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Shane (1953) - ***
Heroes have always been a trademark in film. Inevitably, what invests you in a film’s story is the ability to relate and root for the main character. In the post WWII era, the hero role was everything to a film, and the western genre was the easiest setting to promote this role model. John Wayne always comes to mind, but this western gives us the character of Shane. Honestly, I have to go off of my film education to know that this film is held in such high esteem because of the popularity of this character type in westerns. It’s not a bad film at all, but unfortunately, its simplicity is wrought in forgetfulness.
Shane (Alan Ladd) is a reluctant gunfighter who stumbles upon a homestead family who is in a constant struggle to keep their land from the evil cattleman, Ryker (what a great villain name). The film is mainly seen through the eyes of the young boy Joey, as Shane gets caught up in the middle of this conflict. The film is not so much a tale of good versus evil, but how we perceive our heroes although their actual characteristics may not make them so.
It was hard for me to grasp onto why this movie was on this list. I will say, it was much better than I expected it to be, especially after reading the plot description. It is entertaining throughout, but Joey (Brandon De Wilde) about did me in. Young actors of today are much more skilled, but it feels like he is constantly yelling, “Shane!” in a whiny voice or saying, “Oh, geez!” in a 50’s sitcom manner. The fact that he was nominated for best supporting actor goes to show how different the acting style was back then.
Ladd as Shane didn’t quite carry the heft that a Cary Grant or a John Wayne would bring to the role, but he does a fine job of striking the hero pose. Every compelling story has a great villain, and the bad guys in this film are a lot of fun to watch. It’s fun to see a young Jack Palance grimace through the screen and they make it a little hard not to root for them. The settler families who are supposedly the good guys come off as weak and seem to complain constantly. I will give major credit to a fight scene that happens in the town’s bar that seems to go on forever, in all the good ways. This fight is purely epic and I think every piece of furniture gets destroyed and mangled. It was fun to see such a well choreographed scene that didn’t have to use fast cuts or stunt doubles to provide thrills. It was laughable how long it goes, but I loved every minute of it.
Despite the cringe-worthy whine of Joey, Shane’s story leans on the uncomplicated plot of the good guys versus the bad guys. Sometimes when a film just sticks to the basics, it can be a solid entertaining ride. Shane won’t be the first western that I’ll go to, but I think you could do much worse.
I give Shane 3 out of 5 bar fights.
#45 (AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies)
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Hallie asked me to draw a horse. Me: I don't think this looks very good Hallie: Well... It does look like an alligator-horse. #nottheartistofthefamily
Hayden's first tribal council! No worries, we don't have plans to vote her out. She's in our alliance. #Survivor #survivorsecondchance
My Top 30 Survivor Season Rankings
If you know me, I love all things Survivor. It was my last semester at Baylor and a group of my friends were watching the finale of Survivor: All-Stars. I wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but seeing the combination of hatred for Boston Rob by the other survivors, but love from the finale audience as he proposed to that season’s winner, Amber, had me hooked. I moved back home post-college for a bit while I was trying to find a job, and low and behold, my parents were fans. That fall I watched Survivor: Vanuatu with them and I’ve never looked back.
My fandom has reached depths of doing brackets with my friends and even applying (and getting a call back) with a video. What keeps this Survivor nerdom going is a podcast that dissects all things Survivor, both with the current season going on, past seasons and overall fan fiction. Rob Has a Podcast is hosted by Rob Cesternino, a charismatic two-time Survivor player, and has been a really fun way to pass the time on my two hour commute every day. Cesternino is incredibly active with his community, which I rarely have time to get involved in, but he has just put up a poll to rank all 30 Survivor seasons. I have decided to take on this challenge and thought my blog would be a good way to expound on the thoughts behind my rankings.
