes about humanity, morality, and history. The ending is what made me say this film is a work of modern art. This should be shown in schools and show both sides of the events of the Holocaust. This film even made me join a course about the history of the Holocaust. Film can really impact you in so many ways and this film successfully did that. Even though I know the Holocaust in general, I still wanted to learn the many stories that aren't being told through the eyes of the Jews and Germans during this crucial event in human history. A true work of cinematic film art.
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Vizeit Score: "A+"
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Copyright © 2024 Vizeit Reviews. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Editor In-Chief/Owner of Vizeit Reviews | (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
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Sophie Wilde. © 2023 A24, Screen Australia, South Australian Film Corporation, Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, Head Gear Films, Metrol Technology, and Causeway Films. Directed by Danny Philippou & Michael Philippou.
Watched it at AMC Theaters
Ok...Talk to me. When I saw who was directing this project, I knew right away this was going to be an instant banger. After seeing the film twice, this is going to be an interesting review to write because this is the freshest horror story I've seen in a long time. The creativity on screen is immaculate and the horror aspects are through the roof. This is a film that hardcore horror fans and even movie fans will absolutely enjoy and be glued to the screen. The film doesn't just do horror right, but it allows you in on the characters' emotions, struggles, and addiction. Let's go to a wild party and test out this weird magic hand that you may encounter dead people through...or become the dead person itself. Story: When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits with an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill and high-stakes party game -- until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Directors Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou took a simple horror concept and twisted it to its limits. The sheer amount of violence, horror, and insanity is present throughout this film. The Philippou brothers used their camera and directing magic from the YouTube videos they created and turned this film into a cinematic horror-fest. While this film isn't the huge gore fest and crazy camera work from Philippous' original content, there is still the flavor of RackRacka that is through the excellent camera work and direction with the characters and story. Speaking of characters and the story, the story is very engaging from start to finish. There is emotional weight and consequences behind every action these characters commit. The main character Mia (Sophia Wilde) has a unique character arc that goes in different directions that you may never expected to see. Wilde's performance really captures the teenager experience and her dynamic with her friends feels natural. I really loved how we get to experience these events through the eyes of Mia by following her every move with the hand object and how every action she takes will affect others. Plus, her personality makes her character more engaging and the performance feels fresh and vivid. The supporting cast is amazing including Alexandra Jensen as Jade. Miranda Otto is also great in the film as Sue. While she doesn't get to do much, she really encapsulates her presence between Mia and Jade. Overall, the performances here are some of the strongest I've seen in a horror film this year. With those performances into a gripping and haunting story, it makes the film more special and chaotic, in a good way. The story is simple yet refreshing to see in a unique horror film that anything can happen. The opening prologue sold me for the next hour and a half of the film. All in one take, setting up the vibe, atmosphere, and bloody horror of the film, I knew that I was going in for a treat. The film's pacing of the story was very smooth with no filler in between important scenes and character moments. It lets the story digest the world, characters, and the myth of the hand object. Plus, the hand object lore isn't explored a lot but the film gives you a quick rundown of the history behind this object and it's enough that you want to theorize more later. Certain plot points get very juicy when certain characters start to play with the object way too much where at a point, chaos starts to erupt. By the hour mark, the tension and horror don't stop and it holds you until the end. It's written so well by letting every scene and moment feel it has weight and it lets the audience digest each moment that has importance to the entire story. While the film is about supernatural beings and friendship, the film is really about trauma, grieving, and broken relationships. Plus, it's about fixing the broken things that have been broken for quite a while and you can't seem to fix it until you literally become broken. That is what I analyzed through the film's ending. Without spoilers, it's a heartbreaking ending that will let you think about your current relationships and how far can we maintain them until we destroy them with one action. Or even an action further. The story doesn't get too convoluted which is great because there's so much mystery behind this hand but it's really about these characters trying to get out of a situation that they shouldn't even be then in the first place. Even if the characters are not part of the situation with the hand object, they are still affected by the consequences of certain characters which makes the stakes of the film feel tight and real. With the addition of the horror aspects, it makes certain sequences feel haunting and fucked up. It's not full-on RackaRacka violence, but it gets you there at a point where you are in for a wild fucking ride.
