avdors1 Reviews

Leaving Neverland (2019)

Hmmm....they just might have the means, the social conditions, and the psyche to pull this off.

[3/10 · 12 March 2019]

As I, hesitantly, watched this 'documentary', I thought of what would be revealed that was not revealed while Jackson was alive and performing. Amazingly, it's been over 20 years since the events described, and the pretense is that there is some grand conspiracy thanks to money and power (yeah, like the New World Order kind or the Bilderbergers...or even Weinstein or Cosby or the many government and corporate leaders involved in child exploitation...or, dare I say, the churches...that type of money and power). There have been investigations, trials, etc and they yielded no proof, just suggestion and circumstantial assumptions. The guy was 'weird', by most accounts, admired for his abilities since he was a child, and have had multitudes who have denied that he was the kind of monster this film projects. Now, oddly enough, 10 years after his death, the flood gates open. In a culture where some have the upper hand in all phases of our shared reality, economically, socially, racially, sexually (gender),..etc, some can can create a documentaries, write books and articles, tweet, twitter and whatever else, to a hopeful audience desperate for truth and to understand of what 'weird', in this case, meant. We could get into the history of America's extreme racially disparate response of black rule-breaking, but, for most, we shouldn't have to go that far. Just wanted to mention because, if one only gets a slap on the wrist when they digress, they may do it again (i.e police shootings of unarmed, defenseless people) or several years in prison (i.e assault of minor or murder (sometimes). Usually, the severity of punishment inhibits ones interest in 'rule-breaking'. A black man molesting young white kids, in front of the world,....YIKES! Of this racial dynamic, I suppose, numbers-wise, mainly young white kids had the opportunity to be put in the position to be front row at Jackson concerts and to share his social environment. Heck, who has the money to see Jackson in concert anyways...and, to be accessible to 'The Prince of Pop' (not to be mistaken for 'The King'). Not just accessible, but intimate...as in 'He was like one of the family' intimate. I suppose when you have resources (money, power, fame, etc), it's pretty easy to co-adopt people. 'Fake news!' Trump, besides creating it, said it himself. 'Fake News!', and, sadly enough, the masses eat it up. We love it. We don't have to think much when, by all indications, everything we read, saw, heard, and tasted points to one conclusion....um...ok, maybe with a slight possibility of a different result. Pseudo-news and gossip and opinion makes up a giant share of what we are fed daily. Hey, it pays the bills for them and, they are owned by elites and government, act as propaganda tool. I think I understand. Now that Jackson has passed away, the controller of the propaganda tool called media (determiners of public opinion), this is a good time for those who have been assaulted, to rise up and to be heard. To create a documentary that simply says...'I was assaulted!', 'he was assaulted!', 'my child was assaulted!', and present it to a culture that wants to know more about this guy, from people we historically and socially trust more than anyone else, to see if weird is what we think it is, then to allow the media to create a feeding frenzy off of the chum is questionable...dare I say, kind of 'weird'. Why would they want to go through this or why come out with it now? Could be...literally millions of reasons, however, I understand there is money to be made from everyone, producers, industry who couldn't afford to lose the revenues from such a talent as Jackson, so they did everything they could to hide, protect, shield, etc him from being found out. But how do you do that? Anyway, if these claims are 'fake' or even partially true, but 'embellished' for the sake of slander, then...who would be the rule-breaker, and what should their punishment be?

Fahrenheit 11/9 (2018)

MOORE AT HIS BEST!!

[9/10 · 24 September 2018]

This is a great movie. At a time when there is obvious disillusionment about the state of, not just the United States and all of its historical dysfunction, but humanity in general. Obviously, for some, it's easier to simply dismiss any critique of Trump as 'conspiracy' and criticize Moore for carrying political luggage, but, ignorance and insecurity aside, every subject, every interview, every observation, every human interaction in this movie was as real as they come. It's not like people are play acting. Moore has a beautiful style that connects with the rational, sensing, feeling, thinking individual who, despite attempts to alienate from, connect to other individuals on this planet who truly understand that value of life, and the worth of people. Bravo Michael for another masterpiece!!

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

Could have been a contender.