There are all sorts of things to factor into how to rank the seasons. You could do it by winners, challenges or just from a pure entertainment angle. I have never watched a season more than once, so I really had to pull from the old memory bank on what makes each season unique. I decided that my criteria for this list was that I would rank the seasons on the likelihood of me popping in the season to watch again. I thought this was a fair way to go about it, so here’s my list:
1. Season 20: Heroes vs. Villains
This season was extremely entertaining from beginning to end with a returning cast that was stellar. It represented a wide scope of players throughout the years and unlike All-Stars that was burdened by bitterness, this season had extreme strategy that ranged from genius to absurd.
2. Season 16: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites
Although the Favorites dominate, the Fans early demise in the pre-merge part of the season is just as memorable. Although it’s lopsided, Parvarti and her band of girls show you how to play Survivor. Besides immunity idols that are sticks and Erik giving away a million dollars, I can actually make myself laugh out of loud at the thought of the dynamics between fans Joel and Chet. “I hit my head.” “I don’t care.” “I know.”
3. Season 28: Cagayan - Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty
This was one of the best gimmicks that Survivor has ever used. The Brains self-implosion early on was delightful and can you remember a season that provided such amazing characters? Would the season be as good without Tony? Probably not, but the fact the he provided so much humor and hard gameplay and still won the game was extremely satisfying. It was just a great cast that gave us Spencer, Chaos Kass, Tasha and although he’s not my favorite, Woo. I was surprised to put such a newer season so high on my list, but I think that it’s that good, especially for not having any returning players.
4. Season 6: The Amazon
You can thank this season for providing all the epic blindsides and flip flops you have come to expect from Survivor. Due to Rob Cesternino taking strategy and utilizing it in a different way, this is one of the first season’s that you never could predict what would happen from week to week. The men versus women tribes ended up being a fun success and this season provided for one of the most diverse and entertaining casts.
5. Season 2: The Australian Outback
Otherwise known as the season that everybody watched. I wasn’t even watching Survivor yet when this came out and I knew who Colby and Jerri were. Although the gameplay is lacking, it really established the two tribe dynamic and made alliances a not so dirty word. The elements really came out to play this season and it provided so many memorable characters and scenes (Skupin in the fire, sweet Elisabeth, Alicia’s finger, Kimmy’s chickens, etc.).
6. Season 4: Marquesas
An underrated season. Although Vecepia hasn’t been the greatest winner around, I think this was just a fun season throughout. It was the first time where people did a major flip and I think it reinvented strategy in the game. As much fun as it was, it also brought real life issues of race and religion to the forefront. A young Boston Rob really did a lot to influence confessionals going forward and it’s fun to see how he played the first time. Kathy is a blast to watch and it’s a shame that Sean has never come back to play the game.
7. Season 25: Philippines
I think I like the three-tribe format because it ultimately develops underdogs, and the duo of Malcolm and Denise kept the season interesting throughout. The dynamics constantly fluctuated throughout the season and provided returnee players we always wanted to see come back (Penner, Skupin) and celebrities that actually played the game (Jeff Kent, Lisa Whelchel). Add characters like R.C. and Abi-Maria, and you have a great cast with a very satisfying ending.
8. Season 19: Samoa
Two words: Russell Hantz. Has there been any other player who had change the game more since Boston Rob? He ushered in a new era of Survivor (for better or for worse) and single handedly dominated the dynamics of the whole season. He became the villain you loved to hate and even though the debate of whether he should have won or not still continues to this day, totally encapsulates why I love to see how much a social game can affect this game. And let’s not forget about Shambo!
9. Season 8: All-Stars
Some people are down on this season because of the transparency of ego and bitterness that weaved throughout. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this season, but I’m still drawn to it because it brought back so many people you wanted to see play again. Yes, it had an unlikable force go to the end, but I enjoyed seeing players get knocked off their high horse. This season made me interested in watching more, so that’s why I have it in my top ten.