That wild ride is carried by its horror elements. The camera work is fluid throughout the horror sequences with interesting shots and angles. Plus, the RackRacka flavor and directing makes these sequences feel like action sequences but in this case, through horror. The make-up effects of the creatures beyond the hand are scary and disgustingly good. Even some of the gore effects are pretty gruesome and deadly impactful to the story. The cinematography is very slick with interesting lighting choices and coloring use of muted and bright blues and reds. The editing here is also surprisingly great for a horror film. The pacing of each scene flows well and it doesn't waste its time on certain moments. However, when there's a crucial scene in the film, it slows down yet, with the strong directing from the Philippou brothers, the pacing through those scenes feels fast yet slow and meaningful. The score of this film is also solid alongside its interesting music choices. Nothing too crazy with its production design but I really like the simplicity of the possessed hand figure and to think that thing is real on the A24 shop is insane. Overall, the production and technical work of this film is amazing. With this film costing under five million dollars, it's incredible how they pulled off some of the biggest set pieces throughout the film while giving us an impactful terrifying story that expands on horror elements with a unique taste.
While there aren't a lot of flaws in this film, the one thing I could point out is the father dynamic between Mia and her father. I feel like there was something missing. Even though I loved the scenes between her and her mother because that's the core of the film, the father's storyline felt weak. Yet, I was still hooked in their scenes when they got into an argument about their mother's passing. Besides that, there could be some logical issues with its story decisions, but I was still invested from beginning to end. Haunting, darkly vivid, and gripping, Talk to Me is what horror films in this new era of cinema should be doing. Creating simple horror films with unique twists and turns that audiences won't expect. It passed beyond my expectations and I loved every second. This is a horror flick that many cinephiles and general audiences should watch. It's also emotional with its story and by the end, you will be asking more adventures of this hand fucking up people's lives. A definite must-watch horror film.
Now Available on VOD & 4K Blu-Ray!
Vizeit Score: "A"
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Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Editor In-Chief/Owner of Vizeit Reviews | (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. © 2023 A24, CJ ENM, Killer Films, and 2AM. Directed by Celine Song.
Vizeit Reviews is in solidarity with the WGA & SAG, however, SAG will allow film critics to continue their normal movie critiques as usual but with certain restrictions.
Watched it at AMC Theaters
Two Lives Intertwine Once Again In the past, people can change. Futures can be changed. Relationships can be changed. However, one person will at least stay once in your life and bounce back again to begin new beginnings. Past Lives is the answer to new beginnings and revisiting a past life you once had. This is a deep film that explores many themes and once the film ends, you immediately rethink what kind of life you had in the past. Every emotion will hit you once you see the final shot of the film with the beautiful score in the background. Join me in New York City to explore the past lives of these characters and the theme of truly living here and now. Story: Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrestled after Nora's family emigrated from South Korea. Decades later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront destiny, love, and the choices that make a life. Capturing human moments is very special and I feel like Past Lives captures those moments like it's a documentary within a narrative form. It's special how Celine Song directs her two leads into emotional moments and removes the boundaries to make certain choices that will affect not just throughout the story, but the arcs of those characters. Even John Magaro's character Arthur has a major arc within his relationship with Greta Lee's character Nora. Each character serves a purpose in this story and by the end, there are many emotions flowing in through each character that determine their past lives and their future. I was captivated by the beautifully written screenplay and it allowed certain moments to be so heartful while giving the actors more freedom to explore their character. It doesn't waste time to introduce these characters' lives and it's an interesting feat of a story structure to have these long introductions before heading to the main central story in the present time. I was expecting the film to start right away with the two characters in New York which it does but only for a minute before going back to the past to see how their relationship changed over time until they meet once again in New York. I think it's wonderful and fresh to see that and it goes straight to the point. I really loved the two main leads in the film, especially Greta Lee. She really delivers an outstanding performance in bringing this simple yet emotional character that separates her new life from her old life. Teo Yoo as Hae Sung was also fantastic at delivering an interesting character that many males can relate to. Aiming for the girl of your dreams and suddenly, once you get rejected, you start heading to a different path. However, that same path will crossroads into the original path with the person you fell in love with back in your younger life. It's an interesting analysis of human decisions that open new paths but the old path can come back once the person is ready to restart their original path. Even their old lives can come back and it can reveal their original emotions and feelings. It's a deep film with simple topics and ideas that resonate with audiences about how much we value love and our lives for one another. Love can be challenging but with a new path, that love can expand into something greater.