[6/10 · 22 September 2018]

I find it hard to take this series and the character seriously. The dialog feels so contrived. Sandra oh sounds like some Americanized Asian woman, complete with its ditzy and trite, yet completely figured out, over-reacting, self-absorbed, ever oscillating approach to problem solving. In some instances, like a hyperactive teenager stimulated by her morning caffeine, and in other instances, completely under control and normal. When she isn't acting the aforementioned, she bearable. Her role as Eve seems especially pretentious because there is nothing really linking her and the psychopathic Jodie Comer. Their whole relationship seems like a contrivance. Many of the characters, including the Russian ones, feel like caricatures. Some might like the ditzy, stream of conscious generated humor this show offers, but to me, the feel is pop culture at it's most meaningless.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014)

Wow...what am I missing?

[2/10 · 3 June 2015]

Spike Lee is one of the premiere directors of my generation. With that said, I am still trying to figure out the focus and purpose of this movie. The actors, many of whom, we've seen in other Lee films, are so subdued and non significant. The movie seems to lack...well, life. His career has created valuable works that have symbolically and literally offered calls for self-awareness and offered insights into the social-political realities of African-Americans and America in general. I can't figure out what significance this movie has. There are some disturbing scenes that do not seem to add any insights or purpose to the movies story. The few things I gathered from this are: rich/poor exploitation, addiction, socio-sexual dynamic, and Sankofa. The story telling doesn't offer anything new or dynamic. So, with a heavy heart, I give this a thumbs down and not let this be representative of Spikes true genius!

TalhotBlond (2012 TV Movie)

C'mon

[5/10 · 29 March 2015]

How in good conscience, can the makers of this film NOT focus on the ridiculousness of the situation. A woman pretends to be something she's not, like most women have to do so they don't trigger violence in these sociopathic nut bags, and the film makers make her out to be as much a criminal as the nut bag. Racism, sexism, all seem to play a part and so many disregard the complete lunacy the people display. My general guess is that because the guy is of the dominant culture in a racially dysfunctional society, we need to explain why he's a nut bag because he was caught, and why the person who 'forced' him to commit the crime is a nut bag. Not to say that other cultures don't have the same insecure nut bags, but the 'institution' protects these particular types of terrorists. Well done documentary, with a twisted emphasis.

Crash (I) (2004)

Sad

[2/10 · 16 December 2006]

Unfortunately, this movie didn't live up to any expectations I had. It was quite shallow and contrived. I felt that in so many ways, the movie did not touch upon anything. Racism? Cultural? Class? What about them? We know there are incidents...but can you elaborate? Is there any insight to be had? Any at all from this movie? Any why answered or attempted? Every day most of us as ourselves that question and I am sure this movie did nothing to add to any of our insight except to portray and even create a framework by which stereotype can perform its illusion. It's a sad state of affairs when this movie takes the Oscar. Heaven help us. Heaven help us all.

King Kong (2005)

Quite unimpressed.

[3/10 · 16 December 2006]

The movie is visually quite stunning. I'd have to say that is P. Jackson's strong suit. However, do we ever get sick and tired of incredible sequences that have no real value or realism. within this movie there were dozens of way over the top sequences. A few that come to mind are: 1) Kong running with a woman in his hand, the force from the movement would be incredible; 2) Men with guns and equipment 'endurance' running on an island they have no concept of terrain or landscape. (Oh, don't forget a woman in her bare feet maneuvering on the terrain as if she's running on carpet); 3) unremarkable and obvious chroma-keying; 4) An island surrounded by fog, yet Kong and his fair maiden can sit overlooking a spectacular sunset (Where does the fog and rough waters come from when the sun goes down?); 5) can anyone tell me how those men could hold on to a tree stump that Kong is shaking and twisting? (How is it that EVERYONE, except the victims, have such incredible strength and endurance in this movie?); I could go on, but Christ, these are just in the first few scenes of a movie that is way to long and contrived. What worked in Lord of the Rings didn't quite work here...and finally, next time, let's give the ape a few spoken lines, like Mr. Ed, since we've given him all of the other human characteristics used in interpersonal communication.