10. Season 1: Borneo
This would be number one for most people because it started it all, but I actually had seen a lot of Survivor seasons before even viewing this one, and although compelling, I don’t think it’s the best Survivor season. It’s fun to see how far the game has come, but in current days, I don’t think this is the right season to introduce to new viewers. It’s a pleasure to see how far in advance Richard Hatch was thinking than everybody else and you can’t help but wonder if the game would have lasted this long without his presence? It’ll always have a special place in every Survivor’s fan heart, even though it isn’t the most shocking season ever. But who can forget Rudy, Sue’s jury speech or Greg and Colleen.
11. Season 27: Blood vs. Water
It’s the season where Redemption Island actually worked. The loved-ones aspect brought a new line of thinking about strategy that Survivor fans had never seen before. Once again the All-Stars dominate, but it was so much fun to see a character like Tyson mature and dominate. The second coming of the purple rock created a hugely memorable tribal council and the season produced new favorites like Vytas, Ciera and Hayden Moss.
12. Season 15: China
I loved watching Todd strategically win this season. He is still one of my favorite winners and although the location put a damper on some of the challenges, I totally fell in love with the cast that consisted of Amanda, the biting Courtney and the lovable giant, James.
13. Season 7: Pearl Islands
The Outcast twist is a major fault of the season, but otherwise provided great characters with the likes of Sandra, Burton, Jonny Fairplay and Rupert (whether you love him or hate him, he is a standout character). Honestly, it’s been a while since I’ve seen this season and I just can’t remember much about it. Like Season 2, even if you aren’t a Survivor fan, you remember the dead grandmother scene.
14. Season 12: Panama
I’ve always been an Aras supporter, but why did he come across as so smug? Even though he is known as a boring winner, his rivalry with Terry is pretty unforgettable. Shane Powers brought a new frenzy we hadn’t quite seen yet and the season gave us one of the best female players ever in the housewife turned master strategist, Cirie.
15. Season 30: World's Apart
I really liked this season more than other people because I actually thought the casting was brilliant. I think the season was overshadowed by the Will and Shirin feud and the overall, out-of-line commentary by Dan, but I loved seeing a cast who, for the most part, were all out there trying to win the game. Mike’s underdog victory was one for the ages, and I loved how the three-tribe dynamic of White Collar, Blue Collar and No Collar played out.
16. Season 26: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites 2
The first half of this season and the plight of the “Favorites” was a real downer. Phillip was just pure annoying, not funny, and Brandon Hantz’s fury seemed more dangerous than the elements. Thankfully we had Cochran to save the season and become one of the most likable winners ever.
17. Season 18: Tocantins
Not much strategically happens in this season, save for J.T. and Stephen Fishbach’s alliance that ended up taking them to the end. Even if you hated him, Coach brought so much to this season and we also got our first introduction to Tyson. I just remember really rooting for J.T. and the way he won the jury over was pretty incredible.
18. Season 9: Vanuatu
The men versus women twist didn’t quite play as well the second time around, but I absolutely loved watching Chris manipulate his way from the bottom to the top. One of the most underrated winners ever in a season that people seemed to forget about, even though it had amazing characters like Eliza, Amy, Sarge and the unreasonable Twila.
19. Season 13: Cook Islands
Survivor was walking the line when they divided the tribes by race, but were fortunate to get players like Ozzy and Penner out of the mix. Parvati and Candace 1.0 are actually a little dull, but watching Yul strategically win with integrity intact is a marvel, despite the fact that he had an idol that pretty much made him untouchable.
20. Season 10: Palau
I’m personally more down on this season because I just didn’t like watching one tribe get decimated. Tom was a stellar winner, but he had a pretty easy time. Stephenie and Bobby Jon are obviously stand outs and I wish Ian would come back at some point. I still can’t believe he willingly let Tom win the game and take Katie over him.
21. Season 3: Africa
The brutality of the season overshadows what could have been a better cast if they weren’t confined to cages. It’s fun to see a tribe shakeup for the first time and who can forget Big Tom and Lex, but it’s a pretty forgettable early season.