The cinematography is simple yet beautiful in presenting these emotional and heartwarming moments. The framing on each scene and shot are very well done and it captures the essence of the environments and emotional state of the main leads. The production design is also pretty good too and I love how we get to see both eras of New York City and Seoul change and intersect. The score is absolutely fantastic in elevating emotional moments to their limits. The music is also very relaxing by giving a vacation-type rhythm through each emotion that is presented. The editing here is also well-paced by not wasting time on each scene and letting the emotional scenes breathe and time shine. The New York City trip scene is well edited by giving slow beats while still having a smooth rhythm with its characters. Overall, it's an amazing indie production and it elevates emotional love stories to another level.
This was such an emotional film from beginning to end. Past Lives explores different themes and ideas that many love dramas wouldn't touch and director Celine Song embraces those ideas into something greater. The performances are fantastic, the writing is very strong, and the cinematography is exquisite. Easily one of the best films of 2023 and I'm looking forward to Song's next project to break my heart once again. Now Playing in Theaters and on VOD. Vizeit Score: "A"
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Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Editor In-Chief/Owner of Vizeit Reviews | (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
Joaquin Phoenix. © 2023 A24 and Square Peg. Directed by Ari Aster.
Watched it at AMC Theaters
In This World, Afraid Is Just A Stage. Quick Review: If Ari Aster makes a three-hour weird-fest with full of excitement, weirdness, and scope, I'm totally in. This film fucked my expectations in a good way due to its weird direction from Aster. This is such a weird film that not even other studios won't make but I'm glad this film exists. There is a lot of creativity and weirdness put into the film and I can tell that they put every penny into this film. The plot of this film is so weird and everywhere. Without any spoilers, it fucks with your mind and there are a lot of unexplained sequences that are well shot with huge scope, but at the same time, there's no explanation. Even with the metaphors presented in almost every scene, there are moments where I'm lost which takes me out of the film. However, the performances in the film are pretty great. I really loved Joaquin Phoenix's performance and his commitment to his character is insane. He goes from the adult side to the child side to the manic side in seconds. The side characters are also pretty good with their performances being amazing. I really liked the "antagonist" in the film and her motivations are very strong and explainable. However, some of the protagonist's motivations are pretty confusing and I was completely lost during the most important scenes in the film, unfortunately. I would say the film wasn't that long, however, some parts were really slow and unfortunately, there were some scenes that they could've cut out. However, the visuals in this film are really fantastic. I love the use of practical effects in the film including VFX. The cinematography in this film is very well done and the score is also memorable during some of the weirdest scenes in the film. Overall, it's a well-made film with great directing but with a confusing plot that will leave you sour or wanting more. The images in this film are some of the most fucked up since Men and it left me in a confusing state of mind. It's a well-made film for sure, however, if you expected a Odyssey film that will be fun, you got it, but try to set your expectations as low as possible. It's an Odyssey epic film for sure, but it will fuck up your mind. Ari needs some mental help. Now Playing in Theaters. Vizeit Score: "A-" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for continuing supporting my indie film website.) Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
Andrew Callaghan. © 2022 HBO, A24, Strong Baby Productions, Abso Lutely Productions, and Channel 5. Directed by Andrew Callaghan.
The Most Stupidest Day of The Decade Unfolds.