22. Season 23: South Pacific
Why did we really need to see Coach versus Ozzy? This season was pretty lopsided the whole time. It was fun to see Cochran flip, but it still did nothing to change up the dynamics that Coach set in place. Sophie was a deserving winner whose game was brilliant, but not necessarily fun to watch.
23. Season 11: Guatemala
Honestly, I just don’t remember much about this season. I don’t remember disliking it, but there aren’t many scenes that I remember. I do remember Stephenie 2.0 being very evil, while Rafe and Judd were standouts. This would be a fun one to revisit and then maybe it would climb up my list.
24. Season 22: Redemption Island
I hate the Redemption Island twist and you almost know that it was there so we could see Russell and Boston Rob in as many episodes as possible. Seeing Boston Rob dominate was a class in Survior strategy, but everybody else around him were about a thousand steps behind. With that element added to the fact that Russell goes home early, made for a season that everybody could predict from week to week.
25. Season 17: Gabon
I just remember how much I disliked this cast. When you can remember more characters you disliked than actually cheered for is a good indication of why this season is where it is. Bob’s win was a much needed sweet touch to a dismal season shrouded with players the show was trying to make us like (Sugar, Kenny). People ended up loving the villains more (Corinne, Randy).
26. Season 5: Thailand
The first time where Survivor casting got it wrong. Not all of the characters are busts, but the twists just never seemed to work in the show’s favor that year. The draft showed why producers should pick the tribes at the beginning and the sexual altercation between Ted and Ghandia just put a bitter note over the whole season. Brian Heidik dominated and didn’t care who liked him, including the audience.
27. Season 14: Fiji
Earl and Yau-man!!! And… yeah, who else was in this season? Oh yeah, Dreamz and… I just don’t remember much about this season besides those players.
28. Season 29: San Juan del Sur - Blood vs. Water 2
The blood vs. water format worked really well with All-Stars, but with all new players, it just fell flat. It was blatantly obvious that the majority of the cast didn’t know how to play Survivor, which ironically sent the savvy players home earn. Thank goodness for a win by Natalie or this season would almost be last. For the first time, I audibly heard myself saying out loud during the season, “This isn’t very good.”
29. Season 21: Nicaragua
The older tribe versus the younger tribe just didn’t work out. Add the Medallion of Power and a pretty unlikable group at the end, and you get Survivor: Nicaragua. It seems crazy that Marty has never played again, but besides him, the cast was pretty thin. Fabio was somewhat of a likable winner, but his extreme lack of gameplay was a good representation of what the season felt like.
30. Season 24: One World
Even Kim Spradlin’s amazing gameplay couldn’t save this season from being at the bottom of my list. Kim is perhaps one of the best female players to ever play the game, but was she even challenged? The One World concept just didn’t work and the season was just too full of people who didn’t know how to play the game and very unlikable characters. Colton wasn’t a villain that you loved to hate, you just hated him. There were challenges that even Jeff Probst wasn’t a part of! He knew to keep his face off of this season as much as possible. Thank goodness the following season, Philippines, was such a strong season or there may have been no Survivor after this one.
I would love to hear your feedback! Do you agree with my list? Should a certain season be higher?
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Free Spirits (2013) - *** 1/2
Free Spirits is another fun 30 for 30 documentary that focuses on the short-lived ABA franchise, the Spirits of St. Louis. If you have a limited knowledge of the ABA days like I do, I think you’ll enjoy this look at a very talented, but controversial team that recruited the young talent of Bob Costas to call their games.. If you aren’t a fan of basketball, I don’t know how interested you’ll be in the story, but it’s a good look at how a team influences the economic impact of a city and how owners use a franchise to earn money. The majority of the time is spent analyzing Marvin Bad News Barnes, whose partying ways seem to diminish a great talent. It’s a story you often hear in these documentaries, but they never fail to garnish some interest. I ended up investing more into the crazy buyout deal that the Spirits’ owners negotiated that allow their team’s legacy to still exist today. The depth of this documentary is lacking compared to other 30 for 30 installments, mainly because it focuses on a team that only lasted two seasons, but it’s still very well made and inhabits the spirit of the ABA and this team.
Nightcrawler (2014) - *****
I worked at a news station as a weekend photographer one summer as a college student. I absolutely cannot relate to the main character played by Jake Gyllenhaal in this movie, but I absolutely can relate to the sensationalism of news coverage that stations across this nation promote. Everything that I hated about the industry is what Gyllenhaal’s character thrives on. He does an amazing job of playing a freelance crime videographer who is driven by an insatiable need to be successful. Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver came to mind as Gyllenhaal showcases a character that seemingly seems normal on the outside, but is ultimately a sociopath in the inside. The movie is dark, but witty at the same time. The scenes and dialogue move at a tremendously fun pace and you become wrapped up into this world of greed and competitiveness. What makes a good movie great is its ability to have you involved the whole time and not knowing where you are headed. Director Dan Gilroy does a tremendous job of building the tension throughout and ending the story in an unexpected, but satisfying way (as unsettling as it may be). Nightcrawler on the surface is an exposé on the news industry, but deep down it’s really a revelation on how as a society, we always have to take that extra step of seeing the seedy side of things. More times than not, it’s not needed, or even our business. It also shows the ugly side of capitalism. It can be a great thing, but if it is put in the wrong hands, things could go very, very wrong.
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Killer Joe (2011) - ****
If you love your film noir with a little redneck mixed into it, you will love this trailer trash crime thriller that is captivating and grotesque all at the same time. Directed by long-time director William Friedkin (The Exorcist), Killer Joe is a stage adaptation that winds you into the seedy underbelly of Dallas where very bad people hire a very shady cop to get rid of a very bad person so they can score some money to pay off some other very bad people. I know this may seem like a hard sell, but this is a ride where you never quite know what’s going to happen (and trust me, you’d never predict what does happen). Every actor here really brings to life these vivid characters that are really unforgettable. They aren’t just bad people, but also dumb people, so you get highly invested in whether or not these numbskulls can actually pull off this complex heist. Matthew McConaughey portrayal of Killer Joe was the start of the McConaissance and he does an amazing job of commanding attention to the screen. His character is so unpredictable, that you are too frightened not to see what he’s going to do next. The violence and sex in this movie really verges on that line of being exploitive, which again, makes this movie a hard sell. But I think it really helps paint this picture of a lifestyle that you know exists but one that you are glad you just have to visit through a fictional world.
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Of Miracles and Men (2015) - *****
One of the books that we recently checked out at the library for Hallie was a sequel of sorts to the fable The Tortoise and the Hare. The book had a clever take on how the Hare rebounds from such a devastating loss and I couldn’t help but think of this book when watching this 30 for 30 documentary. In all sports, it’s easy to choose who the heroes and the villains will be, especially when it comes to the Olympics. It’s the one event where most everybody in the nation roots for the same side. It becomes such a narcissistic viewing experience that we forget what big consequences exist from both victory and defeat. Of Miracles and Men is a picture on perspective and viewers get to experience a different side of the story to the Miracle on Ice, when the U.S.A. men’s hockey team upset the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. The story of how hockey came to be in Russia is interesting in itself, but it’s pretty fascinating to see what happens to the Soviet Union players after their defeating loss. The political ramifications are stunning and life changing for many of these Russian players. Former friends become enemies and playing hockey for fun becomes an outdated theory. When it comes to the Olympics, we often forget that America’s competitors are human as well. When the U.S.A. looses, we pat them on the back and say, “You’ll get ‘em next time.” Of Miracles and Men proves that for many countries, a loss means, “You better get ‘em next time, or else...” This was a compelling documentary that was extremely well done and has many elements, including the Russian commentary of the game, that make the story unique and powerful.