I can't believe I'm writing another political film/television review but this one is a different breed. This is raw and real news from a smart-ass person. If you love Channel 5 or are familiar with Andrew Callagahn's videos, this is his documentary debut and it's a wild one. It's off the roof with realism, stupidity, reality, and truth. I am surprised that HBO allowed this and I'm glad they did to show that they have the balls to put this up on streaming. This is what news journalism should be now and in the future and this documentary goes beyond the line. Join me across America during the 2020/2021 election year into the events of January 6. Put your seatbelt on, it's going to be a bumpy ride of a review. Story: The documentary follows Andrew Callaghan as he travels across the United States in the months preceding the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He interviews both sides of the political spectrum and hears truthful or stupid thoughts on both sides while drinking Modelo. This is a pretty short documentary but it has a lot to unpack from the election to the January 6 event. It's pretty chaotic from the material to the editing. The filmmaking in the documentary is amazing. I loved how they had not one but two different camera angles and shots to make the documentary more ambitious and real. All are up-close as much as possible and shot with different cameras to make it authentic. It's not all about the fancy Natgeo cameras, it's about using the cameras in a creative way. With the help of the editing, it's well done by showing as much chaos as possible and really showcasing the weird moments. The zoom-in moments were hilarious and how comedy was used through editing was pretty smart and strong. I love how it cuts to the crazy moment and goes into a much more serious segment and show how America is reacting to these events. The editing is the highlight throughout the filmmaking here and I thought it was very strong. The segments themselves are pretty interesting and entertaining. We get to see the weird side of the republican party, mostly blamed on Alex Jones. He is the antagonist of the documentary and honestly one of the people who started this whole chaos. Besides the infamous bench press scene with Jones drinking tequila, that scene would not show up on any other network besides Channel 5. That's literally fucking insane. I really enjoyed the protest scenes because the way they edited them was funny and made it dramatic as possible. What's pretty interesting in one of the segments was that they humanize everyone including the people that social media hates. I won't say which one but it's nice to see them open up to their truth and mistakes. I love when journalists let every be themselves and humanize their views and see their true selves. It's raw that this kind of documentary goes into these parts including the family. We get to explore a republican family and see how young these kids are getting brainwashed with untruthful facts. But also seeing the positive light in their family. Showing the light and darkness of these events.
This film is not just for Gen-Z people but for everyone. It has your adult moments and the goofy moments and it's balanced so well with its tone. If you are expecting this documentary to be fun, then this documentary completely succeeds but also is serious with its journalism. Having people just talk and letting them be wild in their space is honestly powerful. It feels like you're watching a Zoo documentary and looking at the different types of people going at it. No boundaries and I love when they let the filmmaker show raw moments or dumb moments that are integral to the story it's trying to communicate. With all the segments and rallies, what I learned, in the end, was that January 6 was a disastrous day in the 2020s and it caused a negative impact on America. But also I learned that the events leading to the 6th were pretty divisive yet people trying to just move on with their lives. We see people who are just there for the chaos or want to express their opinion or sitting on the sidelines eating popcorn. Everyone shown in the documentary had a purpose and their actions led to this historical day. The documentary showed rawness and unfiltered bullshit which makes this documentary so amazing. Plus, the comedy really makes it more entertaining and less informative. It's more of showing the rawness of these events than information which makes it stronger on its own.
The only thing that held back this documentary was its short runtime. While it was fast-paced, it did run out its steam by the end. I wanted more but that was the only thing. The gangster guys, in the beginning, were random but it made sense because it was hilarious. This is its own thing and I respect what Andrew Callaghan has done. He really is changing the journalism game. This is by far one of the strongest documentaries I have seen in a while. It had rawness, chaos, and moments that will make you cringe, laugh, or feel bad. It's basically Vice News on steroids with actually great dumb journalism. I really loved this documentary and I cannot wait for more Channel 5 content. This is my news station from now on. Sorry, Philip DeFranco. Now Streaming only on HBO and HBO Max. Vizeit Score: "A" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for your continue support.) Copyright © 2023. Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. |
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