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A Deadly Adoption (2015) - ****
When it comes to spoofs, the jokes are usually at such a high level of absurdity as to make sure that the audience is highly aware that the filmmakers are trying to garner laughs. If you have ever seen anything by the Zucker brothers or Mel Brooks, you realize that thematic issues usually take a back seat in their work. A Deadly Adoption is an interesting movie because there is absolutely no winking at the camera. Just like many television movies before it, it sticks to the Lifetime formula of being highly dramatic and heavy handed with a polished, but unrealistic look. The casting of Will Ferrell and Kristin Wiig as the leads provides for a unusual combination because both Ferrell and Wiig play their roles absolutely straight. But in the only way that they can, they give a comedic performance just by their presence, but not by how they react or deliver their lines. So the movie doesn’t become a spoof at all and creates such an unusual tone, but it still made me laugh. Now, if you didn’t know who Ferrell or Wiig were, would you think the film was funny, or even good? Probably not… but nonetheless, I really couldn’t stop giggling at the absurdity of these actors being placed in this format. The whole movie is a little genius in a way and if I were Lifetime, I would look into casting more comedic actors like this to act in these stupid, dramatic stories. They really could create a entirely new genre and get people like me to actually tune into the network for the very first time in their lives.
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Video Drones are Pretty Dang Cool
As the video drone hype has increased, I've always kind of shrugged it off. I never was a big remote control car kind of kid growing up. "What's the big deal?" I thought. When I started to research drones and look at sample videos, my creative mind kicked into gear. I finally ordered one and got to test it out with my buddy Ryan, and all I have to say is, wow. I think what I like best is how easy it is to fly. Here's a sample video of some of the footage we took. I can't wait to explore more creative avenues with this camera and hopefully it will add a new dimension to my work.
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Youngstown Boys (2013) - ****
I am just as a big culprit as any other college fan when it comes to the adoration put upon young student athletes. At this point, I don’t think anyone is oblivious to the massive amounts of money that universities and the NCAA make off of their sport programs, but the livelihood of these students are often forgotten. There are big-named athletes that have successful careers because of the college system, but the reality is that the system may be more harmful than helpful. This 30 for 30 documentary takes a look at the paralleled fates of Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett and head coach Jim Tressel who both helped bring a championship to the university after a thirty year drought. Both end up being masked in scandal, and although there is redemption at the end, you can’t but have a bad taste in your mouth about the ethics of collegiate sports. From a technical standpoint, the interview techniques of doing multiple fades and profiles between the interviewee’s statements are very overused and annoying, but overall this a great inside look at the corruption of the athletic system we revere. I love documentaries that challenge the viewer and constantly provide ethical quandaries, and Youngstown Boys provides plenty of questions in a very concise, narrative way.
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Begin Again (2013) - ****
What a great surprise this movie was. If you enjoy movies about the process of making music, like Once or the lesser-seen Rudderless, you should really enjoy Begin Again. Mark Ruffalo plays a music producer at the end of the rope of his career and family and happens to hear the music of a reluctant singer/songwriter (Keira Knightly) who has recently been dumped by her rising star boyfriend (Adam Levine from Maroon 5). The movie works on two levels. I said this about Rudderless, but the movie hinges on whether or not the music is actually good, and I really enjoyed not just the songs, but how the movie shows the artistic nature of creating good music. But for those who aren’t music fans, I think they will still enjoy the relationship tale that is developed between all the characters involved. The progression that takes place seems natural and is never overdone or overwhelming. Ruffalo, at this point in his career, has to be one of the best actors currently on screen. He has a relatable charm that comes across in his characters, yet a story can completely lay on his shoulders. He makes this story believable and gives it the emotional heft that makes it so enjoyable. Begin Again captured my attention from beginning to end and if somebody is not won over by its charm, I would seriously doubt their taste in movies.
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Blue Jasmine (2013) - ****
I love Woody Allen films and consider myself a big fan, although there is a lot of his works that I haven’t seen. He has directed so many movies that there is no way I could absorb his whole library. They tend to be hit or miss, so I save up my viewing experience with his films that seem to garner a lot of praise. Cate Blanchett won a Best Actress Oscar for her role here in Blue Jasmine and she deserved every bit of it. As a self-obsessed alcoholic, she perfectly embodies this new breed of women in society who are rich, spoiled and entitled. When her world crashes in, she is forced to shack up with her artsy half-sister, and naturally, conflict ensues in which Allen always revels in. Like many Woody Allen films, this film fuses comedy and relationship drama perfectly. Underneath the surface, this is a movie that is very dark and doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending, but it’s very relatable because everybody in life has faced a deep crisis or has had to deal with a family member that is, in a sense, losing it. Blanchett gets great support from Alec Baldwin, Sally Hawkins, Andrew Dice Clay (a great surprise), Bobby Cannavale and Peter Sarsgaard. If you love Woody Allen films, you will feel very comfortable and familiar with this tale that is told in his unusual non-linear fashion. But if you have always been afraid to dive into his work, I think Blue Jasmine would serve as a great entry point. It fuses all the wit and layers that Allen is known for, and you will leave the film wondering why you haven’t seen more of his films.
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I Hate Christian Laettner (2015) - ****
I’m a Duke fan. You either hate me or love me for that statement. You could easily call me a bandwagon fan because I really have no ties to the university except for a couple of friends who went to divinity school there. I’ve always loved basketball and as I was starting to get into sports at a young age, Duke became my favorite college team because, as this documentary reiterated for me, I started watching college basketball just as Duke was hitting its prime. My young age also made me extremely naive to the extreme hatred that existed for Christian Laettner. This documentary does a great job of breaking down the sports culture and why villains exist in the sport. It’s also an extremely interesting and entertaining profile on Laettner, who doesn’t back down from who he is to this day. The tone of this film is fun and nostalgic and I loved reliving the hard fought battles that Duke endured during Laettner’s reign. This film also makes you sad in a way because you know that college basketball will never quite garner the enthusiasm as those teams did back in that day. The fact that a player like Laettner stayed on the team all four years of college is unheard of today. The film shows a time where schools had players and teams that they could actually develop over time and it’s no wonder that there is a revolving door of national champions today. Even if you don’t like basketball, I think you’ll enjoy this film because it’s more about a persistent player’s psyche as well as the psyche of sports fans. Whether or not you were a fan of Laettner or not, you have to admit that he was one hell of a player.
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The Unauthorized Full House Story (2015) - **
I grew up in the TGIF era of television. Boy Meets World, Family Matters, Step by Step and of course, Full House, accompanied pizza meals in front of the television with my family on Friday nights (Yeah, I was cool). There is no denying the cheesiness and sappiness of these shows, but my generation has a fondness for these shows despite being some of the most mindless entertainment to be developed in the 90’s. Going into this “film” I wasn’t expecting greatness and I know that by have the “Unauthorized” tag from Lifetime would give them A LOT of artistic freedom. With expectations at a pretty low level already, I was still taken aback by how bad this was. Like the actual Full House television show, this movie builds upon sap, but the whole time I was asking myself, “Why are they telling this story?” Lifetime clearly had to make up some of the storyline, so I was expecting high drama and betrayal, but instead you get a film that shows likable people who like each other. There is absolutely no insight or purpose behind anything that is seen. I understood that these “Unauthorized” films are a cash grab, but this project is just plain lazy. The majority of the actors don’t even look like the celebrities they are trying to portray and at some point I was totally lost to who was who. If you can give any kind of credit to the film, I think that Garrett Brawith does a good job of playing Bob Saget. He isn’t necessarily a doppelganger for Saget, but he sure sounds a lot like him and nails the cadence of how he talks. But I’m not sure how far you will get in life impersonating Bob Saget.
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